Switch Valve Capture Element Bore Holes for Compact Engine Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing switch valve arrangements in internal combustion engines with variable compression ratios require significant installation space, particularly in inline engines, leading to conflicts with crankshaft balancing weights and limiting the use of space-saving designs.
Innovation Solution
A switch valve with a capture element having at least two pass-through bore holes that change fluid connections between hydraulic and supply conduits based on switching positions, allowing for a compact arrangement below the connecting rod, eliminating the need for a T-shaped groove and enabling separate testing and replacement, with a robust compression coil spring and simple ball capture element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch valve is arranged in the connecting rod above the crank bearing eye, then the hydraulic fluid control function is achieved, but the installation space is insufficient and conflicts with crankshaft balancing weights in inline engines
Solution Approach 1:
The switch valve is inverted from its conventional position above the crank bearing eye to a position below the connecting rod. This spatial inversion resolves the conflict with crankshaft balancing weights while maintaining the hydraulic fluid control function through the redesigned pass-through bore hole configuration in the capture element
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by moving the switch valve to a different dimensional location (below the connecting rod instead of above), and redesigns the internal fluid pathways using pass-through bore holes that extend through the capture element, achieving compact space utilization without compromising functionality
2Reliability
If a T-shaped groove is used in the capture element for fluid connection, then the fluid switching function is achieved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped groove is segmented into multiple discrete pass-through bore holes that extend through the capture element. Each bore hole provides a direct fluid pathway, eliminating the need for complex tangential grooves and reducing the overall structural complexity of the capture element while maintaining effective fluid switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The complex T-shaped groove structure is extracted and replaced with simpler pass-through bore holes. This extraction of the problematic geometric feature simplifies the capture element design, reduces manufacturing complexity, and decreases installation space requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for safe, space-efficient switching and sealing, preventing installation space conflicts and enabling reliable hydraulic fluid control, while reducing leakage and facilitating easy mounting and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a first pass through bore hole of the at least two pass through bore holes provides a fluid connection between the first hydraulic connection and the supply connection in the first switching position and a second pass through bore hole of the at least two pass through bore holes provides a fluid connection between the second hydraulic connection and the supply connection in the second switching position
Data Source
AI summary
A switch valve configured to control a hydraulic fluid flow, the switch valve including a capture element which is arranged in a valve housing and displaceable into a first switching position or a second switching position, wherein a first hydraulic connection is connected with a supply connection in the first switching position and a second hydraulic connection is connected with the supply connection in the second switching position, wherein at least two pass through bore holes are provided in the capture element and extend through the capture element, wherein a first pass through bore hole provides a fluid connection between the first hydraulic connection and the supply connection in the first switching position and a second pass through bore hole provides a fluid connection between the second hydraulic connection and the supply connection in the second switching position.