Switchable Sealing Element for Camshaft Adjuster Hydraulic Freewheeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camshaft adjusters face challenges in effectively sealing the gap between the rotor vane and stator, leading to leaks and hydraulic chamber shorting, particularly when using control pistons and cross holes for hydraulic freewheeling, which are costly and limit installation space.
Innovation Solution
A switchable sealing element is radially movably guided within the rotor vane end face, capable of transitioning between a sealing position to connect and disconnect the hydraulic chambers, eliminating the need for control pistons and cross holes by using hydraulic fluid pressure to switch between sealing and connecting positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control pistons and cross holes are used to achieve hydraulic freewheeling, then hydraulic chambers can be connected, but device complexity increases and installation space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the control pistons and cross holes from the traditional hydraulic freewheeling mechanism. Instead, it uses a sealing element that can be radially displaced within the rotor vane to connect or seal the hydraulic chambers, thereby achieving hydraulic freewheeling without the complex control piston structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element serves multiple functions: it seals the hydraulic chambers during normal operation and simultaneously enables hydraulic freewheeling when radially displaced. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control pistons and cross holes, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control pistons and cross holes are used for hydraulic freewheeling, then hydraulic chambers can be connected, but installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the space-consuming control pistons and cross holes from the design. The sealing element achieves the same hydraulic freewheeling function by radial displacement within the existing rotor vane structure, thereby preserving installation space while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If a sealing element is used to seal the gap between rotor vane and stator, then hydraulic chamber leaks are prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to perform dual functions: it seals the gap between the rotor vane and stator to prevent hydraulic chamber leaks, and simultaneously enables hydraulic freewheeling when radially displaced. This integration of sealing and freewheeling functions into a single component achieves reliable sealing without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function and hydraulic freewheeling function into a single sealing element. This element can radially move to either seal the gap or connect the hydraulic chambers, combining multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing element is radially movable to enable hydraulic freewheeling, then hydraulic chambers can be connected, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with radial movability, allowing it to dynamically switch between sealing position (contacting the stator to seal the gap) and connection position (displaced radially to connect hydraulic chambers). This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between sealing and hydraulic freewheeling modes as needed, maintaining both sealing reliability and freewheeling functionality.
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 solution provides a reliable seal during normal operation while allowing hydraulic freewheeling without the need for costly control pistons or cross holes, ensuring efficient fluid connection and disconnection of the hydraulic chambers.
Implementation Method 1
capable of transitioning between a sealing position to connect and disconnect the hydraulic chambers, eliminating the need for control pistons and cross holes by using hydraulic fluid pressure to switch between sealing and connecting positions
Data Source
AI summary
A camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a stator and a rotor accommodated inside the stator such that the rotor can rotate relative to said stator, wherein the rotor has at least one rotor vane, which extends in the radial direction towards an inner wall of the stator and forms a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber between the stator and the rotor, wherein a connection gap remains between a rotor vane end face and the inner wall of the stator and fluid-connecting the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber. A sealing element is guided in a radially movable manner in the rotor vane end face to and fro between a sealing position, in which the sealing element bears against the inner wall of the stator to seal off the connection gap, and a connecting position, in which the first and second hydraulic chambers are connected to each other through the connecting gap.