Valve Drive Actuation via Merged Engagement Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve drives for internal combustion engines with camshafts require complex control systems and expensive linear actuators, increasing costs and maintenance expenses due to individual adjustment of engagement elements.
Innovation Solution
A valve drive design where engagement elements are jointly activated using a stop arrangement with adjustable stop regions, allowing for simplified activation and reduced costs through shared actuation mechanisms, supported by a rocker lever and bearing elements to prevent lateral tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual linear actuators are used to adjust each engagement element, then precise control of the valve drive is achieved, but the device complexity and total costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple engagement elements (first and second engagement elements) into a single adjusting device that is jointly actuated by one linear actuator. The rocker lever shaft integrates both engagement elements, allowing them to be adjusted simultaneously through a single actuator, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear actuator serves multiple functions by simultaneously adjusting both the first and second engagement elements. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate actuators for each engagement element, reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the control system.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple linear actuators are used for individual adjustment of engagement elements, then precise positioning is achieved, but the total costs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment function for multiple engagement elements into a single adjusting device. By using one linear actuator to control both engagement elements through the rocker lever shaft, the system reduces component count and manufacturing complexity, thereby lowering total costs while maintaining positioning precision.
3Device complexity
If engagement elements are adjusted without a stop arrangement, then the structure is simpler, but lateral tilting occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The stop arrangement acts as an intermediary component between the linear actuator and the engagement elements. It provides lateral support and prevents tilting of the rocker lever shaft during adjustment, ensuring reliable operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve drive for an internal combustion engine may include a camshaft, at least one cam follower, and at least one adjusting device. The camshaft may include at least one cam group including a first cam and a second cam. The at least one adjusting device may include a first adjustable engagement element configured to contact a first guide and a second adjustable engagement element configured to contact a second guide of a slotted guide The at least one adjusting device may further include a stop arrangement axially shiftable relative to a rocker lever shaft. The stop arrangement may include a first stop region and a second stop region. At least one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element may be adjustable via the first stop region and the second stop region, respectively, when the stop arrangement is shifted along the rocker lever shaft.