Valve Rotating Arrangement With Diaphragm Spring Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve rotating devices for internal combustion engines face issues with lubrication delays and wear, particularly due to the insufficient pressure exerted by Belleville springs and the resulting friction during valve operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve rotating device featuring a diaphragm spring that compresses into a flattened shape, with a circumferential collar section to reduce wear and facilitate rotation, and an annular element for enhanced lubrication and assembly simplicity, ensuring a low-friction sliding contact with the support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disc spring is used in the valve rotating device, then the valve rotation is enabled through lubricating fluid compression, but wear of the valve rotator occurs due to insufficient pressure from the Belleville spring
Solution Approach 1:
The collar section is pre-positioned on the disc spring to prepare for wear reduction before the valve operation begins. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that the collar section is already in place to distribute loads and reduce wear during the subsequent valve rotation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar section is added specifically to the region of the disc spring that contacts the valve rotator, creating a localized improvement in wear resistance. This targeted modification allows the collar section to bear the brunt of the contact stress and protect the main spring body from wear.
2Ease of operation
If the disc spring is compressed into a flattened shape, then valve rotation is facilitated through lubricating fluid trapping, but friction occurs during the compression and rotation process
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating fluid acts as an intermediary between the disc spring and the valve rotator support surface. When the disc spring compresses into its flattened shape, the lubricating fluid is trapped between these surfaces, creating a lubricating film that reduces friction and enables smooth valve rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the hydraulic properties of the lubricating fluid to reduce friction. The trapped fluid film creates a hydrodynamic bearing effect, allowing the disc spring to rotate with minimal friction against the valve rotator surface during valve operation.
3Reliability
If the collar section is added to the disc spring, then wear is reduced and rotation is facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar section is merged with the disc spring to form an integrated component. This combination allows the collar section to be attached to the disc spring in a unified structure, simplifying assembly and reducing the number of separate parts that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reduces wear on the valve rotator, facilitates valve rotation, and can help center the disc spring on the valve stem. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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
The solution effectively reduces wear and friction, allowing for smooth valve rotation and simplified assembly by maintaining a lubricating film between the diaphragm spring and the support surface, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of the valve rotating device.
Implementation Method 1
The disc spring is designed in such a way that it is (e.g. only) compressed into a flattened shape, preferably parallel to the support surface, when the valve is opened under the force of the valve return spring, and in the flattened shape it is compressed by the lubricating fluid between the disc spring and the support surface is slidably supported (e.g., by displacement bearing) to allow valve rotation
Implementation Method 2
The valve rotator includes a valve return spring (e.g., in the form of a coil spring) for biasing the valve in a direction toward a valve closed position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve rotating device (24) for a valve (10), preferably an intake valve or exhaust valve, of an internal combustion engine. The valve rotating device (24) has a valve restoring spring (22) for preloading the valve (10) toward a closed position of the valve (10) and a Belleville spring (40), which is arranged in operative connection between the valve restoring spring (22) and a support surface (44), which is lubricated with a lubricating fluid. An at least partially, preferably completely, peripherally extending collar portion (46) is arranged on a periphery, preferably inner periphery, of the Belleville spring (40). The collar portion (46) can have a wear-reducing effect and/or can make the valve rotating device (24) easier to install.