Valve Rotator Support Structure to Prevent Disk Spring Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve rotating devices for internal combustion engines suffer from high rolling loads on the disk spring, leading to wear and pitting due to the contact of balls with the disk spring at specific points, which results in reduced durability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact valve rotating device design featuring an annular base body with variable-depth pockets for balls and tangential springs, where the rolling action occurs on an axial spring element and a second support element, reducing the load on the disk spring and incorporating anti-friction coatings and bearings for low-friction movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If balls rest against a disk spring in pockets to generate valve rotation, then the valve rotating function is achieved, but high rolling pressures occur resulting in wear and pitting on the disk spring
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the disk spring (supporting balls during rotation) is extracted and separated from its primary function (providing axial spring force). The disk spring is relieved of the rotational support task, which is transferred to dedicated support elements, thereby eliminating wear and pitting on the disk spring while maintaining its axial spring function.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated support elements (first and second support elements) are introduced as intermediaries between the balls and the disk spring. These support elements bear the rolling loads from the balls, preventing direct contact between the balls and the disk spring, thus eliminating wear and pitting on the disk spring while enabling continuous valve rotation.
2Device complexity
If the valve rotating device is designed with traditional disk spring support, then the structure is simpler, but the device occupies more space and allows less rotational movement per stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements and axial spring element are nested within the existing pocket structure of the base body. The first support element is received in a first pocket, the axial spring element is received in a second pocket, and the second support element is received in a third pocket. This nesting arrangement achieves compactness and reduced space occupancy without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the axial dimension more effectively by positioning the axial spring element between the first and second support elements in the axial direction. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the rotational mechanism to achieve greater rotational movement per stroke while occupying less overall space compared to traditional two-dimensional disk spring designs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the axial spring element is positioned between support elements with connection radially outside, then the structure is more stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first support element, second support element, and connection are merged into a single integrated component. This combination reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the structural stability provided by the radially outward connection between support elements. The integrated design achieves both stability and reduced complexity.
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 design minimizes wear on the disk spring, allows for a more compact and space-efficient structure, and increases the rotational movement per stroke by up to 1.5-2 times compared to previous designs, while enabling the use of stiffer disk springs for extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
An axial spring element which presses the base body and the cover body against one another using an elastic force
Implementation Method 2
The stop surface is provided with an anti-friction coating
Implementation Method 3
an axial needle bearing or an axial ball bearing is situated on the stop surface
Implementation Method 4
a tangential spring is pressed in a tangential direction against the ball
Data Source
AI summary
A valve rotating device has an annular main body, an annular cover body, and an annular axial spring element. The main body has multiple pockets of variable depth so that raceways are formed for balls situated therein, wherein tangential springs press the balls against ends of the pockets in the circumferential direction. The cover body is rotatable relative to the main body about an axis and is axially displaceable, and has an annular first support element, an annular second support element, and a connection, wherein the support elements are axially spaced apart from one another and the connection connects the support elements so that they are fixed relative to one another. The axial spring element at a first end rests on an annular stop surface of the main body, and at a second end rests on a surface of the first support element, wherein the axial spring element is situated between the first support element and the second support element. A surface of the second support element facing away from the axial spring element rests against the balls, and the balls and the axial spring element are arranged in an overlapping manner in the axial direction.