Valve Timing Control Apparatus Sealing and Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve opening and closing timing control apparatuses face issues with fluid leakage due to wear and deformation of cylindrical members, leading to decreased control responsiveness of relative rotational phases.
Innovation Solution
A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus design that positions the cylindrical member internally within the driven-side rotational body, with a bolt having a cylinder shaft portion inserted into the cylindrical member, and a control valve element that moves along the rotation axis to direct fluid flow, preventing wear and deformation, and enhancing sealing ability through strategically placed communication passages and voids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cylindrical member is provided at an inner portion of the driven-side rotational body to form the introduction passage with the cylinder shaft portion, then the structure is compact, but the cylindrical member easily wears away due to reciprocation movement of the control valve element, leading to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction passage is divided into two separate components: the cylindrical member and the cylinder shaft portion. By segmenting the passage into these two parts, the patent eliminates the need for the cylindrical member to reciprocate with the control valve element, thereby preventing wear and maintaining sealing ability without requiring a complex single-piece construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve element is extracted from the cylindrical member and positioned separately within the cylinder shaft portion. This extraction allows the cylindrical member to remain stationary while the control valve element moves independently, eliminating the wear problem caused by reciprocation between these components.
2Reliability
If the cylindrical member is provided at an outer side of the cylinder shaft portion, then wear from reciprocation movement is prevented, but the cylindrical member may be easily deformed by tightening force, leading to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction passage is segmented into the cylindrical member and the cylinder shaft portion, with the cylindrical member positioned at an inner portion. This segmentation allows the cylindrical member to be protected from deformation by placing it inside the protective structure of the driven-side rotational body, while the cylinder shaft portion absorbs the tightening forces.
3Productivity
If communication passages are provided at the cylinder shaft portion to supply working fluid to advanced angle and retarded angle chambers, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the cylinder shaft portion becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The communication passages are merged into the cylinder shaft portion, which already serves as a structural component. By integrating the fluid flow control function into the existing cylinder shaft portion rather than adding separate components, the patent achieves effective control responsiveness without proportionally increasing device 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 reduces fluid leakage, improves control responsiveness of relative rotational phases, and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the complexity of the cylindrical member's construction and avoiding deformation-induced fluid loss.
Implementation Method 1
an introduction passage bringing a working fluid supplied from an outside to flow in a direction of a rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotational body, a driven-side rotational body, a cylindrical member provided at an inner portion of the driven-side rotational body, a bolt including a cylinder shaft portion, an advanced angle flow passage and a retarded angle flow passage, an introduction passage bringing the working fluid supplied from an outside to flow, a first connection passage bringing the working fluid at the introduction passage to flow to an inner side of the cylinder shaft portion, a second communication passage and a third communication passage arranged at the cylinder shaft portion, and a control valve element provided at the inner side of the cylinder shaft portion, the second communication passage and the advanced angle flow passage being in communication with a void provided between the bolt head and the cylindrical member and between the cylinder shaft portion and the driven-side rotational body.