Variable Valve Timing: Oil Control Valve Placement for Frame Clearance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing variable valve timing systems face issues with the position relationship between the vehicle body frame and the oil control valve, affecting mountability and disposability, and the oil control valve's durability due to vibration transmission.

Innovation Solution

The oil control valve is detachably positioned on the outer surface of the engine, away from the vehicle body frame, allowing for improved shape freedom and reduced vehicle size, while being closer to the engine's center of gravity to minimize vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the oil control valve is disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, then the variable valve timing system can be implemented, but the vehicle body frame design freedom is restricted and vehicle size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable valve timing system functionalityVSAvoidvehicle body frame design freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the oil control valve from the traditional position on the cylinder head outer surface to the bottom surface of the engine. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension (from vertical/side mounting to horizontal/bottom mounting) allows the vehicle body frame to be designed with greater freedom while maintaining the variable valve timing system's functionality. The oil control valve is positioned in an area below the cylinder head that is not occupied by the vehicle body frame structures (main frame and down frame), thus resolving the spatial conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the oil control valve is disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, then the variable valve timing system can be implemented, but mountability and disposability of the engine are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable valve timing system functionalityVSAvoidengine mountability and disposability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the oil control valve from the vehicle body frame structure by positioning it on the engine's bottom surface rather than integrating it with the frame. This segmentation allows the engine to be mounted or dismounted as a complete unit without interfering with the vehicle body frame assembly, thereby improving ease of manufacture and maintenance. The oil control valve becomes part of the engine assembly rather than the frame assembly, simplifying the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the oil control valve is disposed on the outer surface of the engine, then the variable valve timing system can be implemented, but vibration transmission to the oil control valve increases and durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable valve timing system functionalityVSAvoidvibration transmission to oil control valve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the engine block itself as an intermediary or damping medium between the vibration source and the oil control valve. By positioning the oil control valve on the bottom surface of the engine rather than directly on the cylinder head, the engine structure acts as a buffer that absorbs and dampens vibrations before they reach the oil control valve. This intermediary positioning reduces the direct transmission of harmful vibrations, thereby improving the durability of the oil control valve while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances the oil control valve's durability and maintains engine mountability by reducing interference with the vehicle frame and minimizing vibration, thus improving the system's overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

an oil control valve configured to control the hydraulic pressure with respect to the variable valve device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure control: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the variable valve device switches between a cam for low-speed rotation and a cam for high-speed rotation to adjust an opening and closing timing of a valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4227502B1Variable valve timing system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4227502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227502B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227502B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a variable valve timing system for an engine in which a cylinder head is fixed on a cylinder, and the cylinder head is suspended on a vehicle body frame, the variable valve timing system including: a variable valve device configured to change an opening and closing timing of a valve according to a hydraulic pressure; and an oil control valve. The vehicle body frame includes a main frame configured to laterally cover a rear side of the cylinder head and a down frame configured to laterally cover a front side of the cylinder head. In a side view of a vehicle, the oil control valve is detachably disposed on an outer surface of the engine below an area surrounded by the main frame, the down frame, and a lower surface of the cylinder head.