Valve Timing Controller Joint Axial Stopper Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Valve timing controllers experience a reduction in power transmission efficiency and abrasive wear due to sliding movements between the relative rotating portion and the cover, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A valve timing controller design that includes a joint with a rotation transmitting portion and a stopper portion, where the stopper portion abuts the relative rotating portion in the axial direction to restrict its position, preventing sliding movements and maintaining power transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the relative rotating portion is allowed to move axially to adjust valve timing, then the valve timing can be varied, but sliding movement between the relative rotating portion and the cover occurs causing power transmission efficiency reduction and abrasive wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve timing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint acts as an intermediary component between the drive unit and the relative rotating portion. It includes a rotation transmitting portion that engages with the relative rotating portion to transmit rotational power, and a stopper portion that abuts on the relative rotating portion in the axial direction to restrict its axial position, thereby preventing sliding movement while allowing controlled rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution separates the degrees of freedom: the joint allows rotation in the circumferential direction (torque transmission) while constraining movement in the axial direction. This dimensional separation enables valve timing adjustment through controlled rotation while preventing harmful axial sliding that causes wear and efficiency loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the relative rotating portion is allowed to move axially to adjust valve timing, then the valve timing can be varied, but abrasive wear occurs between the relative rotating portion and the cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve timing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidabrasive wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The joint serves as a mediator that enables the necessary axial movement for timing adjustment while preventing direct contact and sliding between the relative rotating portion and the cover. The stopper portion of the joint abuts on the relative rotating portion, isolating it from the cover and eliminating the source of abrasive wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful sliding contact is extracted from the system by introducing the joint as a separate component. The joint absorbs the axial movement function, allowing the relative rotating portion to move axially without contacting the cover, thereby removing the wear mechanism while preserving the timing adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10557386B2Valve timing controller

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A joint includes a rotation transmitting portion and a stopper portion. The rotation transmitting portion abuts on a relative rotating portion in a circumferential direction. The stopper portion is capable of abutting on the relative rotating portion to restrict an axial position of the relative rotating portion. The stopper portion of the joint which rotates at the same speed as the relative rotating portion restricts an axial position of the relative rotating portion, whereby a sliding movement does not occur between the relative rotating portion and the stopper portion. It can be restricted that a power transmission efficiency is decreased and an abrasive wear is generated.