Valve Timing Control Apparatus Segmented Regulation Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve timing control apparatuses face challenges in quickly regulating the rotational phase during engine start-up, especially at low temperatures, due to increased hydraulic fluid viscosity, leading to reduced startability and delayed regulation state.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a main regulation member and a sub regulation member with resilient members and pressure reception parts to efficiently move the main regulation member into a recessed position using variable torque during cranking, ensuring quick insertion and regulation of the rotational phase, even at low temperatures, by utilizing hydraulic fluid pressure and atmospheric holes for reduced resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the regulation pin is pressed with a spring to insert into the recess part during cranking, then the rotational phase can be regulated to the regulation phase, but pressure loss increases when pushing remaining hydraulic fluid out of the operation chamber especially at low temperature when viscosity increases, lowering the moving speed of the regulation pin and making insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation pin is divided into a main regulation member and a sub regulation member that operate independently. The sub regulation member first pushes the remaining hydraulic fluid out of the operation chamber, and then the main regulation member inserts into the recess part. This segmentation allows the regulation function to be achieved while reducing pressure loss by separating the fluid evacuation task from the insertion task.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub regulation member performs preliminary action by evacuating the remaining hydraulic fluid from the operation chamber before the main regulation member attempts to insert into the recess part. This preliminary evacuation of fluid reduces resistance and pressure loss during the subsequent insertion of the main regulation member, especially at low temperatures when hydraulic fluid viscosity is high.
2Reliability
If the regulation pin moves slowly due to high pressure loss at low temperature, then the insertion into the recess part is delayed, but quick regulation is necessary to maintain startability
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the regulation pin into main and sub regulation members, the sub member can quickly evacuate hydraulic fluid while the main member inserts into the recess part. This segmentation enables both functions to occur in sequence rather than simultaneously, ensuring quick regulation without excessive pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub regulation member acts as an intermediary that prepares the operation chamber by evacuating remaining hydraulic fluid before the main regulation member performs the primary regulation function. This intermediary action reduces resistance and enables faster, more reliable insertion of the main regulation member.
3Device complexity
If a single regulation pin is used to both evacuate hydraulic fluid and insert into the recess part, then the structure is simpler, but the regulation state cannot be obtained or establishment is delayed at low temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation pin is segmented into a main regulation member and a sub regulation member. The sub regulation member is responsible for evacuating hydraulic fluid, while the main regulation member inserts into the recess part. This segmentation ensures reliable regulation state establishment by separating the fluid evacuation function from the insertion function, preventing the problems that occur when a single pin attempts both tasks simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub regulation member automatically evacuates the remaining hydraulic fluid from the operation chamber using the pressure differential created during cranking, without requiring additional external actuation. This self-service function prepares the system for reliable insertion of the main regulation member.
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 solution enhances the transition to the regulation state and suppresses the degradation of startability by allowing rapid and reliable insertion of the main regulation member, ensuring flexible valve timing control and improved engine startability across various temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a main resilient member which urges the main regulation member in the insertion direction to insert the main regulation member into the recess part
Implementation Method 2
The sub regulation member has a pressure reception part to receive pressure in the escape direction from the hydraulic fluid introduced into the operation chamber formed with the vane rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A valve timing control apparatus has a regulation member to fix a phase. The regulation member has a main regulation member and a sub regulation member. The main regulation member is inserted into a recess part to regulate the phase. The sub regulation member has an engagement part engageable with the main regulation member in an escape direction Y and disengageable from the main regulation member in an insertion direction X. Further, the sub regulation member has a pressure reception part that receives pressure in the escape direction Y from hydraulic fluid in an operation chamber. The main regulation member is urged in the insertion direction X by a main resilient member. Further, the sub regulation member is urged in the insertion direction X by a sub resilient member. The main regulation member moves in the escape direction Y only by hydraulic fluid, and moves in the insertion direction X only by the resilient member.