Valve Train Intermediate Piece for Rocker Arm Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve trains for internal combustion engines often require complex rocker arm structures to achieve efficient actuation of gas exchange valves, particularly in fired operations and engine braking modes, which can lead to increased wear and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A valve train design that incorporates a separate intermediate piece mounted on the rocker shaft, allowing for the actuation of both gas exchange valves using a simpler rocker arm configuration, thereby reducing wear and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a complex rocker arm structure is used to actuate both gas exchange valves, then the actuation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation efficiencyVSAvoidrocker arm structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rocker arm assembly is segmented into a first rocker arm for actuating the first gas exchange valve and a second rocker arm for actuating the second gas exchange valve. This segmentation allows each rocker arm to be simpler in structure while collectively achieving efficient actuation of both valves, thereby reducing individual component complexity and wear without compromising overall actuation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate piece is introduced as a mediator between the rocker arms and the gas exchange valves. This intermediate piece facilitates the actuation process by providing a simplified mechanical interface, allowing the rocker arms to actuate the valves more efficiently while reducing the structural complexity and wear on the rocker arm components themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a separate intermediate piece is added to the valve train, then the construction is simplified and wear is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidvalve train component count

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate piece is designed to be mounted on the existing rocker shaft, merging its function with the existing valve train structure. This integration allows the intermediate piece to simplify the overall construction and reduce wear on critical components without significantly increasing device complexity, as it leverages the existing rocker shaft mounting mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12276213B2Valve train for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, and internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 DAIMLER TRUCK AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve train (10) for an internal combustion engine, having a first rocker arm (32) which is mounted on a rocker shaft (30) so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis (44) in relation to the rocker shaft (30), having a first gas exchange valve (18) which can be actuated by pivoting the rocker arm (32) around the pivot axis (44) in relation to the rocker shaft (30) and can thus be moved translationally, and having a second gas exchange valve (20). An intermediate piece (50) is provided which is formed separately from the first rocker arm (32) and mounted on the rocker shaft (30) so as to be pivotable around the pivot axis (44) in relation to the rocker shaft (30), can be actuated by pivoting of first rocker arm (32) around the pivot axis (44) and in relation to the rocker shaft (30) by means of the first rocker arm (32) and can thus be pivoted around the pivot axis (44) in relation to the rocker shaft (30), whereby the second gas exchange valve (20) can be actuated and can thus be moved translationally.