Valve Train Link Lever for Variable Stroke Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve trains for piston engines lack the necessary freedom in designing valve strokes and control times, leading to inefficiencies and increased construction space requirements, while also being sensitive to production tolerances and friction losses.

Innovation Solution

A valve train design where the link lever is mounted to rotate relative to the swing lever at a stationary link point, allowing for increased flexibility in valve stroke configuration and control time variation, with a compact construction that minimizes additional mass and friction losses, and includes a cam translator with variable supports for enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fully variable valve train is used to achieve freedom in valve stroke and control time configuration, then the freedom of movement in design is improved, but the construction space requirements and friction power increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movement in valve stroke and control time configurationVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve train is divided into separate functional modules: a camshaft with cam profiles, a swing lever with rotation point, and a link lever with link point. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's space requirements while maintaining overall variability in valve control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The link lever is mounted on the swing lever, creating a nested arrangement where one lever system is integrated within the space constraints of another. This nesting approach reduces the overall construction space while preserving the ability to vary valve strokes and control times through the interaction of the two lever systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fully variable valve train is used to achieve freedom in valve stroke and control time configuration, then the freedom of movement in design is improved, but the friction power and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movement in valve stroke and control time configurationVSAvoidfriction power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the valve train mechanism. By using a direct link lever mounting on the swing lever without additional intermediate cam followers or complex linkages, the design reduces the number of contact points and moving parts that would generate friction losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex multi-stage mechanism to achieve valve control variability, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple, direct lever mounting arrangement. The variability is achieved through the geometric relationship between the link lever and swing lever rather than through multiple intermediate transformation stages, thereby reducing friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a floating intermediate cam follower is used, then the coordination and installation become more complicated, but the adaptability is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol time variation capabilityVSAvoidcoordination and installation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The link lever is pre-mounted on the swing lever at a fixed position, eliminating the need for floating or adjustable intermediate components. This preliminary positioning of the link lever simplifies installation and coordination while maintaining the ability to vary control times through the predetermined geometric relationship between the levers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Area of stationary object

If a swing lever with fixed rotation point is used, then the construction space is reduced, but the freedom in valve stroke configuration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction spaceVSAvoidfreedom in valve stroke configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through the link lever's connection to the swing lever. By making the link lever's position on the swing lever adjustable or variable, the system maintains a compact fixed rotation point structure while gaining the ability to configure different valve strokes and control times through dynamic adjustment of the lever geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9091218B2Valve train and method for control time variation

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 YAPICI KURT IMREN

AI summary

The invention relates to a link lever of a valve train, which is rotatably mounted on a swing arm of the valve train by means of a stationary link point having an intermediate cam follower that follows a camshaft, wherein the swing arm supports a cam track that drives a valve.