Variable Length Connecting Rod Hydraulic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable length connecting rods for internal combustion engines have complex hydraulic oil flow switching mechanisms, which increase manufacturing costs and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hydraulic piston mechanism with a single check valve and switching pin, where the switching pin moves between two positions to control the flow direction, reducing the complexity of the oil flow switching mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex hydraulic oil flow switching mechanism with multiple check valves and switching pins is used, then the reliability of hydraulic oil flow control is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple check valves and switching pins into a single integrated flow switching mechanism. The mechanism uses one check valve and one switching pin to control hydraulic oil flow to both first and second hydraulic piston mechanisms, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliable flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow switching mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions using minimal components. The single check valve and switching pin collectively control hydraulic oil flow distribution to multiple hydraulic piston mechanisms, enabling one component to serve multiple control purposes simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a complex hydraulic oil flow switching mechanism with multiple check valves and switching pins is used, then the reliability of hydraulic oil flow control is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple check valves and switching pins into a single integrated flow switching mechanism. The mechanism uses one check valve and one switching pin to control hydraulic oil flow to both first and second hydraulic piston mechanisms, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliable flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simplified flow switching mechanism with fewer components, which reduces manufacturing cost. The design accepts using simpler, more economical components (single check valve and single switching pin) while maintaining adequate reliability for the application.
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
The simplified mechanism lowers manufacturing costs and improves reliability by reducing the number of components and complexity in the hydraulic piston mechanism, allowing for efficient control of the connecting rod's effective length and mechanical compression ratio.
Implementation Method 1
the check valve is configured to permit a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibit the flow of hydraulic oil from the secondary side to the primary side
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic piston mechanism provided at the connecting rod body to turn an eccentric member
Data Source
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AI summary
A variable length connecting rod (6) comprises a connecting rod body (31), an eccentric member (32), a hydraulic cylinder (33a), a hydraulic piston (33b), a check valve, a switching mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism.. The check valve permits a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibits the flow from the secondary side to the primary side. The switching mechanism comprises a single switching pin. The connecting rod body is formed with first to fourth oil paths. The switching pin is switched between a first position making the first oil path communicate with the fourth oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the third oil path, and a second position making the first oil path communicate with the third oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the fourth oil path.