Variable Valve Timing Spring Damping via Plastic Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In internal combustion engines, the risk of the spring element becoming stuck or damaged due to axial oscillations between fastening elements during operation, leading to reduced functionality and increased wear, is not effectively addressed by existing devices.
Innovation Solution
A separate spacing element is introduced between the spring element and the disk-shaped section of the side cover, made from flexible plastic, which prevents the spring element from entering the region between fastening elements, reducing oscillation amplitudes and damping oscillations to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring element is mounted directly in front of the fastening elements without a spacing element, then the device complexity is reduced and production costs are lowered, but the spring element becomes susceptible to axial oscillations that can cause it to become stuck between fastening elements, leading to reduced reliability and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
A spacing element made of flexible plastic is introduced as an intermediary component between the spring element and the fastening elements. This spacing element prevents the spring element from becoming stuck between the fastening elements during axial oscillations, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing element acts as a protective barrier that cushions the spring element against the fastening elements before harmful contact can occur. By positioning this element in advance, the patent prevents potential damage and sticking issues that would otherwise occur during operation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the spring element is allowed to oscillate freely without a spacing element, then the device structure is simplified, but the spring element experiences increased wear and potential damage from becoming stuck between fastening elements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plastic spacing element serves as a mediator that protects the spring element from direct contact with fastening elements during oscillations, reducing wear and extending the service life of the spring element and other components
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing element is designed with specific material properties (flexible plastic) and dimensional parameters (thickness, radial extent) that allow it to absorb oscillation energy and prevent harmful contact, thereby extending component longevity
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 spacing element effectively reduces oscillation loads on the spring element, preventing damage and wear, while simplifying assembly and reducing material usage, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the device.
Implementation Method 1
reducing oscillation amplitudes and damping oscillations to prevent damage
Implementation Method 2
made from flexible plastic
Data Source
AI summary
A device (11) for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves (9, 10) of an internal combustion engine (1), including an input drive element (14), an output drive element (15), and at least one side cover (16), wherein the input drive element (14) can be brought into driven connection with a crankshaft (2) of the internal combustion engine (1), the output drive element (15) can be brought into driving connection with a camshaft (6, 7) of the internal combustion engine (1) and is pivotally mounted relative to the input drive element (14). The side cover (16) is mounted on an axial side surface of the output drive element (15) or of the input drive element (14) and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the input drive element (14) or the output drive element (15). A spring element (25) is mounted on the side of the side cover facing away from the input and output drive elements (14, 15), and the side cover (16) has a disk-shaped section (23), from which several fastening elements (24) protrude in the axial direction, the fastening elements being mounted on the side of the side cover (16) facing away from the input drive element (14).