Variable Valve Timing Oil Routing to Reduce Vibration and Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing variable valve timing systems, particularly those with an oil control valve disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, do not adequately address the issues of vibration and heat transmission, leading to potential interference with the vehicle body frame and reduced durability of the oil control valve.

Innovation Solution

The oil control valve is positioned on the outer surface of the cylinder, separated from the vehicle body frame, with an oil path that bypasses the cam chain chamber and cylinder bore, stabilizing oil temperature and reducing vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the oil control valve is disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, then the variable valve timing system can be implemented, but the vehicle body frame size increases in the vehicle width direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable valve timing system implementationVSAvoidvehicle body frame size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the oil control valve from the cylinder head outer surface to the cylinder outer surface, changing the spatial dimension of installation. This dimensional shift allows the valve to be positioned away from the vehicle width direction, thus reducing the vehicle body frame size while maintaining the variable valve timing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an oil path as an intermediary element that extends from the cylinder side to the cylinder head side through the cam chain chamber. This oil path serves as a mediator to deliver hydraulic pressure from the newly positioned oil control valve to the variable valve device, enabling the relocated valve to still perform its function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the oil control valve is disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, then the variable valve timing system can be implemented, but vibration transmission to the oil control valve increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable valve timing system implementationVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the oil control valve from its original position on the cylinder head and relocates it to the cylinder outer surface. This separation removes the valve from the high-vibration environment of the cylinder head, reducing vibration transmission while preserving the variable valve timing system's core functionality through the intermediary oil path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the oil path is disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder head, then the oil control valve can control hydraulic pressure, but the oil temperature becomes unstable due to heat from the engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic pressure controlVSAvoidoil temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the cam chain chamber as an intermediary space through which the oil path extends. By routing the oil path through this chamber from the cylinder side to the cylinder head side, the system allows the oil to be controlled by the valve while minimizing direct exposure to engine heat sources, thus stabilizing oil temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration suppresses vehicle size increase, improves oil control valve durability, and stabilizes the operation of the variable valve device by minimizing vibration and temperature fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a variable valve device (60) configured to change an opening and closing timing of a valve by a hydraulic pressure; and an oil control valve (40) configured to control the hydraulic pressure with respect to the variable valve device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure control: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The oil path bypasses a cylinder bore through the outer wall of the cam chain chamber, so that a temperature of oil in the oil path can be stabilized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

An oil path for hydraulic pressure control enters the outer wall of the cam chain chamber from the oil control valve, extends from a side of the cylinder to a side of the cylinder head, and crosses the cam chain chamber to the variable valve device through an inner wall of the cam chain chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through passage:

Data Source

PatentEP4227503B1Variable valve timing system

Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

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AI summary

There is provided a variable valve timing system for an engine in which a cam chain chamber is formed in a cylinder and a cylinder head, the variable valve timing system including: a variable valve device configured to change an opening and closing timing of a valve; and an oil control valve configured to control a hydraulic pressure with respect to the variable valve device. The oil control valve is disposed on an outer surface of the cylinder, which is an outer wall of the cam chain chamber. An oil path for hydraulic pressure control enters the outer wall of the cam chain chamber from the oil control valve, extends from a side of the cylinder to a side of the cylinder head, and crosses the cam chain chamber to the variable valve device through an inner wall of the cam chain chamber.