EP0779410B1 - Composite shim for use in internal combustion engine - Google Patents
Composite shim for use in internal combustion engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0779410B1 EP0779410B1 EP95309155A EP95309155A EP0779410B1 EP 0779410 B1 EP0779410 B1 EP 0779410B1 EP 95309155 A EP95309155 A EP 95309155A EP 95309155 A EP95309155 A EP 95309155A EP 0779410 B1 EP0779410 B1 EP 0779410B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shim
- tappet
- whiskers
- aluminum alloy
- fibers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/12—Transmitting gear between valve drive and valve
- F01L1/14—Tappets; Push rods
- F01L1/16—Silencing impact; Reducing wear
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/20—Adjusting or compensating clearance
- F01L1/205—Adjusting or compensating clearance by means of shims or the like
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L2301/00—Using particular materials
- F01L2301/02—Using ceramic materials
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a new composite for use in a valve clearance adjusting shim to be provided and to be inserted directly between a valve tappet and a cam for an overhead valve engine with a camshaft placed in an internal combustion engine.
- a composite shim comprising aluminum alloy, and ceramic material.
- FIG. 1 shows schematically a cross section of a cam-valve tappet movement mechanism comprising an engine valve 1, a spring retainer 2, mounted on a shaft end of the engine valve 1 through cotters 3 and 3 and a valve spring 4 provided between a cylinder (not shown) and the spring retainer 2.
- the engine valve 1 reciprocates by a rotation of a cam 7 to press on a top surface of a shim 6 mounted in a tappet 5.
- a cam 7 mounted on a camshaft (not shown) is rotated in a very high rate, and pushes the valve 1 through the shim 6 and a tappet 5, so as to open and close acutely periodically the valve 1 to comply the timing of the valve with the revolution rate of the engine. Therefore, much shock and concentrated force must be loaded periodically and repeatedly on the contact surface of the shim 6 with which the cam 7 is in contact.
- the shim 6 mounted on the upper surface of the tappet 5 is highly loaded by the cam 7, and further exposed to strong abrasion by reciprocating movement, and then, a hard and abrasion-resistance metal material e.g. chromium molybdenum steel may be used for manufacture of the shim.
- a hard and abrasion-resistance metal material e.g. chromium molybdenum steel may be used for manufacture of the shim.
- a reinforced aluminum alloy might be used as a material for a lightweighted tappet shim, but it does not satisfy the requirement on abrasion resistance and toughness of the shim.
- Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 60-183207/1985 proposed use of sintered steel for the valve shim to improve strength against the shock from the tappet rod motion.
- Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 3-83307/1991 proposed an internal hollow(s) or concaved hollow provided within the shim to reduce its weight.
- JP-A-57153912 discloses a tappet shim comprising a matrix of aluminum alloy and particles of Al 2 O 3 .
- the invention provides a tappet shim in accordance with Claim 1.
- Fig. 1 shows schematically a cross section of a cam-valve tappet movement mechanism using the shim of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 shows a process of manufacturing the tappet shim in accordance with the present invention.
- the shim comprises a matrix of aluminum alloy and at least one member selected from particles, whiskers and fibers, and made from CrC, in an amount ranging from 3 volume percent to 25 volume percent. Further, when the particles are used, a size of the particles of CrC should be less than 5 micrometer. In addition, when the whiskers or/and fibers are used, a size of the whiskers or/and fibers of CrC should range from 10 to 100 micrometer.
- Aluminum alloy to be used as a matrix for a tappet shim in accordance with the present invention can be reinforced by dispersing finely divided ceramic particles, whiskers or fibers in the matrix alloy phase, so as to obtain high shock resistance and high abrasion resistance.
- aluminum alloy having a 2000 order in JIS standard for aluminum alloy is preferable. Further, especially duralumin series alloy may be preferable. Aluminum alloy containing copper, manganese and/or magnesium may be preferable as a matrix alloy to be used in accordance with the present invention.
- Finely divided particles, whiskers and/or fibers of CrC are dispersed in the alloy matrix in an amount of preferably 3 volume % to 25 volume % so as to prepare a material for use in the shim of the present invention. If the amount is less than 3 volume %, the abrasion resistance of the shim may be not enough. If the amount is more than 25 volume %, the shim will be brittle or fragile, and further may be difficult to be machined. The more preferable amount is 17 volume % to 25 volume %.
- the size of finely divided CrC particles is preferably less than 5 micrometer. If the size is beyond 5 micrometer, the machining properties of the shim will be lost.
- the length of the whiskers or fibers of CrC is preferably 10 micrometer to 100 micrometer.
- the whiskers having this range length are easily available, and easily used and treated.
- the starting aluminum alloy to be used in accordance with the present invention should be selected in view of the characteristics of the sintering matrix containing ceramic particles, whiskers or/and fibers.
- the tappet shim of the present invention is manufactured as follows:
- both powders; aluminum alloy powder and desired ceramic particles or/and whiskers or/and fibers are mixed with desired ratio.
- the aluminum alloy powder to used as a matrix is mixed with a ceramic powder (or/and whiskers or/and fibers) of CrC in the ratio ranging less than 25 volume %, and homogeneously agitated and mould into a desired form of moulding. Then, the moulding is fired so as to sinter thereby producing porous material of the present invention.
- the resulting porous material is treated to degas and then, extruded as shown in FIG. 2 thereby eliminating pores in the material.
- the resulting material will have higher density as improved by extrusion
- the resulting material is machined into a desired bar, which will be cut into the desired plate for use in the shim of the present invention.
- the tappet shim of the present invention comprises aluminum alloy for a matrix, and ceramic finely divided particles or /and whiskers or/and fibers contained therein, which is for use in a shim for an internal engine.
- the resulting mixture of aluminum alloy powder and ceramic particles or whiskers or/and fibers may be pressed to form a desired shape.
- hot isostatic pressing HIP
- hot isostatic pressure sintering pseudo HIP
- injection moulding can be used in the manufacture of the shim by sintering of the product.
- Sintering in ambient atmosphere can be carried out in a continuous furnace with feeding a protective gas (inert gas such as nitrogen gas) by preheating to vaporize or to decompose a lublicating agent, and then heating so as to make sintering of the composite.
- the mixture comprising the desired powder components may be prepared, and then, the portion thereof may be put in a cavity of a mould for compression formation. Then, it may be pressed under the certain pressure for premoulding, and thereafter, the remaining mixture may be put in the remain cavity of the mould, and may be pressed additionally under the pressure.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a process of manufacturing a tappet shim comprising aluminum alloy and finely divided ceramics incorporated therein.
- the ceramics incorporated aluminum alloy as sintered 11 was exerted on an extruding machine 12 to extrude into a bar 13.
- the resulting bar 13 was cut as shown in FIG. 2 (B) into each blank 14.
- the blank 14 is machined into a finished shim. Pores or porosity 15 in the sintered material 11 were pressed and then, mostly eliminated so that the relative density is improved from relative density of about 80 % to relative density of about 90 %.
- the shim of the present invention may be relatively uncostly and easy to be manufactured.
- the shim structure of the present invention can be manufactured without reduction of high strength and high abrasion durability even with lighter weight.
- the shim of the present invention can be manufactured relatively uncostly. Then, the allowance revolution number of the engine using this shim can be improved.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Valve-Gear Or Valve Arrangements (AREA)
Description
The present invention relates to a new composite for use in a
valve clearance adjusting shim to be provided and to be inserted
directly between a valve tappet and a cam for an overhead valve
engine with a camshaft placed in an internal combustion engine.
Particularly, it relates to a composite shim comprising aluminum
alloy, and ceramic material.
FIG. 1 shows schematically a cross section of a cam-valve
tappet movement mechanism comprising an engine valve 1, a spring
retainer 2, mounted on a shaft end of the engine valve 1 through
cotters 3 and 3 and a valve spring 4 provided between a cylinder
(not shown) and the spring retainer 2.
The engine valve 1 reciprocates by a rotation of a cam 7 to
press on a top surface of a shim 6 mounted in a tappet 5.
In the moving valve mechanism, a cam 7 mounted on a camshaft
(not shown) is rotated in a very high rate, and pushes the valve 1
through the shim 6 and a tappet 5, so as to open and close acutely
periodically the valve 1 to comply the timing of the valve with the
revolution rate of the engine. Therefore, much shock and
concentrated force must be loaded periodically and repeatedly on the
contact surface of the shim 6 with which the cam 7 is in contact.
In the moving valve mechanism of direct type, reduction of
weight of the moving mechanism is highly requested so as to improve
an allowance revolution number of the engine. There is an approach
to replace steel with aluminum alloy for use in the tappet 5, so as
to improve the lightweight of the engine.
Practically, the shim 6 mounted on the upper surface of the
tappet 5 is highly loaded by the cam 7, and further exposed to
strong abrasion by reciprocating movement, and then, a hard and
abrasion-resistance metal material e.g. chromium molybdenum steel
may be used for manufacture of the shim.
A reinforced aluminum alloy might be used as a material
for a lightweighted tappet shim, but it does not satisfy the
requirement on abrasion resistance and toughness of the shim.
Further, there is found a limit for reducing the weight
of the moving mechanism, and then, it will be an obstacle for
increasing an allowance revolution number of the engine.
Further, when it needs surface treatment process and/or
plating process so as to improve the allowance revolution
number of the engine using a tappet shim, and then, the cost
of manufacturing will be increased.
Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No.
60-183207/1985 proposed use of sintered steel for the valve
shim to improve strength against the shock from the tappet rod
motion.
Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No.
3-83307/1991 proposed an internal hollow(s) or concaved hollow
provided within the shim to reduce its weight.
JP-A-57153912 discloses a tappet shim comprising a matrix
of aluminum alloy and particles of Al2O3.
Metallurgical Transactions A : Physical Metallurgy and
Materials Science 23A (1992) October No. 10, Pages 2833 - 2847
discloses an aluminum matrix with 20 vol. % SiC particles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
tappet shim having light weight without reduction of both
higher mechanical strength and higher abrasion strength of the
shim, to improve the allowance revolution number of the
engine.
It is the other object of the present invention to
provide the tappet shim with lighter weight and lower cost, so
as to expand the choice of the clearance adjustment shim.
The invention provides a tappet shim in accordance with
Claim 1.
The further object of the present invention will be
understood from the below description.
Fig. 1 shows schematically a cross section of a cam-valve
tappet movement mechanism using the shim of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 shows a process of manufacturing the tappet shim
in accordance with the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the shim
comprises
a matrix of aluminum alloy and at least one member selected from particles, whiskers and fibers, and made from CrC, in an amount ranging from 3 volume percent to 25 volume percent. Further, when the particles are used, a size of the particles of CrC should be less than 5 micrometer. In addition, when the whiskers or/and fibers are used, a size of the whiskers or/and fibers of CrC should range from 10 to 100 micrometer.
a matrix of aluminum alloy and at least one member selected from particles, whiskers and fibers, and made from CrC, in an amount ranging from 3 volume percent to 25 volume percent. Further, when the particles are used, a size of the particles of CrC should be less than 5 micrometer. In addition, when the whiskers or/and fibers are used, a size of the whiskers or/and fibers of CrC should range from 10 to 100 micrometer.
Aluminum alloy to be used as a matrix for a tappet shim in
accordance with the present invention can be reinforced by
dispersing finely divided ceramic particles, whiskers or fibers in
the matrix alloy phase, so as to obtain high shock resistance and
high abrasion resistance.
As an aluminum alloy to be used as a matrix alloy in accordance
with the present invention, aluminum alloy having a 2000 order in
JIS standard for aluminum alloy is preferable. Further, especially
duralumin series alloy may be preferable. Aluminum alloy containing
copper, manganese and/or magnesium may be preferable as a matrix
alloy to be used in accordance with the present invention.
Finely divided particles, whiskers and/or fibers of CrC are
dispersed in the alloy matrix in an amount of preferably 3 volume %
to 25 volume % so as to prepare a material for use in the shim of
the present invention. If the amount is less than 3 volume %, the
abrasion resistance of the shim may be not enough. If the amount is
more than 25 volume %, the shim will be brittle or fragile, and
further may be difficult to be machined. The more preferable amount
is 17 volume % to 25 volume %.
The size of finely divided CrC particles is
preferably less than 5 micrometer. If the size is beyond 5
micrometer, the machining properties of the shim will be lost.
The length of the whiskers or fibers of CrC is
preferably 10 micrometer to 100 micrometer. The whiskers having this
range length are easily available, and easily used and treated.
The starting aluminum alloy to be used in accordance with the
present invention should be selected in view of the characteristics
of the sintering matrix containing ceramic particles, whiskers
or/and fibers.
The tappet shim of the present invention is manufactured as
follows:
After desired starting material of aluminum alloy powder is
prepared, both powders; aluminum alloy powder and desired ceramic
particles or/and whiskers or/and fibers are mixed with desired
ratio. The aluminum alloy powder to used as a matrix is mixed with a
ceramic powder (or/and whiskers or/and fibers) of
CrC in the ratio ranging less
than 25 volume %, and homogeneously agitated and mould into a
desired form of moulding. Then, the moulding is fired so as to
sinter thereby producing porous material of the present invention.
The resulting porous material is treated to degas and then,
extruded as shown in FIG. 2 thereby eliminating pores in the
material. The resulting material will have higher density as
improved by extrusion The resulting material is machined into a
desired bar, which will be cut into the desired plate for use in the
shim of the present invention.
Therefore, the tappet shim of the present invention comprises
aluminum alloy for a matrix, and ceramic finely divided particles or
/and whiskers or/and fibers contained therein, which is for use in a
shim for an internal engine.
Alternatively, the resulting mixture of aluminum alloy powder
and ceramic particles or whiskers or/and fibers may be pressed to
form a desired shape. Further, hot isostatic pressing (HIP), hot
isostatic pressure sintering, pseudo HIP, injection moulding can be
used in the manufacture of the shim by sintering of the product.
Sintering in ambient atmosphere can be carried out in a continuous
furnace with feeding a protective gas (inert gas such as nitrogen
gas) by preheating to vaporize or to decompose a lublicating agent,
and then heating so as to make sintering of the composite.
The mixture comprising the desired powder components may be
prepared, and then, the portion thereof may be put in a cavity of a
mould for compression formation. Then, it may be pressed under the
certain pressure for premoulding, and thereafter, the remaining
mixture may be put in the remain cavity of the mould, and may be
pressed additionally under the pressure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a process of manufacturing a tappet shim
comprising aluminum alloy and finely divided ceramics incorporated
therein. The ceramics incorporated aluminum alloy as sintered 11 was
exerted on an extruding machine 12 to extrude into a bar 13. The
resulting bar 13 was cut as shown in FIG. 2 (B) into each blank 14.
The blank 14 is machined into a finished shim. Pores or porosity 15
in the sintered material 11 were pressed and then, mostly eliminated
so that the relative density is improved from relative density of
about 80 % to relative density of about 90 %.
The shim of the present invention may be relatively uncostly
and easy to be manufactured.
It is apparent that the shim structure of the present invention
can be manufactured without reduction of high strength and high
abrasion durability even with lighter weight.
The shim of the present invention can be manufactured
relatively uncostly. Then, the allowance revolution number of the
engine using this shim can be improved.
Claims (3)
- A tappet shim (6) to be inserted in a clearance provided between a cam (7) and a tappet (5) in a moving valve (1) mechanism of an internal combustion engine,
which comprises a matrix of aluminum alloy and at least one member selected from particles, whiskers and fibers, and which is characterized in that said member is made from CrC, in an amount ranging from 3 volume percent to 25 volume percent. - The shim in accordance with claim 1,
wherein when the particles are used, a size of the particles is less than 5 micrometer. - The shim in accordance with claim 1,
wherein when the whiskers or/and fibers are used, a size of the whiskers or/and fibers ranges from 10 to 100 micrometer.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE69501666T DE69501666T2 (en) | 1995-12-15 | 1995-12-15 | Composite adjustment plate for use in an internal combustion engine |
| EP95309155A EP0779410B1 (en) | 1995-12-15 | 1995-12-15 | Composite shim for use in internal combustion engine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP95309155A EP0779410B1 (en) | 1995-12-15 | 1995-12-15 | Composite shim for use in internal combustion engine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0779410A1 EP0779410A1 (en) | 1997-06-18 |
| EP0779410B1 true EP0779410B1 (en) | 1998-02-25 |
Family
ID=8221437
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP95309155A Expired - Lifetime EP0779410B1 (en) | 1995-12-15 | 1995-12-15 | Composite shim for use in internal combustion engine |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0779410B1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69501666T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008004933A1 (en) * | 2006-07-03 | 2008-01-10 | Villeroy & Boch Gustavsberg Ab | Tap |
| CN103939164B (en) * | 2014-04-25 | 2016-08-17 | 安徽江淮汽车股份有限公司 | A kind of engine valve clearance adjuster |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS57153912A (en) * | 1981-03-17 | 1982-09-22 | Mazda Motor Corp | Pad for tappet of internal combustion engine |
| JPH01130008A (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 1989-05-23 | Otai Iron Works Co Ltd | Valve lifter |
-
1995
- 1995-12-15 DE DE69501666T patent/DE69501666T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-12-15 EP EP95309155A patent/EP0779410B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69501666D1 (en) | 1998-04-02 |
| EP0779410A1 (en) | 1997-06-18 |
| DE69501666T2 (en) | 1998-06-18 |
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