EP1128026B1 - Multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking piston device - Google Patents
Multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking piston device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1128026B1 EP1128026B1 EP00311295A EP00311295A EP1128026B1 EP 1128026 B1 EP1128026 B1 EP 1128026B1 EP 00311295 A EP00311295 A EP 00311295A EP 00311295 A EP00311295 A EP 00311295A EP 1128026 B1 EP1128026 B1 EP 1128026B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rotor
- housing
- locking piston
- piston
- camshaft
- 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
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Classifications
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- 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
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
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- 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
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34453—Locking means between driving and driven members
- F01L2001/34459—Locking in multiple positions
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- 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
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34453—Locking means between driving and driven members
- F01L2001/34469—Lock movement parallel to camshaft axis
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- 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
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34453—Locking means between driving and driven members
- F01L2001/34473—Lock movement perpendicular to camshaft axis
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- 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
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34479—Sealing of phaser devices
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- 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
- F01L2250/00—Camshaft drives characterised by their transmission means
- F01L2250/02—Camshaft drives characterised by their transmission means the camshaft being driven by chains
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- 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
- F01L2250/00—Camshaft drives characterised by their transmission means
- F01L2250/04—Camshaft drives characterised by their transmission means the camshaft being driven by belts
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
Description
- The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine having a hydraulic control system for controlling the operation of a variable camshaft timing (VCT) system of the type in which the camshaft position is circumferentially varied relative to the position of a crankshaft in reaction to oil pressure. In such a VCT system, an electro-hydraulic control system is provided to effect the repositioning of the camshaft and a locking system is provided to selectively permit or prevent the electro-hydraulic control system from effecting such repositioning.
- More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-position VCT system actuated by engine oil pressure and having a locking piston mounted to a rotor, wherein the locking piston prevents oscillation of the rotor in an advance position, a retard position, and multitude of positions therebetween.
- It is known that the performance of an internal combustion engine can be improved by the use of dual camshafts, one to operate the intake valves of the various cylinders of the engine and the other to operate the exhaust valves. Typically, one of such camshafts is driven by the crankshaft of the engine, through a sprocket and chain drive or a belt drive, and the other of such camshafts is driven by the first, through a second sprocket and chain drive or a second belt drive. Alternatively, both of the camshafts can be driven by a single crankshaft-powered chain drive or belt drive. It is also known that the performance of an internal combustion engine having dual camshafts, or but a single camshaft, can be improved by changing the positional relationship of a camshaft relative to the crankshaft.
- It is also known that engine performance in an engine having one or more camshafts can be improved, specifically in terms of idle quality, fuel economy, reduced emissions, or increased torque, by way of a VCT system. For example, the camshaft can be "retarded" for delayed closing of intake valves at idle for stability purposes and at high engine speed for enhanced output. Likewise, the camshaft can be "advanced" for premature closing of intake valves during mid-range operation to achieve higher volumetric efficiency with correspondingly higher levels of torque. In a dual-camshaft engine, retarding or advancing the camshaft is accomplished by changing the positional relationship of one of the camshafts, usually the camshaft that operates the intake valves of the engine, relative to the other camshaft and the crankshaft. Accordingly, retarding or advancing the camshaft varies the timing of the engine in terms of the operation of the intake valves relative to the exhaust valves, or in terms of the operation of the valves relative to the position of the crankshaft.
- Heretofore, many VCT systems incorporating hydraulics included an oscillatable rotor secured to a camshaft within an enclosed housing, where a chamber is defined between the rotor and housing. The rotor includes vanes mounted outwardly therefrom to divide the chamber into separated first and second fluid chambers. Such a VCT system often includes a fluid supplying configuration to transfer fluid within the housing from one side of a vane to the other, or vice versa, to thereby oscillate the rotor with respect to the housing in one direction or the other. Such oscillation is effective to advance or retard the position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. These VCT systems may either be "self-powered" having a hydraulic system actuated in response to torque pulses flowing through the camshaft, or may be powered directly from oil pressure from an oil pump. Additionally, mechanical connecting devices are included to lock the rotor and housing in either a fully advanced or fully retarded position relative to one another.
- Unfortunately, the above VCT systems may have several drawbacks. For example, U.S. 4,858,572 to Shirai et al., teaches use of spring-loaded locking pistons in two circumferential positions to lock the rotor and housing in both a fully advanced and a fully retarded position. Shirai et al. discloses a first pin extending into a radial bore of the housing. The pin is urged radially inwardly toward the rotor by a spring mounted between the pin and the bore. When the VCT is in the fully retarded position, an upper end of the pin fits into a large radius portion of a radial hole in the rotor. If the VCT is changed to the advanced condition, the first pin is retracted from the radial hole by fluid pressure overcoming the spring. Another pin positioned opposite the first pin similarly locks the rotor in the fully advanced position. Thus, the rotor is prevented from rotary movement relative to the housing.
- One drawback with Shirai et al. is that the pins act to lock the rotor relative to the housing in only two circumferential positions, either fully advanced or fully retarded. Another drawback is that the pins may stick in either the fully advanced or fully retarded position thus jamming the VCT. When the VCT changes from one position to another, part of the fluid pressure being transferred to the first and second fluid chambers gets redirected to one of the pins to retract the pin. Accordingly, the fluid pressure is applied simultaneously to the fluid chambers and the pin. When the fluid pressure in the fluid chambers is sufficient to start rotating the rotor before the pin is fully retracted, the rotor side loads the pin causing the pin to stick in the radial hole and thus renders the VCT inoperative.
- U.S. 5,836,275 to Sato recognized the above-mentioned problem with Shirai et al. and attempted a solution. Sato teaches use of hydraulic strategy to retract the pin before charging either the first or second fluid chambers. Accordingly, Sato discloses fluid pressure supplied to the radial hole in the rotor while simultaneously charging fluid passages communicating with either the first or second fluid chambers. Because the fluid passages are initially restricted, and thus only partially in communication with the first or second fluid chambers, the fluid pressure acts primarily on the pin to retract the pin before any appreciable rotation of the rotor occurs. After the pin retracts, the rotor rotates enough to permit the passages to overcome their restriction and fully communicate with the fluid chambers to effect rotation of the rotor. Regrettably, however, the Sato invention permits locking of the rotor in only the fully retarded position.
- U.S. 5,797,361 to Mikame et al. recognized another problem with Shirai et al.. That is, in the retracted position, the upper end of the pin loads an external surface of the rotor due to the spring force pushing the pin toward the rotor. This wears the rotor's circumference creating grooves that facilitate increased leakage between the housing and the rotor beyond an acceptable level. The leakage lowers the oil pressure in the chamber and thus deteriorates the responsiveness of the VCT. In addition, the wear condition hinders smooth relative rotation between the rotor and housing. Finally, Mikame et al. submits that maintaining fluid pressure in the Shirai et al. invention at a certain level is difficult, since Shirai et al. relies on fluid pressure caused by torque fluctuations in the camshaft. Unfortunately, Mikame et al. suffers from the same drawback as Sato. That is, the locking piston locks the rotor relative to the housing in only one circumferential position. Finally, the locking piston of Mikame et al. and the hole with which it interlocks have clearance therebetween that permits circumferential free play or slack between the housing and the rotor. This slack condition could lead to noise at engine startup as the locking piston is knocked about within the hole.
- EP 0799976, upon which the precharacterising clause of claim 1 is based, teaches a variable valve tray mechanism in which a piston passage is formed in a housing in which is slidably mounted a piston, and an opening is formed in a locking plate non-rotatably coupled to a rotor. The piston is axially slidable, under the biasing of a spring, out of the piston passage towards the locking plate so as to engage in said opening formed therein, thereby locking the housing to the locking plate, and hence the rotor, so as to prevent oscillating therebetween. A fluid chamber is further provided between said piston and said piston passage into which hydraulic fluid is fed in order to urge said piston axially away from the locking plate, against the loading of the spring, and hence to release said rotor to oscillate relative to said housing.
- Accordingly, all of the above mentioned prior art references incorporate a locking piston mounted within a housing and lockable with a rotor in only one position per locking piston. For example, the Shirai et al. reference is lockable in only a fully advanced or fully retarded position using two locking pistons. Furthermore, each locking piston interlocks with the rotor in diametral engagement, which may lead to sticking conditions of the VCT, as discussed in Sato.
- Other variable valve timing mechanisms are detailed in EP-A-1065348, EP-A-0924392 and DE-A-19914767.
- Therefore, what is needed is a VCT system that is designed to overcome the problems associated with prior art variable camshaft timing arrangements using locking pistons, by providing a variable camshaft timing system that locks a rotor and housing together in more than one position per locking piston, is not susceptible to unintended lock-up conditions created by diametral jam conditions between the locking piston and a locking piston hole, and does not permit rotational slack between the rotor and housing.
- According to the present invention there is provided a VCT system that is designed to overcome the problems associated with prior art variable camshaft timing arrangements using locking pistons, by providing a variable camshaft timing system that locks a rotor and housing together in more than one position per locking piston, is not susceptible to unintended lock-up conditions created by diametral jam conditions between the locking piston and a locking piston hole, and does not permit rotational slack between the rotor and the housing.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a VCT system that obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
- It is another object to provide a VCT system that is capable of interlocking a rotor to a housing in not only one or two positions, but in a fully advanced position, a fully retarded position, and in at least one and preferably a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween.
- It is yet another object to provide a VCT system that has a locking piston that has interlocking features terminating one end of the piston, that interlock with other interlocking features mounted to a component that interlocks with the locking piston, such that the rotor and housing lock tightly together without slack therebetween and such that the piston does not jam or become locked up.
- The present invention then provides an internal combustion engine comprising: a camshaft; a rotor secured to said camshaft for rotation therewith, said rotor being non-oscillatable with respect to said camshaft; a housing circumscribing said rotor and being rotatable with said rotor and said camshaft and being oscillatable with respect to said rotor and said camshaft between a fully retarded position and a fully advanced position; a piston passage formed in one of said rotor and said housing in which passage is slidably mounted a locking piston, which is respectively and releasably engageable with other of said rotor and said housing so as to prevent relative motion between said rotor and said housing; and means for controlling oscillation of said rotor relative to said housing; characterized in that said locking piston has a piston portion and a shaft extending axially therefrom, wherein said piston portion forms a fluid actuated piston with said passage and the said shaft has interlocking features formed thereon, the other of the rotor and the housing having complementary interlocking features disposed opposite said interlocking features carried on said shaft, said complementary interlocking features being adapted to receive said interlocking feature of said shaft in said fully retarded position, said fully advanced position and in at least one intermediate position therebetween so as to prevent oscillation of said housing with respect to said camshaft.
- In order that the invention may be well understood, there will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a camshaft and vane phaser according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the camshaft and vane phaser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 3 is an right end view of the vane phaser of Fig. 2 without the locking plate;
- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of components of the vane phaser of Fig. 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and showing a locking piston engaged with a locking plate;
- Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of components of the vane phaser of Fig. 4 and showing the locking piston disengaged from the locking plate
- Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a camshaft and vane phaser according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional left end view of the camshaft and vane phaser of Fig. 6 not including the end plate;
- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of components of the vane phaser of the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 of the present invention and showing a locking piston engaged with a housing;
- Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the hydraulic equipment of the camshaft and vane phaser arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a phase shift where the position of the camshaft is changing from neutral position to a retard position;
- Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the hydraulic equipment of the variable camshaft timing arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a phase shift where the position of the camshaft is changing from neutral position to a retard position in which oil pressure flows from a retard passage to retard chambers and through a check-valve to a locking piston; and
- Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the hydraulic equipment of the variable camshaft timing arrangement according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a phase shift where the position of the camshaft is changing from neutral position to a retard position, and further illustrates oil pressure flowing directly to a locking piston to unlock the housing from the camshaft.
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- In general, a hydraulic timing system is provided for varying the phase of one rotary member relative to another rotary member. More particularly, the present invention provides a multi-position Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) system powered by engine oil pressure for varying the timing of a camshaft of an engine relative to a crankshaft of an engine to improve one or more operating characteristics of the engine. While the present invention will be described in detail with respect to internal combustion engines, the VCT system is also well suited to other environments using hydraulic timing devices. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only internal combustion engines.
- Referring now in detail to the Figures, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a
vane phaser 12 andcamshaft 14 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, thecamshaft 14 has aflange 16 at one end. Aflange plate 20 of thevane phaser 12 mounts to theflange 16 and acts as an axial locator for arotor 22. Ahousing 68 circumscribes therotor 22, and therotor 22 andhousing 68 are sandwiched against theflange plate 20 by a lockingplate 58. Three bolts (not shown) fasten therotor 22 to theflange 16 of thecamshaft 14 so that therotor 22 is rotatable with thecamshaft 14. Similarly, three other bolts (not shown) fasten the lockingplate 58 to theflange plate 20, thereby securing thehousing 68 therebetween. Accordingly, both therotor 22 and thehousing 68 are rotatable with thecamshaft 14 and therotor 22 and thehousing 68 are oscillatable independently of one another. - Still referring to Fig. 2, the locking
plate 58 includes an array of female interlocking features orserrations 60 therein. The array offemale serrations 60 includes aretard serration 62, an advance serration 64, and a multitude ofintermediate serrations 66 therebetween. Thehousing 68 includessprocket teeth 70 disposed about its periphery and includes aninternal surface 72 and radially inwardly extending lobes 74 circumferentially spaced apart with an outwardly extendingradial slot 76 in each lobe 74. Eachradial slot 76 is open to theinternal surface 72 and extends radially outwardly therefrom. As shown in Fig. 3, thehousing 68 includes a drivingvane 78 that is radially and slidably disposed in eachradial slot 76. Each drivingvane 78 has aninner edge 80 that engages anexternal surface 24 of therotor 22. Each drivingvane 78 may be spring-loaded by a bias member (not shown) radially inwardly to ensure constant contact with theexternal surface 24 of therotor 22. - Still referring to Fig. 3, the
rotor 22 includes radially outwardly extendinglobes 26 circumferentially spaced apart, around theexternal surface 24. Onelobe 26 includes apiston passage 40 for housing a generally T-shapedaxial locking piston 42 therein. Eachlobe 26 also includes an inwardly extendingradial slot 28 disposed therein. - The
rotor 22 further includes a drivenvane 30 radially and slidably disposed in eachradial slot 28. Each drivenvane 30 has anouter edge 32 that engages theinternal surface 72 of thehousing 68. Each drivenvane 30 may be biased radially outwardly by a bias member (not shown) to ensure constant contact with theinternal surface 72 of thehousing 68. In that regard, eachouter edge 32 of each drivenvane 30 of therotor 22 slidably cooperates with theinternal surface 72 of thehousing 68. Likewise, eachinner edge 80 of each drivingvane 78 of thehousing 68 slidably cooperates with theexternal surface 24 of therotor 22 to permit limited relative movement between therotor 22 and thehousing 68. Therotor 22 andhousing 68 define afluid chamber 34 that is divided up intoadvance chambers 36 andretard chambers 38 by the circumferentially alternating driving and drivenvanes chambers rotor 22 and thehousing 68. In addition, the advance and retardchambers - As shown in Fig. 4, the
vane phaser 12 is in a locked condition. Theaxial locking piston 42 is interlocked with the lockingplate 58. Theaxial locking piston 42 is disposed within thepiston passage 40 of therotor 22 and has an outer shank end 44 with male interlocking features such askeys 46 thereon and further has an oppositeinner head end 48. The piston and piston passage are axially aligned with thefemale serrations 60 in a fully retarded position, a fully advanced position, and in a multitude of positions therebetween. These positions correspond accordingly with theretard serrations 62, advance serrations 64, andintermediate serrations 66 of the lockingplate 58. Areturn spring 50 is disposed against the inner head end 48 of thepiston 42 to bias thepiston 42 into engagement with the lockingplate 58 under a predetermined biasing force. Themale keys 46 engage with thefemale serrations 60 of the lockingplate 58. Therefore, this design relies on axial interlocking of features and not on diametral fit. Furthermore, thekeys 46 andserrations 60 are designed such that there is no clearance therebetween. Accordingly, thekeys 46 andserrations 60 positively interlock with one another such that there is no slack between the rotor and housing. - Circumscribing the outer shank end 44 of the
piston 42 is acollar 52 that pilots thepiston 42 in place, acts as a stop for thepiston 42, and combines with the inner head end 48 of thepiston 42 to define apiston chamber 56 therebetween, where oil pressure may build up to retract thepiston 42. An unlockingpassage 54 provides communication to thepiston chamber 56 from aport 14P in thecamshaft 14. Fig. 5 shows thepiston 42 disengaged from the lockingplate 58 and thereturn spring 50 fully compressed. - An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 6 in exploded view. The
camshaft 14 has theflange 16 at one end for mounting theflange plate 20 thereto. Theflange plate 20 acts as an axial locator for ahousing 168, which in turn circumscribes arotor 122. Therotor 122 andhousing 168 are sandwiched against theflange plate 20 by anend plate 158. Threebolts 92 fasten theend plate 158, therotor 122, and theflange plate 20 to theflange 16 of thecamshaft 14, in turn trapping thehousing 168 between theflange plate 20 andend plate 158. Accordingly, therotor 122 andhousing 168 are oscillatable independently of one another. - The
rotor 122,housing 168, and driving and drivenvanes rotor 122 includes apiston passage 140 radially disposed within one of a set oflobes 126. A generally T-shapedradial locking piston 142 and thecollar 52 are likewise disposed in thepiston passage 140. Additionally, thehousing 168 has an array offemale serrations 160 disposed in aninternal surface 172 thereof for interlocking with thepiston 142. As illustrated in Fig. 7 by way of a cross-sectional end view, an outer shank end 144 of theradial locking piston 142 is shown in engagement with one of thefemale serrations 160 of thehousing 168. The array offemale serrations 160 includes aretard serration 162, anadvance serration 164, and a multitude ofintermediate serrations 166 therebetween. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 8 in cross-sectional view, theradial locking piston 142 is engaged with thehousing 168 and is similar in structure to theaxial locking piston 42 of Fig. 4. - In operation, when the engine is off, the
vane phaser 12 does not rotate and no engine oil pressure is present in thevane phaser 12, as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, thereturn spring 50 biases theaxial locking piston 42 into engagement with the lockingplate 58 to lock thevane phaser 12 in place thereby preventing any relative motion of the vane phaser components. When the engine is on, however, the assembly that includes thecamshaft 14 with therotor 22 andhousing 68 is caused to rotate by torque applied to thehousing 68 by an endless chain or toothed belt (not shown) that engages thesprocket teeth 70, so that motion is imparted to the endless chain by a rotating crankshaft (not shown) of the engine. Thehousing 68, rotates with thecamshaft 14 and is oscillatable with respect to thecamshaft 14 to change the phase of thecamshaft 14 relative to the crankshaft. - According to the preferred embodiment, and referring now to Fig. 9, the
vane phaser 12 of the variable camshaft timing system is provided in schematic form. Pressurized engine oil begins to flow through acamshaft bearing 18, into a 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82, and through the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 into a 4-way pulse-width-modulated (PWM)control valve 84. An electronicengine control unit 86 processes input information from sources within the engine and elsewhere, then sends output information to various sources including the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 and 4-wayPWM control valve 84 to effect unlocking and phasing of thevane phaser 12. - A locking and unlocking arrangement is enabled using the pressurized engine oil flowing into the 3-way on/off
control valve 82. When the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 is on, it directs engine oil pressure to the unlockingpassage 54 based upon output from theengine control unit 86. As shown in Fig. 5, oil pressure accumulates in thepiston chamber 56 and thereby urges theaxial locking piston 42 against the force of thereturn spring 50. This moves thepiston 42 to a position where theaxial locking piston 42 releases thevane phaser 12 to an unlocked condition, which then allows thevane phaser 12 to oscillate or shift phase. Consequently, theaxial locking piston 42 is capable of locking thehousing 68 in a fixed circumferential position relative to thecamshaft 14 at a multitude of relative circumferential positions therebetween. This occurs whenever hydraulic pressure in the unlockingpassage 54 falls below a predetermined value needed to overcome the force of thereturn spring 50. Referring again to Fig. 7, an alternative locking arrangement would include theradial locking piston 142 normally biased out of engagement with thehousing 168. Thevane phaser 112 would lock up in one of the circumferential positions above a predetermined rotational speed of therotor 122. Here, theradial locking piston 142 would engage thehousing 168 under a centrifugal force induced above the predetermined speed of therotor 122. - Referring again to Fig. 9, once the
vane phaser 12 is unlocked, oscillation control of thevane phaser 12 is enabled using pressurized engine oil supplied from the camshaft bearing 18 that flows through the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 into the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 under closed-loop control. The 4-wayPWM control valve 84 is in fluid communication with an advancingfluid passage 88 and a retardingfluid passage 90 in thecamshaft 14 that respectively communicate with the advance and retardchambers rotor 22 andhousing 68. Theengine control unit 86 may signal the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 to direct oil pressure from a supply port 84S to aretard port 84R through to the retardingfluid passage 90 and into theretard chambers 38. Simultaneously, engine oil is allowed to exhaust from theadvance chambers 36 through the advancingfluid passage 88 into anadvance port 84A of the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 and out an exhaust port 84E. Accordingly, therotor 22 will move toward a fully retarded position relative to thehousing 68. - Alternatively, the
engine control unit 86 may signal the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 to direct oil from the supply port 84S to theadvance port 84A through the advancingfluid passage 88 and into theadvance chambers 36. Simultaneously, engine oil is allowed to exhaust from theretard chambers 38 through the retardingfluid passage 90 into theretard port 84R of the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 and out the exhaust port 84E. Accordingly, therotor 22 will move toward a fully advance position relative to thehousing 68. - Additionally, the
rotor 22 is capable of locking in the fully retarded position, the fully advanced position, or a multitude of positions therebetween. Therotor 22 is oscillatable with respect to thehousing 68 within a range of at least 30 degrees, in at least six different circumferential positions. Once the desired phase shift has been achieved, theengine control unit 86 will signal the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 to permit the oil to exhaust from thepiston 42 through the unlockingpassage 92 through a lockingport 82L of the 3-way on/offcontrol valve 82 and out anexhaust port 82E. Simultaneously, all engine oil flow to and from the advance and retardchambers PWM control valve 84 will cease. - Fig. 10 illustrates an
alternative vane phaser 212 of the present invention in schematic form, where locking control is effectuated by sharing oil pressure from the advance and retardpassages passage 254. Here, pressurized engine oil flows through thecamshaft bearing 18 and directly into the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 having a closed center. From the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 oil flows through advance and retardpassages chambers check valve 94 permits engine oil to flow from theretard passage 90 to thepiston 42 to retract thepiston 42. Therefore, with the closed center 4-wayPWM control valve 84, oil flows to thepiston 42 to unlock thevane phaser 212 only when thevane phaser 212 changes phase. Alternatively, the 4-wayPWM control valve 84 could have an open center to permit oil flow to thepiston 42 any time the engine is in operation, thus allowing for continuous oscillation control. - Fig. 11 illustrates a
vane phaser 312 according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention in which thelocking piston 42 is always disengaged while oil flows through thecamshaft bearing 18. Here, the unlockingpassage 54 communicates directly with the camshaft bearing 18 to permit engine oil to flow directly to thepiston 42. In this configuration, once oil pressure is high enough to overcome the force of thereturn spring 50, thepiston 42 will disengage (as shown in Fig. 5). Therefore, thepiston 42 will be disengaged all the time that the engine is running and supplying sufficient oil pressure. Accordingly, thevane phaser 312 will be able to move to any position within the accuracy of the phaser control scheme any time during engine operation. - From the above, it can be appreciated that a significant advantage of the VCT of the present invention is that the rotor and housing are lockable relative to one another in not just one or two positions, but in an advance position, a retard position, and a multitude of positions therebetween. Additionally, only one locking piston is required to effect locking the VCT in all of the positions.
- An additional advantage is that the locking piston will not jam with the component with which it interlocks, since at least the preferred embodiment of the present invention does not rely on diametral interlocking. Likewise, the present invention will not be susceptible to free play or slack conditions between the rotor and housing arising from clearance between locking members.
- While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, an open-loop control strategy could be employed to achieve the phase shift of the camshaft. The variable valve timing/variable camshaft timing system of the present invention can also be controlled during operation either by an open loop system or a closed loop system, again depending on the needs or wishes of the user. In an open loop control system, there are only two control positions, either a position where the rotor moves at a fixed rate to full advance or a position where the rotor moves at the fixed rate to full retard, without any effort to modulate the rate of movement of the rotor to its full advance or full retard position, as the case may be, or to stop the movement of the rotor at any position in between such full advance and full retard positions. In a closed loop control system, on the other hand, the position of the rotor relative to the housing is monitored and the system is locked at one or another of a multitude of possible relative positions of the rotor and the housing between the full advance and full retard positions.
- Likewise, alternative control valve devices may be employed to control fluid flow. Finally, female interlocking features may be placed on the locking piston rather than male interlocking features, and correspondingly male interlocking features may be mounted on the component that interlocks with the locking piston instead of female interlocking features.
Claims (10)
- An internal combustion engine comprising:a camshaft (14);a rotor (22) secured to said camshaft (14) for rotation therewith, said rotor (22) being non-oscillatable with respect to said camshaft (14);a housing (68) circumscribing said rotor (22) and being rotatable with said rotor (22) and said camshaft (14) and being oscillatable with respect to said rotor (22) and said camshaft (14) between a fully retarded position and a fully advanced position;a piston passage (40) formed in one of said rotor (22) and said housing (68) in which passage (40) is slidably mounted a locking piston (42), which is respectively and releasably engageable with other of said rotor (22) and said housing (68) so as to prevent relative motion between said rotor (22) and said housing (68); andmeans for controlling oscillation of said rotor (22) relative to said housing (68);
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking piston is axially moveable along the axis of rotation of said rotor (22).
- An intemal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking piston is radially moveable relative to the axis of rotation of said rotor (22).
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locking piston is releasable from engagement by a centrifugal force incurred above a predetermined rotational speed of said engine.
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking piston further comprises means responsive to engine oil pressure for disengaging said locking piston to permit oscillation of said housing (68) with respect to said camshaft (14) in response to engine oil pressure when said engine is in operation.
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for engaging comprises a passage (54) extending through said camshaft (14) for delivering a supply of engine oil pressure from said engine directly to said locking piston, said supply of engine oil pressure acting against said locking piston to disengage said locking piston.
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for engaging comprises:a control valve (82); anda passage (54) extending through said camshaft for delivering a supply of engine oil pressure from said engine through said control valve (82), said supply of engine oil pressure acting against said locking piston to disengage said locking piston.
- An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for engaging comprises a passage (54) extending through said camshaft (14) for delivering a supply of engine oil pressure from said engine and extending through said means for controlling, said supply of engine oil pressure acting against said locking piston to disengage said locking piston.
- An internal combustion engine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking piston comprises at least one member mounted on one of said rotor (22) and said housing (68) and at least three openings associated with the other of said rotor (22) and said housing (68), said member being moveable into engagement with said openings so as to lock said rotor to said housing in said fully retarded position, said advanced position, and at least one intermediate position therebetween.
- An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein said rotor (22) has an external surface (24) thereon, said rotor (22) further having at least one outwardly extending lobe (26) thereon which has an inwardly extending radial slot (28) open to said external surface (24), said housing (68) has an internal surface (72) thereon, said housing (68) further having at least one inwardly extending lobe (74) thereon which has an outwardly extending radial slot (76) open to said internal surface (72), said housing (68) and said rotor (22) defining a fluid chamber (34) therebetween;
a driving vane (78) radially and slidably moveable in said outwardly extending radial slot (76) of said housing (68), said driving vane (78) having an inner edge (80) engaging said external surface (24) of said rotor (22), said driving vane (78) being spring-loaded radially inwardly to ensure constant contact with said external surface (24) of said rotor (22);
a driven vane (30) radially and slidably disposed in said inwardly extending radial slot (28) of said rotor (22), said driven vane (30) having an outer edge (32) engaging said internal surface (72) of said housing (68), said driven vane (30) being spring-loaded radially outwardly to ensure constant contact with said internal surface (72) of said housing (68);
said driving and driven vanes (78 and 30) defining at least one advance chamber (36) and at least one retard chamber (38) alternatively interspersed within said fluid chamber (34), said advance and retard chambers (36/38) being fluid tightly separated from each other;
a locking plate (58) secured to one of said rotor (22) and said housing (68);
said locking piston (42) being reactive to said engine oil pressure and having an inner end (48) thereon and an outer end (44) oppositely disposed said inner end (48), said locking piston (42) having one of male keys (46) and female serrations (60) on said outer end (44);
the other of said male keys (46) and said female serrations (60) being disposed in one of said plate (58) and said housing (68), and being aligned with said piston passage (44) in said fully retarded position, in said fully advanced position, and in at least one position of said rotor (22) with respect to said housing (68) and being adapted to receive said interlocking feature (46; 60) of said locking piston (42) in said fully retarded, in said fully advanced, and in said at least one intermediate position to prevent oscillation of said housing (68) with respect to said camshaft (14);
a collar (52) circumscribing a portion of said locking piston (42) to support and locate said locking piston;
means for engaging said locking piston (42) into engagement with one of said plate (58)and said housing (68) under a predetermined biasing force when said engine is out of operation, said means for engaging resiliently acting on said inner end (48) of said locking piston (42) to urge said outer end (44) of said locking piston (42) outwardly from said piston passage (40); and
means for disengaging said locking piston (42) from one of said plate (58) and said housing (68), said means for engaging comprising said piston passage (40)being adapted to receive engine oil pressure from said means for controlling, said means for engaging further comprising engine oil being under pressure and being capable of overcoming said biasing force of said biasing means to slide said locking piston (42) in a direction opposite of said female serrations (60) to release engagement between said male keys (46) and said female serrations (60) and maintain said male keys (46) out of engagement with said female serrations (60) to permit oscillation of said housing (68) with respect to said camshaft (14) in response to engine oil pressure when said engine is in operation;
said means for controlling oscillation of said rotor (22) relative to said housing (68) comprising:means for porting said advance chamber (36); andmeans for porting said retard chamber (38);said means for controlling being capable of supplying said advance and retard chambers (36/38) with engine oil pressure or exhausting said advance and retard chambers (36/38) of engine oil pressure to relatively displace said driving and driven vanes (78/30).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17333099P | 1999-12-28 | 1999-12-28 | |
US173330P | 1999-12-28 | ||
US09/488,903 US6311655B1 (en) | 2000-01-21 | 2000-01-21 | Multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking-piston device |
US488903 | 2000-01-21 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1128026A2 EP1128026A2 (en) | 2001-08-29 |
EP1128026A3 EP1128026A3 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
EP1128026B1 true EP1128026B1 (en) | 2004-09-08 |
Family
ID=26869024
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00311295A Expired - Lifetime EP1128026B1 (en) | 1999-12-28 | 2000-12-15 | Multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking piston device |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1128026B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001221018A (en) |
DE (1) | DE60013549T2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7921820B2 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2011-04-12 | Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha | Valve timing control apparatus |
US8499732B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2013-08-06 | Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. | Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6941913B2 (en) * | 2002-09-19 | 2005-09-13 | Borgwarner Inc. | Spool valve controlled VCT locking pin release mechanism |
DE102004019771A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-11-10 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Hydraulic device for infinitely variable camshaft adjustment |
DE102004043548B4 (en) | 2004-09-09 | 2013-04-18 | Daimler Ag | Device for angular adjustment between two rotating, drive-connected elements |
US6971354B1 (en) * | 2004-12-20 | 2005-12-06 | Borgwarner Inc. | Variable camshaft timing system with remotely located control system |
US7124722B2 (en) * | 2004-12-20 | 2006-10-24 | Borgwarner Inc. | Remote variable camshaft timing control valve with lock pin control |
DE102005036707A1 (en) | 2005-08-04 | 2007-02-08 | Daimlerchrysler Ag | Camshaft adjusting device |
JP5179405B2 (en) * | 2009-02-27 | 2013-04-10 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Valve timing control device for internal combustion engine |
DE102010063700A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-21 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Nockenellenversteller |
JP6091277B2 (en) * | 2013-03-21 | 2017-03-08 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Valve timing control device for internal combustion engine |
JP6251778B2 (en) * | 2016-07-04 | 2017-12-20 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Valve timing control device for internal combustion engine |
DE102019119939A1 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2020-09-17 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Camshaft adjuster with temperature-controlled locking |
DE102019120152A1 (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2020-06-18 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Camshaft adjuster with oil-independent locking from the outside |
DE102019131780A1 (en) * | 2019-11-25 | 2021-05-27 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Camshaft adjuster with pseudo C-channel |
WO2021253337A1 (en) * | 2020-06-18 | 2021-12-23 | 舍弗勒技术股份两合公司 | Camshaft phaser |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0192504A (en) | 1987-09-30 | 1989-04-11 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | Valve opening and closing timing control device |
DE69702561T2 (en) * | 1996-04-03 | 2001-04-19 | Toyota Motor Co Ltd | Variable valve timing control device for internal combustion engine |
JP3744594B2 (en) | 1996-05-15 | 2006-02-15 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Valve timing control device |
DE19756015A1 (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-06-24 | Porsche Ag | Device for the hydraulic rotation angle adjustment of a shaft to a drive wheel |
JPH11280427A (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 1999-10-12 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | Control device for valve opening/closing timing |
US6250265B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2001-06-26 | Borgwarner Inc. | Variable valve timing with actuator locking for internal combustion engine |
-
2000
- 2000-12-15 EP EP00311295A patent/EP1128026B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-15 DE DE60013549T patent/DE60013549T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-12-28 JP JP2000402593A patent/JP2001221018A/en active Pending
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7921820B2 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2011-04-12 | Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha | Valve timing control apparatus |
US8499732B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2013-08-06 | Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. | Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine |
US8707920B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2014-04-29 | Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. | Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60013549D1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
DE60013549T2 (en) | 2005-02-03 |
EP1128026A2 (en) | 2001-08-29 |
EP1128026A3 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
JP2001221018A (en) | 2001-08-17 |
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