EP1199446B1 - Méthode et dispositif pour commande de soupape dans un moteur à explosion - Google Patents

Méthode et dispositif pour commande de soupape dans un moteur à explosion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1199446B1
EP1199446B1 EP00203679A EP00203679A EP1199446B1 EP 1199446 B1 EP1199446 B1 EP 1199446B1 EP 00203679 A EP00203679 A EP 00203679A EP 00203679 A EP00203679 A EP 00203679A EP 1199446 B1 EP1199446 B1 EP 1199446B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
actuating means
auxiliary
cylinder
operating mechanism
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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EP00203679A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1199446A1 (fr
Inventor
Kjell R. Johansson
Jan-Olof Carlsson
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Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Priority to EP00203679A priority Critical patent/EP1199446B1/fr
Priority to DE60034340T priority patent/DE60034340T2/de
Publication of EP1199446A1 publication Critical patent/EP1199446A1/fr
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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
    • F01L1/46—Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in preceding subgroups
    • 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
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • 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
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/24—Piezoelectric actuators
    • 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
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/21—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
    • F01L2009/2105—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids comprising two or more coils

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for operating intake and exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine, particularly for camless valves, wherein a main valve actuating means is assisted by an auxiliary valve actuating means.
  • Internal combustion engines contain at least one intake and one exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine.
  • the intake valve allows air to flow into the combustion chamber and the exhaust valve allows the combusted air/fuel mixture to flow out of the chamber.
  • the timing of the valves must correspond to the motion of the piston and the injection of fuel or an air/fuel mixture into the chamber.
  • Conventional engines incorporate cams to co-ordinate the timing of the valves with the piston and the fuel injector. Apart from being subject to wear, cams are not very amenable to variations in the valve timing during the operation of the engine. Modern engines can be provided with means for adjusting the cam and the valve timing to a certain extent, but are still too limited for the type of advanced engine management needed to meet future requirements for fuel consumption and emission levels.
  • Hydraulically actuated valves controlled by solenoids or piezo-electric actuators as known from US-A-4 019 481, US-A-4 724 801 and US-A-5 829 396, are as a rule relatively slow and are mainly used for large compression ignition (Cl) engines.
  • a hydraulic system would require large flows of hydraulic fluid, which increases power consumption.
  • a hydraulic system is also sensitive to air trapped in the fluid, pollution, such as particles, and requires a large number of sealing surfaces.
  • Electromagnetic or solenoid actuated valves are also known per se.
  • An example of electromagnetically actuated valves is shown in US 5 129 369.
  • Such actuators may act directly on the valve stem or on an extension thereof.
  • the valve is usually spring loaded in one or both directions. At high engine speeds (>7000 rpm) these springs must be correspondingly stiff, in order to avoid chatter and vibrations if the valve does not follow the actuator.
  • the power consumption during start-up can be considerably.
  • a procedure commonly known as "swing-on" must be performed as the engine is started, in order to move the armature from its equilibrium position to the closed valve position.
  • the procedure involves actuating the electromagnets in turn, in order to achieve an oscillating movement of the armature, until the armature can be attracted to the upper electromagnet.
  • the initial force needed for moving the valve against the stiff springs require relatively large electromagnets.
  • the armature can be actuated directly by applying a very high current to the armature.
  • an armature arranged on a pivoting arm held by a torsion spring between two electromagnets can also be drawn directly by applying a relatively high current to one of said electromagnets.
  • EP 0 962 628 concerns a piezoelectric booster for an electromagnetic actuator.
  • the purpose of the piezoelcetric booster is to alleviate mechanical "sticking" of an armature at a stator core cf an electromnagnetic actuator.
  • the piezoelectric device functions to simply "break" the contact between the armature and the stator core :
  • the piezoelectrie actuator is switched on after the current to the stator core bas been switched off.
  • the electromnagnet is switched on, iist armature is acted on by a spring at ail times and is assisted by the piezoelectric actuator to release it from the stator core and move it towards the opposing electronnagnet.
  • a valve operating mechanism using a piezo-electric control device is known from US-A-4 593 658.
  • a stack of piezo-electric elements acts on the valve via a pivoted lever.
  • the size of the stack and the length of the lever must be adapted to give the required valve lift. Opening an exhaust valve against the cylinder pressure on the valve will however require a great deal of power. This may limit the length of the lever, which can result in a large stack of piezo-electric elements.
  • a further problem is related to certain material characteristics of the piezo-electric elements themselves. If subjected to a
  • the invention can be adapted to most valved engines, it is particularly suited for high revolution engines and engines with high compression, such as diesels and/or turbo- or supercharged engines.
  • a method and a device are provided for operating valves in an internal combustion engine, which engine comprises at least one intake and exhaust valve per cylinder, a main valve actuating mechanism for opening and closing each valve, and electronic control means for controlling said valve actuating mechanism.
  • an auxiliary valve actuating means is provided, which means acts directly or indirectly on the valve for initiating valve motion during the start of a valve operating cycle and/or arresting valve motion at the end of a valve operating cycle.
  • the latter function can be used for eliminating noise from the moving parts of the auxiliary actuator as well as preventing damage to said actuator, e.g. should the valves and the actuators temporarily lose and regain contact at high engine speeds.
  • the initial motion performed by the auxiliary actuating means causes a decompression of the cylinder, thus reducing the required effort by the main actuating means and enables smaller electromagnets, or piezoelectric actuators, to be used.
  • the arresting motion caused by the auxiliary actuating means causes a gradual deceleration of both the valve stem and any moving parts in the actuating means, so that their velocity is near zero as they reach their end positions.
  • Motion can be both initiated and arrested using a piezo-electric element, which has a shorter stroke than the main actuating means and gives a substantially shorter valve lift.
  • the valves are preferably opened and closed using an electromagnetic main valve actuating mechanism, although other means are possible, e.g. a piezo-electric actuator.
  • a piezo-electric actuator e.g. a piezo-electric actuator.
  • the auxiliary valve actuating means may be used for all valves, it is particularly suited for exhaust valves, especially exhaust valves having large opening areas, which must act against high pressures in the combustion chamber.
  • the main and auxiliary valve actuators are controlled by a control means comprising a microprocessor, to which data relating to the operation of said engine is fed, and which is programmed to control the position of said piezo-electric actuating means based on said data.
  • Said control means can be a separate unit or an integrated part of the engine management system.
  • a sensor is used to determine the position of the piezo-electric actuating means, which position is fed back to the microprocessor.
  • This sensor can be a virtual sensor, wherein known characteristics and material properties of the piezo-electric elements are used to calculate an estimated position of the piezo-electric actuating means. In this case factors such as element compression under load must be taken into account.
  • a sensor comprising a number of threads each electrically connected to the same number of individual elements of the piezo-electric actuating means may be used. A signal proportional to the position is obtained as the piezo-electric actuating means is subjected to a compressive load, which enables calculation of the position of the actuator.
  • the auxiliary actuating means acts on the valve via an amplifying mechanical linkage, such as a lever action spring or a hydraulic amplifier.
  • the piezo-electric element itself can be in the shape of a stack of individual elements, but is not limited to this shape.
  • the total valve lift caused by the main actuator means is in the region of 8-10 mm, while the valve lift caused by the auxiliary actuating means is in the range 1-2 mm.
  • the initial valve lift need only be sufficient to enable decompression.
  • it must also be lifted sufficiently clear of the valve seat avoid damage to the valve, e.g. carburisation.
  • the ratio between the valve lift caused by the auxiliary actuating means and the main valve actuating mechanism is in the range 1:10 to 1:4.
  • the main valve actuating mechanism comprises one or more electromagnets, which are designed to hold the valve either in its closed end position or in an intermediate position when the engine is switched off. In the latter case, the valve is immediately phased in to assume its correct position in the working cycle as the engine is started.
  • a valve held in an intermediate position must be spring loaded from opposite directions by two separate springs. In this case most of the work is done by the relatively stiff springs. As this is an oscillating system the choice of spring characteristics can be crucial to avoid resonance.
  • the top of the piston may require a recess, so that it will not strike the valve if an actuator malfunctions.
  • Each valve may also be spring loaded by a single spring towards its closed position only.
  • the spring required is a weak return spring, which ensures that the piston does not damage the valve if an actuator malfunctions.
  • Said spring can be fixed at both ends, to the actuator and the valve respectivly. In this case all the work is done by the two electromagnetic actuators, without any assistance from the spring.
  • This system will have no resonance problems, but the moving mass of the valve and armature must be decelerated at their end positions to avoid excessive noise.
  • Each spring that can be eliminated reduces the oscillating mass of the system, which allows a reduction of actuator size or shorter response times for the valve controlled by the actuator.
  • Figure 1 shows a valve operating mechanism according to the invention, wherein a main valve actuating means 1 is provided for opening and closing a valve (not shown).
  • the actuating mechanism 1 is attached to the cylinder head 2 of an internal combustion engine and comprises an upper 3 and a lower electromagnet 4.
  • the electromagnets are rigidly connected by a spacer 5 around their circumference, which spacer 5 separates the electromagnets 3, 4 creating a gap 6 in which an armature 7 is located.
  • the armature 7 is fixedly mounted on a central pin 8, e.g. by welding or glueing.
  • the pin 8 is axially slidable in a pair of bushings 9, 10 mounted in openings 11, 12 through the electromagnets 3, 4.
  • the pin 8 is in contact with a valve stem 13, which is part of an intake or exhaust valve.
  • the valve actuating means is controlled by electrical pulses from an engine management system in response to signals from a microprocessor in said system.
  • the electrical pulses actuates the electromagnets 3, 4 in turn, in order to open the valve using the lower electromagnet 4 or close it using the upper electromagnet 3.
  • the standard 12 V system for vehicles may be insufficient.
  • the next generation of electrical systems will most probably use 42 V as standard, which voltage is better suited for this purpose.
  • a preferred embodiment is to use a voltage converted to 100-1000 V. This is desirable in order to reduce both the current and the cross-sectional area of the wiring, which in turn reduces weight.
  • the embodiment of Figure 1 is provided with an upper and a lower helical spring 14, 15, which springs hold the armature 7 in an intermediate position between the electromagnets 3, 4.
  • the lower spring 14 is mounted between an upper surface 2a of the cylinder head 2 and the lower surface of a spring retainer 17 attached to the upper section of the valve stem 13.
  • the upper spring is mounted between the lower surface of a housing 18 for the actuator assembly and the upper surface of a spring retainer 19, which is an integral part of the central pin 8. Said housing 18 must be rigidly connected to the actuator assembly and the cylinder head 2.
  • Alternative embodiments may include only the lower return spring 14, in order to ensure that the valve is in its closed position when not actuated.
  • the electromagnets are used to control all movements of the valve, so that both springs become superfluous.
  • the actuator assembly is provided with an auxiliary valve actuating means 20.
  • a piezo-electric element 21 is used, which element is mounted inside, or in parallel with, the upper spring 15 between the casing 18 and the central pin 8.
  • a lever action spring 22 is mounted between the element 21 and the pin 8. This has the effect of extending the stroke, while keeping the actuating means compact.
  • Pulses of electric current from the engine management system also control the auxiliary valve actuating means.
  • Figure 1 shows the valve stem 13 in its upper position with the valve closed. In this position there is a small space between the armature 7 and the upper magnet 3.
  • Said space is necessary in order to prevent the armature 7 from striking the upper magnet 3. At the same time the distance must be kept small, as the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet 3 is reduced as the distance increases. In order for the upper magnet 3 to hold the armature 7 securely, the space between them should not exceed a few tenths of a millimetre.
  • valve stem 13 As the valve stem 13, armature 7 and pin 8 approach their upper position, their movement is decelerated using a controlled retraction of the piezo-electric element 21, creating a soft landing.
  • the piezo-electric element used may be a standard type element, which only require minor physical modifications to fit the application
  • a state of the art element may be 45 mm long and have a stroke of 0,5 mm.
  • a lever or some other type of mechanism must compensate the short stroke of such an element, since a piezo-electric element acting directly on the valve would be excessively long. Its low power consumption and relatively high expansive power outweigh the drawbacks
  • actuators made from alternative materials having similar properties may be used, e.g. polymer materials with suitable electrical properties.
  • the piezo-electric element 21 is actuated first, making the valve open enough to cause a decompression of the cylinder pressure. To achieve this the valve lift must be not less than 1-2 mm. Once decompression has taken place the main valve actuator 1 is actuated for full opening of the valve.
  • the full valve lift is approximately 8-10 mm, giving a ratio between partial and full valve lift of approximately 1:10 to 1:4. This ratio may of course vary, depending on the size and type of engine. Because of the decompression, the lower electromagnet 4 only has to overcome the force of the lower spring 14, as opposed to the spring force combined with a possible high pressure acting on the valve in the combustion chamber.
  • the auxiliary valve actuating means 20 may be used for both intake and exhaust valves. Due to the significantly different pressures in the combustion chamber when valve actuation is performed, it may only be necessary to use the auxiliary actuating means for the exhaust valves.
  • the invention is particularly suited for exhaust valves with a large surface area, which would require large and power consuming electromagnetic actuators to open unless assisted by decompressing auxiliary actuators.
  • the main and auxiliary valve actuators 1, 20 are controlled by a control means comprising a microprocessor (see Fig. 2), to which data relating to the operation of said engine is fed.
  • the control means is programmed to control the position of said piezo-electric actuating means based on said data.
  • Said control means can be a separate unit or an integrated part of the engine management system.
  • a sensor is required to determine the position of the piezo-electric actuating means, which position is fed back to the microprocessor.
  • a sensor arrangement for a piezoelectric element 21, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a number of threads 23 each electrically connected to the same number of individual elements 24 of the piezo-electric actuating means.
  • the individual elements 24 are enclosed in a casing to form a single element 21.
  • a first signal 25 is transmitted from a microprocessor 26 in the engine control system
  • the auxiliary actuating means 21 is actuated to partially open the valve.
  • a current is delivered to each of the threads 23. This current results in a signal 27 proportional to the position of the actuating means 21.
  • the position signal 27 is transmitted to a microprocessor 26 in the engine control system, which enables the microprocessor to calculate the position of the actuator. Additional data relating to physical characteristics and material properties of the element 21 for use in said calculation is stored in the microprocessor.
  • a microprocessor can then calculate the theoretical position of the actuator using dead reckoning, using the current supplied to the actuator and data relating to physical characteristics and material properties of the element 21.
  • a virtual sensor can be used, whereby known characteristics, such as element compression under load, and data related to the material properties of the piezo-electric elements are stored in a microprocessor. This information is used to calculate an estimated position of the piezo-electric actuating means during operation of the auxiliary actuator. It is of course possible to use other types of known position sensors, such as a Hall sensor, for measuring the actual position of the actuator and/or the valve.
  • the auxiliary actuating means 20 can be used to decelerate the moving valve and central pin 8.
  • the armature 7 of the energised upper electromagnet 3 reaches its end position, a great deal of noise may occur if the armature 7 comes into contact with the electromagnet 3.
  • the current actuating the piezo-electric element 21 is reduced in such a way that its retracting movement absorbs the momentum of the moving mass. This is possible due to the fast response time of piezo-electric elements.
  • a known piezo-electric element requires no more than 50 ⁇ s (10 -6 s) to execute a stroke of 0,5 mm.
  • This feature may also be useful at high engine speeds, should the valve stem 13 temporarily lose contact with the pin 8. As the valve stem 13 is being returned by the lower spring 14 (see Fig. 1), it will strike the pin 8 briefly when regaining contact. Apart from causing a lot of noise, such an impact may damage a piezo-electric element 21 contacting the pin 8. In order to avoid damage to the relatively brittle element 21, the element 21 itself can be used to arrest the movement of the moving mass, as described above.
  • FIG. 3 A second embodiment of the above invention is shown in Figure 3.
  • the valve stem 13 extends into a recess in the lower part of the armature 7.
  • the lower part of the armature 7 is provided with radial slots 7a which extend in the axial direction of the valve stem 13.
  • the stem 13 is in turn provided with radial projections 7b, such as a through pin, which extend into the slots.
  • This arrangement allows a slight axial movement of the armature 7 relative the valve stem 13.
  • the allowed axial movement is preferably only a few tenths of a millimetre.
  • An end section 30 extends above the armature 7 in order to contact an actuating member 31 of an amplifying mechanical linkage 22 when the valve 33 is in its closed position.
  • the movement of said end section 30 is controlled by a guide 32.
  • the auxiliary actuating means 20 is attached to a casing 34 enclosing the upper and lower electromagnets 3, 4, whereby the actuating member 31 extends through said casing 34.
  • the main valve actuator 1 is provided with springs to hold the valve in an intermediate inactive position.
  • a lower spring 35 acts between the cylinder head 2 and a spring retainer 13a on the end of the valve stem 13, while an upper spring 36 acts between the casing 34 and the armature.
  • the mechanical linkage 22 may comprise a lever action spring, as described below, or some other suitable means.
  • the member 31 When the piezo-electric element 21 is actuated, the member 31 will act on the stem 13.
  • the stem 13 will perform a small movement through a guide 37 and cause the valve 33 to lift a short distance from its seat 38, in order to decompress the cylinder (not shown).
  • the channel 39 associated with the valve 33 may be either an intake or an exhaust channel, as described above.
  • the valve closes the stem 13 and the end section 30 of the armature 7 approaches the upper magnet 3.
  • the movement of the valve stem 13 will be arrested by the valve reaching its seat 38 just as the armature 7 comes into contact with the upper magnet 3.
  • the slot and pin assembly 7a, 7b in the lower part of the armature 7 prevents the full force of the returning valve from being transmitted to the magnet 3, and the armature itself can be decelerated by the piezo-electric element 21 as described above.
  • a valve unit comprises a main valve 40 provided with an auxiliary valve 41.
  • the auxiliary valve includes a central stem 42, which extends through a bore in the main valve stem 43.
  • the central stem 42 protrudes sufficiently from the end section 44 of the main stem 43 to enable it to be actuated by the auxiliary valve actuating means 20.
  • the armature 7 is rigidly connected to the main valve stem 43.
  • the auxiliary valve 41 is located in the lower surface 45 of the main valve 40 and can be actuated separately by the piezo-electric element 21 when the main valve 40 is in its closed position.
  • the bore through the main valve 40 and stem 43 has an enlarged annular section 46 adjacent the main valve 40.
  • This section 46 is connected to at least one channel 47, which exits in the upper surface 48 of the main valve 40.
  • Figure 4B shows an embodiment with eight channels 47 extending from the enlarged section 46. The total cross-sectional area of the channels 47 must be at least equal to the area of the annular section 46.
  • Figure 4C shows an enlarged view of the upper end of the central stem 42. The end of the stem 42 has an enlarged portion 48, so that a return spring 49 fitted between the end section 44 of the stem 42 and said portion 48. This is to ensure that the auxiliary valve 41 returns to its closed position after having been actuated.
  • the spring shown in Figure 4C is a helical spring, other types of springs may be used, e.g. a belleville washer
  • the main valve 40 In operation the main valve 40 is in its closed position, when the auxiliary actuating means 20 is activated.
  • the actuating member 31 of the piezo-electric element 21 acts on the central stem 42 of the valve unit, thereby lifting the auxiliary valve 41 from its seat in the lower surface 45 of the main valve 40. This causes a decompression of the cylinder, as the pressure is released through the enlarged section 46 and the channels 47 of the main valve 40 into the intake or exhaust channel 39.
  • a fourth embodiment is shown in Figure 5.
  • a separate auxiliary valve actuator 50 is arranged at a suitable location adjacent the cylinder 51.
  • the inlet and exhaust valves 52, 53 are each provided with a main valve actuator as shown in Figure 3.
  • the auxiliary valve actuator 50 comprises a piezo-electric actuator 54, a mechanical linkage 55, an auxiliary valve stem 56 and an auxiliary valve 57.
  • a sealing bushing 56a is provided to prevent exhaust gas from leaking out past the stem 56 of the actuator 54.
  • the valve 57 opens and pressure is released through a decompression channel 58 into an exhaust or intake channel 59.
  • the valve 57 can be connected directly to the auxiliary actuator, as it is physically separated from the main valve actuator.
  • a piezo-electric actuator of a different construction or shape may require a return spring for the valve.
  • the actuator must be located in such a way that it does not interfere with the main valves 52, 53, the piston or any other component of the engine.
  • FIG. 6 A cross-section through a single lever action spring 22 can be seen in Figure 6.
  • Said spring 22 comprises a first section 61, which is acted on by the piezo-electric element 21, and a second section 62, which acts on the valve stem 13.
  • the lever action spring 22 can be pivoted around a pivot point 64 placed in the longitudinal direction of the semi-cylindrical section 63. In this embodiment the pivot point 64 is placed in the upper region of the semi-cylindrical section 63, where it joins the first section 61 of the spring 22.
  • said first and second sections 61, 62 are of different lengths.
  • the leverage is determined by the distance d between a first vertical plane P 1 through the axis of the pivot point 64 and a second vertical plane P 2 through the contact point 65 of the piezo-electric element 21 in relation to the distance D between said first plane P 1 and a third vertical plane P 3 through the axis of the valve stem.
  • a suitable value for the ratio d:D can be calculated using the available stroke of the piezo-electric element 21 and the required valve lift. For instance, if said element 21 has a stroke of 0,2 mm and the required valve lift is 2 mm, the ratio d:D is 1:10 provided it is assumed that the spring 22 does not deflect.
  • the stiffness of the spring must be sufficient to enable it to transmit the movement of the piezo-electric element to the valve stem.
  • the inherent characteristics of the spring, in combination with a controlled stroke by said element allows the movement of the valve to be dampened at the end of its return stroke. In this way the noise created by the armature striking the upper electromagnet in an uncontrolled manner can be reduced.
  • Figure 7 shows a plan view of a single lever action spring 22, wherein the second section 62 has a generally triangular shape.
  • the total length of the semi-circular section 63 level with the pivot point 64 plus the length of the pivot axes 64a, 64b should not exceed the length of the base of the triangular second section 62.
  • Said second section 62 has its base parallel to the axis of the pivot point 64 and tapers to its point of contact with the valve stem 13.
  • the area 66 of the spring overlapping the upper surface 65 of the end of the valve stem 13 must be sufficient to allow the tip of the spring to move radially across the surface 65 as the valve 13 is moved between its opened and closed positions.
  • the dotted line 67 shows the spring 22 in its inactive position.
  • piezo-electric actuator In some cases it may be necessary to use more than one piezo-electric actuator, e.g. when the engine is of a high compression type, or if both full and partial valve lift is to be performed by piezo-electric elements.
  • a pair of identical piezo-electrical elements 81a, 81b act on a pair of opposing springs 82a, 82b to control a valve stem 13.
  • FIG. 9 A further embodiment is shown in Figure 9, in which a single actuator acts on a pair of springs.
  • a single actuator acts on a pair of springs.
  • the valve stem 13 By interposing a thin plate or disc 91 between a piezo-electric element 21 and a pair of opposing lever action springs 92a, 92b, the valve stem 13 can be actuated.
  • Said element 21 is positioned at the centre of the plate 91, directly above the end surface of the valve stem 13.
  • the plate 91 is in turn positioned on top of the first sections 93a, 93b of the respective springs 92a, 92b.
  • the element 21 When actuated, the element 21 will act on the plate 91 and cause the springs 92a, 92b to pivot around their pivot points 94a, 94b, so that the second sections 95a, 95b of the spring will depress the valve stem 13.
  • Figures 10A and 10B shows an assembly comprising a single piezo-electric element 21 acting on four springs 101, 102, 103, 104 via a plate 105, which is placed on top of the first sections 106, 107, 108, 109 of each spring.
  • the plate 105 is preferably made from a light and stiff material, so that it can follow the fast expanding and contracting movements of the element with little or no deflection.
  • the mountings for the pivot axes 114, 115, 116, 117 are not shown for reasons of clarity.
  • the stroke of the piezo-electric element can also be extended by means of a hydraulic amplifying arrangement.
  • the arrangement (not shown) comprises a cylindrical body placed between the auxiliary actuator and the valve stem. Both the actuator and the cylindrical body are fixed in relation to the cylinder head and a housing in which the actuator assembly is mounted.
  • the cylindrical body contains an axially extending annular cavity, whereby an annular piston is slidably arranged in the upper end of said cavity.
  • the piston or a part thereof extends out through a first end surface of the cylindrical body.
  • Said piston can be directly or indirectly attached to the piezo-electric element, so that the element can act on the piston.
  • a return spring is provided to ensure that the piston is returned to its inactive position.
  • Said annular cavity is connected to a central, axially extending cylindrical cavity by means of one or more substantially radial passages.
  • the passage/-s are arranged to exit from the lower end of the annular cavity, to lead radially inwards and upwards, and enter the central cavity at its upper end.
  • the central cavity contains a further slidably arranged, central piston, shaped like a cylindrical pin.
  • the central piston extends through a second end surface at the lower end of the cylindrical body, opposite said first end surface. When the valve is in its upper, closed position, the central piston is in contact with the valve stem.
  • a hydraulic medium such as hydraulic oil, water with anti-freezing and/or anti-corrosive additives, or some other suitable fluid.
  • a hydraulic medium such as hydraulic oil, water with anti-freezing and/or anti-corrosive additives, or some other suitable fluid.
  • both pistons must be sealed around their circumference where they exit from the end surfaces of the cylindrical body. This sealing function can be achieved either by using sealing bushings, or by manufacturing the pistons and their corresponding cavity wall surfaces to very close tolerances.
  • a control signal to the piezo-electric element causes it to act on the annular piston.
  • Said piston forces hydraulic fluid through the connecting passages into the central cavity, causing the fluid to act on the central piston and the valve stem in order to perform an initial opening of the valve.
  • the amplifying ratio is proportional to the ratio between the cross-sectional areas of the annular and central cavities. A relatively short stroke by the piezo-electric element and the annular piston will therefore cause an amplified stroke for the central piston, due to the displaced volume from the annular to the central cavity.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)

Claims (26)

  1. Procédé d'actionnement d'un mécanisme à soupapes associé à un cylindre d'un moteur à combustion interne, ledit mécanisme à soupapes étant opérationnel pour commander une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci, ledit mécanisme à soupapes comportant des moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux (1) pour ouvrir et fermer ledit mécanisme à soupapes, et des moyens de commande électroniques (26) pour commander lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme à soupapes comporte en outre des moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires piézoélectriques (20) opérationnels pour commander une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci, ledit procédé comportant les étapes consistant à :
    (a) actionner lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires avant lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux pour provoquer une décompression initiale dudit cylindre, et
    (b) actionner lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux pour provoquer une décompression supplémentaire dudit cylindre après ladite décompression initiale.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, ledit procédé comportant en outre les étapes consistant à :
    (c) faire en sorte que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux et lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires piézoélectriques agissent sur une soupape du cylindre commun à ceux-ci pour commander l'admission ou l'échappement à partir dudit cylindre, et
    (d) amener lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires piézoélectriques à déclencher ou à arrêter un mouvement de la soupape pendant un début ou une fin d'un cycle d'actionnement de soupape, respectivement.
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'à l'étape (d), ledit arrêt dudit mouvement de la soupape est opérationnel pour provoquer une décélération graduelle d'une tige (13) de la soupape, de sorte qu'une vitesse de ladite tige (13) est sensiblement nulle lorsqu'elle atteint sa position d'extrémité.
  4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux sont implémentés en utilisant au moins un électroaimant.
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux et lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires sont opérationnels pour agir sur des première et seconde tiges de soupape, respectivement pour provoquer une décompression dudit cylindre, lesdits moyens d'actionnement principaux étant opérationnels pour actionner une soupape de cylindre principale, et lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires étant opérationnels pour actionner une soupape de cylindre auxiliaire, lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires étant agencés dans une paroi de cylindre dudit moteur.
  6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires piézoélectriques (20) sont implémentés sous la forme d'un ensemble d'éléments piézoélectriques configurés pour être entraînés ensemble pour fournir un actionnement.
  7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit ensemble d'éléments piézoélectriques est muni d'une liaison de mécanisme d'amplification (22) pour amplifier en fonctionnement un déplacement d'actionnement fourni par ledit ensemble pour commander une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci.
  8. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupapes pour un moteur à combustion interne incluant un cylindre, ledit mécanisme d'actionnement de soupapes étant opérationnel pour commander l'admission vers ledit cylindre, ou l'échappement à partir de celui-ci, ledit mécanisme comportant des moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux pour commander en fonctionnement une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci, ledit mécanisme d'actionnement comportant en outre des moyens de commande électroniques pour commander lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme d'actionnement comporte en outre des moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires piézoélectrique également opérationnels pour commander une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci, lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires étant opérationnels pour être actionnés pour provoquer une décompression initiale dudit cylindre avant que les moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux ne soient actionnés pour provoquer une décompression supplémentaire consécutive du cylindre.
  9. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires sont agencés pour agir directement sur une tige de soupape d'une soupape principale du cylindre.
  10. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement principaux sont couplés pour actionner une soupape principale du cylindre, ladite soupape principale étant munie d'une tige creuse, et lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires piézoélectriques sont adaptés pour actionner une soupape auxiliaire incluse dans ladite tige creuse.
  11. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires piézoélectriques sont adaptés pour actionner une soupape séparée incluse dans une paroi du cylindre.
  12. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape auxiliaires sont implémentés en utilisant des moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques comportant un ensemble d'éléments piézoélectriques configurés pour être entraînés ensemble pour fournir un actionnement.
  13. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande électroniques comportent un microprocesseur (26) opérationnel pour recevoir des données concernant le fonctionnement dudit moteur, ledit microprocesseur (26) étant programmé pour commander une étendue d'un actionnement desdits moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques (21) en réponse auxdites données.
  14. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques sont munis d'un capteur opérationnel pour détecter une étendue d'actionnement desdits moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques (21).
  15. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que ledit capteur est implémenté en tant que capteur virtuel, de telle sorte que des caractéristiques et propriétés de matériau connues sont mémorisées dans le microprocesseur (26) pour calculer l'étendue d'actionnement des moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques.
  16. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que ledit capteur comporte une pluralité de filets (23), chaque filet étant connecté électriquement à un élément piézoélectrique correspondant des moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques, de sorte qu'un signal (27) proportionnel à l'étendue d'actionnement desdits moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques est obtenu lorsque moyens d'actionnement piézoélectriques sont soumis à une mauvaise compression.
  17. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 16, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires (21) sont opérationnels pour agir sur sa soupape associée via une liaison mécanique d'amplification (22), ladite liaison (22) étant opérationnelle pour amplifier une étendue de déplacement fournie par lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires (21).
  18. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce que ladite liaison mécanique comporte un ou plusieurs ressorts à action de levier sensiblement en forme de U (22 ; 82a, 82b ; 101, 102, 103, 104), chaque ressort étant une paire de tronçons (61, 62) ayant des longueurs mutuellement différentes, les longueurs définissant un taux d'amplification fourni en actionnement par ledit ressort.
  19. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires ont, associés à ceux-ci, un ressort à action de levier correspondant unique pour amplifier en fonctionnement un déplacement d'actionnement fourni par lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires.
  20. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires ont, associés à ceux-ci, une pluralité de ressorts à action de levier correspondants pour amplifier en fonctionnement un déplacement d'actionnement fourni par lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires.
  21. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires sont configurés pour agir sur une plaque (91 ; 105) qui est positionnée en contact avec ladite pluralité de ressorts à action de levier correspondants.
  22. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 21, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires sont opérationnels pour provoquer une levée de soupape dans une plage de 1 à 2 mm.
  23. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 22, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires (21) et lesdits moyens d'actionnement principaux sont opérationnels pour provoquer des levées de soupapes relatives selon un rapport dans une plage de 1:4 à 1:10.
  24. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 23, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement de soupape principaux comportent un ou plusieurs électroaimants.
  25. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 24, caractérisé en ce qu'une ou plusieurs soupapes du mécanisme opérationnel pour commander une admission vers ledit cylindre, ou un échappement à partir de celui-ci, sont chargées par ressort vers leurs positions fermées.
  26. Mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 22, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'actionnement auxiliaires sont opérationnels pour agir directement ou indirectement sur une soupape (13, 43) du mécanisme pour au moins un des mouvements de déclenchement et d'arrêt de la soupape pendant un début ou une fin de son cycle d'actionnement de soupape, respectivement.
EP00203679A 2000-10-20 2000-10-20 Méthode et dispositif pour commande de soupape dans un moteur à explosion Expired - Lifetime EP1199446B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00203679A EP1199446B1 (fr) 2000-10-20 2000-10-20 Méthode et dispositif pour commande de soupape dans un moteur à explosion
DE60034340T DE60034340T2 (de) 2000-10-20 2000-10-20 Verfahren und Anordnung zur Ventilbetätigung in einer Brennkraftmaschine

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EP00203679A EP1199446B1 (fr) 2000-10-20 2000-10-20 Méthode et dispositif pour commande de soupape dans un moteur à explosion

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DE60034340D1 (de) 2007-05-24
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