GB2475231A - Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation - Google Patents

Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2475231A
GB2475231A GB0919560A GB0919560A GB2475231A GB 2475231 A GB2475231 A GB 2475231A GB 0919560 A GB0919560 A GB 0919560A GB 0919560 A GB0919560 A GB 0919560A GB 2475231 A GB2475231 A GB 2475231A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chain
valve train
chain elongation
vehicle
sensor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0919560A
Other versions
GB0919560D0 (en
Inventor
Fiorello Losano
Luigi Cuccia
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Original Assignee
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC filed Critical GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority to GB0919560A priority Critical patent/GB2475231A/en
Publication of GB0919560D0 publication Critical patent/GB0919560D0/en
Publication of GB2475231A publication Critical patent/GB2475231A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/06—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members with chains
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
    • F16H7/0829—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains with vibration damping means
    • F16H7/0836—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains with vibration damping means of the fluid and restriction type, e.g. dashpot
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
    • F16H2007/0802—Actuators for final output members
    • F16H2007/0812—Fluid pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
    • F16H2007/0863—Finally actuated members, e.g. constructional details thereof
    • F16H2007/0872—Sliding members

Abstract

A hydraulic chain tensioner 14, for a valve train chain 11 of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, comprises a piston 15 that presses a blade on the chain 11 so as to maintain the chain 11 in tension. A sensor 16 detects an axial position of the piston 15 proportional to chain elongation and transmits an alert signal if the chain elongation is excessive. The alert signal from the sensor 16 is transmitted to an electronic control unit (ECU) 20 of the vehicle. Sensor 16 detects micro-displacements in order to evaluate a velocity of the piston 16 and thereby a vibrational state of the chain 11. A method for monitoring the chain elongation is also disclosed, the method includes a phase in which the alert signal is sent if chain elongation is above a predetermined threshold and a corrective action impacting on an ignition fuel strategy is performed. The method uses a computer program product comprising control apparatus in which a computer program having computer-code is stored.

Description

DEVICE AND METH EOR IITOP.fl'G VMVE TRAIN CHAIN arGATICaT TECHNIL FlEW The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring valve train chain elongation.
BAKRXJND
In combustion engines the chain that drives the valve train may become too much elongated, for example due to rhythmical stresses caused by the cams or the springs of the valves or due to other effects that may take place during use of the vehicle.
This elongation has a first negative effect in that the driver and the passengers of the combustion engine vehicle perceive noise.
Moreover if, during the use of the vehicle, such elongation becomes excessive, valves may impact upon the respective piston causing serious damage to the engine that may even lead to the necessity of engine replacement.
Such chain systems are usually provided with a tensioner which has a piston that presses a blade on the chain in order to maintain tension on the chain.
In real life situations, in order to have a measure of chain elongation, it is necessary to bring the vehicle in a repair facility and, due to the position of the chain, the engine must usually be pulled out from the vehicle, leading to lengthy and costly operations.
An object of the present invention is to enable the measurement of chain elongation during the normal use of the vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide the driver with an alert signal in case chain elongation is excessive.
Another object is to provide a monitoring of the chain condition without using complex devices and taking advantage from the computational capabilities of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to meet these goals by means of a rational and inexpensive solution.
These objects are achieved by a device, by a method, by an engine, by a computer program and computer program product, and by an electromagnetic signal having the features recited in the independent claims.
The dependent claims delineate preferred and/or especially advantageous aspects of the invention.
SURY OF THE INVENTI
The invention provides for a device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, wherein said valve train chain is provided with a tensioner, said tensioner being provided with a piston suitable to maintain said chain into tension,. characterized in that a sensor is associated to said tensioner, said sensor being able to detect at least an axial displacement of said piston proportional to the chain elongation and to transmit an excessive chain elongation alert signal.
In a preferred embodiment said excessive chain elongation alert signal is transmitted by said sensor to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, said sensor is suitable to detect also micro-displacements in order to evaluate the velocity of displacement of the piston, said velocity being representative of a vibrational state of the valve train chain.
The sensor may be inserted in the body of said tensioner or may be positioned laterally with respect to the piston.
The invention comprises also a method for monitoring valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said vehicle being provided with a Electronic Control Unit (ECU), characterized in that said method comprises at a least a first phase in which a determination of a valve train chain elongation state is performed and a second phase in which an alert signal is sent to the ECU of the vehicle in case the chain elongation determined in the first phase is above a predetermined threshold.
The method according to the invention can be realized in the form of a computer program comprising a program-code to carry out all the steps of the method of the invention and in the form of a computer program product comprising means for executing the computer program.
The computer program product comprises, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a control apparatus for an IC engine, for example the ECU of the engine, in which the program is stored so that the control apparatus defines the invention in the same way as the method. In this case, when the control apparatus executes the computer program all the steps of the method according to the invention are carried out.
The method according to the invention can be also realized in the form of an electromagnetic signal, said signal being modulated to carry a sequence of data bits which represent a computer program to carry out all steps of the method of the invention.
The invention further provides an internal combustion engine specially arranged for carrying out the method of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIC2 OF THE DPAWII'GS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents a chain system of the invention in a configuration in which the chain is not elongated; and Figure 2 represents a chain system of the invention in a configuration in which the chain is elongated.
DESRIPTI OF THE PREEERRED BCDIbdENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
A chain system, globally indicated with 10, comprises a valve train chain 11 that derives its movement from a crankshaft 12 in order to operate a camshaft 13.
The chain system 10 is provided with a hydraulic tensioner 14 in order to maintain tension on the chain 11; the tensioner has a piston that presses a blade (not represented for simplicity) on the chain 11.
According to the invention to said tensioner is associated a sensor 16 suitable to detect at least an axial displacement of the piston proportional to the chain elongation.
A correlation between the stroke of the piston and chain elongation is therefore established.
In first embodiment of the invention the sensor is a position sensor with a threshold.
In the working of the device, said position sensor is able to read the elongation of piston and, when said elongation is excessive or, in other words, is above a predefined threshold, a signal namely an alert is sent to the ECU 20.
In a further embodiment of the invention said sensor is also suitable to detect micro-displacements and evaluate the velocity of displacement of the piston. Specifically if a velocity above a certain threshold is measured, important torsional vibrations are happening in the crancktrain, with risks of engine damage.
A further signal correlated to the velocity of displacement of the piston and representative of a vibrational state of the valve train chain may therefore also be sent to the ECU 20 and eventually displayed.
The alert signal may also be displayed to the vehicle's driver for appropriate action such as for example taking the vehicle to a repair facility before serious damages occurs to the engine.
In any case, the sensor may be inserted in the body of said tensioner or, in alternatively, may be positioned laterally with respect to said piston.
The invention has numerous important advantages correlated to the fact that the ECU is able to recognise the value of chain elongation.
The engine is protected against failures or even against engine replacement correlated to excessive chain elongation.
Also an excessive chain elongation has the effect to create a different valve phasing, a condition that impacts negatively on emissions and performances. According to the invention, the ECU can detect such condition as soon as it manifests itself and apply an appropriate ignition of fuel or taking the most appropriate corrective actions.
While the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and particular applications, it is understood that the description set forth herein above is to be taken by way of example and not of limitation. Those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications to the particular embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it has the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. Device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, wherein said valve train chain is provided with a tensioner, said tensioner being provided with a piston suitable to maintain said chain into tension, characterized in that a sensor is associated to said tensioner, said sensor being able to detect at least an axial displacement of said piston proportional to the chain elongation and to transmit an excessive chain elongation alert signal.
2. Device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation as in claim 1, in which said excessive chain elongation alert signal is transmitted by said sensor to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle.
3. Device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation as in claim 1, in which said sensor is suitable to detect micro-displacements in order to evaluate the velocity of displacement of the piston, said velocity being representative of a vibrational state of the valve train chain.
4. Device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation as in claim 1, in which said sensor is inserted in the body of said tensioner.
5. Device for the monitoring of valve train chain elongation as in claim 1, in which said sensor is positioned laterally with respect to said piston.
6. Method for monitoring valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said vehicle being provided with a Electronic Control Unit (ECU), characterized in that said method comprises at a least a first phase in which a determination of a valve train chain elongation state is performed and a second phase in which an alert signal is sent to the ECU of the vehicle in case the chain elongation determined in the first phase is above a predetermined threshold.
7. Method for monitoring valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, as in claim 5, in which said method comprises also a phase in which a determination of valve train chain vibration state is performed and a phase in which a signal representative of a vibrational state of the valve train chain is sent to the ECU of the vehicle in case the velocity of displacement of the piston chain elongation determined is above a predetermined threshold.
8. Method for monitoring valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, as in claim 5, in which in case an excessive chain elongation is determined, a corrective action impacting on the ignition of fuel strategy is performed.
9. Method for monitoring valve train chain elongation in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, as in claim 5 or 6, in which an alert signal representative of a valve train chain excessive elongation or vibration state is displayed.
10. Internal combustion engine, in particular Diesel engine, the combustion engine having associated sensors for the measurement of combustion parameters, characterized in that the internal combustion engine comprises an ECU configured for carrying out the method according to any of the preceding claims.
11. A computer program comprising a computer-code suitable for performing the steps of the method of claim 1.
12. Computer program product comprising a computer program according to claim 11.
13. Computer program product as in claim 12, comprising a control apparatus wherein the computer program is stored.
14. An electromagnetic signal modulated as a carrier for a sequence of data bits representing the computer program according to claim 11.
GB0919560A 2009-11-09 2009-11-09 Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation Withdrawn GB2475231A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0919560A GB2475231A (en) 2009-11-09 2009-11-09 Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0919560A GB2475231A (en) 2009-11-09 2009-11-09 Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0919560D0 GB0919560D0 (en) 2009-12-23
GB2475231A true GB2475231A (en) 2011-05-18

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0919560A Withdrawn GB2475231A (en) 2009-11-09 2009-11-09 Chain tensioner with a sensor that detects excessive chain elongation

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011083517A1 (en) * 2011-09-27 2013-03-28 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Chain tensioner for e.g. tightening control chain of camshaft drive in chain drive of internal combustion engine, has path sensor i.e. inductive coil, coaxially arranged around housing to measure piston movement i.e. maximum piston stroke
DE102019110280A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-22 Komatsu Germany Gmbh DEVICE FOR DETERMINING WEAR IN CHAIN DRIVES OF LARGE MACHINERY

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1158287A2 (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 A.E. Assemblaggi Elettromeccanici di Bonardo Valter e Boido Giudo Snc Device for sensing wear of a transmission belt or chain, particularly for a transmission driving the camshaft of an internal combustion engine
US6666784B1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2003-12-23 Ntn Corporation Piston rod piston detector, autotensioner and belt tension adjuster

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6666784B1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2003-12-23 Ntn Corporation Piston rod piston detector, autotensioner and belt tension adjuster
EP1158287A2 (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 A.E. Assemblaggi Elettromeccanici di Bonardo Valter e Boido Giudo Snc Device for sensing wear of a transmission belt or chain, particularly for a transmission driving the camshaft of an internal combustion engine

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011083517A1 (en) * 2011-09-27 2013-03-28 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Chain tensioner for e.g. tightening control chain of camshaft drive in chain drive of internal combustion engine, has path sensor i.e. inductive coil, coaxially arranged around housing to measure piston movement i.e. maximum piston stroke
DE102019110280A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-22 Komatsu Germany Gmbh DEVICE FOR DETERMINING WEAR IN CHAIN DRIVES OF LARGE MACHINERY

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Publication number Publication date
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