阅读说明：本技术 中央阀 (Central valve ) 是由 刘晓娜 于 2020-07-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种中央阀,其用于凸轮轴相位调节器,包括活塞(10)和壳体(30),活塞(10)包括空心的筒部(11)和位于筒部(11)的内腔的隔挡(12),隔挡(12)将筒部(11)的内腔分成在轴向(AX)上间隔开的第一室(101)和第二室(102),活塞(10)的周壁上设有在径向(R)上贯通的第一孔(10a)和第二孔(10b),第一孔(10a)与第一室(101)连通,第二孔(10b)与第二室(102)连通,活塞(10)的外周壁向径向内侧部分凹陷地形成在周向上环绕活塞(10)的第一槽(111),壳体(30)的周壁上设有第一腔口(30a)、第二腔口(30b)和第一导出口(T1)。根据本发明的中央阀结构简单、制造方便。(The invention provides a center valve for a camshaft phase adjuster, comprising a piston (10) and a housing (30), wherein the piston (10) comprises a hollow cylinder part (11) and a baffle (12) positioned in the inner cavity of the cylinder part (11), the baffle (12) divides the inner cavity of the cylinder part (11) into a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (102) which are separated in the axial direction (AX), a first hole (10a) and a second hole (10b) which penetrate in the radial direction (R) are arranged on the peripheral wall of the piston (10), the first hole (10a) is communicated with the first chamber (101), the second hole (10b) is communicated with the second chamber (102), a first groove (111) which surrounds the piston (10) in the circumferential direction in a partially concave manner in the radial direction is formed on the peripheral wall of the piston (10), a first cavity opening (30a) is arranged on the peripheral wall of the housing (30), a second port (30b) and a first outlet port (T1). The central valve has simple structure and convenient manufacture.)

1. A centre valve for a camshaft phase adjuster for controlling the flow of pressure medium in the camshaft phase adjuster, which centre valve comprises a piston (10) and a housing (30), which housing (30) is arranged around the piston (10) and in contact with the piston (10), which piston (10) is movable to and fro in an axial direction (AX) of the centre valve relative to the housing (30), wherein,

the piston (10) comprises a hollow cylinder part (11) and a baffle (12) positioned in the inner cavity of the cylinder part (11), the baffle (12) divides the inner cavity of the cylinder part (11) into a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (102) which are separated in the axial direction (AX),

at least one first hole (10a) and at least one second hole (10b) penetrating in the radial direction (R) are formed in the peripheral wall of the piston (10), the first hole (10a) is communicated with the first chamber (101), the second hole (10b) is communicated with the second chamber (102),

the outer peripheral wall of the piston (10) is formed with a first groove (111) partially recessed radially inward so as to circumferentially surround the piston (10),

a first cavity opening (30a), a second cavity opening (30B) and a first outlet opening (T1) are arranged on the peripheral wall of the shell (30), the first cavity opening (30a) and the second cavity opening (30B) are respectively used for being communicated with a first pressure cavity (A) and a second pressure cavity (B) of the camshaft phase adjuster, the first outlet opening (T1) is used for leading the pressure medium out of the central valve,

in the event of a movement of the piston (10) into a first position relative to the housing (30), the first bore (10a) communicates with the second chamber opening (30b) and the first groove (111) communicates simultaneously with the first chamber opening (30a) and the first outlet opening (T1),

in the event of a movement of the piston (10) into a second position relative to the housing (30), the first bore (10a) is in communication with the first chamber opening (30a) and the second bore (10b) is in communication with the second chamber opening (30 b).

2. A central valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the first groove (111), the first bore (10a) and the second bore (10b) on the piston (10) are arranged in sequence, the first outlet port (T1), the first port (30a) and the second port (30b) on the housing (30) being arranged in sequence, in a direction pointing from the first chamber (101) to the second chamber (102) in the axial direction (AX).

3. The central valve according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral wall of the piston (10) is further formed with a second groove (112) and a third groove (113) partially recessed radially inward so as to circumferentially surround the piston (10), the second groove (112) communicating with the first hole (10a), and the third groove (113) communicating with the second hole (10 b).

4. The central valve according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall of the housing (30) is partially recessed radially inwardly to form a cavity (31) circumferentially surrounding the housing (30), the cavity (31) communicating with the first lead-out port (T1).

5. A central valve according to claim 1, characterized in that both ends in the axial direction (AX) of the housing (30) form an inlet port (P) for introducing the pressure medium into the central valve and a second outlet port (T2) for leading the pressure medium out of the central valve, respectively,

the introduction port (P) opens in the axial direction of the first chamber (101), and the second discharge port (T2) opens in the axial direction of the second chamber (102).

6. The central valve according to claim 5, characterized in that a non-return valve (50) is provided at the introduction opening (P), which non-return valve (50) prevents the pressure medium inside the central valve from flowing out of the central valve from the introduction opening (P).

7. The central valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said first holes (10a) are plural, said first holes (10a) being arranged along the circumference of said piston (10), and/or

The second hole (10b) is plural, and the plural second holes (10b) are arranged in the circumferential direction of the piston (10).

8. The central valve according to claim 1, wherein the first outlet port (T1) is plural, and the plural first outlet ports (T1) are arranged in the circumferential direction of the housing (30).

9. A central valve according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the baffle (12) is nested with an interference fit on the inner periphery of the barrel (11).

10. The central valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the baffle (12) is cup-shaped, the outer peripheral wall of the baffle (12) being connected with an interference fit with the inner peripheral wall of the barrel (11).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a camshaft phase adjuster, and in particular to a central valve for controlling the pressure medium flow of a camshaft phase adjuster.

Background

A variable valve timing system, which is an important component for ensuring engine performance, is capable of adjusting the overlap time and timing of an intake and exhaust system of an engine as needed so that the engine obtains desired performance such as power output, and the like, and includes a camshaft phase adjuster assembled with a camshaft.

Camshaft phase adjusters are usually designed with at least two pressure chambers (a chamber and B chamber) which interact with one another and between which the phase of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft can be adjusted or maintained by means of a pressure medium flowing. The above-mentioned flow of pressure medium (e.g. oil) usually needs to be achieved by means of a control valve, one type of which is a central valve placed in a central bore of the rotor of the camshaft phase adjuster.

Figure 1 shows a possible central valve (a similar central valve can also be seen in for example chinese patent CN104279017B) comprising a piston 1, a sleeve 2 and a housing 3, the sleeve 2 being located at the outer periphery of the piston 1 and the inner periphery of the housing 3. The sleeve 2 comprises an insert 2a and an outer cylinder 2b connected together, the insert 2a and the outer cylinder 2b being provided with different holes or grooves to control the flow path of the oil in cooperation with the axial movement of the piston 1.

The above-described sleeve 2 is complicated in structure and manufacturing process, and it is generally required to perform secondary molding such as punching and machining the insert 2a, and then to form the outer cylinder 2b on the insert 2a by, for example, injection molding. The component cost and the assembly cost are high.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a central valve.

The present invention provides a center valve for a camshaft phase adjuster to control the flow of a pressure medium in the camshaft phase adjuster, the center valve including a piston and a housing that is fitted outside the piston and is in contact with the piston, the piston being capable of reciprocating relative to the housing in an axial direction of the center valve, wherein,

the piston includes a hollow cylindrical portion and a barrier located in an inner cavity of the cylindrical portion, the barrier dividing the inner cavity of the cylindrical portion into first and second chambers spaced apart in the axial direction,

at least one first hole and at least one second hole which are penetrated in the radial direction are arranged on the peripheral wall of the piston, the first hole is communicated with the first chamber, the second hole is communicated with the second chamber,

an outer peripheral wall of the piston is partially recessed radially inward to form a first groove circumferentially surrounding the piston,

a first cavity opening, a second cavity opening and a first outlet opening are arranged on the peripheral wall of the shell, the first cavity opening and the second cavity opening are respectively communicated with a first pressure cavity and a second pressure cavity of the camshaft phase adjuster, the first outlet opening is used for leading the pressure medium out of the central valve,

the first bore is in communication with the second port and the first slot is in communication with both the first port and the first outlet port when the piston moves to a first position relative to the housing,

the first orifice is in communication with the first port and the second orifice is in communication with the second port when the piston moves to a second position relative to the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the first groove, the first hole, and the second hole on the piston are arranged in sequence, and the first lead-out port, the first port, and the second port on the housing are arranged in sequence, in a direction from the first chamber to the second chamber in the axial direction.

In at least one embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the piston further has a second groove and a third groove partially recessed radially inward and circumferentially surrounding the piston, the second groove communicating with the first hole, and the third groove communicating with the second hole.

In at least one embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the housing is formed with a cavity partially recessed radially inward so as to circumferentially surround the housing, and the cavity is communicated with the first lead-out port.

In at least one embodiment, both ends of the housing in the axial direction are respectively formed with an introduction port for introducing the pressure medium into the center valve and a second discharge port for discharging the pressure medium out of the center valve,

the introduction port opens in the axial direction of the first chamber, and the second introduction port opens in the axial direction of the second chamber.

In at least one embodiment, a check valve is provided at the introduction port, the check valve being capable of preventing the pressure medium in the central valve from flowing out of the central valve from the introduction port.

In at least one embodiment, the first hole is plural, plural first holes are arranged along the circumferential direction of the piston, and/or

The second hole is plural, and plural second holes are arranged along the circumferential direction of the piston.

In at least one embodiment, the first outlet port is provided in plurality, and the plurality of first outlet ports are arranged in a circumferential direction of the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the barrier is nested with an interference fit on an inner circumference of the barrel portion.

In at least one embodiment, the barrier is cup-shaped, and an outer peripheral wall of the barrier is connected with an inner peripheral wall of the barrel portion in an interference fit manner.

The central valve has simple structure and convenient manufacture.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one possible central valve.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a center valve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the center valve of FIG. 2 with cavity A drained and cavity B filled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the center valve of FIG. 2 with oil in chamber A and oil in chamber B.

Description of reference numerals:

1. 10a piston; 10a first hole; 10b a second aperture; 10m piston inlet; 10n piston outlets;

101 a first chamber; 102 a second chamber;

11 a cylinder part; 111 a first groove; 112 a second slot; 113 a third groove; 12, blocking;

2, a sleeve; 2a an insert; 2b an outer cylinder;

3. 30a housing; 30a first port; 30b a second port; 31 a cavity;

a first outlet port T1; a second outlet port T2; a P introducing port;

40, a snap ring; 50 check valves; 60 springs;

s, a rotor; c, a camshaft; a CT oil return hole; an AX axial direction; r is radial.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description is intended only to teach one skilled in the art how to practice the invention, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, AX denotes an axial direction of the center valve, which coincides with the axial direction of the piston 10, unless otherwise specified; r denotes the radial direction of the central valve, which corresponds to the radial direction of the piston 10.

A specific structure of a center valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2.

The center valve includes a piston 10, a housing 30, a snap ring 40, a check valve 50, and a spring 60. The central valve is at least partially disposed within bores in the middle of the camshaft C and the rotor S of the camshaft phaser. The housing 30 is used to be connected to the camshaft C so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, and for example, an outer peripheral wall of the housing 30 near the right-side end portion in fig. 2 is screwed to an inner peripheral wall of the camshaft C. The rotor S can rotate relative to the housing 30.

The piston 10 and the housing 30 are each substantially cylindrical, the housing 30 is fitted around the outer periphery of the piston 10, and the piston 10 is capable of reciprocating in the housing 30 in the axial direction AX. The spring 60 is interposed between the piston 10 and one axial end portion of the housing 30, and the spring 60 can expand or contract with the movement of the piston 10 in the axial direction AX. A snap ring 40 is provided at the other axial end of the housing 30 to prevent the piston 10 from being removed from the inner cavity of the housing 30 during movement.

The piston 10 includes a cylindrical portion 11 and a stopper 12.

The cylindrical portion 11 is hollow and cylindrical. The baffle 12 is fitted in the inner cavity of the cylinder portion 11 and divides the inner cavity into a first chamber 101 and a second chamber 102 spaced apart in the axial direction AX.

In the present embodiment, the baffle 12 has a substantially cup shape, and an outer peripheral wall thereof is connected to an inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 11 with an interference fit. In fig. 2, the cup-shaped barrier 12 has its mouth facing the first chamber 101, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the orientation of the mouth in the axial direction AX, for example, the mouth may also face the second chamber 102.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the shape of the baffle 12, and for example, it may be disk-shaped without having a peripheral wall extending in the axial direction AX.

The baffle 12 may also be formed integrally with the barrel 11, or the baffle 12 may be formed integrally with a portion of the barrel 11, as the process allows.

In a direction from the first chamber 101 toward the second chamber 102 in the axial direction AX, an outer peripheral wall portion of the piston 10 is formed with a first groove 111, a second groove 112, and a third groove 113, each of which circumferentially surrounds the piston 10, in this order being recessed radially inward.

The outer peripheral wall of the piston 10 is further formed with a first hole 10a and a second hole 10b penetrating in the radial direction R. The first hole 10a communicates with the second groove 112, and the second hole 10b communicates with the third groove 113. And the first orifice 10a communicates with the first chamber 101 and the second orifice 10b communicates with the second chamber 102.

Preferably, the first hole 10a and the second hole 10b are each plural, the plural first holes 10a are arranged in the circumferential direction of the piston 10, and the plural second holes 10b are arranged in the circumferential direction of the piston 10.

In the axial direction AX, the barrier 12 is located at least partially (preferably completely) between the first and second holes 10a, 10b to ensure that the first hole 10a does not communicate with the second chamber 102 and the second hole 10b does not communicate with the first chamber 101.

Of the openings of the piston 10 at both axial ends, the opening near the first chamber 101 is a piston inlet 10m, and the opening near the second chamber 102 is a piston outlet 10 n.

The housing 30 has a hollow structure, and a first lead-out port T1, a first chamber port 30a, and a second chamber port 30b are formed in this order in the outer peripheral wall of the housing 30 in a direction from the first chamber 101 to the second chamber 102 along the axial direction AX. The first outlet port T1 is used to lead oil out of the center valve, for example, to an external oil reservoir. The first port 30a is adapted to communicate with a first pressure chamber a (hereinafter referred to as a chamber) of the camshaft phase adjuster, and the second port 30B is adapted to communicate with a second pressure chamber B (hereinafter referred to as a chamber B) of the camshaft phase adjuster.

When the piston 10 moves to the first position with respect to the housing (see fig. 3), the first hole 10a communicates with the second chamber 30b, the second hole 10b is blocked by the inner wall of the housing 30, and the first groove 111 communicates with both the first chamber 30a and the first outlet port T1. When the piston 10 moves to the second position relative to the housing (see fig. 4), the first bore 10a communicates with the first port 30a, and the second bore 10b communicates with the second port 30 b.

An outer peripheral wall portion of the housing 30 is formed with a cavity 31 recessed radially inward, the cavity 31 surrounding the housing 30 in the circumferential direction. The cavity 31 communicates with the first outlet port T1, and therefore, the number of the first outlet ports T1 opening to the inner peripheral side of the housing 30 is not limited in the present invention, that is, only one or a plurality of first outlet ports T1 may be provided, and when a plurality of first outlet ports T1 are provided, the distribution of the plurality of first outlet ports T1 in the circumferential direction is not limited.

Correspondingly, an oil return hole CT is formed in the wall of the camshaft C, the radial inner side of the oil return hole CT is communicated with the concave cavity 31, and the radial outer side of the oil return hole CT is used for being communicated with the oil storage portion. It should be understood that, since the cavity 31 forms a complete ring shape, there is no limitation on the number of the oil return holes CT matching with the cavity 31, that is, there may be only one oil return hole CT or a plurality of oil return holes CT, and when there are a plurality of oil return holes CT, there is no limitation on the distribution manner of the plurality of oil return holes CT in the circumferential direction.

Preferably, the inner peripheral wall of the rotor S is partially recessed radially outward with a gap partially left between the outer peripheral wall of the housing 30, the gap circumferentially surrounding the housing 30. The first and second ports 30a and 30b communicate with the above-described gap on the radially outer side. Further, since the first groove 111, the second groove 112, and the third groove 113, which communicate the first port 30a and the second port 30b at the radially inner side, are also annular, the present invention does not limit the number of the first port 30a and the second port 30b, that is, only one or a plurality of the first ports 30a (or the second ports 30b) may be provided, and when a plurality of the first ports 30a (or the second ports 30b) are provided, the distribution manner of the plurality of the first ports 30a (or the second ports 30b) in the circumferential direction is also not limited.

Of the two axial openings of the housing 30, the opening facing the piston inlet 10m is the introduction port P, and the opening facing the piston outlet 10n is the second discharge port T2.

A check valve 50 is provided at the introduction port P, and oil can flow into the center valve from the outside through the check valve 50 but cannot flow out of the center valve through the check valve 50 in the reverse direction.

The path of oil flow in the center valve with oil drainage in chamber a and oil in chamber B is described with reference to fig. 3.

In fig. 3, the piston 10 moves to the leftmost position, i.e. the first position, relative to the housing 30, and the first hole 10a is communicated with the second chamber 30b, and the first groove 111 is communicated with the first chamber 30a and the first outlet T1 at the same time.

The oil flows from the introduction port P into the center valve, and flows into the first chamber 101 of the piston 10 through the piston inlet 10 m. Since the barrier 12 closes the second chamber 102 at one end in the axial direction and the third groove 113 communicating with the second hole 10b is closed by the inner peripheral wall of the housing 30 at this time, oil cannot flow into the second chamber 102. The oil in the first chamber 101 may further flow into the B chamber sequentially through the first orifice 10a, the second groove 112, and the second chamber 30B.

The oil pressure in the cavity B is increased, so that the rotor rotates to force the oil in the cavity A to be discharged. The oil in the chamber a is discharged through the first port 30a, the first groove 111, the first lead-out port T1, the cavity 31, and the oil return hole CT in this order.

The path of oil flow in the center valve with chamber a filled and chamber B drained is described with reference to fig. 4.

In fig. 4, the piston 10 moves to the rightmost end of the figure relative to the housing 30, i.e. to the second position, at which the first hole 10a communicates with the first chamber 30a and the second hole 10b communicates with the second chamber 30 b.

The oil flows from the introduction port P into the center valve, and flows into the first chamber 101 of the piston 10 through the piston inlet 10 m.

The oil in the first chamber 101 further flows into the chamber a through the first hole 10a, the second groove 112, and the first port 30a in this order.

The oil pressure in the cavity A is increased, so that the rotor rotates to force the oil in the cavity B to be discharged. The oil in the B-chamber flows into the second chamber 102 sequentially through the second port 30B, the third groove 113, and the second bore 10B. The oil in the second chamber 102 is further discharged through the second discharge port T2.

The invention has at least one of the following advantages:

(i) the present invention does not require a complicated structure of a sleeve between the piston 10 and the housing 30.

(ii) The piston 10 of the present invention is simple in structure and convenient to manufacture.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention under the teaching of the present invention. For example:

(i) when the first hole 10a and/or the second hole 10b satisfy the following positional relationship, the piston 10 may not be provided with the second groove 112 and/or the third groove 113. The position relationship is as follows: when the piston 10 moves to a first position relative to the housing, the first hole 10a communicates with the second chamber 30b, and the second hole 10b is blocked by the peripheral wall of the housing 30; and when the piston 10 moves to the second position relative to the housing, the first hole 10a communicates with the first chamber port 30a, and the second hole 10b communicates with the second chamber port 30 b.

(ii) When the first outlet port T1 satisfies the following positional relationship, the housing 30 may not be provided with the cavity 31. The position relationship is as follows: when the chamber a is returning, the first lead-out port T1 can communicate with the oil return hole CT at the camshaft C.