IP Library Granted Patent US 7,278,385
Granted Patent B2
US 7,278,385 · App. 11/369,519 · Granted Oct 9, 2007

Camshaft adjuster with a locking position that, with regard to design, is freely selectable

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,278,385
App. No.
11/369,519
Granted
Oct 9, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Camshaft adjusters are provided for changing the position of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. One such camshaft adjuster has a locking position that, with regard to design, is freely selectable.

Claims (79)

1. A camshaft adjuster comprising:

a rotor and a stator which together form a hydraulic oscillating motor, the stator comprising webs which face toward a center of the oscillating motor and together with the rotor form hydraulic chambers for a hydraulic medium, in which blades of the rotor move under pressure of the hydraulic medium,

a torque spring,

a locking pin having a biasing spring, and

a mechanical stop which forms a stop position,

wherein the stop is independent of the locking pin, and

the stop is displaceable when a biasing force is exceeded.

2. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the torque spring, supported and fixedly anchored to a point of the stator, forms a counter torque against an introduced torque.

3. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 2 , wherein the introduced torque comprises one of a torque which is produced by the pressure in the hydraulic chambers on the blades of the rotor or a torque which is introduced by means of a camshaft.

4. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the stop position is identical to a locking position, produced by locking the locking pin.

5. The camshaft adjuster according claim 1 , wherein the torque spring is a horizontally constructed spiral spring which is arranged parallel to the rotor and encircles the center of the oscillating motor.

6. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the locking pin is provided in at least one of the blades which under a minimum pressure of the hydraulic medium anchors the rotor to the stator so that the rotor irrespective of the pressure carries out the same rotational movement as the stator.

7. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein:

the camshaft adjuster has a cover which is fastened to the stator by, countersunk screws, and

a chain wheel is located perpendicular to a side opposing the cover of the camshaft adjuster, at right angles to an axis located in the center of the camshaft adjuster.

8. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein said stop comprises a block.

9. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first fixed stop; and

a second fixed stop;

wherein said mechanical stop is displaceable in a region between the first and second stops.

10. A camshaft adjuster, comprising:

a rotor and a stator which together form a hydraulic oscillating motor, the stator comprising webs which face toward a center of the oscillating motor and together with the rotor form hydraulic chambers for a hydraulic medium, in which blades of the rotor move under pressure of the hydraulic medium,

a torque spring,

a locking pin, and

a mechanical stop which forms a stop position. the stop being displaceable when a biasing force is exceeded,

wherein a driving element is constructed between the stator and the rotor, said driving element being designed as a driving disc in the form of a closed ring, with teeth which may engage either in the rotor or in the stator and having a curved free-running region in at least one of the rotor and stator.

11. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 10 , wherein:

a first end of the torque spring is connected to a point of the stator; and

a second end of the torque spring opposite the first end acts on the driving element.

12. A camshaft comprising:

a rotor and a stator which together form a hydraulic oscillating motor, the stator comprising webs which face toward a center of the oscillating motor and together with the rotor form hydraulic chambers for a hydraulic medium, in which blades of the rotor move under pressure of the hydraulic medium,

a torclue spring,

a locking pin, and

a mechanical stop which forms a stop position, the stop being displaceable when a biasing force is exceeded,

wherein:

the torque spring is supported against a cover plate of the stator with a first end in a press fit, and

a second end of the torque spring opens out in a collar which encircles an annulus of the rotor, the annulus being able to serve as a bearing of the rotor relative to the stator.

13. A camshaft adjuster of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a stator and a rotor which may be moved relative to one another,

at least two chambers formed by said rotor and said stator, said chambers being in counter rotation and adjustable in volume,

a receiver for a camshaft,

the rotor adapted to function as a camshaft adjuster which is adjustable by an oil pressure of the internal combustion engine for adjusting the camshaft with regard to its angle of rotation in relative rotation to a crankshaft,

wherein:

at least two torque characteristic curves are provided; and

the camshaft adjuster is adapted to select and follow one of said torque characteristic curves depending on an oil pressure loaded on said camshaft adjuster by, the internal combustion engine.

14. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 13 , wherein:

said rotor and a stator together form a hydraulic oscillating motor, the stator comprising webs which face toward a center of the oscillating motor and together with the rotor form hydraulic chambers for a hydraulic medium, in which blades of the rotor move under pressure of the hydraulic medium, further comprising:

a torque spring,

a locking pin, and

a mechanical stop which forms a stop position,

the stop is independent of said locking pin and is displaceable when a biasing force is exceeded.

15. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein the torque spring, supported and fixedly anchored to a point of the stator, forms a counter torque against an introduced torque.

16. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 15 , wherein the introduced torque comprises one of a torque which is produced by the pressure in the hydraulic chambers on the blades of the rotor or a torque which is introduced by means of a camshaft.

17. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein the stop position is identical to a locking position, produced by locking the locking pin.

18. The camshaft adjuster according claim 14 , wherein the torque spring is a horizontally constructed spiral spring which is arranged parallel to the rotor and encircles the center of the oscillating motor.

19. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein the locking pin is provided in at least one of the blades which under a minimum pressure of the hydraulic medium anchors the rotor to the stator so that the rotor irrespective of the pressure carries out the same rotational movement as the stator.

20. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein:

the camshaft adjuster has a cover which is fastened to the stator by, countersunk screws, and

a chain wheel is located perpendicular to a side opposing the cover of the camshaft adjuster, at right angles to an axis located in the center of the camshaft adjuster.

21. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein:

the torque spring is supported against a cover plate of the stator with a first end in a press fit, and

a second end of the torque spring opens out in a collar which encircles an annulus of the rotor, the annulus being able to serve as a bearing of the rotor relative to the stator.

22. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , wherein said stop comprises a block.

23. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 14 , further comprising:

a first fixed stop; and

a second fixed stop;

wherein said mechanical stop is displaceable in a region between the first and second stops.

24. A camshaft adjuster comprising:

a stator and a rotor which may be moved relative to one another,

at least two chambers formed by said rotor and said stator, said chambers being in counter rotation and adjustable in volume,

a receiver for a camshaft of an internal combustion engine,

the rotor adapted to function as a camshaft adjuster which is adjustable by an oil pressure of the internal combustion engine for adjusting the camshaft with regard to its angle of rotation in relative rotation to a crankshaft,

wherein:

at least two torque characteristic curves are provided;

the camshaft adjuster is adapted to select and follow one of said torque characteristic curves depending on an oil pressure loaded on said camshaft adjuster by the internal combustion engine; and

a driving element is constructed between the stator and the rotor, said driving element being designed as a driving disc in the form of a closed ring, with teeth which may engage either in the rotor or in the stator and have a curved free-running region in at least one of the rotor and stator.

25. The camshaft adjuster according to claim 24 , wherein:

a first end of the torque spring is connected to a point of the stator; and

a second end of the torque spring opposite the first end acts on the driving element.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Jul 7, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.
To: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH; ACUTEX, INC.; HILITE INDUSTRIES AUTOMOTIVE, LP; HILITE INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 026553/0713 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2009
From: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023498/0445 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2009
From: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023498/0466 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2009
From: BEAR STEARNS CORPORATE LENDING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023546/0938 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 5, 2007
From: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH
To: BEAR STEARNS CORPORATE LENDING INC., AS FOREIGN AGENT
Reel/Frame 019781/0172 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2006
From: KNECHT, ANDREAS; NEUDOERFER, GORDON; NAUMANN, RALF
To: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH
Reel/Frame 017624/0045 →