IP Library Granted Patent US 8,813,703
Granted Patent B2
US 8,813,703 · App. 13/060,147 · Granted Aug 26, 2014

Method for adjusting a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, camshaft adjustment system, and internal combustion engine having an adjustable crankshaft

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,813,703
App. No.
13/060,147
Granted
Aug 26, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for adjusting a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine which has a camshaft adjuster that in turn has a triple-shaft gear mechanism with a setting shaft, a camshaft sprocket and a camshaft. The camshaft sprocket is drivably connected to the crankshaft. During motor standstill or in a transition phase, in which at least one of the three shafts of the triple-shaft gear mechanism stands still, a driving of the setting shaft occurs. Also, a camshaft adjustment system is disclosed which has a triple-shaft gear mechanism with a control device that adjusts the crankshaft during the motor standstill or in a transition phase.

Claims (13)

1. A method for adjusting a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft adjuster with a three-shaft gearing, comprising an actuating shaft, a camshaft sprocket and a camshaft, the method comprising the following steps:

connecting the camshaft sprocket in terms of drive to the crankshaft; and

driving the actuating shaft while the engine is at a standstill or in a transition phase in which at least one shaft of the three-shaft gearing is stationary,

wherein the internal combustion engine has cylinders and the cylinders are decompressed before the actuating shaft is driven.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camshaft adjuster further comprises an adjusting motor connected to the actuating shaft and actuatable to adjust the relative angular position between the camshaft and the crankshaft during operation of the internal combustion engine, the method comprising

driving the actuating shaft by the adjusting motor of the camshaft adjuster while the engine is at the standstill or in the transition phase in which at least one shaft of the three-shaft gearing is stationary.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the crankshaft is driven by the actuating shaft opposite a normal drive direction of the crankshaft.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuating shaft is driven in a direction with a least rotational resistance.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the direction of the least rotational resistance is determined as a function of the crankshaft position.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , including decoupling the crankshaft from a vehicle transmission before driving the actuating shaft.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the camshaft adjuster has two mechanical end stops, the camshaft being stationary during an adjustment of the crankshaft, and an adjustment of the actuating shaft taking place within an adjustment range between the two mechanical end stops of the camshaft adjuster.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the camshaft co-rotates during an adjustment of the crankshaft.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the camshaft adjuster has an end stop and wherein the camshaft is initially stationary during an adjustment of the crankshaft and, during a further adjustment of the crankshaft, the camshaft and the crankshaft co-rotate after reaching the end stop on the camshaft adjuster.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258. Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 040404/0530 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0228 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0347 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 11, 2012
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 028533/0036 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2011
From: SCHAEFER, JENS; KOHRS, MIKE
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 025843/0041 →