Systems and methods for variable compression ratio phaser
AssigneeHUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
InventorsCurtis L. Van Weelden, Dean Wardle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A phasing system is provided. A phase angle between the gear hub and the cradle rotor can be driven by a planetary actuator. In some non-limiting examples, an input shaft rotationally coupled between a rotary actuator for rotation therewith. Rotation of the input shaft can unlock relative rotation between the cradle rotor and the gear hub. In some non-limiting examples, the phasing system can include a gear hub and a cradle rotor, and a torsion spring arrange therebetween. The torsion spring can be configured to apply an internal torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to offset an external torque load applied to the gear hub or the cradle rotor.
Claims20
A variable compression ratio (VCR) phasing system for varying a rotational relationship between a crank shaft and an eccentric shaft, the system comprising:
- a gear hub configured to be in rotational communication with a crank shaft;
- a cradle rotor configured to be in rotational communication with an eccentric shaft;
- a spider rotor arranged between the gear hub and the cradle rotor and configured to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor;
- a planetary actuator coupled to the gear hub and the spider rotor,
- the planetary actuator configured to receive a rotary input to provide an output to the spider rotor to unlock relative rotation between the cradle rotor and the gear hub;
- and
- a torsion spring coupled between the gear hub and the cradle rotor, wherein the torsion spring is configured to apply a torque load in a first direction between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to offset a torque load applied in a second direction by either one of the eccentric shaft or the crank shaft.
A phasing system for varying a rotational relationship between a first rotary component and a second rotary component, the phasing system comprising:
- a gear hub;
- a cradle rotor;
- a spider rotor arranged between the gear hub and the cradle rotor and configured to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor;
- a torsion spring coupled between the gear hub and the cradle rotor, wherein the torsion spring is configured to apply a torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor;
- and
- a planetary actuator coupled to the gear hub and the spider rotor, the planetary actuator being operable between a steady-state mode where relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor is inhibited, and a phasing mode where the planetary actuator receives a rotary input at a predetermined magnitude to selectively provide a relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor.
A variable compression ratio (VCR) phasing system for varying a rotational relationship between a crank shaft and an eccentric shaft, the VCR phasing system comprising:
- a gear hub configured to be in rotational communication with a crank shaft;
- a cradle rotor configured to be in rotational communication with an eccentric shaft;
- a spider rotor arranged between the gear hub and the cradle rotor and configured to receive an input to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor;
- a spring sleeve coupled to and rotationally fixed with the gear hub;
- and
- a torsion spring coupled between the gear hub and the cradle rotor, wherein the torsion spring is configured to apply a torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor,
- wherein a preload of the torsion spring is set by:
- coupling a first end of the torsion spring to the cradle rotor;
- coupling an opposing second end of the torsion spring to a spring seat;
- and
- rotating the spring seat relative to the spring sleeve to selectively align at least one first slot among a plurality of first slots arranged on the spring sleeve with at least one second slot among a plurality of second slots arranged on the spring seat,
- wherein the selective alignment of the at least one first slot and the at least one second slot is configured to rotationally lock the spring sleeve to the spring seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.