IMPROVED MECHANICAL DESIGN FOR A FULLY VARIABLE ELECTROMECHANICAL VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

This study aims to improve the mechanical design of a fully flexible valve actuation system (FFVA) for intake valves of internal combustion engines. Optimization procedures for increasing the reliability and efficiency of the mechanical design of the FFVA system are presented. Simulations and experimental tests are carried out in order to validate the system performance. It is shown that position, velocity and acceleration of the valve obtained by simulations are consistent with those observed experimentally. Furthermore, it is observed that the mechanical vibrations are considerably reduced in the redesigned FFVA system. As a result, current levels and ohmic losses in the electric motor are also reduced. The present redesigned FFVA system then provides more reliable valve motion and better efficiency than the previously shown design [25].