Investigation of dynamic characteristics of a valve train system

A valve train dynamics model of internal combustion engine has been developed using the kineto-elastodynamics method. The dynamics behavior for flexible components such as the valve springs in the valve train system was described by the wave equation. The contact force at the cam/tappet interface was estimated by the elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication theory of finite line conjunction. Component submodels were integrated into the whole valve train model by coupling the corresponding contact and friction forces, and solved simultaneously considering transient effect of lubrication, as well as the torsional and bending vibrations of camshaft. Experimental validation was performed on a motored test rig. The predicted results agree well with experiments at difference camshaft speeds. The effects of the bending deflection and torsional vibration of camshaft on performance of the valve train system were also studied.