Modeling of a finger-follower cam system with verification in contact forces

A lumped/distributed-parameter dynamic model is developed to investigate the dynamic responses of a finger-follower cam system by considering a hydraulic lash adjuster with an oscillating pivot, and frictional forces between sliding surfaces. The measured force data at low speed are employed to derive an algorithm to determine the dynamic Coulomb friction coefficients at contact points. The contact position between the cam and the follower with moving pivot is determined by a constraint equation method. A hydraulic lash adjuster acting as the pivot of the follower is also modeled with the effects of oil compressibility and oil refill mechanism. Simulated contact forces at three different speeds are shown to have good agreement with experimental data. The separation between the hydraulic lash adjuster and the follower is predicted at a camshaft speed of 2535 rpm, and experiment indicates at 2520 rpm.