Abstract
In the overhauling of the internal combustion engine, a lot of tools are used and among them is the poppet valve spring compressor. In Ghana, auto mechanics at the “way-side” garages make use of improvised tools, such as pipes, pliers, and push rods, for compressing valve springs. However, there are some challenges associated with the usage of these tools which include misplacement of cotters, injuries, and sometimes valve bends. In this work, a review of some of the existing designs of the improvised tools was considered. Also, a survey was conducted to seek the opinion of users (auto technicians and/or mechanics) of the tools. A design was made for spring compression by incorporating a magnet with a pull force of 679.78 N to take care of the removal of cotters during valve assembly dismantling. In this research, an efficient and user-friendly poppet valve spring compression tool with a total mass of 0.88 kg was designed. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on the upper and lower parts of the tool to examine its response due to the loads that act on it during operation. It was discovered from the analysis that the upper frame of the valve spring compressor experienced the highest von Mises stress of 59.77 MPa at the neck region, whilst the corresponding fatigue analysis showed a maximum fatigue life of 8.355 × 109 cycles.
Highlights
In the overhauling of the internal combustion engine, a lot of tools are used and among them is the poppet valve spring compressor
To ascertain the risk associated with the usage of existing valve spring compression tools, a quantitative survey was piloted within a homogeneous sample space of two locations: Accra and Takoradi, with a population target of fifty (50) persons per location. e survey process selected for this project was a combination of a simple random sampling for the selection of homogeneous workers and judgemental sampling in the case of location selection
It was observed that 31% of the respondents had difficulties with the kind of strength needed to operate the tools they use in compressing valve springs. 22% of the respondents stated that they use other accessories such as magnet and screwdriver to assist them in removing the valve assembly, and 44% had problem with the misplacement of cotters during the removal of the valve, whilst 2% complained of cotters breakage as a result of wrong choice of tools
Summary
In Ghana, the way-side mechanics have different means of removing the poppet valve from the cylinder head in the course of engine rebuilding. ese mechanics do not have. In Ghana, the way-side mechanics have different means of removing the poppet valve from the cylinder head in the course of engine rebuilding. E problems associated with the usage of these tools are as follows: mechanics usually get hurt by flying cotters, and valves are damaged in the process of removal and cotters get lost Some of the improvised tools they make use of are hollow pipes, pliers, and push rods as depicted in Figure 2. e problems associated with the usage of these tools are as follows: mechanics usually get hurt by flying cotters, and valves are damaged in the process of removal and cotters get lost
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
