CN113669124A

CN113669124A - Rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: CN113669124A
Application number: CN202110528673.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迪米纯·舒特; 哈拉德·艾雷特; 安德里亚斯·默勒; 麦克·科尔
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Current assignee: Schaeffler Holding China Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2021-05-14
Publication date: 2021-11-19
Also published as: DE102020113219A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a first switchable rocker and a second switchable rocker, which are each pivotably arranged on a rocker shaft by means of an axially outer lever and an adjacent, axially inner lever on the rocker shaft, wherein the levers are pivotably mounted on the rocker shaft, and for switching the first rocker, the axially outer lever can be coupled to the axially inner lever by means of a first coupling mechanism, and for switching the second rocker, the axially outer lever can be coupled to the axially inner lever by means of a second coupling mechanism, in order to transmit a lift movement for valve actuation in each case, wherein for actuating the respective coupling mechanism, an actuator assigned to the coupling mechanism is arranged in each case on the longitudinal side of the axially outer levers facing away from one another.

Description

Rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, of the type defined in detail in the preamble of claim 1.

Background

DE 102017129720 a1 discloses a switchable rocker device having at least one rocker which is mounted on a rocker shaft fixed to the machine and has a cam arm connected to a camshaft and a valve arm connected to at least one gas exchange valve of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine.

US 2004/0255887 a1 discloses a valve train for an internal combustion engine having a switching mechanism for switching the operation of an engine valve by connecting a driven rocker arm with an operating rocker arm.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a rocker device of the type mentioned above, which allows a simple and cost-effective groove-improved variable valve control.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

A rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is proposed, which has a first switchable rocker and a second switchable rocker. The first rocker and the second rocker are each pivotably arranged on the rocker shaft by means of an axially outer lever and a lever axially inside the rocker shaft next to the axially outer lever, wherein the levers are mounted pivotably relative to one another on the rocker shaft. For switching the first rocker, the axially outer first lever can be coupled to the axially inner first lever by a first coupling mechanism for transmitting a lift movement for valve actuation. For switching the second rocker, the axially outer second lever can be coupled to the axially inner second lever by means of a second coupling mechanism in each case for transmitting a lifting movement for valve actuation. For actuating the respective coupling means, in each case one actuator assigned to the coupling means is arranged on the axially outer lever longitudinal sides of the axially outer levers facing away from each other. Since in this case one actuator is provided for actuating the respective coupling means on the axially outer side of the axially outer levers facing away from each other, the installation space axially between the rockers or between the axially inner levers assigned to the rockers can be released, in particular due to installation or for structural reasons. In this case, the actuators are each at least partially integrated into a carrier connected to the rocker shaft. Furthermore, since an actuator for switching is assigned to each coupling mechanism, each rocker can be switched individually by means of the respective actuator. As a result, the actuators can be implemented smaller and can be produced in larger quantities with less production costs. Furthermore, the first rocker arm is in valve contact with at least one intake gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine, and the second rocker arm is in valve contact with at least one exhaust gas exchange valve.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the axially outer lever as the actuating-side lever is pivotably movable driven by the camshaft in a lifting movement. In this way, the pick-up of the drive-side lifting movement can take place as far as possible axially outside. In this way, an arrangement of the cams close to the bearing points of the camshaft can be achieved, as a result of which the loads of the camshaft, in particular due to bending, can be reduced.

In this case, it is also advantageous if the first, axially inner lever is in valve contact with at least one intake gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine as a valve-side first lever, and the second, axially inner lever is in valve contact with at least one exhaust gas exchange valve as a valve-side second lever. In this way, at least one intake gas exchange valve for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine can be actuated independently of one another by means of a switchable first rocker and at least one exhaust gas exchange valve by means of a switchable second rocker.

It is also advantageous if the outer actuating-side levers are each mounted pivotably on the rocker shaft in an intermediate region between an end region of the levers on the actuating side for the pivotable drive and an end region of the levers on the connecting side for the connection to the respective inner lever. In this way, the actuating-side levers can each be embodied as double-sided levers, which can be designed as symmetrically as possible with respect to the rocker axis, so that the inertia part is reduced in the operation of the so-called stainersche (Steinersche) and the hertzian pressure can be reduced on the drive side, in particular during the cam lift movement with the cam roller of the camshaft. Furthermore, the coupling mechanism and the associated actuator can therefore be arranged on the valve side of the rocker shaft.

The individual actuation of the rocker is achieved in a simple manner, i.e. a first actuator is provided for switching a first coupling means by means of which a first lever located axially on the outside and a first lever located axially on the inside, which is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the first lever, can be coupled. In this case, a second actuator is provided for switching a second coupling means by which a second lever located axially on the outside and a second lever located axially on the inside and arranged pivotably relative to the second lever can be coupled.

A further advantage is achieved in that the coupling means each have an actuating piston which is movable in an axial through-opening at the respective axially outer actuating-side lever and by means of which a connecting piston for switching, which is arranged in an axial bore at the respective axially inner lever, can be moved in direct actuating contact. The latter can be moved into a through-opening of the lever for connection to an externally located lever. The coupling means can thus be arranged parallel to the rocker axis and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rocker and can be moved for switching purposes. In this way, the rocker can be switched by a space-saving, so-called transverse locking, which at the same time enables an arrangement of the coupling mechanism close to the rocker shaft.

In particular, it is advantageous if the coupling means for coupling the respective outer lever to the respective inner lever are each prestressed into the respective coupling state by means of a spring means. In the non-actuated state of the actuator, the respective rocker can thereby be held in the locked state and by means of said rocker can transmit the valve lift movement to the respectively associated gas exchange valve.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating pistons each have an outer diameter on at least one axial end-side end such that, when the respective externally located lever is deflected relative to the respective actuator and/or relative to the respective connecting piston, an at least partial covering in the axial direction between the respective actuating piston and the respective actuator and/or relative to the respective connecting piston for switching is ensured. In this way, the actuating piston and the corresponding connecting piston for switching can always be actuated by the corresponding actuator. Here, for example, the end portion of the steering piston on the actuator side may be provided so as to protrude from the through hole and may be expanded beyond the hole diameter. During the covering, the actuating piston can always be in contact with the actuator-side and the connecting piston-side or each be arranged at a distance from one another by a slight air gap.

When the actuator is designed as an electrical stroke magnet, which accordingly has a linearly displaceable armature, the construction can be further simplified by the armature being able to displace the corresponding actuating piston in a direct axial actuating contact for switching. Furthermore, the stroke magnet can be manufactured in large quantities at low cost.

A further simplified arrangement is achieved when the actuators are each at least partially integrated in a carrier connected to the rocker shaft and are arranged radially spaced from the rocker shaft. The actuators can thus each be arranged in a particularly simple manner on the carrier at any desired individual radial distance from the rocker axis. In this way, the switching of the coupling means in the vicinity of the rocker axis and the arrangement of the actuator can be achieved such that the relative movement with respect to the actuator, for example a coupling means integrated in the valve-side lever or in the actuating-side lever, is small during operation. Thus, the contact for switching can always be established simply between the actuator and the coupling mechanism. Furthermore, the rocker device with the actuator, the rocker shaft and the rocker as a preassembled structural unit can be simply fastened to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine by means of a bracket, in particular by means of a screw connection.

In this case, the outer lever can be axially supported by the first spring leg and the second spring leg, and the outer lever can be axially supported by the second spring leg. In this case, the other spring leg is preferably clamped in the pivoting direction on the respective lever axially on the outer actuating side. The restoring spring mechanism is therefore simultaneously guided with the inner diameter of the base body on the outer diameter of the rocker shaft. The restoring spring mechanism is preferably designed as a torsion spring or a rotary spring as a so-called rotary helical torsion spring and serves to restore the respective lever in the decoupled state from the pivoted position into the non-pivoted initial position. This makes it possible to avoid an arrangement of the restoring spring mechanism axially between the rockers.

The first rocker and the second rocker can be switched and operated independently of each other. For example, it is possible to actuate at least one intake gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine by means of a first rocker and to actuate at least one exhaust gas exchange valve by means of a second rocker. Conversely, it is also conceivable for the at least one exhaust gas exchange valve to be actuated via a first rocker and for the at least one intake gas exchange valve to be actuated via a second rocker.

The integration of the actuator in a common carrier, which is connected to a common rocker shaft and on which the switchable rocker is arranged with the valve-side lever and the actuating-side lever, makes it possible to design the rocker device as a preassembled structural unit which can be easily attached to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine by means of the carrier. In order to fasten the rocker shaft to the bracket and in order to fasten the bracket to the cylinder head, a threaded connection can be provided in each case. The switchable rocker device can thus be fastened directly to the cylinder head individually for each cylinder. It is also possible to arrange several rockers on a common rocker shaft for the entire number of cylinders. Accordingly, it is therefore also possible to select whether all or individual cylinders are provided with switchable rocker units. For example, only half of the existing cylinders of the internal combustion engine can be equipped with a rocker device for cylinder deactivation. It is also conceivable to equip all cylinders accordingly when a cut-off feed or a so-called coasting operation of the engine is to be effected.

Drawings

Further features of the invention emerge from the following description and the drawing, in which an embodiment of the invention is shown in a simplified manner. The attached drawings are as follows:

figure 1 shows a rocker device according to the invention in a first operating state,

figure 2 shows the rocker device according to the invention in a second operating state,

figure 3 shows a cut-away enlarged part of figure 2 in a first switching state,

figure 4 shows an enlarged part of figure 2 in a second switching state,

fig. 5 shows an enlarged portion of fig. 1 in a second switching state.

Detailed Description

The rocker device according to the invention shown in fig. 1 and 2 for a valve train of an internal combustion engine has a first switchable rocker 1 and a second switchable rocker 2, which are arranged on a common rocker shaft 3 fixed in position or on the machine. The first rocker 1 is arranged pivotably on the rocker shaft 3 by means of a first lever 4 axially outside the rocker shaft 3 and by means of a first lever 6 next to the lever and axially inside the rocker shaft 3. The second rocker 2 is arranged pivotably on the rocker shaft 3 by means of a second lever 5 axially outside the rocker shaft 3 and by means of a second lever 7 next to the lever and axially inside the rocker shaft 3. The axially

inner levers

6, 7 are arranged with their axially inner lever

longitudinal sides

6a, 7a facing each other, while the axially

outer levers

4, 5 are each positioned on a respective axially outer lever

longitudinal side

6b, 7b of the respective axially

inner levers

6, 7 facing away from each other. The valve-side and actuating-

side levers

4, 5, 6, 7 are each mounted on the rocker shaft 3 so as to be pivotable relative to one another.

For switching the first rocker 1, the axially outer first lever 4 can be coupled to the axially inner first lever 6 by a first coupling means 8. For switching the second rocker 2, the axially outer second lever 5 can be coupled to the axially inner second lever 7 by a first coupling means 9. In this case, one

actuator

10, 11 is provided on each of the axially outer lever

longitudinal sides

4a, 5a of the axially

outer levers

4, 5 facing away from each other. A first actuator 10 is arranged on the axially outer lever longitudinal side 4a of the axially outer first lever 4 for actuating the first coupling means 8. A second actuator 11 is positioned on the axially outer lever longitudinal side 5a of the axially outer second lever 5 for actuating the second coupling mechanism 9. In this way, the

coupling mechanisms

8, 9 can each be switched by means of an associated individual

electric actuator

10, 11.

The axially

outer levers

4, 5 are driven in a pivotable manner as levers on the actuating side. For this purpose, the levers are each in contact at one end with a

cam roller

12, 13 with an associated

cam

14, 15 of a camshaft 27 of the internal combustion engine in order to pick up a cam lift movement. The axially

inner levers

6, 7 serve as valve-side levers for transmitting cam lift movements picked up from the axially outer actuating-side or cam-

side levers

4, 5, respectively, as valve lift movements to at least one gas exchange valve, not shown, of the internal combustion engine. For this purpose, the axially

inner levers

6, 7 are in contact with one or more gas exchange valves, not shown, of the cylinders of the internal combustion engine at the valve-side lever ends.

The first switchable rocker 1 has a first lever 4, which is located axially on the outer actuating side, and a first lever 6, which is located axially on the inner valve side, with which two intake gas exchange valves, not shown, can be actuated in valve contact. The second switchable rocker 2 comprises an axially outer actuating-side second lever 5 and an axially inner valve-side second lever 7, by means of which two exhaust gas exchange valves, not shown, can be actuated in valve contact. Two gas exchange valves, that is to say four gas exchange valves per cylinder, can each be actuated simultaneously by means of fork valve contacts, so-called valve bridges, not shown, on the valve-side lever end regions of the respective axially inner valve-

side levers

6, 7. Alternatively, it is also possible to actuate only one gas exchange valve each, i.e. two gas exchange valves per cylinder, wherein a valve bridge is not required in each case. The rocker device shown in fig. 1 and 2 with two

switchable rockers

1, 2 is used for cylinder deactivation on a not further shown engine for a load-carrying vehicle, which is shown with a single upper camshaft 27 driving the

rockers

1, 2. The rocker device can also be used for engines with an underlying camshaft. The use of a corresponding modification for an engine with two overhead camshafts is also conceivable.

The outer actuating-

side levers

4, 5 are each supported on the rocker shaft 3 in an intermediate region between their connecting-side end and their camshaft-side end. They thus act as double-sided levers with their ends pivotable about the rocker axis 3.

Fig. 1 shows the rocker mechanism in the base circle phase of the

cams

14, 15 in a first operating state, while fig. 2 shows the intake cam 14 in the cam lift phase and the exhaust cam 15 in the base circle phase in a second operating state. In the cam lift phase, the respective axially outer actuating-

side lever

4, 5 is actuated by the pickup cam lift, but not in the base circle phase.

Fig. 3 to 5 each show an enlarged portion of the first rocker 1 in the region between the associated first coupling means 8 and the associated first actuator 10, which rocker serves for the coupled actuation of the intake gas exchange valve in different switching states. The first coupling means 8 has an actuating piston 8a and a connecting piston 8 b. The actuating piston 8a is arranged so as to be displaceable in an axial through-hole 4b on the connection-side end of the respective axially outer actuating-side first lever 4 for switching. On the first lever 6, which is axially on the inner valve side, a connecting piston 8b is accommodated so as to be movable in an axial bore 6 c. The bore 6c is also designed here as an axial through bore. The actuating piston 8a can be moved for switching by a first actuator 10 at the end 8c on the actuating side. The actuating piston is in contact with the connecting piston 8b at the other end-side end 8 d. The latter is prestressed against the actuating piston 8a by means of a spring mechanism 16, which is arranged coaxially in the bore 6c as a helical compression spring. The movement of the actuating piston 8a is limited on the actuating side by a sleeve 24 which is pressed into the through-opening 4b at the end on the actuating side and a stop 24a which is formed on the sleeve on the axial end side. In a similar manner, the movement of the connecting piston 8b is limited in both directions of movement by two

sleeves

25, 26 pressed in at the respective ends of the bore 6c and by

stops

25a, 26a formed at the respective axial ends on these sleeves. The second coupling means 9 of the second rocker 2 are constructed similarly to those of the first rocker 1 and are arranged mirror-inverted in the axial direction with respect to the first rocker (fig. 1 and 2). In this way, the coupling means 8, 9 are integrated in the respective valve-

side lever

6, 7 and in the respective actuating-

side lever

4, 5, respectively.

For accommodating the

actuators

10, 11, a common carrier 17 is provided (fig. 1 and 2). The

actuators

10, 11 are constituted by electric stroke magnets housed in one of the sleeves 17a, 17b, respectively, of the bracket 17 (fig. 3 to 5). The

actuators

10, 11 are arranged coaxially with the respective coupling means 8, 9 (fig. 1 and 2). Each of them has an armature 10a which can be electromagnetically moved axially for the purpose of adjusting contact with the actuating piston 8a (fig. 3 to 5).

The

actuators

10, 11 with the armature 10a and the coupling means 8, 9 in the bore 6c and the through bore 4b are each arranged parallel to the rocker shaft 3 and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the

rockers

1, 2 or are displaceable for switching purposes. In this way, the

rocker

1, 2 can be switched by a so-called lateral locking which saves installation space.

In the first switching state according to fig. 3, the actuator 10 is in a state of being not actuated, i.e. in a state of not being energized. The armature 10a is pushed back into the sleeve 17a by the integrated return spring mechanism 10b (fig. 3). In the base circle phase (fig. 1), when the actuating lever 4 and the valve-side lever 6 are in the initial position, in which they are not pivoted, the hole 6c in the valve-side lever 6 and the through-hole 4b in the actuating lever 4 are axially aligned and opposite each other. By means of the spring force of the spring means 16, the connecting piston 8b is moved out of the bore 4b into the through-bore 4b via the parting plane between the valve-side lever 6 and the actuating-side lever 4 (fig. 3) and the valve-side lever 6 is connected to the actuating-side lever 4. Here, the connecting piston 8b and the actuating piston 8a are held in contact at their end faces 8 d. The parting plane between the valve-side lever 6 and the actuating-side lever 4 is formed by a slight axial air gap.

In the third operating state according to fig. 3, in the cam lift phase of the first rocker 1 according to fig. 2, the cam lift movement picked up at the first cam from the actuating-side lever 4 is transmitted to the valve-side lever 6, whereby the intake gas exchange valve is opened. In a similar manner, the second actuating-side lever 5 can be coupled to the second valve-side lever 7 via the second coupling means 9 and the second actuator 11 and the second rocker 2 is switched and by means of which the exhaust gas exchange valve is actuated in order to open.

By energizing the stroke magnet, the actuator 10 is actuated in the fourth operating state according to fig. 4 and 5. In this case, the armature 10a is moved out of the sleeve 17a against the spring force of the restoring spring mechanism 10b and is brought into adjusting contact with the actuating piston 8 a. The latter is thereby pretensioned onto the connecting piston 8 b. In the base circle phase (fig. 1), the connecting piston 8b is moved by the actuating piston 8a from the through opening 4b into the parting plane between the valve-side lever 6 and the actuating-side lever 4 (fig. 3 and 4), as a result of which the

levers

4, 6 are decoupled. The lever 4 on the actuating side is in free travel and the first rocker 1 is switched off. In the third operating state according to fig. 3, in the cam lift phase of the first rocker 1 shown in fig. 2, no cam lift movement is thus transmitted to the valve-side lever 6, whereby the intake gas exchange valve is closed. Similarly, the second lever 5 on the actuating side can be coupled to the second lever 7 on the valve side and the second rocker 2 can be switched off and the exhaust gas exchange valve can be closed by means of the second coupling means 9 and the second actuator 11. In this way, cylinder deactivation can be achieved by means of the rocker device with the first and

second rockers

1, 2 switched off.

The actuating piston 8a expands mushroom-shaped on its axial end faces 8c, 8d on the outside diameter, so that an at least partially axial end face coverage is ensured when the actuating-side lever 4 pivots relative to the armature 10a and relative to the connecting piston 8b (fig. 4 and 5). The actuating piston is arranged with its actuator-side end 8c outside the through-opening 4b and expands beyond the bore diameter. The actuating piston, not shown, of the second coupling means 9 can be expanded in the same manner at its axial end face.

In order to return the axially outer actuating-

side levers

4, 5 from the pivoted position into the non-pivoted initial position, return spring mechanisms 18, 19 are provided (fig. 1 and 2). The restoring spring mechanisms are each arranged on the rocker shaft 3 coaxially with the coil-shaped base bodies 18a, 19a on the axially outer side of the axially outer actuating-side levers 4, 5 (fig. 1 to 5). The restoring spring means 18, 19 are each guided on the outer diameter of the rocker shaft 3 with the inner diameter of the base bodies 18a, 19 a. The first spring legs 18b, 19b engage in a clamping manner in the pivoting direction in radially extending grooves 20, 21 on the axial end-side ends of the rocker shaft 3. The

second spring leg

18c, 19c in each case bridges the respective

outer lever

4 or 5 in the axial direction on the upper side of the respective

outer lever

4 or 5 facing away from the gas exchange valve or the cylinder head and is clamped in the pivoting direction on the axially inner side of the respective outer lever 4 or 5 (fig. 3 to 5).

The support 17 has a central, long, rectangular base plate 17c, which extends parallel to the rocker shaft 3 below the lower side of the axially inner valve-

side levers

6, 7 facing the gas exchange valves or the cylinder heads of the internal combustion engine, not shown, and the lower side of the axially outer actuating-side levers 4, 5 (fig. 1 and 2). The base plate 17c is formed at its axial ends with an arm 17d, 17e, which projects perpendicularly away from the cylinder head and forms a sleeve 17a, 17b at its free end. The latter is axially opposite the outer lever

longitudinal sides

4a, 5a of the

levers

4, 5 axially on the outer actuating side and accommodates the

actuators

10, 11.

On the upper side of the base plate 17c facing away from the cylinder head, a projecting bearing section 17f oriented toward the rocker shaft 3 is formed in the axial region between the axially inner valve-

side levers

6, 7. The rocker shaft 3 is fixed to the bearing section by a first threaded connection 22. A second threaded connection 23 on the base plate 17c allows the bracket 17 to be fixed to a cylinder head, not shown. In this way, the support 17 with the rocker shaft 3 and the

rockers

1, 2 and the restoring spring mechanisms 18, 19 arranged on the rocker shaft 3 and the

actuators

8, 9 accommodated on the support 17 can be fixed as a preassembled structural unit on the cylinder head.

The

rockers

1, 2 can each be actuated individually by means of an

actuator

10 or 11. The stroke magnets of the

actuators

10, 11 can be actuated by an electronic control device, not shown. For this purpose, a central contact, in particular a central plug, is integrated into the rocker device. An interface for engine control, not shown here, is arranged outside the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The stroke magnet can be activated by a switching command of the engine control, a so-called bus signal. The integrated electronics entail calculating the exact moment of energization of the stroke magnet. Furthermore, the integrated electronics also determines which of the individual stroke magnets is actuated.

List of reference numerals

1 Rocker

2 rocking bar

3 rocker shaft

4 lever

4a longitudinal side of lever

4b through hole

5 Lever

6 lever

Longitudinal side of 6a lever

Longitudinal side of 6b lever

6c hole

7 Lever

Longitudinal side of 7a lever

7b longitudinal side of lever

8 coupling mechanism

8a operating piston

8b connecting piston

8c end portion

8d end part

9 coupling mechanism

10 actuator

10a armature

10b return spring mechanism

11 actuator

12 cam roller

13 cam roller

14 cam

15 cam

16 spring mechanism

17 support

17a casing

17b casing

17c base plate

17d arm

17e arm

17f support section

18 return spring mechanism

18a base body

18b spring leg

18c spring leg

19 return spring mechanism

19a base body

19b spring leg

19c spring support leg

20 groove

21 groove

22 screw thread connecting piece

23 screw connection

24 casing

24a stop part

25 casing

25a stop part

26 casing tube

26a stop part

27 camshaft

Claims

1. A rocker device for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a first switchable rocker (1) and a second switchable rocker (2), the first rocker (1) and the second rocker (2) being pivotably arranged on a rocker shaft (3) by means of an axially outer lever (4, 5) and a lever (6, 7) axially inside the rocker shaft (3) next to the axially outer lever, respectively, wherein the levers (4, 5, 6, 7) are pivotably mounted on the rocker shaft (3) relative to one another, and for switching the first rocker (1), the axially outer first lever (4) can be coupled to the axially inner first lever (6) by means of a first coupling mechanism (8), and for switching the second rocker (2), the second, axially outer lever (5) can be coupled to the second, axially inner lever (7) by means of a second coupling means (9) in order to transmit the respective lifting movement for valve actuation, characterized in that, for actuating the respective coupling means (8, 9), an actuator (10, 11) assigned to the coupling means is arranged in each case on the axially outer lever longitudinal sides (4a, 5a) of the axially outer levers (4, 5) facing away from one another, and the actuators (10, 11) are each integrated at least partially into a carrier (17) connected to the rocker shaft (3), wherein the first rocker (1) makes valve contact with at least one intake gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine and the second rocker (2) makes valve contact with at least one exhaust gas exchange valve.

2. The rocker device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the axially outer levers (4, 5) are each driven in a lifting movement pivotably movable by a camshaft (27) of the internal combustion engine.

3. A rocker device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the axially inner first lever (6) is in valve contact with at least one intake gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine and the axially inner second lever (7) is in valve contact with the at least one exhaust gas exchange valve.

4. The rocker device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the axially outer levers (4, 5) are each driven in a pivotably movable manner by means of a lever end region on the actuating side and are connected by means of a lever end region on the connecting side to a corresponding axially inner lever (6, 7), wherein the axially outer levers (4, 5) are each mounted pivotably on the rocker shaft (3) in an intermediate region between the lever end region on the actuating side and the lever end region on the connecting side.

5. Rocker device according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first actuator (10) for switching the first coupling means (8) and a second actuator (11) for switching the second coupling means (9) are provided.

6. Rocker device according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the coupling means (8, 9) each have an actuating piston (8a) which is movable in an axial through hole (4b) at the respective axially outer lever (4, 5), by means of which a connecting piston (8b) for switching which is arranged in an axial hole (6c) at the respective axially inner lever (6, 7) can be moved in direct actuating contact in order to be switched, wherein the connecting piston can be moved into the through hole (4b) of the lever for connection with the respective axially outer lever (4, 5).

7. The rocker device according to claim 6, wherein the actuating pistons (8a) each expand at least one axial end (8c) with an outer diameter such that, when the respective outer lever (4, 5) is deflected relative to the respective actuator (10) and/or relative to the respective connecting piston (8b), an at least partial covering in the axial direction between the respective actuating piston (8a) and the respective actuator (10) and/or relative to the respective connecting piston (8b) for switching is ensured.

8. Rocker device according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the actuators (10, 11) are designed as electrical stroke magnets, each having a linearly movable armature (10a, 11a), by means of which a respectively associated coupling mechanism (8, 9) for switching can be moved in a direct axial adjusting contact.

9. Rocker device according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuators (10, 11) are each at least partially integrated on a bracket (17) connected to the rocker shaft (3) and arranged at a radial distance from the rocker shaft (3).

10. The rocker device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the return spring mechanism (18, 19) is arranged coaxially on the rocker shaft (3) on the axially outer side of the outer lever (4, 5) with a coil-shaped base body (19a, 19b) surrounding the rocker shaft (3) on the rocker shaft (3) and is clamped with one spring leg (18a) on the rocker shaft (3) and with the other spring leg (18b) in the pivoting direction on the respective axially outer lever (4, 5).