DE102020111775A1 - Lever for a valve train of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lever (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a light motorcycle, comprising an elongated, essentially fork-shaped base body (2) which has a hollow cylindrical bearing element (3) in the middle area transversely to its longitudinal axis , via which the lever (1) can be pivoted, the bearing element (3) having at least one hole (13) in its outer surface, via which the bearing element (3) can be supplied with a fluid, the base body (2) having a swivel arm (5), which extends along the longitudinal axis of the base body (2) from the bearing element (3) to a first distal end (6) of the base body (2), the pivot arm (5) in the area of the first distal end (6 ) has a bore (7), the longitudinal axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore (4) and the base body (2), and the base body (2) has two parallel axes te webs (8, 9) which extend along the longitudinal axis of the base body (2) from the bearing element (3) to a second distal end (10) of the base body (2), both webs (8, 9) each having one , arranged in a common alignment, comprise opening (11, 12), the alignment running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore (4). According to the invention, it is provided that the base body (2) is manufactured by means of a metal powder injection molding process.

Description

The present invention relates to a lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a light motorcycle.

Such levers are known from the prior art in different design variants. For example, the WO 2009/003840 A2 a rocker arm for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine with a poppet lift valve, the shaft end surface of which can be acted upon by at least two different valve lifts via a contact surface of the rocker arm.

Another variant is from the DE 10 2014 215 129 A1 known. This also discloses a rocker arm for the valve actuation of an internal combustion engine, which is mounted pivotably about an axis and has a contact surface for a valve stem end and a contact surface for a cam of a camshaft. The rocker arm is designed as a sheet metal rocker arm with an inverted U-shaped base body, consisting of an upper part and two parallel side walls integral therewith, with the axis at one longitudinal end of the lever and a valve contact tab with the contact surface for the valve stem end at the other longitudinal end .

In this regard, it has been found that there is still a need to specify an improved lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which is improved over the prior art.

This object is achieved with a lever according to the features of independent claim 1.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the dependently formulated claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner and can define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

The invention relates to a lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a light motorcycle, comprising an elongated, essentially fork-shaped base body, which in the central region has a hollow cylindrical bearing element arranged transversely to its longitudinal axis, via which the lever can be pivotably mounted, wherein the bearing element has at least one hole in its lateral surface, via which the bearing element can be supplied with a fluid, the base body comprising a swivel arm which extends along the longitudinal axis of the base body from the bearing element to a first distal end of the base body, the swivel arm in Area of the first distal end has a bore, the longitudinal axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore and the base body, and wherein the base body comprises two mutually parallel webs which extend along the longitudinal axis of the base body from the bearing element z u extend a second distal end of the base body, both webs each comprising an opening arranged in a common alignment, the alignment running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing element.

The present invention is characterized in that the base body is produced by means of a metal injection molding process. As a result, the at least one hole bore arranged in the lateral surface can already be manufactured with a high degree of precision in the injection molding process. In addition, a lever manufactured in this way has a significant weight reduction of over 40% and a reduction in the area moment of inertia of over 20% compared to conventionally manufactured levers. The weight reduction also leads to advantages in terms of the friction values in a valve train.

In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the hollow cylindrical bearing element has at least one further hole bore in its outer surface, the two hole bores then being arranged in a common alignment. This additional hole is also advantageously produced in the injection molding process.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the hollow cylindrical bearing element has at least one, preferably a plurality of grooves on its inner lateral surface which support the distribution of the fluid, for example a lubricant, introduced via the holes. The at least one or preferably a plurality of grooves are made by machining the base body on the inner circumferential surface of the hollow cylindrical bearing element.

Advantageously, the base body of the lever according to the invention is essentially arcuate in its longitudinal section. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm runs to The longitudinal axis of the base body is advantageously inclined. The width of the lever is preferably defined via the axial extent of the bearing element.

• 1 eine Ausführungsvariante des erfindungsgemäßen Hebels in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,
• 2 die in 1 gezeigte Ausführungsvariante in einer Draufsicht,
• 3 die in 1 gezeigte Ausführungsvariante in einer Seitenansicht.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the invention is not intended to be restricted by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and to combine them with other components and findings from the present description and / or figures. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the size relationships shown are only schematic. The same reference symbols denote the same objects, so that explanations from other figures can be used in addition, if necessary. Show it:

• 1 an embodiment variant of the lever according to the invention in a perspective view,
• 2 in the 1 shown variant in a plan view,
• 3 in the 1 Design variant shown in a side view.

In the 1 until 3 is a variant of the lever according to the invention 1 for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a light motorcycle.

The in 1 lever shown 1 consists of an elongated and essentially fork-shaped base body 2 formed, which is essentially arcuate in its longitudinal section ( 3 ). In the middle area, the main body 2 a hollow cylindrical bearing element arranged transversely to its longitudinal axis 3 with a bearing bore 4th on which the lever 1 can be pivotably mounted within a valve train arrangement (not shown).

The basic body 2 includes a swivel arm 5 , which runs along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 from the bearing element 3 to a first distal end 6th of the main body 2 extends. In the area of the first distal end 6th indicates the swivel arm 5 a hole 7th whose longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore 4th as well as the main body 2 runs.

The base body also includes 2 two parallel bars 8th , 9 extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 from the bearing element 3 to a second distal end 10 of the main body 2 extend. How with the 1 recognizable, each of the two webs has 8th , 9 one opening each 11 , 12th on. Both openings 11 , 12th are arranged in a common alignment that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore 4th runs.

The bearing element 3 In the embodiment variant shown here, it also has two holes 13th , 14th which are arranged in a common line. About the in the outer surface of the bearing element 3 arranged holes 13th , 14th can the bearing element 3 be supplied with a fluid, for example a lubricant. To the distribution of the fluid within the bearing element 3 support is also a radial groove 15th provided, which extends radially along the inner circumferential surface of the bearing element 3 extends.

How to continue using the 2 recognizable, runs the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm 5 to the longitudinal axis of the base body 2 inclined in the embodiment variant shown here. It is also off 2 can be seen that the axial extent of the bearing element 3 the width of the lever 1 Are defined.

The basic body shown in the embodiment variant shown here 2 is manufactured using a metal injection molding process. This allows the two holes 13th , 14th can already be manufactured in the injection molding process. The lever 1 has a weight reduction of over 40% and a reduction in the area moment of inertia of over 20% compared to conventionally manufactured, i.e. forged or cast, levers.

The lever shown in the embodiment variant shown here 1 or base body 2 also has several material depressions 16 on which is beneficial to the weight of the lever 1 or the main body 2 impact.

The invention is not limited to the combinations of features defined in the independent claims, but can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all of the individual features disclosed. This means that in principle practically every single feature of the independent claims can be omitted or replaced by at least one single feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. In this respect, the independent claim is only to be understood as a first attempt at formulating the present invention.

List of reference symbols

1

lever

2

Base body

3

Bearing element

4th

Bearing bore

5

Swivel arm

6th

first distal end

7th

drilling

8th

web

9

web

10

second distal end

11

opening

12th

opening

13th

Hole drilling

14th

Hole drilling

15th

Groove

16

Material deepening

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2009/003840 A2 [0002]
• DE 102014215129 A1 [0003]

Claims (6)

Lever (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a light motorcycle, comprising an elongated, essentially fork-shaped base body (2), which in the central area has a hollow cylindrical bearing element (3) arranged transversely to its longitudinal axis, via which the lever (1) can be pivoted, the bearing element (3) having at least one hole (13) in its lateral surface, via which the bearing element (3) can be supplied with a fluid, the base body (2) comprising a swivel arm (5), which extends along the longitudinal axis of the base body (2) from the bearing element (3) to a first distal end (6) of the base body (2), the pivot arm (5) having a bore (7) in the area of the first distal end (6) ), the longitudinal axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore (4) and of the base body (2), and wherein the base body (2) comprises two webs (8, 9) which are arranged parallel to one another and which run along the longitudinal axis of the base body (2) from the bearing element (3) to a second distal end (10) of the base body (2), both webs (8, 9) each having an opening (11, 12 ), the alignment running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bore (4), characterized in that the base body (2) is produced by means of a metal powder injection molding process. Lever (1) Claim 1 wherein the bearing element (3) has at least further hole bores (14) in its lateral surface, both hole bores (13, 14) being arranged in a common alignment. Lever (1) Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the hollow cylindrical bearing element (3) has at least one, preferably several grooves (15) on its inner lateral surface. Lever (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) is essentially arcuate in its longitudinal section. Lever (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial extension of the bearing element (3) defines the width of the lever (1). Lever (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm (5) runs inclined to the longitudinal axis of the base body (2).

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