EP1568859B1 - Rocker arm assembly for a valve train - Google Patents
Rocker arm assembly for a valve train Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1568859B1 EP1568859B1 EP04100732A EP04100732A EP1568859B1 EP 1568859 B1 EP1568859 B1 EP 1568859B1 EP 04100732 A EP04100732 A EP 04100732A EP 04100732 A EP04100732 A EP 04100732A EP 1568859 B1 EP1568859 B1 EP 1568859B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rocker arm
- area
- arm assembly
- piston
- pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 22
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010705 motor oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/20—Adjusting or compensating clearance
- F01L1/22—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically
- F01L1/24—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically by fluid means, e.g. hydraulically
- F01L1/2405—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically by fluid means, e.g. hydraulically by means of a hydraulic adjusting device located between the cylinder head and rocker arm
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/12—Transmitting gear between valve drive and valve
- F01L1/18—Rocking arms or levers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/12—Transmitting gear between valve drive and valve
- F01L1/18—Rocking arms or levers
- F01L1/185—Overhead end-pivot rocking arms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L13/00—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations
- F01L13/0005—Deactivating valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L13/00—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations
- F01L13/0015—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations for optimising engine performances by modifying valve lift according to various working parameters, e.g. rotational speed, load, torque
- F01L13/0036—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations for optimising engine performances by modifying valve lift according to various working parameters, e.g. rotational speed, load, torque the valves being driven by two or more cams with different shape, size or timing or a single cam profiled in axial and radial direction
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a rocker arm assembly for a valve train, in particular to a two-step finger follower type rocker arm assembly of a valve train.
- Variable valve activation mechanisms for internal combustion engines are well known. It is known to be desirable to lower the lift, or even provide no lift at all, of one or more valves of a multiple-cylinder engine, especially intake valves, during periods of high engine load.
- a conventional two-step finger follower type rocker arm assembly includes an elongate, rigid main rocker arm body.
- This main rocker arm body has a first end for engaging a conventional hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) as a pivot means, and has an interface means at an opposite, second end for engaging a valve stem of a valve to be actuated.
- HLA hydraulic lash adjuster
- the assembly further includes two lateral rocker arms that can be selectively coupled to the main rocker arm to provide switching between two assembly configurations so as obtain two different valve lift capabilities.
- This coupling is typically achieved by means of a latch member mounted on the main rocker arm.
- the latch member is moveable between a first, rest position, in which the lateral rocker arms are uncoupled, and a second position, in which the main rocker arm is coupled to the lateral rocker arms. In the first latch position, the valve lift is only due to the action of a main cam on the main rocker arm, whereas in the second position, the valve lift is due to the action of associated lateral cams on the lateral rocker arms.
- a piston coupled to the latter is arranged in the main body on the socket side.
- This piston is reciprocally arranged in a piston bore and defines therewith a hydraulic chamber, which is in communication with the socket via an oil feed channel. Actuation of the piston is achieved by increasing the oil pressure delivered by the HLA so as to move the piston against a return spring that biases the latch member in the uncoupled position.
- rocker arm assemblies have a random trigger mechanism for actuation. That is, at a random point of the cam revolution, the command to change the valve lift is received from an ECM.
- the latch member is then urged into its second position regardless of the position of the lateral rocker arms with respect to the main rocker arm. Often, the latch member is prevented from reaching the second position because the latch member hits another part of the assembly.
- the switch to another valve lift is delayed, causing slight drivability and emission problems. More critically, partial switches are also possible, wherein the latch member only partially locks the lateral rocker arms to the main rocker arm such that, during the lift, the lateral rocker arms can free themselves from engagement with the main rocker arm, leading to high stress at the switching mechanism.
- valve is let loose and either slams into its seat driven by the valve spring or slams back to the low lift profile.
- the valve, valve seat, cam surfaces and cam contacting surfaces of the assembly can thereby be damaged.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a rocker arm assembly having an improved switching capability. This object is achieved by a rocker arm assembly as claimed in claim 1.
- a rocker arm assembly for variably activating a gas valve in an internal combustion engine has at least two configurations to vary its valve lift capability.
- the rocker arm assembly comprises a main rocker arm body having a socket for engaging a pivot at a first end and having an interface means for engaging a valve stem at a second end.
- the assembly further comprises a latch member associated with the main rocker arm body, the latch member being moveable between a first position to provide a first rocker arm assembly configuration and a second position to provide a second rocker arm assembly configuration.
- the assembly also has latch actuating means comprising a piston reciprocally arranged in a piston bore and coupled to the latch member for moving the latch member from the first position to the second position, wherein the piston has a pressure surface defining with the piston bore a hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic chamber comprising at least one inlet for a pressurized hydraulic medium so as to move the piston under the action of hydraulic pressure, as shown for example in document US-5544626 A .
- the assembly comprises a first feed channel arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port to a first area of the pressure surface when the piston is in its first position and a second feed channel is arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port to a second area of the pressure surface, the second area being larger than the first area.
- the second feed channel is in fluid communication with a supply port only in a switching position of the main rocker arm body.
- the pressurized hydraulic medium is at a first pressure or at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is insufficient to displace the piston when acting on the first area and/or the second area; and the second pressure is insufficient to displace the piston when acting only on the first area, but sufficient to displace the piston when acting on the second area.
- the rocker arm assembly can only be switched into its second rocker arm assembly configuration when the pressurized hydraulic medium is at the second pressure and the second feed channel is in fluid communication with a supply port.
- the latch member can only be moved into its second position when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position, i.e. when the main rocker arm is in a particular position with respect to a lateral rocker arm. Safe switching of the latch member is thereby guaranteed and all disadvantages of mistimed switching, such as drivability and emission problems, high stress at the switching mechanism, wear and tear at the switching mechanism, damages to valve, valve seat, cam surfaces and cam contacting surfaces, are avoided.
- the first area represents a minor portion of the piston pressure surface and the second area represents a comparatively predominant portion of the piston pressure surface.
- the second area corresponds to the total area of the pressure surface, including the first area.
- the first and second feed channels comprise a first and second feed port arranged in the socket of the main rocker arm body; and the pivot comprises a supply port communicating with the first and second feed ports for supplying pressurized hydraulic medium to the first and second feed channels. Pressurized hydraulic medium is thereby fed to the first or second feed channel through the pivot.
- the supply port communicates with a first feed port of the first feed channel when the main rocker arm body is not in the switching position; and the supply port communicates with a second feed port of the second feed channel only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position. Pressurized hydraulic medium is thereby fed to the first or second feed channel depending on the rotational position of the socket on the pivot. This is an easy, yet effective, way of ensuring that the hydraulic medium is applied to the second area of the pressure surface only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position.
- the supply port communicates with a first feed port of the first feed channel; and the supply port communicates with a second feed port of the second feed channel.
- a control valve is arranged in the second feed channel for opening the second feed channel only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position. This is an alternative way of ensuring that the hydraulic medium is applied to the second area of the pressure surface only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position.
- the first and second feed ports can be fused together to form a common feed port.
- the control valve preferably comprises a plunger transversely arranged in the second feed channel, and biasing means for maintaining the valve in a closed position when the main rocker arm body is not in the switching position.
- the rocker arm assembly preferably further comprises a configuration switch element moveably connected to the main rocker arm body.
- the configuration switch element In the first rocker arm assembly configuration, the configuration switch element is freely moveable with respect to the main rocker arm body and the valve lift is defined by a first cam surface contacting a first cam contacting surface of the rocker arm assembly.
- the configuration switch element In the second rocker arm assembly configuration, the configuration switch element is locked in position with respect to the main rocker arm body and the valve lift is defined by a second cam surface contacting a second cam contacting surface of the rocker arm assembly.
- the configuration switch element is preferably a pair of lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies, the main rocker arm body being sandwiched therebetween.
- a main cam contacts the main rocker arm body and moves the valve according to a first valve lift configuration.
- two lateral cams can enter into contact with the lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies to move the valve according to a second valve lift configuration.
- the pivot is preferably a hydraulic lash adjuster.
- Fig.1 shows a rocker arm assembly 10 of a valve train of an internal combustion engine.
- This rocker arm assembly 10 is of the so-called two-step finger follower type, so that the configuration of the rocker arm assembly 10 can be varied to provide two different valve lift capabilities.
- a main rocker arm body 12 has a first end 14 having a spherical socket 16 for receiving a head 18 of a hydraulic lash adjuster HLA 20.
- An opposite, second end 22 of the main rocker arm body 12 is provided with an actuate pad 24 for interfacing with and actuating a valve stem 26.
- a first lateral rocker arm body 32 is provided and pivotably mounted on the main rocker arm body 12.
- a second lateral rocker arm body (not shown) is, for symmetry reasons, provided on the other lateral side of the main rocker arm body 12.
- Such a rocker arm assembly 10 cooperates with the camshaft (not shown), which has one main cam (not shown) for engaging a cam contacting surface 34 of the main rocker arm 12, as well as two lateral cams for engaging respective cam contacting surfaces 36 on the lateral rocker arm bodies 32.
- the assembly 10 further includes a latch actuating means, generally indicated 40, in order to couple or uncouple the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 to the main rocker arm 12 so as to vary the configuration of the assembly 10 and thus the valve lift capability.
- a latch actuating means generally indicated 40, in order to couple or uncouple the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 to the main rocker arm 12 so as to vary the configuration of the assembly 10 and thus the valve lift capability.
- the latter comprises a piston 44 reciprocally mounted in a piston bore having a cylindrical lateral wall 46 and an end wall 48.
- the piston 44 has a head with a pressure surface defining with the lateral and end walls 46, 48 of the piston bore a hydraulic chamber 50.
- the pressure surface of the head of the piston 44 has a first area 52 and a second area 54, wherein the second area 54 is larger than the first area 52.
- the first area 52 is in communication with a first feed channel 56 for feeding pressurized hydraulic medium, normally engine oil, to the first area 52.
- the second area 54 is in communication with a second feed channel 58 for feeding pressurized hydraulic medium to the second area 54.
- the first feed channel 56 leads to a first feed port 60 in the socket 16 and the second feed channel 58 leads to a second feed port 62 in the socket 16.
- oil is fed from a supply port 64 arranged in the head 18 to one or both of the first and second feed ports 60,62 and hence to one or both of the first and second areas 52,54.
- the piston 44 is coupled to a latch member 66 for coupling the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 to the main rocker arm body 12.
- the latch actuating means 40 preferably comprises a spring 68 for pushing the piston 44 into a rest position as shown in Fig.1 . Only the part of the latch member 66, which is connected to the latch actuating means 40, is shown in the figures.
- the latch member 66 can be any sort of mechanism capable of coupling the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 to the main rocker arm body 12, resp. of uncoupling the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 from the main rocker arm body 12.
- the pressure of the oil being fed to the lash actuating means 40 is insufficient to move the piston 44 against the force of the spring 68, whether the oil is being fed to the first area 52 via the first feed channel or to the second area 54 via the second feed channel 58.
- the piston 44 hence remains in its rest position as shown in Fig.1 .
- the piston 44 In order to switch to the other assembly configuration, the piston 44 must be moved towards the left for engaging the lateral rocker arm bodies, and e.g. ultimately to the end position shown in Fig.3 .
- the engine control module ECM
- ECM engine control module
- the pressure of the oil is increased to a level wherein it is still insufficient to move the piston 44 against the force of the spring 68 when the pressure is only applied to the first area 52 of the pressure surface of the piston 44.
- the pressure is however sufficiently high to move the piston 44 against the force of the spring 68 when the pressure is applied to the second area 54 of the pressure surface of the piston 44.
- the oil pressure is increased to a switching pressure.
- the piston 44 however can only be moved if the switching pressure is applied to the second area 54, i.e. when the oil is fed through the second feed channel 58.
- the second feed port 62 of the second feed channel 58 is arranged so that it is only in communication with the supply port 64 of the head 18 of the HLA 20, as shown in Fig.2 . This ensures that movement of the latch member 66 can only occur when the main rocker arm body 12 is in a switching position, i.e. in a position wherein the engagement of the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 with the main rocker arm body 12 is guaranteed. All problems associated with failed or partial engagements can thereby be avoided.
- Fig.2 the main rocker arm body 12 is shown in the switching position and the supply port 64 is in communication with the second feed port 62 of the second feed channel 58.
- the supply port 64 is also still in communication with the first feed port 60 of the first feed channel 56. This is however not necessary for the functioning of the invention, but provides an advantage in that the oil pressure can remain slightly lower as the pressure surface is bigger due to the fact that the first area is also pressurised by the oil.
- the latch member 66 can engage the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 with the main rocker arm body 12 as shown in Fig.3 .
- the cam continues to rotate and move the main rocker arm body 12 out of the switching position.
- the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 now move in harmony with the main rocker arm body 12 and the second assembly configuration is achieved.
- the valve activation is due to the action of the main cam on the cam contacting surface 34 of the main rocker arm body 12 and of the lateral cams on the cam contacting surfaces 36 of the lateral rocker arm bodies 32 and the valve lift is determined by the design of these elements.
- the main rocker arm body 12 is again shown in the position as in Fig.1 and the supply port 64 is in communication with the first feed port 60 of the first feed channel 60 only. No more oil is fed through the second feed channel 58. However, as the oil is still maintained at switching pressure and is fed to the pressure surface via the first feed channel 56, oil at switching pressure still acts on the first and second areas 52,54 of the pressure surface of the head of the piston 44. The piston 44 is therefore maintained in its end position and the latch member 66 still maintains the main and lateral rocker arm bodies in coupled relationship. As long as the oil is maintained at the switching pressure, the force on the piston 44 is stronger than the force of the spring 68 and the main and lateral rocker arm bodies 12,32 remain in the coupled state.
- FIG.4 An alternative embodiment for a rocker arm assembly according to the invention is shown in Fig.4 , wherein the first and second feed ports 60,62 of the previous embodiment, have been fused to a single common feed port 70.
- the supply port 64 is in communication with the feed port 70 and oil is fed to the first and second feed channels 56,58.
- a control valve 72 is arranged in the second feed channel 58. The control valve 72 is normally in a closed position, preventing oil from flowing through the second feed channel 58. Only when the main rocker arm body 12 is in a particular switching position, the control valve is allowed to open the second feed channel 58.
- the control valve 72 and its functioning can be more clearly described by referring to Fig.5 and Fig.6 .
- the control valve 72 comprises a plunger 74 reciprocally arranged in a bore 76.
- the bore 76 is arranged perpendicularly to and through the second feed channel 58.
- the plunger 74 is dimensioned so as to prevent any flow of oil from the common feed port 70 to the piston 44 when the plunger 74 is in a first position as shown in Fig.5 .
- a spring 78 is associated with the plunger 78 and acts on one end of the plunger 74, so as to push the other end of the plunger 74 against a profiled surface 80 of the lateral rocker arm body 32.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention generally relates to a rocker arm assembly for a valve train, in particular to a two-step finger follower type rocker arm assembly of a valve train.
- Variable valve activation mechanisms for internal combustion engines are well known. It is known to be desirable to lower the lift, or even provide no lift at all, of one or more valves of a multiple-cylinder engine, especially intake valves, during periods of high engine load.
- A conventional two-step finger follower type rocker arm assembly includes an elongate, rigid main rocker arm body. This main rocker arm body has a first end for engaging a conventional hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) as a pivot means, and has an interface means at an opposite, second end for engaging a valve stem of a valve to be actuated.
- The assembly further includes two lateral rocker arms that can be selectively coupled to the main rocker arm to provide switching between two assembly configurations so as obtain two different valve lift capabilities. This coupling is typically achieved by means of a latch member mounted on the main rocker arm. The latch member is moveable between a first, rest position, in which the lateral rocker arms are uncoupled, and a second position, in which the main rocker arm is coupled to the lateral rocker arms. In the first latch position, the valve lift is only due to the action of a main cam on the main rocker arm, whereas in the second position, the valve lift is due to the action of associated lateral cams on the lateral rocker arms.
- In order to actuate the latch member, a piston coupled to the latter is arranged in the main body on the socket side. This piston is reciprocally arranged in a piston bore and defines therewith a hydraulic chamber, which is in communication with the socket via an oil feed channel. Actuation of the piston is achieved by increasing the oil pressure delivered by the HLA so as to move the piston against a return spring that biases the latch member in the uncoupled position.
- Generally, known rocker arm assemblies have a random trigger mechanism for actuation. That is, at a random point of the cam revolution, the command to change the valve lift is received from an ECM. The latch member is then urged into its second position regardless of the position of the lateral rocker arms with respect to the main rocker arm. Often, the latch member is prevented from reaching the second position because the latch member hits another part of the assembly. The switch to another valve lift is delayed, causing slight drivability and emission problems. More critically, partial switches are also possible, wherein the latch member only partially locks the lateral rocker arms to the main rocker arm such that, during the lift, the lateral rocker arms can free themselves from engagement with the main rocker arm, leading to high stress at the switching mechanism. This causes wear and tear at the switching mechanism. Worse still, the valve is let loose and either slams into its seat driven by the valve spring or slams back to the low lift profile. The valve, valve seat, cam surfaces and cam contacting surfaces of the assembly can thereby be damaged.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a rocker arm assembly having an improved switching capability. This object is achieved by a rocker arm assembly as claimed in claim 1.
- A rocker arm assembly for variably activating a gas valve in an internal combustion engine has at least two configurations to vary its valve lift capability. The rocker arm assembly comprises a main rocker arm body having a socket for engaging a pivot at a first end and having an interface means for engaging a valve stem at a second end. The assembly further comprises a latch member associated with the main rocker arm body, the latch member being moveable between a first position to provide a first rocker arm assembly configuration and a second position to provide a second rocker arm assembly configuration. The assembly also has latch actuating means comprising a piston reciprocally arranged in a piston bore and coupled to the latch member for moving the latch member from the first position to the second position, wherein the piston has a pressure surface defining with the piston bore a hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic chamber comprising at least one inlet for a pressurized hydraulic medium so as to move the piston under the action of hydraulic pressure, as shown for example in document
US-5544626 A . - According to an important aspect of the invention, the assembly comprises a first feed channel arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port to a first area of the pressure surface when the piston is in its first position and a second feed channel is arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port to a second area of the pressure surface, the second area being larger than the first area. The second feed channel is in fluid communication with a supply port only in a switching position of the main rocker arm body. The pressurized hydraulic medium is at a first pressure or at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is insufficient to displace the piston when acting on the first area and/or the second area; and the second pressure is insufficient to displace the piston when acting only on the first area, but sufficient to displace the piston when acting on the second area.
- The rocker arm assembly can only be switched into its second rocker arm assembly configuration when the pressurized hydraulic medium is at the second pressure and the second feed channel is in fluid communication with a supply port. This means that, once the order has been given to switch to the second configuration and the pressure of the hydraulic medium has been increased to the second pressure, the latch member can only be moved into its second position when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position, i.e. when the main rocker arm is in a particular position with respect to a lateral rocker arm. Safe switching of the latch member is thereby guaranteed and all disadvantages of mistimed switching, such as drivability and emission problems, high stress at the switching mechanism, wear and tear at the switching mechanism, damages to valve, valve seat, cam surfaces and cam contacting surfaces, are avoided.
- Preferably, the first area represents a minor portion of the piston pressure surface and the second area represents a comparatively predominant portion of the piston pressure surface. Preferably, the second area corresponds to the total area of the pressure surface, including the first area.
- Advantageously, the first and second feed channels comprise a first and second feed port arranged in the socket of the main rocker arm body; and the pivot comprises a supply port communicating with the first and second feed ports for supplying pressurized hydraulic medium to the first and second feed channels. Pressurized hydraulic medium is thereby fed to the first or second feed channel through the pivot.
- According to one embodiment of the invention, the supply port communicates with a first feed port of the first feed channel when the main rocker arm body is not in the switching position; and the supply port communicates with a second feed port of the second feed channel only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position. Pressurized hydraulic medium is thereby fed to the first or second feed channel depending on the rotational position of the socket on the pivot. This is an easy, yet effective, way of ensuring that the hydraulic medium is applied to the second area of the pressure surface only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position.
- According to another embodiment of the invention, the supply port communicates with a first feed port of the first feed channel; and the supply port communicates with a second feed port of the second feed channel. A control valve is arranged in the second feed channel for opening the second feed channel only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position. This is an alternative way of ensuring that the hydraulic medium is applied to the second area of the pressure surface only when the main rocker arm body is in the switching position.
- In this embodiment, the first and second feed ports can be fused together to form a common feed port.
- The control valve preferably comprises a plunger transversely arranged in the second feed channel, and biasing means for maintaining the valve in a closed position when the main rocker arm body is not in the switching position.
- The rocker arm assembly preferably further comprises a configuration switch element moveably connected to the main rocker arm body. In the first rocker arm assembly configuration, the configuration switch element is freely moveable with respect to the main rocker arm body and the valve lift is defined by a first cam surface contacting a first cam contacting surface of the rocker arm assembly. In the second rocker arm assembly configuration, the configuration switch element is locked in position with respect to the main rocker arm body and the valve lift is defined by a second cam surface contacting a second cam contacting surface of the rocker arm assembly.
- The configuration switch element is preferably a pair of lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies, the main rocker arm body being sandwiched therebetween. A main cam contacts the main rocker arm body and moves the valve according to a first valve lift configuration. When the lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies are fixed in position with respect to the main rocker arm body, two lateral cams can enter into contact with the lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies to move the valve according to a second valve lift configuration.
- The pivot is preferably a hydraulic lash adjuster.
- The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG.1:
- is a longitudinal cut-away view of a rocker arm assembly according to a first embodiment in a first position and in a first assembly mode;
- FIG.2:
- is a longitudinal cut-away view of the rocker arm assembly according to the first preferred embodiment in a second position and in an intermediate assembly mode;
- FIG.3:
- is a longitudinal cut-away view of the rocker arm assembly according to the first preferred embodiment in the first position and in a second assembly mode;
- FIG.4:
- is a longitudinal cut-away view of the rocker arm assembly according to a second embodiment in the first position and in the first assembly mode;
- FIG.5:
- is a transversal cut-away view of the control valve of
Fig.4 in its first position; and - FIG.6:
- is a transversal cut-away view of the control valve of
Fig.4 in its second position. -
Fig.1 shows arocker arm assembly 10 of a valve train of an internal combustion engine. Thisrocker arm assembly 10 is of the so-called two-step finger follower type, so that the configuration of therocker arm assembly 10 can be varied to provide two different valve lift capabilities. A mainrocker arm body 12 has afirst end 14 having aspherical socket 16 for receiving ahead 18 of a hydrauliclash adjuster HLA 20. An opposite,second end 22 of the mainrocker arm body 12 is provided with anactuate pad 24 for interfacing with and actuating avalve stem 26. A first lateralrocker arm body 32 is provided and pivotably mounted on the mainrocker arm body 12. Preferably, a second lateral rocker arm body (not shown) is, for symmetry reasons, provided on the other lateral side of the mainrocker arm body 12. Such arocker arm assembly 10 cooperates with the camshaft (not shown), which has one main cam (not shown) for engaging acam contacting surface 34 of themain rocker arm 12, as well as two lateral cams for engaging respectivecam contacting surfaces 36 on the lateralrocker arm bodies 32. - The
assembly 10 further includes a latch actuating means, generally indicated 40, in order to couple or uncouple the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 to themain rocker arm 12 so as to vary the configuration of theassembly 10 and thus the valve lift capability. When the lateral andmain rocker arms cam contacting surface 34 of the mainrocker arm body 12 that determines the valve lift. In this configuration, the action of the lateral cams on the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 has no incidence on the valve lift, as the lateral rocker arm bodies rock in a lost motion. - Conversely, when the lateral and main
rocker arm bodies rocker arm bodies 32 with the mainrocker arm body 12 is achieved. This provides a second assembly configuration, in which the valve activation is due to the action of the lateral cams on thecam contacting surfaces 36 of the lateralrocker arm bodies 32, and the valve lift is determined by the design of these elements. - Referring more precisely to the latch actuating means 40, the latter comprises a
piston 44 reciprocally mounted in a piston bore having a cylindricallateral wall 46 and anend wall 48. Thepiston 44 has a head with a pressure surface defining with the lateral and endwalls hydraulic chamber 50. The pressure surface of the head of thepiston 44 has afirst area 52 and asecond area 54, wherein thesecond area 54 is larger than thefirst area 52. Thefirst area 52 is in communication with afirst feed channel 56 for feeding pressurized hydraulic medium, normally engine oil, to thefirst area 52. Thesecond area 54 is in communication with asecond feed channel 58 for feeding pressurized hydraulic medium to thesecond area 54. - The
first feed channel 56 leads to afirst feed port 60 in thesocket 16 and thesecond feed channel 58 leads to asecond feed port 62 in thesocket 16. When thesocket 16 is mounted on thehead 18 of aHLA 20, oil is fed from asupply port 64 arranged in thehead 18 to one or both of the first andsecond feed ports second areas - The
piston 44 is coupled to alatch member 66 for coupling the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 to the mainrocker arm body 12. The latch actuating means 40 preferably comprises aspring 68 for pushing thepiston 44 into a rest position as shown inFig.1 . Only the part of thelatch member 66, which is connected to the latch actuating means 40, is shown in the figures. Thelatch member 66 can be any sort of mechanism capable of coupling the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 to the mainrocker arm body 12, resp. of uncoupling the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 from the mainrocker arm body 12. - When operating the
rocker arm assembly 10 in the first configuration, the pressure of the oil being fed to the lash actuating means 40 is insufficient to move thepiston 44 against the force of thespring 68, whether the oil is being fed to thefirst area 52 via the first feed channel or to thesecond area 54 via thesecond feed channel 58. Thepiston 44 hence remains in its rest position as shown inFig.1 . - In order to switch to the other assembly configuration, the
piston 44 must be moved towards the left for engaging the lateral rocker arm bodies, and e.g. ultimately to the end position shown inFig.3 . When such a switching is desired, the engine control module (ECM) will increase the oil pressure delivered to the HLA, so as to increase the oil pressure in the first andsecond feed channels piston 44 against the force of thespring 68 when the pressure is only applied to thefirst area 52 of the pressure surface of thepiston 44. The pressure is however sufficiently high to move thepiston 44 against the force of thespring 68 when the pressure is applied to thesecond area 54 of the pressure surface of thepiston 44. In practice, when switching is desired, the oil pressure is increased to a switching pressure. Thepiston 44 however can only be moved if the switching pressure is applied to thesecond area 54, i.e. when the oil is fed through thesecond feed channel 58. - The
second feed port 62 of thesecond feed channel 58 is arranged so that it is only in communication with thesupply port 64 of thehead 18 of theHLA 20, as shown inFig.2 . This ensures that movement of thelatch member 66 can only occur when the mainrocker arm body 12 is in a switching position, i.e. in a position wherein the engagement of the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 with the mainrocker arm body 12 is guaranteed. All problems associated with failed or partial engagements can thereby be avoided. - In
Fig.2 , the mainrocker arm body 12 is shown in the switching position and thesupply port 64 is in communication with thesecond feed port 62 of thesecond feed channel 58. As the oil at switching pressure is now pushing on a larger area of the head of thepiston 44, the latter is moved towards the left (with respect toFig.2 ) against the force of thespring 68. It will be noted that, as shown inFig.2 , thesupply port 64 is also still in communication with thefirst feed port 60 of thefirst feed channel 56. This is however not necessary for the functioning of the invention, but provides an advantage in that the oil pressure can remain slightly lower as the pressure surface is bigger due to the fact that the first area is also pressurised by the oil. - While the main
rocker arm body 12 is in the switching position as shown inFig.2 , and the oil is at switching pressure, thelatch member 66 can engage the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 with the mainrocker arm body 12 as shown inFig.3 . - While the main and lateral
rocker arm bodies rocker arm body 12 out of the switching position. The lateralrocker arm bodies 32 now move in harmony with the mainrocker arm body 12 and the second assembly configuration is achieved. In this second assembly configuration, the valve activation is due to the action of the main cam on thecam contacting surface 34 of the mainrocker arm body 12 and of the lateral cams on thecam contacting surfaces 36 of the lateralrocker arm bodies 32 and the valve lift is determined by the design of these elements. - In
Fig.3 , the mainrocker arm body 12 is again shown in the position as inFig.1 and thesupply port 64 is in communication with thefirst feed port 60 of thefirst feed channel 60 only. No more oil is fed through thesecond feed channel 58. However, as the oil is still maintained at switching pressure and is fed to the pressure surface via thefirst feed channel 56, oil at switching pressure still acts on the first andsecond areas piston 44. Thepiston 44 is therefore maintained in its end position and thelatch member 66 still maintains the main and lateral rocker arm bodies in coupled relationship. As long as the oil is maintained at the switching pressure, the force on thepiston 44 is stronger than the force of thespring 68 and the main and lateralrocker arm bodies - An alternative embodiment for a rocker arm assembly according to the invention is shown in
Fig.4 , wherein the first andsecond feed ports common feed port 70. Regardless of the position of the mainrocker arm body 12 with respect to thehead 18 of theHLA 20, thesupply port 64 is in communication with thefeed port 70 and oil is fed to the first andsecond feed channels second feed channel 58, acontrol valve 72 is arranged in thesecond feed channel 58. Thecontrol valve 72 is normally in a closed position, preventing oil from flowing through thesecond feed channel 58. Only when the mainrocker arm body 12 is in a particular switching position, the control valve is allowed to open thesecond feed channel 58. - The
control valve 72 and its functioning can be more clearly described by referring toFig.5 and Fig.6 . Thecontrol valve 72 comprises aplunger 74 reciprocally arranged in abore 76. Thebore 76 is arranged perpendicularly to and through thesecond feed channel 58. Theplunger 74 is dimensioned so as to prevent any flow of oil from thecommon feed port 70 to thepiston 44 when theplunger 74 is in a first position as shown inFig.5 . Aspring 78 is associated with theplunger 78 and acts on one end of theplunger 74, so as to push the other end of theplunger 74 against a profiledsurface 80 of the lateralrocker arm body 32. - When the main and lateral
rocker arm bodies rocker arm body 32 is at a particular position with respect to the mainrocker arm body 12, a switching position of the mainrocker arm body 12 is achieved. The profiledsurface 80 of the lateralrocker arm body 32 is designed such that, in this particular position, theplunger 74 is allowed to move due to the force of thespring 78 acting on theplunger 74. Theplunger 74 is brought into a second position, as shown inFig.6 , wherein a throughbore 82 arranged through theplunger 74 comes into alignment with thesecond feed channel 58. -
- 10
- rocker arm assembly
- 12
- main rocker arm body
- 14
- first end
- 16
- socket
- 18
- head
- 20
- hydraulic lash adjuster
- 22
- second end
- 24
- actuate pad
- 26
- valve stem
- 32
- lateral rocker arm body
- 34
- cam contacting surface
- 36
- cam contacting surfaces
- 40
- latch actuating means
- 44
- piston
- 46
- lateral wall
- 48
- end wall
- 50
- hydraulic chamber
- 52
- first area
- 54
- second area
- 56
- first feed channel
- 58
- second feed channel
- 60
- first feed port
- 62
- second feed port
- 64
- supply port
- 66
- latch member
- 70
- common feed port
- 72
- control valve
- 74
- plunger
- 76
- bore
- 78
- spring
- 80
- profiled surface
Claims (11)
- Rocker arm assembly (10) for variably activating a gas valve in an internal combustion engine, said rocker arm assembly having at least two configurations to vary its valve lift capability, said rocker arm assembly comprising:a main rocker arm body (12) having a socket (16) for engaging a pivot (18) at a first end and having an interface means (24) for engaging a valve stem (26) at a second end;a latch member (66) associated with said main rocker arm body (12), said latch member being (66) moveable between a first position to provide a first rocker arm assembly configuration and a second position to provide a second rocker arm assembly configuration;latch actuating means (40) comprising a piston (44) reciprocally arranged in a piston bore (46) and coupled to said latch member (66) for moving said latch member (66) from said first position to said second position, wherein said piston (44) has a pressure surface defining with said piston bore a hydraulic chamber, said hydraulic chamber comprising at least one inlet for a pressurized hydraulic medium so as to move said piston (44) under the action of hydraulic pressure;characterised in thata first feed channel (56) is arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port (60) to a first area of said pressure surface when said piston (44) is in its first position;a second feed channel (58) is arranged so as to fluidly connect a supply port (62) to a second area of said pressure surface, said second area (54) being larger than said first area (52) andsaid second feed channel (58) is in fluid communication with a supply port (62) only in a switching position of said main rocker arm body (12);said pressurized hydraulic medium is at a first pressure or at a second pressure,said first pressure being insufficient to displace said piston (44) when acting on said first area (52) and/or said second area (54);said second pressure being insufficient to displace said piston (44) when acting only on said first area (52) but sufficient to displace said piston (44) when acting on said second area 54.
- Rocker arm assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein said first area (52) represents a minor portion of said pressure surface and said second area (54) represents a predominant portion of said pressure surface.
- Rocker arm assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein said second area (54) corresponds to the total area of said pressure surface, including said first area (52).
- Rocker arm assembly (10) according to any of the previous claims,
wherein said first (56) and second feed channels (58) comprise a first (60) and second feed port (62) arranged in said socket (16) of said main rocker arm body (12); and
wherein said pivot (18) comprises a supply port (64) communicating with said first (60) and second feed ports (62) for supplying pressurized hydraulic medium to said first (56) and second feed channels (58). - Rocker arm assembly (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4,
wherein said supply port (64) communicates with a first feed port (60) of said first feed channel (56) when said main rocker arm body (12) is not in said switching position; and
wherein said supply port (64) communicates with a second feed port (62) of said second feed channel (58) only when said main rocker arm body is in said switching position. - Rocker arm assembly (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4,
wherein said supply port (64) communicates with a first feed port (60) of said first feed channel (56); and
wherein said supply port communicates with a second feed port (62) of said second feed channel (58),
wherein said second feed channel (58) comprises a control valve (72) for opening said second feed channel (58) only when said main rocker arm body (12) is in said switching position. - Rocker arm assembly (10) according to claim 6, wherein said first and second feed ports are fused together to form a common feed port (70).
- Rocker arm assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said control valve (72) comprises a plunger (74) transversely arranged in said second feed channel (58), and biasing means (78) for maintaining said control valve (72) in a closed position when said main rocker arm body (12) is not in said switching position.
- Rocker arm assembly (10) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising
a configuration switch element moveably connected to said main rocker arm body (12), wherein:- in said first rocker arm assembly configuration, said configuration switch element is freely moveable with respect to said main rocker arm body and said valve lift is defined by a first cam surface contacting a first cam contacting surface of said rocker arm assembly;- in said second rocker arm assembly configuration, said configuration switch element is locked in position with respect to said main rocker arm body and said valve lift is defined by a second cam surface contacting a second cam contacting surface of said rocker arm assembly. - Rocker arm assembly (10) according to claim 9, wherein said configuration switch element is a pair of lateral auxiliary rocker arm bodies (32) said main rocker arm body (12) being sandwiched therebetween.
- Rocker arm assembly (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said pivot is a hydraulic lash adjuster (20).
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT04100732T ATE395504T1 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-02-25 | ROCKER ARM DEVICE FOR VALVE CONTROL |
DE602004013714T DE602004013714D1 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-02-25 | Rocker arm device for valve control |
EP04100732A EP1568859B1 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-02-25 | Rocker arm assembly for a valve train |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP04100732A EP1568859B1 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-02-25 | Rocker arm assembly for a valve train |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1568859A1 EP1568859A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 |
EP1568859B1 true EP1568859B1 (en) | 2008-05-14 |
Family
ID=34746065
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04100732A Expired - Lifetime EP1568859B1 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-02-25 | Rocker arm assembly for a valve train |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1568859B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE395504T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004013714D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7278384B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-10-09 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Timing mechanism for a switchable two-step roller finger follower |
US20080035085A1 (en) * | 2006-08-14 | 2008-02-14 | Hendriksma Nick J | Method and apparatus for controlling a switchable cam follower |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5544626A (en) * | 1995-03-09 | 1996-08-13 | Ford Motor Company | Finger follower rocker arm with engine valve deactivator |
DE19510106A1 (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1996-09-26 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Rocker arm arrangement |
-
2004
- 2004-02-25 EP EP04100732A patent/EP1568859B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-02-25 AT AT04100732T patent/ATE395504T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-02-25 DE DE602004013714T patent/DE602004013714D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1568859A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 |
DE602004013714D1 (en) | 2008-06-26 |
ATE395504T1 (en) | 2008-05-15 |
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