EP1711691B1 - Joining device for an actuating lever and a supporting element of a valve operating mechanism of a combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device for the pivotal and loss-prevention joining of an actuating lever (1) and a supporting element (6) of a valve operating mechanism of a combustion engine, said supporting element being assigned to the actuating lever. According to the invention, the actuating lever (1) has, in a supporting section (3), a spherical cap-shaped cavity (5) inside of which the spherical end (7) of the supporting element (6) is placed. A recess (8) is formed underneath the spherical end (7) in the supporting element (6). The actuating lever (1) has, in the supporting section (3), a spherical upper surface (4) above the spherical cap-shaped cavity (5). A securing element (9) joins the actuating lever (1) and the supporting element (6) to one another. This securing element (9) has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape with an upper and a lower limb (10, 11) that are joined to one another via a joining section (12). Geometrically closed openings (13, 14) for accommodating the recess (8) of the supporting element (6) or the spherical upper surface (4) of the supporting section (3) of the actuating lever (1) are made in both limbs (10, 11). The opening (13) in the upper limb (10) is essentially round, and the opening (14), which is located in the lower limb (11) while being assigned to the supporting element (6), is provided, in essence, in the form of a slot.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a connecting device for the pivotable and captive connection of an actuating lever and a support element of a mechanical valve control of an internal combustion engine.

Background of the invention

From the DE 196 17 523 A1 a connecting device is known in which such an actuating lever and a support member associated therewith are pivotally and captively connected by means of a securing element. This connecting device is of particular advantage, since these assembly problems in the production of a mechanical valve control of an internal combustion engine can be avoided.

The fuse element known from this document is designed as a sheet holding clamp, wire retaining bracket or plastic retaining cap, which inter alia engages in an undercut in the support element below the spherical end of the same. In the variant of the sheet-metal retaining clip to be explained in more detail here, this securing element has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional geometry and comprises two legs which are interconnected via a connecting portion. The first, closed surface formed leg is attached to the rocker arm above a receiving dome, while the second, fork-shaped leg engages in the undercut of projecting into the calotte support element. In addition, both legs have at their free ends retaining lugs, with which the securing element can be captively clamped to the drag lever and the support element.

Although this known connection device has a number of advantages, it must nevertheless be regarded as disadvantageous that correspondingly adapted securing elements are required for different rocker lever geometries.

From the US 6,047,675 B2 and the US 6,543,402 B2 In each case, a further valve control for an internal combustion engine is known, in which likewise wire-shaped or formed as sheet metal parts securing elements are used to connect the rocker arm and the support element. Again, the sheet holding clip is U-shaped, wherein the two mutually parallel sheet metal legs are connected to each other via a connecting portion.

In addition, different from the DE 196 17 523 A1 the two legs in the region of their free ends on circular or U-shaped receiving openings. While the lower leg of this securing element acts on the support element, the upper leg with its receiving opening comprises a part of the spherical top of that receiving dome in which the likewise spherically shaped upper side of the support element is mounted in the sense of a ball joint.

Of particular importance in the Blechhalteklammer with the geometrically closed openings in the legs that project into each of these receiving openings projections frictionally abut the undercut-free cylindrical part of the support element and this pincer-like hold or be pressed onto the spherical top of the support element.

A disadvantage of this connection device is estimated that the support member is held by the sheet holding clamp only pliers and by means of frictional engagement. Since an intervention in a not existing here undercut of the support element is not provided, must be at higher mechanical loads be expected with a falling apart of rocker arm and support.

Summary of the invention

Against this background, the invention has for its object to provide a connecting device for a finger lever-support element connection, which is suitable for rocker arms with different rocker arms geometries in the connection region to the support element. In addition, this connection device should ensure a secure articulated and captive connection between the drag lever and the support even with stronger mechanical loads. Finally, the securing element of the connecting device, which implements the mechanical connection between these two components, should have a low tendency to hook when stored with other securing elements in a container, be automatically mountable and inexpensive to produce.

The solution to this problem results from the features of claim 1, while advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are the dependent claims can be removed.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a connecting device for the pivotable and captive connection of an actuating lever and a support member associated therewith a valve control of an internal combustion engine, wherein the actuating lever in a support portion has a dome-shaped recess in which the spherical end of the support element is arranged at below its spherical End in the support an undercut is formed, wherein the actuating lever in the support portion above the dome-shaped recess has a spherical geometry, and in which a securing element connects the actuating lever and the support element together.

With regard to the securing element is also provided that this has a U-shaped cross-sectional geometry, wherein an upper and a lower leg are connected to each other via a connecting portion. In the legs also geometrically closed openings for receiving the undercut of the support element or the spherical top of the support portion of the actuating lever are formed. The opening in the upper leg is substantially round and substantially slit-shaped in the lower leg.

In an embodiment of the invention can be provided that the actuating lever is designed as a drag lever and the support element as an axially movable piston.

With regard to the securing element, it is considered advantageous if its material thickness is below the width of the undercut, so that it is freely movable in all pivot positions of the operating lever in the backward pass.

According to a further embodiment of the securing element, the legs and in particular the connecting portion of the securing element are smooth-surfaced, whereby the Verhakungsneigung of such a securing element reduced in a mounting reservoir and easy attachment to the operating lever and on the support element is favored. In particular, the closed surface of the connecting portion allows the gripping of this component with an automatic assembly suction pads.

Above all, the attachment of the securing element on the actuating lever between the side walls is facilitated when the legs of the securing element in the region of their free ends have insertion bevels through which these legs are quasi sharpened.

A further ease of assembly when assembling the actuating lever and the support element can be achieved in a further development of the invention in that the free ends of the legs are formed facing away from each other.

The fixation of the securing element on the support element is also favored in a further development of the invention if the slot-shaped opening in the lower leg has a stadium-like geometry, in which two mutually parallel opening sections are connected by semicircular opening sections.

The necessary for attaching the securing element on the support expansion of this opening in the lower leg is further facilitated if at least one of said semicircular opening portions a slot-like extension of the opening is formed with preferably smaller opening width. As a result, the subsections of the lower leg can rotate more easily against each other during axial attachment to the support element, so that the opening cross section increases briefly. After the mentioned plugging, the original smooth surface of the lower leg is formed back, so that this leg then captively engages in the undercut of the support element.

In addition, the opening in the upper leg of the securing element is designed such that it finds a secure hold on the spherical, that is, for example, ball-head-shaped upper side of the supporting section of the actuating lever.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the opening width in the lower leg transverse to its longitudinal extent is smaller than the diameter of the opening of the upper leg. By means of this combination, it is achieved that, given a predefined puncture depth, sufficient support is provided on the spherical upper side of the actuating lever, or, for a given opening diameter in the upper limb, a sufficiently large undercut depth can be used. It is essential for a secure hold that the width of the opening in the lower leg transverse to the longitudinal extent of the same is smaller than the diameter of the support element above and below the undercut.

In addition, it can be provided that in this securing element, the upper leg is axially shorter than the lower leg. Thus, a weight and cost reduction over the same length legs is advantageously achieved, while the secure grip on the spherical top of the support portion of the actuating lever is also guaranteed if the fuse element with the opening of his upper leg does not exactly surrounds the pole portion of the spherical top of the support section.

Another aspect relates to the distance between the two legs of the fuse element. Thus, it is preferably provided that the connecting radius between the lower leg and the connecting portion is smaller than the connecting radius between the same and the upper leg. As a result, the securing element lies in the assembled state, that is slightly bent, with its connecting portion close to the one end face of the actuating lever and to the spherical upper side of the supporting section.

Finally, the invention provides that the distance between the lower leg and the upper leg of the securing element is greater near the connecting portion than in the region of the free end of the two legs. As a result, when a suitable, preferably sheet material for the securing element is selected, it is achieved that an increased resilient holding force holds together the actuating lever and the supporting element in the assembled state.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Schlepphebels,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf den Schlepphebel gemäß Fig. 1,

Figur 3

eine Querschnittsansicht A-A gemäß Fig. 2,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Sicherungselementes zur Verbindung des Schlepphebels mit einem Abstützelement,

Figur 5

eine Seitenansicht des Sicherungselementes gemäß Fig. 4,

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Sicherungselementes gemäß Fig. 4, und

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite des Sicherungselementes gemäß Fig. 4.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. Show in it

FIG. 1

a schematic side view of a finger lever,

FIG. 2

a plan view of the drag lever according to Fig. 1 .

FIG. 3

a cross-sectional view AA according to Fig. 2 .

FIG. 4

a perspective view of a securing element for connecting the finger lever with a supporting element,

FIG. 5

a side view of the fuse element according to Fig. 4 .

FIG. 6

a plan view of the top of the fuse element according to Fig. 4 , and

FIG. 7

a plan view of the underside of the fuse element according to Fig. 4 ,

Detailed description of the drawings

The FIGS. 1 to 3 show a trained as a finger lever 1 actuating lever of a known and initially described mechanical valve control of an internal combustion engine. This drag lever 1 is pivotable about a pivot axis 2 and has a support section 3, in which between two wall sections of the rocker arm 1, a spherical upper surface 4 of a dome-shaped recess 5 is formed.

As in particular the cross section AA through the finger lever 1 in FIG. 3 can be removed, takes the dome-shaped recess 5, a support member 6 for the finger lever 1, which is designed here as an axially movable piston of a not-shown piston-cylinder assembly.

The support element 6 has a spherically shaped upper side 7, which fits exactly into the dome-shaped recess 5 of the finger lever 1. Below this top 7 an undercut 8 is formed in the support member 6, which is for receiving the in Fig. 4 illustrated fuse element 9 is used.

This securing element 9 is designed here as a sheet metal component and has an upper leg 10 and a lower leg 11, which are connected to each other via a connecting portion 12.

As the perspective view of the fuse element 9 according to Fig. 4 illustrates, are in the two legs 10, 11 geometrically closed openings whose function is based on the FIGS. 5 to 7 is explained. It is important that the opening in the upper leg 10 is substantially circular and formed in the lower leg 11 is substantially slot-shaped. In addition, it is clear that the material webs on both sides of the elongated opening in the lower leg 11 engage in the undercut 8 of the support element 6, while the circular opening in the upper leg 10 is supported on the spherical upper side 4 of the finger lever 1.

In particular FIG. 5 shows, the securing element 9 consists of a curved and smooth-surfaced sheet, in which a connecting portion 12 connects an upper leg 10 and a lower leg 11 with each other. As can be easily seen from this illustration, the securing element 9 is formed from a flat piece of sheet metal in such a way that the bending or connecting radius between the lower leg 11 and the connecting section 12 is smaller than the bending radius between the same and the upper leg 10. As a result, on the one hand, a tight fit of the securing element 9 is achieved on the finger lever 1 in the mounted state, and on the other hand ensured that the connecting portion 12 for generating a raised Aufliegevorspannung in the direction of the spherical top 4 of the finger lever prevented.

Also revealed FIG. 5 in that the securing element 9 is shaped such that the distance L2 between the upper leg 10 and the lower leg 11 in the region of the connecting portion 12 is greater than the distance L1 in the region of the free ends 15, 16 thereof. By this non-parallel alignment of the two legs 10, 11, a further enlarged mechanical bias of the securing element 9 is achieved for connecting rocker arm 1 and 6 support.

Also shows FIG. 5 in that the free ends 15, 16 of the two legs 10, 11 face away from each other, which makes it easier to mount this securing element for the pivotable and captive connection of an actuating lever 1 to the supporting element 6.

As in particular the FIGS. 6 and 7 can be removed, the receiving openings in the two legs 10, 11 of the securing element 9 different diameters and geometries, but both openings are not formed fork-shaped, but geometrically closed. Thus, the opening 13 in the upper leg 10 has a substantially circular geometry, whereby the spherically shaped top 4 of the support portion 3 of the finger lever 1 are well received there, or the fuse element 9 can be supported there safely.

Deviating from this, the opening 14 in the lower leg 11 is substantially slot-shaped and in the embodiment shown here in the manner of a stadium, wherein two substantially parallel opening sections are connected to each other via two semicircular opening sections. As FIG. 7 clarified, slot-like extensions 21, 22 are additionally formed on the semicircular opening portions, which ensure a slight slipping over of the support element 6 and a trouble clipping this lower leg 11 in the undercut 8 thereof.

It can also be seen that at the free ends 15, 16 of the two legs 10, 11 insertion bevels 17, 18, 19, 20 are formed, the easy insertion of the securing element 9 between the particular in Fig. 3 allow clearly visible side walls of the rocker arm 1.

As FIG. 6 illustrates, the diameter D1 of the opening 13 in the upper leg 10 is selected to be greater than the opening width D2 in the lower leg 11 transverse to its longitudinal extent. This combination ensures that a sufficient hold on the spherical upper side of the drag lever is realized for a given undercut depth, or for a given diameter of the opening 13 on the upper side of the drag lever 1, a sufficiently large undercut depth can be used.

Finally, the show FIGS. 5 to 7 in that the upper leg 10 is axially shorter than the lower leg 11. This advantageously a weight and cost reduction over the same length legs is achieved, while the secure grip on the spherical top 4 of the support section 3 of the finger lever 6 is guaranteed even if the fuse element 9 with the opening 13 of its upper leg 10 is not exactly the pole of the spherical top 4 of the support section 3 surrounds or this is not only approximately spherical.

In addition, the slightly longer trained lower leg 11 allows a comparatively long slot-shaped opening 14, whereby the centering of securing element 6 and drag lever 1 is favored.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cam follower

2

swivel axis

3

support section

4

Spherical top

5

Dome-shaped recess

6

supporting

7

Spherical end of the support element

8th

undercut

9

fuse element

10

Upper thigh

11

Lower thigh

12

connecting portion

13

Opening up

14

Opening below

15

Free end of the upper thigh

16

Free end of the lower thigh

17

chamfer

18

chamfer

19

chamfer

20

chamfer

21

Slot-like extension

22

Slot-like extension

D1

Diameter of the upper opening

D2

Opening width in the lower leg transverse to its longitudinal extent

L1

Distance near the free end of the thighs

L2

Distance near the connecting section

Claims (15)

1. Connecting apparatus for the pivotably movable and captive connection of an actuating lever (1) and a supporting element (6), which is assigned to it, of a valve actuating mechanism of an internal combustion engine,
   in which connecting apparatus the actuating lever (1) has a dome-shaped cut-out (5) in a supporting section (3), in which dome-shaped cut-out (5) the spherical end (7) of the supporting element (6) is arranged,
   in which connecting apparatus an undercut (8) is formed in the supporting element (6) below the spherical end (7),
   in which connecting apparatus the actuating lever (1) has a spherical upper side (4) in the supporting section (3) above the dome-shaped cut-out (5),
   and in which connecting apparatus a securing element (9) connects the actuating lever (1) and the supporting element (6) to one another,
   the securing element (9) having a U-shaped cross-sectional geometry with an upper and a lower limb (10, 11) which are connected to one another by a connecting section (12),
   and geometrically closed openings (13, 14) being formed in the two limbs (10, 11) for receiving the undercut (8) of the supporting element (6) or the spherical upper side (4) of the supporting section (3) of the actuating lever (1),
   the opening (13) in the upper limb (10) being substantially round and the opening (14) which is assigned to the supporting element (6) in the lower limb (11) being substantially slot-shaped.
2. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) is configured as a drag lever.
3. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element (6) is configured as an axially movable piston.
4. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (9) has a material thickness which lies below the axial width of the undercut (8), with the result that the said securing element (9) can move freely in the undercut in all pivoting positions of the actuating lever (1).
5. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the limbs (10, 11) and the connecting section (12) of the securing element (9) are configured with smooth surfaces.
6. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limbs (10, 11) of the securing element (9) have insertion bevels (17, 18, 19, 20) in the region of their free ends (15, 16).
7. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free ends (15, 16) of the limbs (10, 11) point away from one another.
8. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (14) in the lower limb (11) has an arena-like geometry, in which two opening sections which are parallel to one another are connected by semicircular opening sections.
9. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that a slot-like extension (21, 22) of the opening (14) is formed in the lower limb (11) on at least one of the semicircular opening sections.
10. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (13) in the upper limb (10) is configured to be so sarge that it finds reliable purchase on the spherical upper side (4) of the supporting section (3) of the actuating lever (1).
11. Connecting apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the width (D2) of the opening (14) in the lower limb (11) transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the said lower limb (11) is smaller than the diameter (D1) of the opening (13) of the upper limb (10).
12. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width (D2) of the opening (14) in the lower limb (11) transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the said lower limb (11) is smaller than the diameter of the supporting element (6) above and below the undercut (8).
13. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper limb (10) is shorter axially than the lower limb (11).
14. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting radius between the lower limb (11) and the connecting section (12) is smaller than the connecting radius between the said connecting section (12) and the upper limb (10).
15. Connecting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing between the lower limb (11) and the upper limb (10) close to the connecting section (12) is greater than in the region of the free end (15, 16) of the two limbs (10, 11).

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