EP1711693B1 - Mecanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour moteur a combustion interne - Google Patents

Mecanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour moteur a combustion interne Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1711693B1
EP1711693B1 EP05704093A EP05704093A EP1711693B1 EP 1711693 B1 EP1711693 B1 EP 1711693B1 EP 05704093 A EP05704093 A EP 05704093A EP 05704093 A EP05704093 A EP 05704093A EP 1711693 B1 EP1711693 B1 EP 1711693B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control shaft
valve actuation
engaging portion
expansion coefficient
thermal expansion
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.)
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Application number
EP05704093A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1711693A1 (fr
Inventor
Yoshiaki c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K MIYAZATO
Yuji c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. YOSHIHARA
Fuminori c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. HOSODA
Takahide c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. KOSHIMIZU
Koichi c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. SHIMIZU
Manabu c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. TATENO
Masaaki c/o TOYOTA JIDOSHA K.K. TANI
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Toyota Motor Corp
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Toyota Motor Corp
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Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2004226145A external-priority patent/JP2006009774A/ja
Application filed by Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Toyota Motor Corp
Publication of EP1711693A1 publication Critical patent/EP1711693A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1711693B1 publication Critical patent/EP1711693B1/fr
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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F01L1/02—Valve drive
    • F01L1/022—Chain drive
    • 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
    • F01L13/0063—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 by modification of cam contact point by displacing an intermediate lever or wedge-shaped intermediate element, e.g. Tourtelot
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F01L1/26—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of two or more valves operated simultaneously by same transmitting-gear; peculiar to machines or engines with more than two lift-valves per cylinder
    • F01L1/267—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of two or more valves operated simultaneously by same transmitting-gear; peculiar to machines or engines with more than two lift-valves per cylinder with means for varying the timing or the lift of the valves
    • 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
    • F01L2301/00—Using particular materials
    • 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
    • F01L2305/00—Valve arrangements comprising rollers
    • 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
    • F01L2820/00—Details on specific features characterising valve gear arrangements
    • F01L2820/03—Auxiliary actuators
    • F01L2820/032—Electric motors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine that adjusts the actuation of valves by axially moving a control shaft with an actuator in the engine.
  • Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-263015 discloses such a variable valve actuation mechanism.
  • a control shaft is axially moved with an actuator, so that a slider gear engaged with the control shaft is moved axially.
  • the valve actuation such as the valve duration angle and the valve lift is adjusted.
  • a portion of the control shaft that is engaged with the slider gear receives a great force. Particularly, when the slider gear is moved in a direction for increasing the valve lift, the engaging portion is likely to receive a great force. Therefore, if the control shaft has an insufficient strength, the engaging portion can be deformed. To prevent such deformation, a control shaft is made of a high-strength material such as an iron based material.
  • the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head is significantly greater than that of the iron based material. Specifically, the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head is about twice as great as that of the iron-based material.
  • the position of the engaging portion of the control shaft relative to the cylinder head is displaced between when the engine is cold and when the engine has been warmed up. Therefore, even if the actuator detects the amount of movement of the control shaft to control the movement amount of the control shaft, the axial displacement of the engaging portion due to a temperature change can hinder an accurate control of a valve actuation such as the valve lift.
  • control shaft is made of a light alloy material such as an aluminum alloy that is the same material of the cylinder head, the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft will be the same as that of the cylinder head, and the valve actuation control will be accurate.
  • a light alloy material such as an aluminum alloy is not as strong as an iron-based material, the engaging portion is likely to be deformed by a reaction force applied by the slider gear.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine that performs a highly accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of a control shaft.
  • a variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes an intervening drive mechanism, a control shaft, and an actuator.
  • the intervening drive mechanism transmits drive force from a cam provided in a cylinder head of the engine to a valve.
  • the control shaft is engaged with a valve actuation controller provided in the intervening drive mechanism and moves the valve actuation controller in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • the actuator moves the control shaft in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • the mechanism is characterized in that the control shaft has an engaging portion that is engaged with the valve actuation controller and is made of a high strength material, wherein a remaining portion of the control shaft other than the engaging portion is made of a material that is different from the material of the engaging portion, such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head.
  • the engaging portion of the control shaft is made of a high strength material, and the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is made of a material that is different from the material of the engaging portion, such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head. Since the engaging portion of the control shaft has a high strength, the engaging portion is prevented from being deformed.
  • the remaining portion of the control shaft other than the engaging portion is not made of the same material as the engaging portion, but is made of a different material, such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head.
  • a material for adjusting the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is selected rather than a material for improving the strength, such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature changes, the axial position of the engaging portion is hardly displaced.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of the present invention is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the cylinder head be made of a light alloy material, wherein the engaging portion of the control shaft is made of an iron based material, and the remaining portion of the control shaft is made of a light alloy material.
  • the cylinder head is made of a light alloy material
  • the engaging portion of the control shaft is made of an iron based material
  • the remaining portion of the control shaft is made of a light alloy material.
  • the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft can be made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head even if the engaging portion of the control shaft is made of an iron based material.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the light alloy material be an aluminum alloy material or a magnesium alloy material.
  • the light alloy material may be an aluminum alloy material or a magnesium alloy material, and since these have similar or the same thermal expansion coefficients, the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft can be made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head even if the engaging portion of the control shaft is made of an iron based material. Accordingly, the variable valve actuation mechanism is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the remaining portion of the control shaft other than the engaging portion be made of the same material as the material of the cylinder head.
  • the remaining portion of the control shaft other than the engaging portion may be made of the same material as the material of the cylinder head. Accordingly, the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head even if the engaging portion is made of a high strength material such as an iron based material. Accordingly, the variable valve actuation mechanism is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the material and the length of the engaging portion and the material and the length of the remaining portion of the control valve other than the engaging portion be set such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft is substantially the same as the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head.
  • the material and the length of the engaging portion and the material and the length of the remaining portion of the control valve other than the engaging portion may be set such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft is substantially the same as the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head.
  • the control shaft such that its thermal expansion coefficient is compatible to that of the cylinder head, the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft is made closer to and is substantially the same as the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head. Accordingly, the variable valve actuation mechanism is capable of performing even more accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head be greater than that of the engaging portion, wherein the intervening drive mechanism is one of a plurality of intervening drive mechanisms each provided for one of the cylinders, the control shaft is common to all the intervening drive mechanisms, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the remaining portion of the control shaft other than the engaging portion is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the engaging portion, wherein the relationship of the length of the engaging portion and the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is set such that, between each adjacent pair of the intervening drive mechanisms, the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft is lower than the thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder head, and wherein the ratio of the length of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion to the length of the engaging portion between each adjacent pair of the intervening drive mechanisms gradually increases as the distance from the actuator to the pair increases.
  • the material used for the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is selected for a great thermal expansion coefficient, and therefore, in some cases, cannot be elongated due to an expected reduction of strength of expected increase in the cost. Therefore, instead of setting the thermal expansion coefficient for substantially or completely eliminating axial displacement of the engaging portion, it is advantageous for increasing the strength and reducing the cost to set a permissible range of axial displacement and to minimize the length of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion.
  • the ratio of the length of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion to the length of the engaging portion is gradually increased as the distance from the actuator increases. This prevents each engaging portion from being displaced beyond the permissible range. Also, the strength of the control shaft is prevented from being degraded, or the costs of the control shaft are prevented from being increased.
  • the intervening drive mechanisms be arranged substantially at a constant interval, and that the length of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion between each adjacent pair of the intervening drive mechanisms increase as the distance from the actuator to the pair increases.
  • the intervening drive mechanisms are arranged at a constant interval, the length of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is set to increase as the distance from the actuator to the pair increases. Accordingly, the axial displacement of all the engaging portions is prevented from exceeding the permissible range. Also, the strength of the control shaft is prevented from deteriorating, and the cost of the control shaft is prevented from being increased.
  • the engaging portions of the control shaft and the remaining portions of the control shaft other than the engaging portions be formed separately and arranged along a common axis while being brought into contact with one another to form the control shaft, and that the actuator be provided at one end of the control shaft and urging means be located at the other end of the control shaft to urge the control shaft toward the actuator.
  • the engaging portions of the control shaft and the remaining portions of the control shaft other than the engaging portions do not need to be formed integrally, but may be formed separately and located between the actuator and the urging means. This always permits the control shaft to be moved axially while the engaging portions and the remaining portions other than the engaging portions are in a contacting state when the actuator operates. Since the engaging portions and the remaining portions other than the engaging portions, which are made of different materials, do not need to be connected, the manufacture of the control shaft is simplified.
  • the material of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion along the axial direction of the control shaft is continuously arranged. That is, the material of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is not separated in the axial direction by the engaging portion made of a different material. Therefore, in the axial direction, the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is dominant in the control shaft. Therefore, even if the thermal expansion coefficient of the engaging portion is not considered and only the strength of the engaging portion is considered, the thermal expansion coefficient along the axis of the control shaft is hardly influenced.
  • a high strength material is selected for the engaging portion, and a material having substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as that of the cylinder head is selected for the remaining portion other than the engaging portion. Accordingly, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft, it is extremely easy to form a control shaft having a thermal expansion coefficient that is extremely close to or the same as that of the cylinder head.
  • the remaining portion other than the engaging portion be formed integrally, and that the engaging portion be buried in and supported by the remaining portion.
  • the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is formed integrally, and the engaging portion is buried in and supported by the remaining portion.
  • the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion is dominant in the axial direction of the control shaft.
  • the engaging portion be engaged with the valve actuation controller by means of a control pin, and that the engaging portion be provided about the control pin in the control shaft to support the control pin.
  • the engaging portion is provided only about the control pin to support the control pin, the area on the control shaft occupied by the engaging portion is limited to a certain extent.
  • the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the remaining portion other than the engaging portion can be easily made dominant.
  • valve actuation controller be engaged with a control pin supported by the engaging portion and moves as the control shaft moves in the axial direction
  • the intervening drive mechanism include an input portion and an output portion, wherein the input portion is engaged with the valve actuation controller by means of a first spline mechanism to receive valve drive force from the cam, and transmits the valve drive force to the valve actuation controller, wherein the output portion is engaged with the valve actuation controller by means of a second spline mechanism to receive the valve drive force from the valve actuation controller, and transmits the valve derive force to the valve, and wherein the helix angle of the first spline mechanism is different from the helix angle of the second spline mechanism, so that, as the control shaft moves axially, the relative positions of the input portion and the output portion are changed and the valve actuation is adjusted.
  • the intervening drive mechanism may be configured as described above, and the valve actuation can be adjusted by driving the control shaft.
  • the control shaft having the above described structure is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • a variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine which has a plurality of cylinders, according to another aspect of the present invention includes intervening drive mechanisms each provided for one of the cylinders, a control shaft, and an actuator.
  • Each intervening drive mechanism transmits drive force from one of cams provided in a cylinder head of the engine to a valve.
  • the control shaft is engaged with a valve actuation controller provided in each intervening drive mechanism and moves the valve actuation controllers in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • the actuator moves the control shaft in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • the mechanism is characterized in that the valve clearance of each valve is adjusted by a lash adjuster, wherein the leak down property of the lash adjusters are set different among the cylinders to suppress variation of the valve actuation among the cylinders due to a difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between the control shaft and the cylinder head in relation to the thermal expansion coefficient of each intervening drive mechanism.
  • Each lash adjuster has a leak down property, which refers to a property in which when receiving a certain load, the lash adjuster is moved downward due to oil leakage. If the leak down amount is small, the valve duration angle and lift corresponding to the amount of valve actuation transmitted from the intervening drive mechanisms are great. As the leak down property amount increases, the valve duration angle and lift for the same valve actuation value are reduced.
  • the sensitivity to the valve actuation changes due to the leak down properties is related to the viscosity of hydraulic oil. That is, if the viscosity of the hydraulic oil is high, the amount of oil leakage is reduced, which lowers the sensitivity of valve actuation changes due to the leak down properties. That is, even if the leak down properties greatly vary among the lash adjusters, a high viscosity of the hydraulic oil prevents the difference in the leak down properties from varying the valve actuation. Also, a low viscosity of the hydraulic oil permits the difference in the leak down properties to vary the valve actuation by a greater degree.
  • the leak down properties are varied among the cylinders to suppress variation of the valve actuation due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft and the cylinder head in relation to the intervening drive mechanisms each provided for one of the cylinders. Therefore, the differences in the thermal expansion coefficient do not cause any problems when the engine has been warmed up.
  • the hydraulic oil has a high viscosity due to a low temperature. Therefore, even if the leak down properties vary among cylinders, the valve actuation is hardly varied by the differences in the leak down properties.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of the present invention is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the leak down property value of the lash adjuster provided for a cylinder in which the valve actuation value is relatively increased due to a high temperature be set greater than the leak down property of a cylinder in which the valve actuation value is relatively decreased due to a high temperature.
  • a difference in the leak down property is prevented from influencing the valve actuation when the engine is cold. Also, when the engine has been warmed up, a difference in the leak down property permits the cylinders to have the same leak property.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of the present invention is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • a variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine which has a plurality of cylinders, according to another aspect of the present invention includes intervening drive mechanisms each provided for one of the cylinders, a control shaft, and an actuator.
  • Each intervening drive mechanism transmits drive force from one of cams provided in a cylinder head of the engine to a valve.
  • the control shaft is engaged with a valve actuation controller provided in each intervening drive mechanism and moves the valve actuation controllers in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • the actuator moves the control shaft in an axial direction to adjust the valve actuation.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism is characterized in that the valve clearance of each valve is adjusted by a lash adjuster, wherein the pressure of oil supplied to the lash adjusters is independently adjusted for each cylinder according to the temperature of the internal combustion engine to suppress variation of the valve actuation among the cylinders due to a difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between the control shaft and the cylinder head in relation to the thermal expansion coefficient of each intervening drive mechanism.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of the present invention is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • the pressure of oil supplied to the lash adjuster provided for a cylinder in which the valve actuation value is relatively increased due to a high temperature be set smaller than the pressure of oil supplied to a cylinder in which the valve actuation value is relatively decreased due to a high temperature.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of the present invention is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the configuration of a variable valve actuation mechanism of an internal combustion engine, which is a gasoline engine 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an engine) in this embodiment.
  • Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view at a cylinder.
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view that mainly shows the upper portion of the engine 2.
  • the engine 2 is mounted on a vehicle to drive the vehicle.
  • the engine 2 has a cylinder block 4, pistons 6, and a cylinder head 8 placed on the cylinder block 4.
  • the cylinder block 4, the pistons 6, and the cylinder head 8 of the engine 2 are made of a light alloy material, which is an aluminum alloy material.
  • the cylinder block 4 has cylinders 2a, the number of which is four in this embodiment.
  • a combustion chamber 10 is defined by the cylinder block 4, the associated piston 6, and the cylinder head 8.
  • Two intake valves 12 and two exhaust valves 16 are provided in each combustion chamber 10.
  • the intake valves 12 open and close intake ports 14, and the exhaust valves 16 open and close exhaust ports 18.
  • each cylinder 2a The intake ports 14 of each cylinder 2a are connected to a surge tank through an intake passage formed in an intake manifold. Air is supplied to the cylinders 2a from the surge tank through an air cleaner and the intake ports 14. A fuel injector is provided in each intake passage to inject fuel toward the intake ports 14 of each cylinder 2a.
  • the present invention is applied to an engine where fuel is injected into a section upstream of the intake valves 12.
  • the present invention may be applied to an in-cylinder fuel injection type gasoline engine, in which fuel is directly injected into each combustion chamber 10.
  • auxiliary throttle valve may be provided. In a case where such an auxiliary valve is provided, the auxiliary throttle valve is fully opened when cranking the engine 2, and is fully closed when stopping the engine 2. When, for example, an intervening drive mechanism 120 (described below) malfunctions, the opening degree of the auxiliary throttle valve is adjusted to control the intake air amount.
  • the intervening drive mechanisms 120 and roller rocker arms 52 are provided in the cylinder head 8.
  • An intake camshaft 45 has intake cams 45a, each corresponding to one of the cylinders 2a. Each pair of the intake valves 12 are lifted by valve driving force transmitted to the intake valves 12 from the corresponding intake cam 45a through the intervening drive mechanism 120 and the corresponding roller rocker arms 52.
  • a control shaft 132 is moved axially by the equilibrium between forces applied by a slide actuator 100 and an urging mechanism 102. Accordingly, the force transmitting state of the intervening drive mechanisms 120 is adjusted to vary the valve lift.
  • the intake camshaft 45 is coupled to and rotated by a crankshaft 49 of the engine 2 with a timing sprocket (alternatively, a timing gear and a timing pulley) provided at an end and a timing chain 47.
  • An exhaust camshaft 46 is provided to be rotated by rotation of the engine 2.
  • the exhaust camshaft 46 has exhaust cams 46a.
  • the exhaust valves 16 of each cylinder 2a are opened and closed with a certain valve lift by the corresponding exhaust cams 46a by means of roller rocker arms 54.
  • the exhaust ports 18 of each cylinder 2a are connected to an exhaust manifold, so that exhaust gas is emitted to the outside through catalytic converter.
  • An electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as ECU) 60 is constructed with a digital computer as the dominant constituent, and includes a central processing unit (CPU), read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), various driver circuits, an input port, and an output port, which are interconnected by a bidirectional bus. Through the input port, the ECU 60 receives signals representing an acceleration depression degree ACCP, an engine rotational speed NE, an intake air amount GA, an engine coolant temperature THW, an air-fuel ratio AF, and a reference crank angle G2.
  • the slide actuator 100 includes a ball screw shaft 100e.
  • the axial position of the ball screw shaft 100e is detected by a shaft position sensor 100d.
  • the ECU 60 receives a shaft position signal SL representing the axial position of the ball screw shaft 100e from the shaft position sensor 100d.
  • the output port of the ECU 60 is connected to the fuel injectors through the driver circuits. According to the operating state of the engine 2, the ECU 60 controls the fuel injectors to open, thereby performing fuel injection timing control and fuel injection amount control. The ECU 60 also performs other control procedures such as ignition timing control.
  • the ECU 60 sends a drive signal Ds to a slide actuator driver circuit 62, thereby adjusting the axial position of the control shaft 132 through the slide actuator 100. In this manner, the ECU 60 controls the valve lift of the intake valves 12 to a target value.
  • the slide actuator 100 includes a motor 100a, a gear portion 100b, and a ball screw portion 100c.
  • the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the motor 100a are adjusted by electricity from the actuator driver circuit 62.
  • the rotation is reduced by the gear portion 100b and transmitted to the ball screw portion 100c.
  • the ball screw shaft 100e which transmits an axial force to the control shaft 132, is moved in an axial direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the motor 100a by an amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the motor 100a.
  • the ECU 60 adjusts the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the motor 100a with the drive signal Ds such that the axial position of the ball screw shaft 100e detected by the shaft position sensor 100d corresponds to a target valve lift that is set in accordance with the operating state of the engine 2. Accordingly, the intake air amount is adjusted.
  • Each intervening drive mechanism 120 includes an input portion 122 located in the center, a first rocker cam 124 provided at one end of the input portion 122, a second rocker cam 126 provided at the other end of the input portion 122, and a slider gear 128 located inside.
  • the input portion 122 includes a housing 122a, in which an axially extending space is defined.
  • a right-hand helical spline 122b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the housing 122a.
  • Two parallel arms 122c, 122d project from the outer circumferential surface of the housing 122a.
  • a shaft 122e extends parallel to the axis of the housing 122a between distal portions of the arms 122c, 122d.
  • a roller 122f is rotatably attached to the shaft 122e. As shown in Fig. 1, force of a spring 122g is applied to the arms 122c, 122d or the housing 122a of each roller 122f. This causes the roller 122f to constantly contact the corresponding intake cam 45a.
  • Each spring 122g is located between one of the input portions 122 and the cylinder head 8 or between one of the input portions 122 and a support pipe 130.
  • Each first rocker cam 124 includes a housing 124a, in which an axially extending space is defined.
  • a left-hand helical spline 124b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the housing 124a.
  • An end of the housing 124a is covered with a ring-shaped bearing portion 124c.
  • a small hole is formed in the center of the bearing portion 124c.
  • a substantially triangular nose 124d projects from the outer circumferential surface of the housing 124a. The nose 124d forms a cam surface 124e with a concaved side.
  • the second rocker cam 126 includes a housing 126a, in which an axially extending space is defined.
  • a left-hand helical spline 126b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the inner space.
  • An end of the housing 126a is covered with a ring-shaped bearing portion 126c.
  • a small hole is formed in the center of the bearing portion 126c.
  • a substantially triangular nose 126d projects from the outer circumferential surface of the housing 126a. The nose 126d forms a cam surface 126e with a concaved side.
  • the first and second rocker cams 124, 126 are coaxially provided on the sides of the input portion 122 to contact the input portion 122 with the bearing portions 124c, 126c placed at the outer ends. Therefore, the first rocker cam 124, the second rocker cam 126, and the input portion 122 form a cylinder with an inner space.
  • each input portion 122 and the corresponding two rocker cams 124, 126 is located one of the slider gears 128 shown in Figs 7 to 9.
  • Each slider gear 128 is substantially cylindrical and has a right-hand input helical spline 128a is formed in a middle section of the outer circumferential surface.
  • a first left hand output helical spline 128c is formed at one end of the slider gear 128.
  • the first output helical spline 128c is spaced from the input helical spline 128a with a small diameter portion 128b in between.
  • a second left hand output helical spline 128e is formed at the opposite side with respect to the first output helical spline 128c.
  • the second output helical spline 128e is spaced from the input helical spline 128a with a small diameter portion 128d in between.
  • the outer diameters of the output helical splines 128c, 128e are smaller than the outer diameter of the input helical spline 128a.
  • An axial through hole 128f is formed in the slider gear 128.
  • a circumferential groove 128g is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 128f at position corresponding to the input helical spline 128a.
  • a pin insertion hole 128h is formed in the circumferential groove 128g. The pin insertion hole 128h extends radially and communicates with the outside.
  • the support pipe 130 which is partially shown in Fig. 10(A), is provided in the through hole 128f of each slider gear 128.
  • the pipe 130 is slidable in the circumferential direction.
  • the support pipe 130 is common to all the intervening drive mechanisms 120.
  • Elliptical holes 130a elongated in the axial direction are formed in the support pipe 130.
  • Each elliptical hole 130a corresponds to one of the intervening drive mechanisms 120.
  • the control shaft 132 which is shown in Fig. 10(B), is provided in the support pipe 130 as shown in Fig. 10(C).
  • the control shaft 132 is slidable along the axial direction.
  • the control shaft 132 includes four engaging portions 132c and four coupler shafts 132d.
  • the engaging portions 132c and the coupler shafts 132d are formed separately and arranged alternately in the support pipe 130 with the ends contacting each other to form the control shaft 132.
  • the engaging portions 132c and the coupler shafts 132d have the same diameter, but the engaging portions 132c are shorter than the coupler shafts 132d.
  • the engaging portions 132c are made of a high-strength material.
  • the engaging portions 132c are, for example, made of an iron based material such as cast steel or cast iron.
  • the coupler shafts 132d are made of an aluminum alloy material like the cylinder head 8.
  • Each coupler shaft 132d is formed as a rod having a circular cross-section.
  • Each engaging portion 132c has a support hole 132b extending in a radial direction as shown in Fig. 10(B).
  • the proximal portion of a control pin 132a is inserted into each support hole 132b, so that the control pin 132a projects in a radial direction.
  • the control pins 132a are made of a high-strength material.
  • the control pins 132a are, for example, made of an iron based material such as cast steel or cast iron.
  • each control pin 132a When the control shaft 132 is provided in the support pipe 130, the distal end of each control pin 132a extends through one of the elliptical holes 130a formed in the support pipe 130. As shown Fig. 12, the control pin 132a fits in the circumferential groove 128g formed in the corresponding slider gear 128.
  • the coupler shaft 132d at the right end of the control shaft 132 receives axial force from the ball screw shaft 100e of the slide actuator 100.
  • the engaging portion 132c at the left end of the control shaft 132 is urged toward the slide actuator 100 by a spring 102a provided in the urging mechanism 102 (Fig. 2) through an auxiliary shaft 133 and a pressing shaft 102c provided on a spring seat 102b.
  • the four intervening drive mechanisms 120 When transmitting force for driving the intake cams 45a, the four intervening drive mechanisms 120 apply an axial force to the control shaft 132 toward the urging mechanism 102 through the control pins 132a by means of the inner spline mechanism.
  • the force of the spring 102a is slightly greater than the axial force generated by the four intervening drive mechanisms 120.
  • the slide actuator 100 moves the ball screw shaft 100e against a force that is equivalent to the difference between the force of the spring 102a and the force generated by the intervening drive mechanisms 120.
  • the slide actuator 100 weakens a force of the ball screw shaft 100e that acts against the force of the spring 102a, so that a force in the opposite direction is generated. Accordingly, the control shaft 132 is moved using the urging force of the spring 102a.
  • the slider gears 128 are also moved by the same amount as the displacement amount of the ball screw shaft 100e. That is, the four engaging portions 132c and the four coupler shafts 132d are moved toward the slide actuator 100 while maintaining the contacting state. Accordingly, in the inner spaces of the intervening drive mechanisms 120, all the slider gears 128 engaged with the control pins 132a of the engaging portions 132c are moved in the direction of arrow H (Fig. 4) by the same amount as the displacement amount of the ball screw shaft 100e.
  • control shaft 132 is formed with the four engaging portions 132c and the four coupler shafts 132d, which are formed separately with end faces contacting each other in the support pipe 130, the control shaft 132 is capable of moving the slider gears 128 by the same amount.
  • each slider gear 128 is determined by displacement amount of the control shaft 132.
  • each slider gear 128 since each slider gear 128 is engaged with the corresponding control pin 132a at the circumferential groove 128g, each slider gear 128 can be movable along the circumferential direction regardless of the position of the corresponding control pin 132a.
  • the input helical spline 128a is meshed with the helical spline 122b in the input portion 122.
  • the first output helical spline 128c is meshed with the helical spline 124b in the first rocker cam 124, and the second output helical spline 128e is meshed with the helical spline 126b in the second rocker cam 126.
  • Each intervening drive mechanism 120 contacts bearings 136 provided on the cylinder head 8 at the bearings 124c, 126c of the rocker cams 124, 126.
  • Each intervening drive mechanism 120 is movable about the axis but prevented from moving along the axis by the corresponding bearings 136. Therefore, even if the control shaft 132 axially moves the slider gears 128, the input portions 122 and the rocker cams 124, 126 are not moved along the axis.
  • the phase difference between each input portion 122 and the corresponding rocker cams 124, 126 can be changed by means of the helical splines 128a, 122b, 128c, 124b, 128e, 126b. Accordingly, the position of each roller 122f relative to the corresponding noses 124d, 126d is changed.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism is assembled in the following manner.
  • the coupler shafts 132d and the engaging portions 132c are inserted into the support pipe 130 while arranged alternately as shown in Fig. 11.
  • the support pipe 130 is inserted into the through holes 128f of the four slider gears 128 such that each slider gear 128 is located at a position corresponding to one of the elliptical holes 130a.
  • the proximal end of the control pin 132a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 128h of each slider gear 128 through the corresponding elliptical hole 130a.
  • each control pin 132a is sufficiently spaced from the corresponding pin insertion hole 128h. This prevents each control pin 132a from falling off the corresponding support hole 132b even if the slider gears 128 is moved relative to the integrated support pipe 130 and the control shaft 132.
  • the input portions 122 and the rocker cams 124, 126 are assembled with the slider gears 128 to form an assembly.
  • the assembly is then provided on and fixed to the cylinder head 8 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the slide actuator 100 is attached to the right end of the control shaft 132.
  • the auxiliary shaft 133 shown in Fig. 11 is provided at the left end of the control shaft 132, and the urging mechanism 102 is attached to the bearings 136 to press the auxiliary shaft 133 with a pressing shaft 102c.
  • This configuration permits the position of each roller 122f relative to the corresponding noses 124d, 126d to be changed by the slide actuator 100, thereby adjusting the valve lift of the intake valves 12.
  • Figs. 13(A) and 13(B) show states of one of the intervening drive mechanisms 120, in which the force of the slide actuator 100 is adjusted such that the ball screw shaft 100e moves the control shaft 132 in the direction of arrow L (see Figs. 3 and 4) by the maximum amount against the force of the urging mechanism 102.
  • Fig. 13(A) shows a valve closing state
  • Fig. 13(B) shows a valve opening state.
  • the roller 122f of the input portion 122 and the noses 124d, 126d of the rocker cams 124, 126 are closest to each other. Therefore, even if the intake cam 45a presses the roller 122f of the input portion 122 to the lowest position as shown in Fig.
  • the cam surfaces 124e, 126e of the noses 124d, 126d press the rocker roller 52a by the minimum amount, which minimizes the valve lift of the intake valve 12. Accordingly, the intake air amount from the intake ports 14 into the combustion chamber 10 is minimized.
  • Figs. 14(A) and 14(B) show states of one of the intervening drive mechanisms 120, in which the force of the slide actuator 100 is adjusted such that the ball screw shaft 100e moves in the same direction as the force of the urging mechanism 102, and the force of the urging mechanism 102 is used to move the control shaft 132 in the direction of arrow H (see Figs. 3 and 4) by the maximum amount.
  • Fig. 14(A) shows a valve closing state
  • Fig. 14(B) shows a valve opening state. In these states, the roller 122f of the input portion 122 and the noses 124d, 126d of the rocker cams 124, 126 are furthest from each other.
  • each control pin 132a When adjusting the axial position of the control shaft 132, each control pin 132a alternately receives reaction forces indicated by arrows shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 15 from the circumferential groove 128g of the corresponding slider gear 128, or alternately receives a strong reaction force and a weak reaction force. Therefore, the control pins 132a and the engaging portions 132c, in which the support holes 132b are formed, are made of an iron based material.
  • the coupler shafts 132d which do not directly receive the reaction forces, are made of an aluminum alloy material.
  • the auxiliary shaft 133 is made of an aluminum alloy material like the coupler shafts 132d. However, the auxiliary shaft 133 may be made of an iron based material.
  • the intake valves 12 when the valve lift of the intake valves 12 is minimized, the intake valves 12 are opened by a small amount as shown in Fig. 13(B).
  • the valve lift may be set to zero, that is, the intake valves 12 may be completely closed. In this case, the intake air amount is zero.
  • the slider gears 128 correspond to valve actuation controllers
  • the slide actuator 100 corresponds to an actuator
  • the urging mechanisms 102 correspond to urging means.
  • the rocker cams 124, 126 correspond to output portions
  • the combination of the helical spline 122b of each input portion 122 and the input helical spline 128a of the corresponding slider gear 128 corresponds to a first spline mechanism.
  • the combination of the helical splines 124b, 126b of each set of the rocker cams 124, 126, and the helical splines 128c, 128e of the corresponding slider gear 128 corresponds to a second spline mechanism.
  • the first spline mechanism is of a right-hand screw type
  • the second spline mechanism is of a left-hand screw type. The helix angles of the first and second spline mechanisms thus different.
  • the first embodiment described above has the following advantages.
  • a control shaft 232 of the second embodiment has four engaging portions 232c-1 to 232c-4 and four coupler shafts 232d-1 to 232d-4.
  • the coupler shafts 232d-1 to 232d-4 are made of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient that is greater than that of the cylinder head 8.
  • the coupler shafts 232d-1 to 232d-4 are used with the engaging portions 232c-1 to 232c-4, which are made of an iron based material, such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the entire control shaft 232 is substantially equal to that of the cylinder head 8.
  • Control pins 232a-1 to 232a-4 are made of an iron-based material.
  • the other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are thus given the same reference numerals as the first embodiment.
  • the engaging portions 232c-1 to 232c-4 are made of an iron-based material the linear expansion coefficient of which is represented by a (1/°C).
  • the coupler shafts 232d-1 to 232d-4 are made of an aluminum alloy material the linear expansion coefficient of which is represented by b (1/°C).
  • the cylinder head 8 is made of an aluminum alloy material the linear expansion coefficient of which is represented by c (1/°C).
  • the material for the coupler shafts 2323-1 to 232d-4 is selected such that an inequality a ⁇ c ⁇ b is satisfied.
  • a resultant linear expansion coefficient d1 at a position corresponding to the control pin 232a-1 that is closest to the slide actuator 100 having the shaft position sensor 100d changes as indicated by a solid line in the graph of Fig. 17.
  • the length of the coupler shaft 232d-1 is represented by x1
  • the length of the engaging portion 232c-1 is represented by y1.
  • the length from the end face of the engaging portion 232c-1 contacting the coupler shaft 232d-1 to the control pin 232a-1 is represented by y1/2.
  • the equation RX:RY x1:(y1/2) is satisfied.
  • the linear expansion coefficient d1 is made to match the linear expansion coefficient c of the cylinder head 8.
  • x1 is expressed by the following equation (2).
  • x ⁇ 1 y ⁇ 1 ⁇ c - a / 2 ⁇ b - c
  • a resultant linear expansion coefficient d2 at a position corresponding to the second control pin 232a-2 from the slide actuator 100 changes as shown in Fig. 17.
  • the length of the coupler shaft 232d-2 is represented by x2
  • the length of the engaging portion 232c-2 is represented by y2.
  • the length from the end face of the engaging portion 232c-2 contacting the coupler shaft 232d-2 to the control pin 232a-2 is represented by y2/2.
  • the equation RX:RY x1 + x2:(y1+y2/2) is satisfied.
  • x2 is expressed by the following equation (7).
  • x ⁇ 2 y ⁇ 1 + y ⁇ 2 / 2 ⁇ c - a / b - c - x ⁇ 1
  • x1 and y1 are determined by the equations (4) and (5).
  • the value (y1/2 + x2 + y2/2), which represents the distance between each adjacent pair of the intervening drive mechanisms 120 is represented by M, y2 is expressed by the following equation (8).
  • y ⁇ 2 2 ⁇ M - y ⁇ 1 / 2 - x ⁇ 2
  • a resultant linear expansion coefficient d3 at a position corresponding to the third control pin 232a-3 from the slide actuator 100 changes as shown in Fig. 17.
  • the length of the coupler shaft 232d-3 is represented by x3, and the length of the engaging portion 232c-3 is represented by y3.
  • the length from the end face of the engaging portion 232c-3 contacting the coupler shaft 232d-3 to the control pin 232a-3 is represented by y3/2.
  • the equation RX:RY x1 + x2 + x3:(y1 + y2 + y3/2) is satisfied.
  • x3 is expressed by the following equation (11).
  • x ⁇ 3 y ⁇ 1 + y ⁇ 2 + y ⁇ 3 / 2 ⁇ c - a / b - c - x ⁇ 1 + x ⁇ 2
  • a resultant linear expansion coefficient d4 at a position corresponding to the fourth control pin 232a-4 from the slide actuator 100 changes as shown in Fig. 17.
  • the length of the coupler shaft 232d-4 is represented by x4, and the length of the engaging portion 232c-4 is represented by y4.
  • the length from the end face of the engaging portion 232c-4 contacting the coupler shaft 232d-4 to the control pin 232a-4 is represented by y4/2.
  • the equation RX:RY x1 + x2 + x3 + x4:(y1 + y2 + y3 + y4/2) is satisfied.
  • x4 is expressed by the following equation (15).
  • x ⁇ 4 y ⁇ 1 + y ⁇ 2 + y ⁇ 3 + y ⁇ 4 / 2 ⁇ c - a / b - c - x ⁇ 1 + x ⁇ 2 + x ⁇ 3
  • x ⁇ 4 y ⁇ 1 + y ⁇ 2 + y ⁇ 3 / 2 + M ⁇ c - a - x ⁇ 1 + x ⁇ 2 + x ⁇ 3 ⁇ b - c / b - a
  • the second embodiment as described above has the following advantages.
  • a control shaft 282 includes a single shaft main body 282d as shown in Fig. 18(A).
  • the shaft main body 282d is made of the same material as that of the cylinder head or of an aluminum alloy material the thermal expansion coefficient is substantially the same as that of the material of the cylinder head.
  • the shaft main body 282d has rectangular holes 282e, the number of which is the same as the number of the cylinders. Each rectangular hole 282e extends in the axial direction. An engaging portion 282c, the shape of which is substantially the same as the rectangular holes 282e, is fitted in each rectangular hole 282e.
  • a support hole 282b is formed in each engaging portion 282c. As shown in Fig. 19, the proximal end of a control pin 282a is inserted into and supported by each support hole 282b.
  • the engaging portions 282c and the control pins 282a are both made of a high-strength iron based material.
  • the control shaft 282 is entirely accommodated in a support pipe described in the first embodiment.
  • Each engaging portion 282c is engaged with the slider gear of the corresponding intervening drive mechanism described in the first embodiment by the control pin 282a.
  • the slide actuator and the urging mechanism are located at the ends of the control shaft 282, so that the valve actuation of the intake valves is changed as described in the first embodiment.
  • the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
  • the third embodiment described above has the following advantages.
  • a control shaft 302 is a rod made of an iron-based material as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 20.
  • a ball screw shaft 302b is integrally formed with the control shaft 302.
  • Control pins 302a are also made of an iron-based material.
  • the cylinder head of the engine is made of an aluminum alloy. As in the other embodiments, the cylinder head has a cam carrier.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates the control shaft 302 assembled with a variable valve actuation mechanism.
  • intervening drive mechanisms 320 substantially have the same configuration as those in the first embodiment, but arranged in the opposite orientation. Therefore, the intervening drive mechanisms 320 are rocked by intake cams 345a in the direction opposite to the rocking direction of the first embodiment. However, the valves are actuated in the same manner by rocking.
  • valve seats 314 are illustrated as annular bodies corresponding to the intake valves 312.
  • each nose 326d separates from the corresponding roller 322f, so that the valve actuation value of the intake valves 312 (both of the valve duration angle and the valve lift) are increased.
  • each nose 326d approaches the corresponding roller 322f, which decreases the valve duration angle and the valve lift of the intake valves 312.
  • the leak down properties of lash adjusters 350a, 350b, 350c, and 350d that adjust the valve clearances of the intake valves 312 are different from one cylinder to another.
  • the leak down property refers to a property in which when receiving a certain load, a plunger of each lash adjuster 350a to 350d is moved into the main body of the adjuster due to hydraulic oil leakage inside the lash adjuster 350a to 350d.
  • the amount of the downward movement will hereinafter be referred to as leak down amount. Therefore, even if the control shaft 302 is not axially moved, the valve duration angle and the valve lift of the intake valves 312 are reduced as the leak down property values are increased.
  • the leak down property values of the lash adjusters 350a to 350d are set such that the leak down property value LD1 of the lash adjuster 350a of the first cylinder (denoted as #1) is the greatest.
  • the leak down property values LD2, LD3, and LD4 of the lash adjusters 350b, 350c, and 350d of second cylinder #2, the third cylinder #3, and the fourth cylinder #4 are set to decrease in this order.
  • the amount of decrease in the valve duration angle and lift due to leak down is the greatest in relation to the amount of adjustment of the control shaft 302.
  • the amount of decrease decreases in the order of the cylinders #2, #3, and #4.
  • each intervening drive mechanism 320 is adjusted, for example, with a shim, at room temperature (for example, 20°C), such that the valve duration angle and lift of the intake valves 312 are constant and not varied among all the cylinders.
  • the increase amount of the valve duration angle and lift due to the difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the cylinder head and the control shaft 302 increases in the order of the cylinders #4, #3, #2, and #1. That is, the increase amount significantly varies between the cylinder #1 and the cylinder #4.
  • hydraulic oil supplied to the lash adjusters 350a to 350d has a low viscosity due to a high temperature. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 22, the sensitivity of the leak down property is noticeable, and the decrease amount of the valve duration angle and lift due to the actual leak down increases in the order of the cylinders #4, #3, #2, and #1, and significantly vary between the cylinder #1 and the cylinder #4.
  • the increase or decrease in the valve duration angle and lift are therefore set to zero. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 26, the relationship between the adjustment amount of the slide actuator and the valve duration angle and lift of the cylinders completely coincide and do not vary.
  • Fig. 27 shows a comparison example, in which lash adjusters 350a to 350d have the same leak down property.
  • the relationship between the adjustment amount of the slide actuator and the valve duration angle and lift of the cylinders significantly vary as shown in Fig. 27. If the relationships are attempted to be made coincide after the engine is warmed up in the case of the comparison example, where all the lash adjusters have the same leak down property, the relationships will greatly vary in a state where the engine is cold. That is, the relationships cannot be made to coincide both in a period when the engine is cold and in a period in the engine has been warmed up.
  • the fourth embodiment described above has the following advantages.
  • the sensitivity to the valve actuation changes due to the leak down properties is related to the viscosity of hydraulic oil. That is, if the viscosity of the hydraulic oil is high, the amount of oil leakage in the lash adjusters 350a to 350d is reduced, which lowers the sensitivity of valve actuation changes due to the leak down properties. That is, even if the leak down properties greatly vary among the lash adjusters 350a to 350d, a high viscosity of the hydraulic oil prevents the difference in the leak down properties from varying the valve duration angle and lift. Also, a low viscosity of the hydraulic oil permits the difference in the leak down properties to vary the valve duration angle and lift by a greater degree.
  • the leak down properties are varied among the cylinders to suppress variation of the valve duration angle and lift due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the control shaft 302 and the cylinder head in relation to the intervening drive mechanisms 320. Therefore, the differences in the thermal expansion coefficient do not cause any problems when the engine has been warmed up.
  • the hydraulic oil has a high viscosity due to a low temperature. Therefore, even if the leak down properties vary, the valve duration angle and lift are hardly varied by the differences in the leak down properties.
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of this embodiment is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft 302.
  • the fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the leak down properties of lash adjusters 450a, 450b, 450c, 450d shown in Fig. 28 are all the same.
  • the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fourth embodiment shown in Figs. 20 and 21.
  • the leak down properties are the same for all the lash adjusters 450a to 450d, the amount of decrease in the valve duration angle and lift due to leak down vary according to the pressure of supplied hydraulic oil as shown in Fig. 29. That is, when the pressure of supplied oil is low, the leak down amount is increased. Accordingly, the amount of decrease in the valve duration angle and lift is increased. When the pressure of supplied oil is high, the leak down amount is decreased. Accordingly, the amount of decrease is decreased.
  • An ECU 460 utilizes the phenomenon shown in Fig. 29 to compute the pressure of hydraulic oil supplied to the lash adjusters 450a to 450d based on the engine temperature (in this embodiment, the engine coolant temperature THW detected by the coolant temperature sensor 462), by referring to an oil pressure control map shown in Fig. 30.
  • a common pressure value (P4) for supplying hydraulic oil is obtained for all the cylinders #1 to #4 using the oil pressure control map (Fig. 30). Accordingly, the ECU 460 outputs a control signal to all the hydraulic pressure adjuster mechanisms 448a to 448d such that the pressure of oil supplied from the hydraulic pump 464 to the lash adjusters 450a to 450d seek the oil pressure P4.
  • the supplied oil pressure value obtained from the oil pressure control map (Fig. 30) varies among the cylinders.
  • the value of pressure of oil supplied to the lash adjuster 450d corresponding to the cylinder #4 closest to the slide actuator (to the ball screw shaft 402b) is the highest.
  • the supplied oil pressure value decreases in the order of the lash adjuster 450c corresponding to the cylinder #3, the lash adjuster 450b corresponding the cylinder #2, and the lash adjuster 450a corresponding to the cylinder #1.
  • the supplied oil pressure value corresponding to the cylinder #1 is set to a value P1
  • the supplied oil pressure value corresponding to the cylinder #2 is set to a value P2
  • the supplied oil pressure value corresponding to the cylinder #3 is set to a value P3
  • the supplied oil pressure value corresponding to the cylinder #4 is set a value P4.
  • the inequality P1 ⁇ P2 ⁇ P4 ⁇ P4 is satisfied.
  • the relationship of the supplied oil pressure values P1 to P4 is determined such that the amount of increase in the valve duration angle and lift by the intervening drive mechanisms 420 due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between the cylinder head and a control shaft 402 is cancelled by the amount of decrease in the valve duration angle and lift due to leak down.
  • the fifth embodiment described above has the following advantages.
  • the ECU 460 adjusts the pressure of oil supplied to the lash adjusters 450a to 450d according to the engine temperature (in this embodiment, the engine coolant temperature THW), thereby preventing the valve duration angle and lift from being changed by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the cylinder head and the control shaft 402. That is, using the oil pressure control map of Fig. 30, the ECU 460 decreases the pressure of oil supplied to the lash adjusters 450a to 450d according to the engine coolant temperature THW in the order of the cylinder #4 to the cylinder #1.
  • the engine temperature in this embodiment, the engine coolant temperature THW
  • variable valve actuation mechanism of this embodiment is capable of performing accurate valve actuation control, while maintaining the strength of the control shaft 402.
  • Fig. 31 illustrates a control shaft 532, which includes engaging portions 532c and coupler shafts 532d.
  • the sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the relationship in the lengths of each engaging portion 532c and corresponding coupler shaft 532d varies between the intervening drive mechanisms, which are arranged at an equal interval.
  • the engaging portions 132c which are made of an iron based material such as cast steel or cast iron, are formed to have the minimum length.
  • the coupler shafts 132d which are made of an aluminum alloy material like the cylinder head, are formed to have the maximum length. Accordingly, the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient between the control shaft and the cylinder head is minimized.
  • the coupler shafts 132d of the intervening drive mechanisms have the same length.
  • the lengths of the engaging portions 532c and the coupler shafts 532d are determined such that the displacement of the positions of the control pins 532a due to thermal expansion coefficient difference is within the permissible range, and that the lengths of the coupler shafts 532d are minimized.
  • the slide actuator of the sixth embodiment axially moves and detects the axial position of a ball screw shaft 500e, which has a proximal end 500f.
  • a length relationship R4 between the proximal end 500f of the ball screw shaft 500e and the control pin 532a(#4) corresponding to the fourth cylinder #4 is set as shown in Fig 32(A).
  • each slant solid line represents a state in which a displacement amount increases as the ratio of the length of the corresponding coupler shaft 532d decreases.
  • the horizontal axis represents the distance from the proximal end 500f of the ball screw shaft 500e.
  • a slant broken line represents a displacement amount in a case where the control shaft is entirely made of an iron based material such as cast steel or cast iron.
  • a length relationship R3 between the control pin 532a(#4) and the control pin 532a(#3) corresponding to the third cylinder #3 is set as shown in Fig 32(B). That is, the relationship between the length a3 of the coupler shaft 532d(#3) corresponding to the third cylinder #3 and the length b3 of the remainder of the engaging portion 532c(#3, #4) corresponding to the third and fourth cylinders #3 and #4 is determined such that a displacement V3 of the control pin 532a( #3) relative to the cylinder head is less than the permissible displacement amount between when the engine is cold and when the engine has been warmed up.
  • the displacement amount V3 contains the displacement amount V4.
  • the length a3 of the coupler shaft 532d(#3) is longer than the length a4 of the coupler shaft 532d(#4).
  • a length relationship R2 between the control pin 532a(#3) and the control pin 532a(#2) corresponding to the second cylinder #2 is set as shown in Fig 32(C). That is, the relationship between the length a2 of the coupler shaft 532d(#2) corresponding to the second cylinder #2 and the length b2 of the remainder of the engaging portion 532c(#2, #3) corresponding to the second and third cylinders #2 and #3 is determined such that a displacement V2 of the control pin 532a( #2) relative to the cylinder head is less than the permissible displacement amount between when the engine is cold and when the engine has been warmed up.
  • the displacement amount V2 contains the displacement amount V3, and the length a2 of the coupler shaft 532d(#2) is longer than the length a3 of the coupler shaft 532d(#3).
  • a length relationship R1 between the control pin 532a(#2) and the control pin 532a(#1) corresponding to the first cylinder #1 is set as shown in Fig 32(D). That is, the relationship between the length a1 of the coupler shaft 532d(#1) corresponding to the first cylinder #1 and the length b1 of the remainder of the engaging portion 532c(#1, #2) corresponding to the first and second cylinders #1 and #2 is determined such that a displacement V1 of the control pin 532a( #1) relative to the cylinder head is less than the permissible displacement amount between when the engine is cold and when the engine has been warmed up.
  • the displacement amount V1 contains the displacement amount V2, and the length a1 of the coupler shaft 532d(#1) is longer than the length a2 of the coupler shaft 532d(#2).
  • the sixth embodiment described above has the following advantages.

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  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, des parties de prise (132c) entrant en prise avec un engrenage coulissant sont constituées d'un matériau à base de fer, et des arbres de couplage (132d) sont constitués d'un alliage d'aluminium qui est le même matériau que celui d'une culasse. Ainsi, par comparaison avec le cas où l'arbre de commande (132) est entièrement constitué d'un matériau à base de fer, le coefficient de dilatation thermique de l'arbre de commande (132) est plus proche de celui de la culasse. Par conséquent, même si la température ambiante change, la position de chaque partie de prise (132c) par rapport à la culasse ne peut pas changer. En outre, étant donné qu'elles sont constituées d'un matériau à base de fer, les parties de prise (132c) présentent une résistance suffisante, ce qui empêche la déformation de l'arbre de commande (132).

Claims (16)

  1. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour un moteur à combustion interne, le mécanisme comprenant un mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant (120), un arbre de commande (132), et un actionneur (100), dans lequel le mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant transmet une force d'entraînement depuis une came (45a), prévue dans une culasse du moteur, vers une soupape (12), l'arbre de commande est en prise avec un dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape (128) prévu à l'intérieur du mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant, et déplace le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, et l'actionneur déplace l'arbre de commande dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, le mécanisme étant caractérisé en ce que :
    le moteur à combustion interne a une pluralité de cylindres (2a), le mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant est l'un d'une pluralité de mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants qui sont chacun prévus pour l'un des cylindres ;
    l'arbre de commande a une portion de mise en prise (132c) qui est en prise avec le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape, et qui est faite en un matériau d'une grande résistance, dans lequel une portion restante (132d) de l'arbre de commande, autre que la portion de mise en prise, est faite en un matériau qui est différent du matériau de la portion de mise en prise, de telle sorte que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de l'arbre de commande tout entier est amené à devenir plus proche du coefficient de dilatation thermique de la culasse ;
    l'arbre de commande est commun à l'ensemble des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants, la portion de mise en prise (132c) est l'une d'une pluralité de portions de mise en prise, et la portion restante (132d) est l'une d'une pluralité de portions restantes, la portion de mise en prise et la portion restante sont disposées de manière alternée.
  2. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la culasse est faite en un matériau en alliage léger, dans lequel la portion de mise en prise de l'arbre de commande est faite en un matériau à base de fer, et la portion restante de l'arbre de commande est faite en un matériau en alliage léger.
  3. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le matériau en alliage léger est un matériau en alliage d'aluminium ou un matériau en alliage de magnésium.
  4. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la portion restante de l'arbre de commande, autre que la portion de mise en prise, est faite dans le même matériau que le matériau de la culasse.
  5. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que le matériau et la longueur de la portion de mise en prise, et le matériau et la longueur de la portion restante de l'arbre de commande, autre que la portion de mise en prise, sont définis de telle sorte que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de l'arbre de commande est sensiblement le même que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la culasse.
  6. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que :
    le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la culasse est plus élevé que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la portion de mise en prise de l'arbre de commande, et le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la portion restante de l'arbre de commande, autre que la portion de mise en prise, est plus élevé que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la portion de mise en prise ;
    dans lequel, entre chaque paire adjacente des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants, le coefficient de dilatation thermique de l'arbre de commande est défini à une valeur moins élevée que le coefficient de dilatation thermique de la culasse, et dans lequel le rapport entre la longueur de la portion restante, autre que la portion de mise en prise, et la longueur de la portion de mise en prise entre chaque paire adjacente des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants augmente progressivement à mesure que la distance entre l'actionneur et la paire augmente.
  7. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants sont arrangés sensiblement à un intervalle constant, et dans lequel la longueur de la portion restante, autre que la portion de mise en prise, entre chaque paire adjacente des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants augmente à mesure que la distance entre l'actionneur et la paire augmente.
  8. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que les portions de mise en prise de l'arbre de commande et les portions restantes de l'arbre de commande, autres que les portions de mise en prise, sont formées séparément et sont arrangées le long d'un axe commun tout en étant amenées en contact les unes avec les autres de façon à former l'arbre de commande, et dans lequel l'actionneur est réalisé au niveau de l'une des extrémités de l'arbre de commande, et des moyens de sollicitation sont disposés au niveau de l'autre extrémité de l'arbre de commande de façon à solliciter l'arbre de commande vers l'actionneur.
  9. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la continuité du matériau de la portion restante, autre que la portion de mise en prise, dans la direction axiale de l'arbre de commande est maintenue.
  10. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la portion restante, autre que la portion de mise en prise, est formée intégralement, dans lequel la portion de mise en prise est noyée dans, et supportée par, la portion restante.
  11. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 9 ou 10, caractérisé en ce que la portion de mise en prise est mise en prise avec le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape au moyen d'un axe de commande, dans lequel la portion de mise en prise est réalisée autour de l'axe de commande, dans l'arbre de commande, de façon à supporter l'axe de commande.
  12. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce que :
    le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape est en prise avec un axe de commande supporté par la portion de mise en prise et se déplace lorsque l'arbre de commande se déplace dans la direction axiale, et en ce que le mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant comprend :
    une portion d'entrée, dans lequel la portion d'entrée est en prise avec le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape au moyen d'un premier mécanisme à cannelures de façon à recevoir une force d'entraînement de soupape en provenance de la came, et transmet la force d'entraînement de soupape au dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape ; et
    une portion de sortie, dans lequel la portion de sortie est en prise avec le dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape au moyen d'un second mécanisme à cannelures de façon à recevoir la force d'entraînement de soupape en provenance du dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape, et transmet la force d'entraînement de soupape à la soupape,
    dans lequel l'angle d'hélice du premier mécanisme à cannelures est différent de l'angle d'hélice du second mécanisme à cannelures, de telle sorte que, lorsque l'arbre de commande se déplace dans la direction axiale, les positions relatives de la portion d'entrée et de la portion de sortie sont modifiées, et que l'actionnement de soupape est réglé.
  13. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour un moteur à combustion interne ayant une pluralité de cylindres (2a), le mécanisme comprenant des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants (120), qui sont réalisés chacun pour l'un des cylindres, un arbre de commande (132), et un actionneur (100), dans lequel chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant transmet une force d'entraînement depuis l'une de cames (45a) réalisées dans une culasse du moteur vers une soupape (12), l'arbre de commande est en prise avec un dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape (128) réalisé dans chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant et déplace les dispositifs de commande d'actionnement de soupape dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, et l'actionneur déplace l'arbre de commande dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, le mécanisme étant caractérisé en ce que :
    le jeu aux soupapes de chaque soupape est réglé par un dispositif de réglage de jeu (350a - 350d), dans lequel la propriété d'étanchéité des dispositifs de réglage de jeu est réglée différemment entre les cylindres de façon à supprimer une variation de l'actionnement de soupape entre les cylindres en raison d'une différence dans le coefficient de dilatation thermique entre l'arbre de commande et la culasse par rapport au coefficient de dilatation thermique de chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant.
  14. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que, en créant la différence dans le coefficient de dilatation thermique, la propriété d'étanchéité du dispositif de réglage de jeu réalisé pour un cylindre dans lequel la valeur d'actionnement de soupape est relativement augmentée en raison d'une température élevée, est définie à une valeur plus élevée que la valeur de la propriété d'étanchéité d'un cylindre dans lequel la valeur d'actionnement de soupape est relativement réduite en raison d'une température élevée.
  15. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour un moteur à combustion interne ayant une pluralité de cylindres (2a), le mécanisme comprenant des mécanismes d'entraînement intervenants (120), qui sont réalisés chacun pour l'un des cylindres, un arbre de commande (132), et un actionneur (100), dans lequel chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant transmet une force d'entraînement depuis l'une de cames (45a) réalisées dans une culasse du moteur vers une soupape (12), l'arbre de commande est en prise avec un dispositif de commande d'actionnement de soupape (128) réalisé dans chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant et déplace les dispositifs de commande d'actionnement de soupape dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, et l'actionneur déplace l'arbre de commande dans une direction axiale dans le but de régler l'actionnement de soupape, le mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant étant caractérisé en ce que :
    le jeu aux soupapes de chaque soupape est réglé par un dispositif de réglage de jeu (350a - 350d), dans lequel la pression d'huile fournie aux dispositifs de réglage de jeu est réglée indépendamment pour chaque cylindre en fonction de la température du moteur à combustion interne de façon à supprimer une variation de l'actionnement de soupape entre les cylindres en raison d'une différence dans le coefficient de dilatation thermique entre l'arbre de commande et la culasse par rapport au coefficient de dilatation thermique de chaque mécanisme d'entraînement intervenant.
  16. Mécanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce que, en créant la différence dans le coefficient de dilatation thermique, la pression d'huile fournie au dispositif de réglage de jeu réalisé pour un cylindre dans lequel la valeur d'actionnement de soupape est relativement augmentée en raison d'une température élevée, est définie à une valeur moins élevée que la pression d'huile fournie à un cylindre dans lequel la valeur d'actionnement de soupape est relativement réduite en raison d'une température élevée.
EP05704093A 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Mecanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour moteur a combustion interne Active EP1711693B1 (fr)

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JP2004010896 2004-01-19
JP2004153936 2004-05-24
JP2004226145A JP2006009774A (ja) 2003-08-08 2004-08-02 内燃機関の可変動弁機構
PCT/JP2005/000949 WO2005068793A1 (fr) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Mecanisme d'actionnement de soupape variable pour moteur a combustion interne

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US7464677B2 (en) 2006-05-15 2008-12-16 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Compact lash adjuster feed channel apparatus
US8640660B2 (en) 2011-03-10 2014-02-04 Jesper Frickmann Continuously variable valve actuation apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US9032920B2 (en) * 2012-01-01 2015-05-19 Brian Robards Axial piston internal combustion engine using an Atkinson cycle
WO2013161060A1 (fr) * 2012-04-27 2013-10-31 トヨタ自動車 株式会社 Mécanisme de soupape pour moteur à combustion interne et dispositif de commande pour mécanisme de soupape
JP2016035252A (ja) * 2014-08-04 2016-03-17 トヨタ自動車株式会社 内燃機関の動弁装置
DE102016208472A1 (de) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-23 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Anordnung zur elektromechanischen Betätigung zumindest eines schaltbaren Schlepphebels für einen Ventiltrieb einer Brennkraftmaschine

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EP1711693A1 (fr) 2006-10-18
US20070163523A1 (en) 2007-07-19

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