JP2004525291A - Valve cover cylinder head assembly bonded with adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve cover (21) having an mating surface (26) for joining to a cylinder head (20) of an internal combustion engine having a continuous bead of adhesive (22) disposed on the mating surface (25). Valve cover assembly. A cylinder head (20) including one or more valve covers (21), having a mating surface (25) that matches the mating surface (26) of the valve cover (21), and a mating surface (26); Each valve cover (21) is an engine assembly that is bonded to the cylinder head with an adhesive. A method of joining a valve cover (21) to a cylinder head (20), comprising: a) a valve cover (21) or a cylinder head (20) (this valve cover (21) is connected to a mating surface (25) of a cylinder head). Applying a continuous bead or film of adhesive (22) over the mating surface (26) of the valve cover or the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head; b) a continuous bead of adhesive or The mating surface (26) of the valve cover and the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head are arranged such that the film (22) is located between the mating surface (26) of the valve cover and the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head. Contacting; c) curing the adhesive (22) to form a permanent bond between the mating surface (26) of the valve cover and the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head, where the adhesive is applied to the valve cover Forming a seal between (21) and the cylinder head (20). Way.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a valve cover assembly for an internal combustion engine in which a valve cover is bonded to a cylinder head with an adhesive. The present invention also relates to a valve cover for use in an assembly having an adhesive that cures when needed.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Automobile and truck engines have their valve members covered by covers to protect valves and internal components from external contamination and to store engine oil and combustion gases within the engine. These covers are variously called valve covers, rocker covers, and cam covers. Traditionally, this valve cover has been manufactured from a metallic material such as steel, magnesium or aluminum. Recently, to reduce cost and weight, valve covers have been manufactured from thermoset plastic or thermoplastic materials that can withstand high under-bonnet temperatures. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,492,086, U.S. Patent No. 5,375,569, U.S. Patent No. 5,746,168, and U.S. Patent No. 5,363,759. Typically, the valve cover is attached to the engine by bolting to the cylinder head. A gasket is disposed between the valve cover and the cylinder head to seal the internal engine members from the external environment and to store engine oil and combustion gases.
[0003]
It is well known that certain plastic materials deform when exposed to high temperatures and pressures. This is remarkable when a thermoplastic material is used as the valve cover and the thermoplastic material cover is tightly bolted. Usually, mechanical locking will compress and deform the valve cover and gasket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,901 describes a solution to this problem. This patent discloses the use of a low deformable material as a flange bolted to a cylinder head, wherein a valve cover is mechanically or chemically secured to the flange.
[0004]
A problem with conventional valve covers is that they require laborious and costly mechanical fastening devices, such as bolt and threaded bolt holes, to install the valve cover on the engine. The need to use threaded bolt holes requires additional machining and cost. Further, conventional assembly means requires the use of gaskets to seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head. This requires considerable effort. In addition, the gasket deforms, aging cracks and leaks, affecting engine characteristics and requiring costly repairs.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0005]
There is a need for a valve cover that can be secured to an engine without the need for gaskets and costly mechanical securing means (eg, bolts and threaded bolt holes). Further, there is a need for an engine assembly having a valve cover secured to a cylinder head of an engine in which the valve cover is secured without the need for gaskets and costly mechanical securing means (eg, bolts and threaded bolt holes). I have. There is also a need for a method of securing a valve cover to an engine cylinder head without the need for gaskets and costly mechanical securing means (eg, bolts and threaded bolt holes). Here, the expensive mechanical fixing means refers to a mechanical means for joining the valve cover to the cylinder head, which requires expensive parts, a large amount of labor, expensive machining, or a combination thereof.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
The present invention is a valve cover assembly including a valve cover, the valve cover having a mating surface that is joined to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, around which a continuous bead of adhesive is provided. Are located. Preferably, the valve cover does not have a bolt hole for fixing the valve cover. Preferably, the adhesive is an adhesive that secures the valve cover and cures when needed.
[0007]
In another aspect, the invention relates to one or more valve covers (each valve cover having an mating surface) and one or more cylinder heads (each cylinder head), preferably without bolt holes for securing one or more valve covers. Having an mating surface that matches the mating surface of the valve cover), each valve cover being an engine assembly that is bonded to the cylinder head by an adhesive along the mating surface. A continuous layer of adhesive is located and joined between the mating surface of each valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head. This continuous layer of adhesive forms a seal between the mating surface of each valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head.
[0008]
In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of joining a valve cover to a cylinder head, the method comprising:
a) applying a continuous bead of adhesive to either the cylinder head or the valve cover, each of which has a mating surface suitable for mating;
b) bringing the mating surface of the valve cover into contact with the mating surface of the cylinder head so that continuous beads of adhesive are located between the mating surface of the valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head;
c) curing the adhesive to form a permanent bond between the mating surface of the valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head, where the adhesive forms a seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head;
including.
【The invention's effect】
[0009]
The present invention provides a means to assemble a valve cover into an engine without the need for expensive mechanical mounting means, without the need for gaskets, or without specially preparing the mating surfaces of either the valve cover or the cylinder head. provide. The invention makes it possible to assemble the engine with a great reduction in the labor required for assembling the engine. Further, the present invention allows for engine assembly without the need for asking when securing either the gasket or the valve cover.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0010]
As used herein, the term "valve cover" includes a valve cover, a cam cover, a rocket cover, and a cylinder head cover. The valve cover is installed on the cylinder head to prevent the cylinder and the internal engine members from being exposed to the outside and to be damaged, and to store engine oil and exhaust gas. The valve cover useful in the present invention can be of any shape and size as long as it performs the desired function. The valve cover may be manufactured from any conventional material commonly used for valve covers, such as metal, plastic or plastic-based composites. Preferred metals include steel, aluminum and magnesium. Plastic base materials may be thermoset plastics and thermoplastics. The plastic base material may be reinforced by common reinforcing materials, for example glass fibers. Useful thermoset materials are based on epoxy, polyester, divinylbenzene, and dicyclopentadiene resins. Preferred thermoplastic materials are polybutylene terephthalate, polyetherimide, polyphenylene ether / polyamide resin, polyether sulfone resin, polyether ketone resin, liquid crystal polymer, polyaryl sulfone resin, polyamide imide resin, polyphthalimide resin, nylon 6,6 And nylon 6 polyamide resin, polypropylene, syndiotactic polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is nylon 6,6 or a blend of nylon 6 and syndiotactic polystyrene. For example, it is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 263,954, filed January 24, 2001, entitled "Toughened Polymer Blends With Improved Properties". Common additives such as glass fibers, minerals and impact modifiers may also be included in the resin. From the viewpoint of balance between properties and cost, preferred thermoplastic resins are nylon 6,6 and nylon 6 polyamide resins, syndiotactic polystyrene and mixtures thereof. Of the materials useful in processing valve covers, plastic materials are particularly preferred. This is because plastic materials are lighter than metals and have more design flexibility.
[0011]
The valve cover is joined to the cylinder head using an adhesive. Any adhesive that can withstand the service conditions of an automobile engine after curing can be used. Preferably, such adhesives do not decompose or delaminate at temperatures up to 138 ° C, preferably up to 143 ° C, even more preferably up to 160 ° C, most preferably up to 191 ° C.
[0012]
In addition, the adhesive must be able to withstand the hydrocarbon materials, engine oil, calcium chloride, berake fluid, glycol coolant and washer fluid at the temperatures and pressures reached by the internal combustion engine. The adhesive must be able to bond to the material used to manufacture the valve cover and the material used to manufacture the cylinder head, such as iron, aluminum and magnesium. The adhesive used is a structural adhesive that is an adhesive having sufficient bonding strength to secure the valve cover under normal operating conditions. Preferably, the bond strength is measured in lap shear mode according to ASTM D3165-91 or in tensile mode according to ASTM D638 Type 4, and is greater than 250 psi (1724 kPa), more preferably greater than 500 psi (3447 kPa), most preferably greater than 1000 psi (6895 kPa). It is. The adhesive used can be cured by various mechanisms, including heat curing, infrared curing, ultraviolet curing, chemical curing, solvent loss and moisture curing. In other embodiments, the adhesive is an adhesive that cures when needed, requiring another operation to initiate curing. In one aspect, this is achieved by using an encapsulated hardener that needs to be ruptured. In another embodiment, this is achieved by removing the protective coating and exposing the adhesive to ambient conditions. Curing is initiated by exposing the adhesive to heat, infrared or ultraviolet light, or shear. Preferably, the adhesive is a high temperature epoxy, polyimide, hybrid polyimide / epoxy resin adhesive, silicone, fluorosilicone, alkyl borane-initiated acrylic adhesive, or epoxy novolak / nitrile rubber adhesive. High-temperature adhesive means an adhesive that can withstand the above-mentioned high temperatures without decomposing or peeling when cured.
[0013]
The valve cover may be designed in any suitable manner to perform its function. The valve cover useful in the present invention has a mating surface that mates with the mating surface of the cylinder head such that the two mating surfaces form a tight seal with the adhesive. Any suitable shape of this mating surface may be used. For example, the two mating surfaces may be flat across their surfaces and may form a lap joint, a scarf joint, or a protrusion in the groove.
[0014]
In one aspect, the invention is a valve cover having a continuous bead or film of adhesive disposed on a mating surface. As used herein, a continuous bead or film of adhesive is a bead or film of adhesive disposed along the perimeter of the mating surface, with the end of the bead or film of adhesive being the leading end of the bead or film of the adhesive. Means connected. This continuous bead or film of adhesive, when cured, can form an air and liquid tight seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head. This allows the use of adhesive beads or films instead of gaskets as sealing means between the valve cover and the cylinder head. The adhesive may be applied to the valve cover at a location where the valve cover contacts the cylinder head, or may be applied to a location other than where the valve cover contacts the cylinder head. Here, "another" means both time and place. If the adhesive is applied to the valve cover at a location other than where the valve cover and cylinder head are in contact, an adhesive that cures when necessary must be used.
[0015]
In one aspect, the valve cover may include an integral mechanical securing means for securing the valve cover on the cylinder head until the adhesive cures. Such integral mechanical fixing means means for holding the valve cover and cylinder head for a relatively short time as the adhesive cures. Such means are not designed to hold the parts together during operation of the engine. Integrally means that the fixing means is part of the valve cover, the cylinder head or both. Examples of such securing means are located along the inner surface of the valve cover and cylinder head or along the entire inner surface of the cylinder head valve cover. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical securing means is a snap-fit means. Preferably, the mechanical fixing means is arranged inside the valve cover and the cylinder head, wherein the inside means the inside of the engine and the valve cover. This is preferred because the securing means is not visible from outside the engine. In another aspect, the valve cover has a projection protruding from the mating surface that accurately holds or guides the valve cover along the mating surface with respect to the cylinder head. In one aspect, the cylinder head has a groove that acts with a projection that holds the valve cover and cylinder head in place. In other embodiments, one or more bolts and bolt holes are included in the valve cover for purposes other than joining, such as connecting or arranging other items to the valve cover. In some embodiments, such bolts or screws have internal threads cut into the cylinder head. The primary function of such a bolt or screw is to attach the surrounding article to the valve cover. In one aspect, the valve cover has a gasket attached to a port of the valve cover. In these embodiments, this port is used to insert surrounding articles into the valve cover area, for example, a spark plug or coil. Gaskets are used to replace or repair surrounding items. Gaskets are easier to remove than cured adhesive seals. Bolts or screws are used to hold surrounding items in the port. Such bolts or screws compress into the gasket and seal the port to the valve cover.
[0016]
In another aspect, the invention is an engine assembly in which a valve cover is joined to a cylinder head by an adhesive disposed between the valve cover and the cylinder head. The adhesive is in the form of a continuous bead or film that seals the entire joint between the valve cover and the cylinder head. This engine assembly uses an adhesive bond and a plastic valve cover, thus allowing the use of a multifunctional valve cover that can add other components and functions to the valve cover and engine assembly.
[0017]
The valve cover of the present invention may further include one or more ports that allow access to the cylinder head. A port is an opening in the valve cover that allows access. Each port must have means to cover and seal the access port to perform its function. In a preferred embodiment, the port is covered by a cover that seals the valve cover to prevent or greatly reduce the passage of gases and liquids through the valve cover during operation of the engine. Significant reduction in passage means that most of the gases and liquids that would have passed without the seal present would not pass. The shape and size of this port can be any that allows access and allows the valve cover to be sealed during operation. The port may be over the top of the valve cover, in which case the cover of the port will be on top of the valve cover. In this embodiment, the top is joined to the rest of the valve cover using any means that can seal between the rest of the valve cover and the cover. In one aspect, the port or cover forms a ridge around the port or cover, and the other cover or port has a groove that mates with the ridge and forms a seal when the ridge mates with the groove. The ridge and groove may include means for securing and sealing the ridge in the groove. In other aspects, the one or more ports are smaller and the cover can be any cover that seals this port. In one aspect, the valve cover may have a port for each cylinder. The cover may include a female screw portion that fits with a male screw having a cap. The cap may be joined to the port by any joining means, such as a device that is compatible with the cover and has a projection that allows the grooved cover to be joined to the port by screwing the groove into the projection. In the case of a screw-in cap, the port preferably protrudes from the valve cover and is preferably a thing that facilitates joining of the cover, such as a female screw. Alternatively, the valve cover may include an area with internal threads for screwing the cover.
[0018]
The cover on the port of the valve cover or the valve cover may include other devices that interact with the engine. Any device located on the valve cover and capable of performing its required function may be located on the valve cover or port cover. Examples of devices that may be provided on the valve cover or port cover include coils, pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) systems, fuel flow paths and fuel injection ports. For coils, pcv systems and fuel injection ports, it is preferred to provide ports and associated devices on the valve cover for each cylinder. The port cover can be made from a material that meets the conditions to which the valve cover is exposed. Preferably, the valve cover and the port cover are manufactured from the same material.
[0019]
In the manufacture of engine assemblies, the adhesive is applied to the valve cover or cylinder head by contacting the adhesive with the mating surface in the form of a continuous bead or film. The adhesive may be coated on the surface, extruded, or brushed. Preferably, the adhesive is applied to the mating surface of the valve cover. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is applied as a continuous bead or film to the mating surface of the valve cover. The adhesive may be applied immediately before the valve cover is brought into contact with the cylinder head, or may be applied to a portion remote from the portion where the valve cover is joined to the cylinder head, or may be applied before the joining operation. Good. When the adhesive is applied immediately before bringing the valve cover into contact with the cylinder head, any adhesive satisfying the above conditions may be used. If the adhesive is to be applied to a remote site or at another time, an adhesive that cures when appropriate may be used. The adhesive, which cures when necessary, is subjected to conditions under which it will cure, thereby joining the valve cover to the cylinder head and forming a seal therebetween. Such conditions are applied before or after contacting the cylinder head with the valve cover. Which operation to use to cure the adhesive is determined by one skilled in the art. In one aspect, this operation is a unique operation in vehicle assembly.
[0020]
In another aspect, the valve cover may include an integrated sound conditioning system designed to prevent noise inherent in the operation of the internal combustion engine leaking from the engine compartment. In one aspect, the valve cover includes two ports, one is an outer shell, the other is an inner shell, and the inner shell is disposed within the outer shell, with a gap between the two. . There is simply air in this gap, attenuating certain sound waves, and thereby reducing the noise audible to the outer shell of the engine. Alternatively, the gap is filled with a soundproofing material, such as a recycled wool pad, a nonwoven mat, an elastomeric material or a foam material. In another aspect, the valve cover has a soundproof material, such as an elastomer or foam, bonded to the interior surface thereof.
[0021]
In another aspect, the valve cover of the present invention includes an external or internal coating or film that functions to enhance the valve cover's barrier to hydrocarbons. Such coatings or films reduce hydrocarbon emissions from motor vehicles. Any coating or film that prevents hydrocarbons from passing through the valve cover can be used. Preferred coatings are carbon-silica based plasma-deposited coatings such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,298,587, 5,320,875, 5,433,786 and 5,494,712.
[0022]
The drawings are described below to explain the present invention. The drawings illustrate the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional valve cover cylinder head assembly. This figure shows three main parts: cylinder head (10), gasket (11), and valve cover (12). FIG. 1 shows that the gasket (11) is located between the valve cover (12) and the cylinder head (10). The cylinder head (10) has a number of machined bolt holes (13) for receiving a number of bolts (14), and the bolts (14) and the bolt holes (13) have valve covers (13) in the cylinder head (10). 12) is fixed with a gasket (11) in between. The machined bolt holes (13) have machined threads to hold the bolts (14). The valve cover (12) and gasket (11) have a number of bolt holes (17 and 18), which are aligned with the machined bolt holes (13) in the cylinder head (10). Bolts (14) pass through spacers (15) and washers (16) into bolt holes (17) and (18) in valve cover (12), and into gasket (11), and bolt holes (13) in cylinder head (10). Screwed into. As is apparent from this figure, a large number of bolts (14) are required to solidify the valve cover (12) on the cylinder head (10). Bolts (14) compress gasket (11) to ensure a seal. The assembly of the cylinder head (10) and the valve cover (12) requires a lot of machining and labor.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the valve cover cylinder head assembly. This figure shows a cylinder head (20) and a valve cover (21) with continuous beads (22) of adhesive arranged between them. The valve cover (21) has an integral snap-fit clip (23) for fixing the valve cover (21) on the cylinder head (20) while curing the adhesive beads (22). The cylinder head (20) has a mating cut (24) that is compatible with the snap fit clip (23) and receives the clip (23) to hold the valve cover (21). Also shown is the mating surface of the cylinder head (25) that matches the corresponding mating surface of the valve cover (not shown).
[0024]
FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the valve cover (21) and the cylinder head (20) assembly. This exploded view shows a cross section of a cylinder head (20), a valve cover (21), and an adhesive bead (22) disposed therebetween. The adhesive beads (22) are located between the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head and the mating surface (26) of the valve cover. The cylinder head (20) has a cut (24) that mates with the snap-fit clip (23) of the valve cover (21).
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the valve cover (21) and the cylinder head (20) assembly. A cylinder head (20) is shown having valve covers (21) joined together by continuous beads of adhesive (22) along the mating surface (26) of the valve cover and the mating surface (25) of the cylinder head. Also shown is a snap-fit clip (23) that is integral with the valve cover (21) and fitted to the cylinder head (20) by a cut (24) that holds the snap-fit clip (23). The snap fit clip (23) is disposed inside the valve cover (20) and the cylinder head (20) assembly. This is desirable for cosmetic reasons.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows a valve cover (30) having a port (31) with a raised lip (32), which lip is designed to work with a sealing lid (33) sealing the valve cover. . FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the raised lip (32) and the corresponding seal lid (33). The port (31) is also shown. FIG. 6 shows a snap-fit seal with a female cut (34) on the outside of the lip (32) that receives the male projection (35) on the seal lid (33). The cuts (34) and protrusions (35) are located all around the lip (32), the seal side and fit form a seal between the lip (32) and the seal cap (33), and the inside of the valve cover (30) From outside. FIG. 7 shows another method of joining the seal lid (33) to the valve cover (30). The port (31) of the valve cover (30) is sealed from the outside by screwing the seal lid (33) into the lip (32).
[0027]
FIG. 8 shows a two-member valve cover (40), in which the upper part (41) is separated from the lower part (42) so that the engine members can enter and exit. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the two-member valve cover (40) and the engine head (43). A valve cover (40) having a female opening (45) that receives the male projection (44) of the upper portion (41) of the valve cover (40) and is disposed around the entire periphery of the upper portion (41) of the valve cover (40). The upper part (41) is shown. The male projection (44) extends around the lower portion (42) of the valve cover (40). The female opening (45) has a cut (46) perpendicular to the cut of the female opening (45) for receiving the surrounding protrusion (47) on the male protrusion (44) at the bottom of the valve cover (42). Have. This vertical projection (47) is perpendicular to the direction of the male projection (44). The projection (46) and the vertical projection (47) fix the upper part (41) of the valve cover (40) to the lower part (42) of the valve cover (40). The area where the adhesive is applied is also shown. FIG. 10 shows the two-member valve cover (40) joined to the engine head (43) using an adhesive (49). FIG. 10 shows the lower part (42) and the upper part (41) of the valve cover (40), wherein the male projection (44) of the lower part (42) is arranged in the female opening (45) of the lower part (41). It is fixed by a vertical projection (47) of a male projection (44) arranged at a cut (46) of the female opening (45).
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0028]
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional valve cover cylinder head assembly.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the valve cover cylinder head assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of a valve cover and a cylinder head assembly.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a valve cover cylinder head assembly.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a valve cover having a port.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a seal lid of a port of the valve cover of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another seal lid of the port of the valve cover of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a two-member valve cover.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the two-member valve cover and the engine head.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a two-member valve cover joined to a cylinder head using an adhesive.

Claims (12)

A valve cover assembly including a valve cover having an mating surface such as to be joined to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, wherein a continuous bead of adhesive is disposed about the mating surface of the valve cover. The valve cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve cover does not have a bolt hole having a function of fixing the valve cover to the cylinder head. 3. The valve cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an adhesive that cures when necessary. The valve cover assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the valve cover is made of a plastic material. The valve cover assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve cover further comprises one or more means for holding the valve cover in place on the cylinder head while the adhesive cures. . The valve cover of claim 1, wherein the valve cover further comprises one or more access ports for allowing flow to the cylinder head without removing the valve cover, and one or more means for covering and sealing the one or more access ports. A valve cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. The valve cover assembly according to claim 9, wherein the one or more means for covering and sealing the one or more access ports further comprises a coil, a pcv system member, a fuel flow path, and the like. An engine assembly comprising a valve cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims and one or more cylinder heads having mating surfaces adapted to mating surfaces of the valve cover, wherein each valve cover is adhered to the cylinder head. A continuous layer of adhesive is disposed between the mating surface of each valve cover and the cylinder head to which each valve cover is joined, and this continuous layer of adhesive is An engine assembly that forms a seal between a surface and a pair of cylinder heads, and greatly reduces or prevents gas and liquid permeation between each valve cover and cylinder head pair where the mating surfaces are in contact. A method of joining a valve cover to a cylinder head,
a) a valve cover or a cylinder head according to any one of claims 1 to 7 (the valve cover having a mating surface which mates with the mating surface of the cylinder head); Applying a continuous bead or film of adhesive along
b) contacting the mating surface of the valve cover with the mating surface of the cylinder head such that a continuous bead or film of adhesive is located between the mating surface of the valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head;
c) curing the adhesive to form a permanent bond between the mating surface of the valve cover and the mating surface of the cylinder head, where the adhesive forms a seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head;
A method that includes 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is an adhesive that cures when needed, and wherein the adhesive beads are in contact with the valve cover mating surface at a location remote from where the valve cover is in contact with the cylinder head. . A valve cover comprising a plastic material having one or more ports having a seal grid that can be removed from the valve cover. The pcv system member, coil or fuel flow path is joined to each seal grid, and when the valve cover and the seal grid are assembled, the pcv system member, coil or fuel flow path is arranged inside the valve cover. 12. The valve cover according to 11.