JP2007192044A - Variable valve gear for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent contact of a connecting pin with an inner wall of a slider, in a variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine. <P>SOLUTION: Action of a control shaft 32 is transmitted to a slider gear 43 via the connecting pin 44 and a bushing 46 in the variable valve gear 30 for the engine, and the slider 43 is driven in an axial direction with interlocking with the control shaft 32. The bushing 46 is provided in a circumference groove 43d of the slider gear 43. The connecting pin 44 is inserted in a pin insertion hole 46a formed on the bushing 46 and a through hole 32a formed on the control shaft 32, and the bushing 46 is connected to the control shaft 32 via the connecting pin 44. A regulating projection 46b is provided on the bushing 46 not to make the connecting pin 44 project to the slider gear 43 side further than a surface 46c of the bushing 46 in the slider gear 43 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable valve mechanism that continuously changes the valve characteristics of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.

  As a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine (engine), the valve characteristics such as the operating angle and lift amount of the engine valve (at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve) are continuously changed according to the operating state of the engine. The technology that enables it is known. An example of such a variable valve mechanism is a cylindrical rocker shaft that is fixed to the cylinder head of the engine and provided in parallel with the camshaft of the engine valve, and is movable in the axial direction within the rocker shaft. Some have a control shaft provided and a plurality of variable valve lift mechanisms provided on the rocker shaft (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A variable valve lift mechanism is provided for each cylinder of the engine, and a slider gear that can move in conjunction with the control shaft, an input arm that is driven by the cam of the camshaft, and an output that lifts the engine valve. And an arm. The input arm and the output arm are provided on the slider gear, and are disposed between support portions that support the rocker shaft (control shaft) in a state in which the input arm and the output arm are not movable in the axial direction.

  A shaft insertion hole into which the control shaft is inserted is formed in the slider gear. The slider gear is formed with an input side helical spline that meshes with the input arm and an output side helical spline that meshes with the output arm. The direction of the twist of the teeth of the input side helical spline and the direction of the twist of the teeth of the output side helical spline are formed in opposite directions. On the other hand, a helical spline that meshes with the input-side helical spline of the slider gear is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the input arm, and similarly, a helical spline that meshes with the output-side helical spline of the slider gear. Splines are formed.

In the variable valve mechanism of the internal combustion engine configured as described above, when the torque of the camshaft is transmitted to the input arm, the input arm is swung, and the engine valve is lifted by the output arm that swings integrally with the input arm. It has become so. Then, the operating angle and lift amount of the engine valve are changed as follows. That is, when the slider gear is moved in the axial direction in conjunction with the movement of the control shaft in the axial direction, the relative positions of the slider gear, the input arm, and the output arm in the axial direction change. As a result, the input arm and the output arm on the slider gear are relatively rotated, the relative phase difference between the two is changed, and the operating angle and lift amount of the engine valve are continuously changed.
JP 2001-263015 A

  By the way, in the variable valve mechanism of the internal combustion engine as described above, the slider gear is moved in conjunction with the movement of the control shaft in the axial direction. At this time, the control shaft is moved via the connect pin and the bush. The movement may be configured to be transmitted to the slider gear. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  A circumferential groove 103d is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft insertion hole 103c of the slider gear 103 into which the control shaft 102 is inserted, and a bush 106 is disposed in the circumferential groove 103d. The bush 106 is connected to the control shaft 102 via the connect pin 104. Specifically, the connection of the bush 106 to the control shaft 102 is performed by inserting the connect pin 104 into the pin insertion hole 106 a formed in the bush 106 and the pin insertion hole 102 a formed in the control shaft 102. It has been broken. The connect pin 104 is also inserted into the long hole 101a of the rocker shaft 101.

  However, if the movement of the connect pin 104 toward the slider gear 103 is not restricted, the connect pin 104 may move toward the circumferential groove 103d of the slider gear 103 due to vibration or the like during engine operation. At that time, the connecting pin 104 may come into contact with the inner wall 103 f of the circumferential groove 103 d of the slider gear 103. When the connecting pin 104 receives a force from the slider gear 103 when the connecting pin 104 contacts the inner wall 103f of the circumferential groove 103d of the slider gear 103, the force is applied to the opening edge 102b of the pin insertion hole 102a of the control shaft 102. Therefore, there is a possibility that problems such as the opening edge portion 102b being chipped may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art. In a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine in which the operation of a control shaft is transmitted to a slider via a connect pin and a bush, The object is to prevent contact with the inner wall of the slider.

  In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows. That is, the present invention includes a control shaft that is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a variable valve lift mechanism that is disposed on the control shaft. A slider in which a hole is formed, an input arm that engages with a helical spline formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider and receives force from the camshaft, and a helical that engages with the input arm on the outer peripheral surface of the slider An output arm that engages with a helical spline formed in a direction different from the spline and lifts the engine valve of the internal combustion engine is provided, and a circumferential groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft insertion hole of the slider, A bush is disposed in the circumferential groove, and a pin insertion hole formed in the bush and a through formed in the control shaft. When the connect pin is inserted into the bush, the bush is connected to the control shaft via the connect pin, and the operation of the control shaft is transmitted to the slider via the connect pin and the bush. In a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine that is driven in the axial direction in conjunction with the movement, a movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the connect pin so that the connect pin does not protrude toward the slider side than the slider side surface of the bush. It is characterized by being provided.

  In such a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine, when the torque of the camshaft is transmitted to the input arm, the input arm is swung, and the engine valve is lifted by the output arm that swings integrally with the input arm. The Further, the operating angle and lift amount of the engine valve are changed as follows. That is, when the control shaft is moved in the axial direction, the operation is transmitted to the slider via the connect pin and the bush, and the slider is moved in the axial direction. By the movement of the slider, the relative position in the axial direction of the slider, the input arm, and the output arm changes. As a result, the input arm and the output arm on the slider rotate relative to each other, the relative phase difference between them changes, and the operating angle and lift amount of the engine valve change continuously.

  According to the above configuration, even when the connect pin moves to the slider side due to vibrations or the like during operation of the internal combustion engine, the connect pin is prevented from moving to the slider side by the movement restricting means, and the connect pin becomes a slider. Can be prevented from touching the inner wall. Further, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by contact between the connecting pin and the inner wall of the slider, for example, the opening edge of the through hole of the control shaft into which the connecting pin is inserted. it can.

  As a specific configuration of the movement restricting means in the variable valve mechanism of the internal combustion engine of the present invention, for example, a protrusion protruding inward from the peripheral edge on the slider side of the pin insertion hole of the bush or a connection pin is formed. And an inclined surface formed on at least one of the inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole of the bush and the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the slider side of the connect pin.

  According to the present invention, even if the connect pin moves to the slider side due to vibration or the like during operation of the internal combustion engine, the connect pin is prevented from moving to the slider side by the movement restricting means, and the connect pin is placed on the inner wall of the slider. Contact can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by contact between the connecting pin and the inner wall of the slider, for example, the opening edge of the through hole of the control shaft into which the connecting pin is inserted. it can.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the variable valve mechanism of the present invention is applied to an engine (internal combustion engine) mounted on a vehicle will be described. In the following example, a case where the variable valve mechanism is applied to an intake valve will be described. However, the present invention can be applied to the exhaust valve in the same manner as the intake valve.

  First, a schematic configuration of the engine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The engine 10 of this example is an in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine mounted on a vehicle, and includes a cylinder block 11 having four cylinders (cylinders: # 1 to # 4) 12 and a cylinder mounted on the cylinder block 11. And a head 14. A piston 13 is accommodated in each cylinder 12 in a state where the piston 13 can reciprocate. The piston 13 is connected to the crankshaft 34 via a connecting rod, and the reciprocating motion of the piston 13 is converted into the rotational motion of the crankshaft 34 by the connecting rod.

  The cylinder head 14 of the engine 10 is provided with a pair of intake ports 17 and exhaust ports 18 communicating with the combustion chambers 15 for each cylinder 12. In the combustion chamber 15, a spark plug 16 is arranged for each cylinder 12.

  An intake valve 21 that opens and closes each intake port 17 and an exhaust valve 22 that opens and closes each exhaust port 18 are disposed in the cylinder head 14. Each intake valve 21 is provided with a valve spring 21a, and each intake valve 21 is urged in a direction to close the intake port 17 by the elastic force of the valve spring 21a. Similarly, each exhaust valve 22 is provided with a valve spring 22a.

  Above the intake valve 21, an intake camshaft 23 having one intake cam 23a for each cylinder 12 is disposed. The intake camshaft 23 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support walls 25. The support wall 25 includes a cam housing that is provided integrally with the cylinder head 14 and a cam cap that is detachably attached to the cam housing by bolt fastening or the like.

  Further, an exhaust camshaft 24 having one exhaust cam 24 a for each cylinder 12 is disposed above the exhaust valve 22. The exhaust camshaft 24 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support walls 26. The support wall 26 includes a cam housing that is provided integrally with the cylinder head 14 and a cam cap that is detachably attached to the cam housing by bolt fastening or the like.

  The intake camshaft 23 and the exhaust camshaft 24 are drivingly connected to a crankshaft 34 via a timing chain 35 and the like. The rotation of the crankshaft 34 is transmitted to the intake camshaft 23 and the exhaust camshaft 24 through the timing chain 35 and the like, and the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 reciprocate by the rotation of the camshafts 23 and 24, respectively. .

  A rocker arm 27 having a roller 27a is swingably disposed between the upper end portion of the intake valve 21 and the intake cam 23a and between the upper end portion of the exhaust valve 22 and the exhaust cam 24a. Further, hydraulic lash adjusters 28 are arranged near the upper ends of the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22, respectively. A compression reaction force of the valve spring 21a (22a) and a pushing force of the lash adjuster 28 are transmitted to the rocker arm 27. Thereby, the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27 is biased substantially upward. In this example, the roller 27a is in direct contact with each exhaust cam 24a, but indirectly with each intake cam 23a via a variable valve mechanism 30 described below. Are in contact. A rocker arm that does not include a roller may be used.

  In the engine 10 as described above, the variable valve mechanism 30 is provided in the vicinity of the intake camshaft 23. Hereinafter, the configuration of the variable valve mechanism 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 indicates a direction away from the actuator 33, and an arrow R indicates a direction approaching the actuator 33.

  The variable valve mechanism 30 is a mechanism for continuously changing the operating angle and lift amount (maximum lift amount) of the intake valve 21, and is arranged between the intake cam 23 a of the intake cam shaft 23 and the rocker arm 27. It is installed. The rocker arm 27 has one end supported by the lash adjuster 28 and the other end in contact with the tappet 21 b at the upper end of the intake valve 21.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the operating angle of the intake valve 21 is an angle range from the valve opening timing IVO to the valve closing timing IVC of the intake valve 21 (expressed by a crank angle in FIG. 9). . The lift amount (maximum lift amount) is the amount of movement of the intake valve 21 when the intake valve 21 is moved (lifted) to the lowest position within the movable range when the valve is opened. These operating angles and lift amounts are changed in synchronization with each other by the variable valve mechanism 30. For example, the lift amount decreases as the operating angle decreases. Further, as the operating angle decreases, the valve opening timing IVO and the valve closing timing IVC of the intake valve 21 approach each other, the valve opening period is shortened, and the intake air amount per cylinder is decreased.

  The variable valve mechanism 30 includes a rocker shaft 31, a control shaft 32, an actuator 33, and a variable valve lift mechanism 40.

  The rocker shaft 31 is a cylindrical member extending along a direction parallel to the intake camshaft 23 (cylinder arrangement direction, F / R direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 3), and a plurality of support members provided on the cylinder head 14. It is attached to the wall 25 in a state where movement in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is restricted. The direction in which the rocker shaft 31 extends is referred to as the “axial direction”.

  The rocker shaft 31 is formed with a long hole (through hole) 31 a extending in the axial direction at a location sandwiched between adjacent support walls 25, 25. A connect pin 44 described later is inserted through the long hole 31a. Further, the rocker shaft 31 is formed with an insertion hole (through hole) 31b for inserting the connect pin 44 from the outside around the central axis on the opposite side of the long hole 31a (FIG. 7). In the assembled state, the insertion hole 31b is provided at a position where the position in the axial direction is different from the through hole 32a of the control shaft 32, as shown in FIG.

  The control shaft 32 is inserted into the rocker shaft 31 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The control shaft 32 is advanced and retracted in the axial direction (F direction or R direction) by the actuator 33. The control shaft 32 is formed with a through hole 32a that penetrates the inside of the control shaft 32 in the radial direction. A connect pin 44 described later is inserted into the through hole 32a.

  The number of variable valve lift mechanisms 40 is the same as the number of cylinders, and is externally mounted on the rocker shaft 31 so as to correspond to each cylinder 12. Each variable valve lift mechanism 40 includes a slider gear 43 that can move in conjunction with the control shaft 32, an input arm (cam hitting member) 41 that is driven by the intake cam 23 a of the intake cam shaft 23, and the intake valve 21. And an output arm (valve striking member) 42 for lifting. The input arm 41 and the output arm 42 are provided on the slider gear 43 and are disposed between a pair of support walls 25 and 25 that support the rocker shaft 31 (control shaft 32) in a state in which the input arm 41 and the output arm 42 cannot move in the axial direction. . A plate-like shim 45 for adjusting the initial relative position of the input arm 41 and the output arm 42 in the axial direction with respect to the slider gear 43 is interposed between the output arm 42 and the support wall 25.

  The input arm 41 includes a cylindrical housing 41a. A helical spline 41b that meshes with an input-side helical spline 43a of a slider gear 43, which will be described later, is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 41a. A pair of support pieces 41c and 41c projecting radially outward are provided on the outer periphery of the housing 41a, and a roller 41e is disposed between the pair of support pieces 41c and 41c. The roller 41e is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 41d parallel to the rocker shaft 31.

  A pair of output arms 42 and 42 are disposed on both sides in the axial direction of the input arm 41. Each output arm 42 includes a cylindrical housing 42a. A helical spline 42b that meshes with the output-side helical spline 43b of the slider gear 43 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 42a. Further, a nose 42c is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 42a so as to protrude outward in the radial direction. The nose 42c is processed into a substantially triangular shape, and a cam surface 42d whose one side is curved in a concave shape.

  A slider gear 43 is disposed in an internal space defined by the input arm 41 and the two output arms 42 and 42. The slider gear 43 is externally mounted on the rocker shaft 31 so as to be movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the control shaft 32.

  The slider gear 43 is processed into a substantially cylindrical shape having a shaft insertion hole 43c at the center. An input-side helical spline 43 a that engages with the helical spline 41 b of the input arm 41 is machined in the central portion of the slider gear 43 in the axial direction. Further, output-side helical splines 43b that mesh with the helical splines 42b of the output arm 42 are respectively machined at both ends of the slider gear 43 in the axial direction. The output side helical spline 43b has a smaller outer diameter than the input side helical spline 43a. Further, the input side helical spline 43a and the output side helical spline 43b are processed so that the directions of twisting of teeth are opposite to each other.

  A circumferential groove 43 d extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the axial center of the inner wall of the slider gear 43. Further, the circumferential groove 43d communicates with the outside of the slider gear 43 through a through hole 43e (FIG. 8).

  The roller 41e of the input arm 41 is always pressed against the intake cam 23a by the elastic force of the lost motion spring 29 disposed in the cylinder head 14 in a compressed state. On the other hand, the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27 is pressed against the base circular portion of the housing 42a of the output arm 42 or the cam surface 42d of the nose 42c by the valve spring 21a of the intake valve 21. As a result, the input arm 41 is swung by the rotation of the intake cam 23 a, and the intake valve 21 is lifted via the rocker arm 27 by the output arm 42 that swings integrally with the input arm 41. .

  Next, how the slider gear 43 is coupled to the rocker shaft 31 and the control shaft 32 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In order to connect the slider gear 43 outside the rocker shaft 31 to the control shaft 32 in the rocker shaft 31 so that power can be transmitted, a bush 46 having an arcuate longitudinal section is disposed in the circumferential groove 43d of the slider gear 43. Has been. A pin insertion hole (through hole) 46a is formed in the bush 46 at the middle in the circumferential direction. Further, the bushing 46 is formed with a regulating projection 46b described later.

  The bushing 46 is connected to the control shaft 32 via the connection pin 44. Specifically, the distal end portion 44 a of the connect pin 44 is inserted into the pin insertion hole 46 a of the bush 46, and the end portion 44 b of the connect pin 44 is inserted into the through hole 32 a of the control shaft 32. Further, an intermediate portion 44 c of the connect pin 44 is inserted into the long hole 31 a of the rocker shaft 31. The movement of the connect pin 44 in the insertion direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7) is restricted by the restriction protrusion 46 b of the bush 46. Further, the connection pin 44 is restricted from moving in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by the inner wall of the rocker shaft 31.

  The connection pin 44 and the bush 46 are assembled as follows. First, the bush 46 is inserted into the circumferential groove 43 d from the shaft insertion hole 43 c of the slider gear 43. Then, the rocker shaft 31 with the control shaft 32 inserted is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 43 c of the slider gear 43. Next, the connect pin 44 is inserted into the circumferential groove 43 d from the through hole 43 e of the slider gear 43. At this time, in the state where the through hole 43e of the slider gear 43, the insertion hole 31b of the rocker shaft 31, the through hole 32a of the control shaft 32, and the pin insertion hole 46a of the bush 46 are aligned, the connect pin 44 is inserted from the through hole 43 e side of the slider gear 43. Then, the connect pin 44 is inserted until the end 44e is pulled out of the insertion hole 31b of the rocker shaft 31. Thereafter, the rocker shaft 31 is moved in the axial direction until the insertion hole 31b moves to the position shown in FIG. 7, so that the connect pin 44 does not fall into the insertion hole 31b.

  The slider gear 43 assembled as described above operates as follows.

  The control shaft 32 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the rocker shaft 31 within the range of the axial length of the long hole 31 a of the rocker shaft 31. Further, since the slider gear 43 is fixed in the axial position with respect to the control shaft 32 by the engagement of the circumferential groove 43d and the bush 46, when the control shaft 32 is moved in the axial direction by driving the actuator 33. The operation is transmitted to the slider gear 43 through the connect pin 44 and the bush 46. As a result, the slider gear 43 moves in the axial direction in conjunction with the control shaft 32. In addition, since the bush 46 is movable in the circumferential direction in the circumferential groove 43d of the slider gear 43, the slider gear 43 is rotatable with respect to the control shaft 32 within the range. Thus, when the control shaft 32 is moved in the axial direction, the slider gear 43 rotates with respect to the control shaft 32 while moving in the axial direction.

  When the torque of the intake camshaft 23 is transmitted to the input arm 41, the torque is transmitted from the input arm 41 to the output arm 42 via the slider gear 43. At this time, the slider gear 43 is connected to the rocker shaft. Oscillates around 31 (control shaft 32).

  In such a variable valve lift mechanism 40, the input side helical spline 43a of the slider gear 43 and the helical spline 41b of the input arm 41 are supported by being engaged with each other. Similarly, the output-side helical spline 43b of the slider gear 43 and the helical spline 42b of the output arm 42 are engaged with each other and supported.

  Therefore, by moving the slider gear 43 in the axial direction by moving the control shaft 32 forward and backward, the relative position in the axial direction between the slider gear 43 and the input arm 41 and the output arms 42 and 42 is changed. 41 and the output arm 42 are given torsional forces opposite to each other. As a result, the input arm 41 and the output arm 42 rotate relative to each other, and the relative phase difference between the input arm 41 (roller 41e) and the output arm 42 (nose 42c) is changed.

  As described above, when the relative phase difference between the roller 41e of the input arm 41 and the nose 42c of the output arm 42 is changed, the operating angle and the lift amount of the intake valve 21 are changed. When the relative phase difference is the smallest (when the roller 41e and the nose 42c are closest to each other in the circumferential direction of the variable valve lift mechanism 40), the operating angle and the lift amount of the intake valve 21 are the smallest. Conversely, when the relative phase difference is the largest (when the roller 41e and the nose 42c are in the most separated state in the circumferential direction of the variable valve lift mechanism 40), the working angle and the lift amount of the intake valve 21 are the largest. .

  In the variable valve mechanism 30 of this example, the slider gear 43 for each cylinder 12 is arranged on a common control shaft 32, so that the control shaft 32 can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction. Thus, the operating angles and lift amounts of the intake valves 21 of all the cylinders 12 are changed simultaneously.

  Next, the operation of the variable valve mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the operation of the variable valve mechanism 30 when the control shaft 32 is moved in the direction away from the actuator 33 (the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when the base circle portion of the intake cam 23a is in contact with the roller 41e of the input arm 41, the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27 is in contact with the base circle portion of the housing 42a of the output arm 42. In contact. Therefore, the intake valve 21 is maintained in a state where the lift amount is “0” (a state where the intake port 17 of the engine 10 is closed).

  When the roller 41e of the input arm 41 is pushed down by the lift portion of the intake cam 23a along with the clockwise rotation of the intake cam shaft 23, the input arm 41 is counterclockwise with respect to the rocker shaft 31 (see FIG. It rotates in the direction of the arrow 10 (a). As a result, the output arm 42 and the slider gear 43 swing together.

  As a result, the cam surface 42d formed on the nose 42c of the output arm 42 contacts the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27, and the roller 27a is pushed down by the pressing of the cam surface 42d.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27 is pressed by the cam surface 42d, the rocker arm 27 swings about the contact portion with the lash adjuster 28, and the intake valve 21 opens. Is done.

  As described above, when the control shaft 32 moves to the maximum in the direction away from the actuator 33, the relative phase difference between the roller 41 e of the input arm 41 and the nose 42 c of the output arm 42 around the axis of the rocker shaft 31. Is the maximum.

  Thereby, when the intake cam 23a pushes down the roller 41e to the maximum extent, the rocking amount (rocking range) of the rocker arm 27 becomes the largest, and the intake valve 21 is opened and closed with the maximum operating angle and lift amount.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the operation of the variable valve mechanism 30 when the control shaft 32 is moved in the direction (arrow R direction in FIG. 3) that is as close as possible to the actuator 33 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the base circle portion of the intake cam 23a is in contact with the roller 41e of the input arm 41, the contact position between the output arm 42 and the roller 27a is maximized from the cam surface 42d. Is far away. When the roller 41e of the input arm 41 is pushed down by the lift portion of the intake cam 23a due to the rotation of the intake cam shaft 23, the input arm 41 and the output arm 42 rotate together.

  However, in this case, since the contact position between the output arm 42 and the roller 27a is farthest from the cam surface 42d, the output arm 42 until the pressing of the roller 27a of the rocker arm 27 by the cam surface 42d is started. The amount of rotation is larger than that shown in FIG. Further, when the roller 41e of the input arm 41 is pushed down by the lift portion of the intake cam 23a, the range of the cam surface 42d that comes into contact with the roller 27a is reduced to only a part of the base end side of the nose 42c. For this reason, the rocking | fluctuation amount (swinging range) of the rocker arm 27 according to depression of the roller 41e by the lift part of the intake cam 23a becomes small.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the rocking amount of the rocker arm 27 is small, so that the intake valve 21 is opened with a smaller lift amount.

  Further, when the control shaft 32 moves to the maximum in the direction approaching the actuator 33, the relative phase difference between the roller 41e and the nose 42c around the axis of the rocker shaft 31 is minimized.

  As a result, the displacement amount of the roller 27a when the intake cam 23a pushes down the roller 41e to the maximum is minimized, and the intake valve 21 is opened and closed with the minimum operating angle and lift amount.

  As described above, in the variable valve mechanism 30, when the control shaft 32 is moved in the axial direction, the operation is transmitted to the slider gear 43 via the connect pin 44 and the bush 46, and the slider gear 43 is moved in the axial direction. Moved to. By the movement of the slider gear 43, in each variable valve lift mechanism 40, the relative position in the axial direction of the slider gear 43, the input arm 41, and the output arms 42, 42 changes. As a result, the input arm 41 and the output arm 42 on the slider gear 43 are rotated relative to each other, the relative phase difference between them is changed, and the operating angle and the lift amount of the intake valve 21 are continuously changed. ing.

  In this example, in order to prevent the connect pin 44 from contacting the inner wall of the slider gear 43, a movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the connect pin 44 in the insertion direction (the axial direction of the connect pin 44) is provided. It has been. Next, the movement restricting means will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG.

  As described above, the tip end portion 44 a of the connect pin 44 is inserted into the pin insertion hole 46 a of the bush 46. The bush 46 is formed with a restricting protrusion 46b that is a movement restricting means. The restricting protrusion 46b is a protrusion protruding inward from the peripheral edge of the pin insertion hole 46a on the slider gear 43 side. Since such a restricting protrusion 46b is provided on the bush 46, the pin insertion hole 46a of the bush 46 is formed on the control shaft 32 side where the restricting protrusion 46b is not formed. Whereas the diameter is substantially the same, the portion on the slider gear 43 side where the restricting projection 46 b is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the connect pin 44.

  Then, the movement of the connecting pin 44 toward the circumferential groove 43d (movement in the insertion direction) of the connecting pin 44 is restricted by the restricting protrusion 46b. That is, even if the connect pin 44 moves to the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43 due to vibration or the like during operation of the engine 10, the tip 44d of the connect pin 44 abuts against the restricting protrusion 46b as shown in FIG. At that time, the restriction projection 46b prevents further movement of the slider gear 43 toward the circumferential groove 43d. Therefore, of the surface 46c on the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43 and the surface 46d on the control shaft 32 side of the bush 46, the surface 46c on the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43 is closer to the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43. The connection pin 44 does not protrude.

  As a result, the connection pin 44 can be prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall 43 f of the circumferential groove 43 d of the slider gear 43. Problems caused by the contact between the connecting pin 44 and the inner wall 43f of the circumferential groove 43d of the slider gear 43, for example, the opening edge portion 32b of the through hole 32a of the control shaft 32 are missing. Occurrence can be prevented in advance. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, you may chamfer the part which contact | connects the protrusion 46b for regulation of the bush 46 of the front-end | tip part 44a 'of a connection pin 44'.

  The example in which the restricting protrusion 46b of the bush 46 is provided as the movement restricting means has been described above. However, the movement of the connect pin 44 toward the peripheral groove 43d of the slider gear 43 is restricted, and the slider of the connect pin 44 is controlled. Any other configuration may be adopted as the movement restricting means as long as it can prevent contact of the gear 43 with the inner wall. An example is shown in FIGS. In FIGS. 14 and 15, only the connect pin and the bush are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 14, by making the connecting pin 144 into a stepped shape with a stepped portion 144a, the movement of the connecting pin 144 toward the circumferential groove 43d of the slider gear 43 can be restricted. In this case, the portion 144b of the slider gear 43 closer to the circumferential groove 43d than the stepped portion 144a of the connect pin 144 is formed with a smaller diameter than the pin insertion hole 146a of the bush 146, and the control shaft 32 side of the stepped portion 144a. The portion 144c is formed with a larger diameter than the pin insertion hole 146a of the bush 146. The step 144a of the connect pin 144 contacts the surface 146d of the bush 146 on the control shaft 32 side, so that the movement of the connect pin 144 toward the peripheral groove 43d of the slider gear 43 is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole 246 a of the bush 246 and the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion 244 a of the connect pin 244 are inclined surfaces, so that the peripheral groove 43 d of the slider gear 43 of the connect pin 244 is formed. The movement to the side can be restricted. In this case, the pin insertion hole 246a of the bush 246 is formed with a smaller diameter toward the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43, and the inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole 246a of the bush 246 is a tapered surface. Further, the tip end portion 244a of the connect pin 244 is formed with a smaller diameter toward the circumferential groove 43d side of the slider gear 43, and the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion 244a of the connect pin 244 is a tapered surface. In addition, the inner diameter D1 of the portion of the pin insertion hole 246a of the bush 246 closest to the peripheral groove 43d of the slider gear 43 is equal to the outer diameter D2 of the tip portion 244a of the connecting pin 244 closest to the peripheral groove 43d of the slider gear 43. Is smaller than The movement of the connecting pin 244 toward the peripheral groove 43d of the slider gear 43 is restricted by the outer peripheral surface of the tip 244a of the connecting pin 244 coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole 246a of the bush 246. ing. Note that only one of the inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole 246a of the bush 246 and the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion 244a of the connect pin 244 may be an inclined surface.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the variable valve mechanism of the engine to which this invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the cylinder head of an engine. It is a perspective view which shows the input arm, output arm, etc. of a variable valve mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the slider gear, input arm, output arm, etc. of a variable valve mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the slider gear, rocker shaft, control shaft, etc. of a variable valve mechanism. It is a horizontal fracture perspective view showing a slider gear, an input arm, an output arm, etc. of a variable valve mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment of the slider gear of a variable valve mechanism, a rocker shaft, a control shaft, a bush, and a connect pin. It is sectional drawing along the XX line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the working angle and lift amount of an intake valve which are changed by the variable valve mechanism. It is a side view used for explanation of operation of a variable valve mechanism when the relative phase difference between an input arm and an output arm is maximized. It is a side view used for explanation of operation of a variable valve mechanism when the relative phase difference between an input arm and an output arm is minimized. It is a figure which shows the movement control means of a connect pin, and is a figure which expands and shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the movement control means of a connect pin. It is a figure which shows the other example of the movement control means of a connect pin. It is a figure which shows the other example of the movement control means of a connect pin. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment of the slider gear of a variable valve mechanism, a rocker shaft, a control shaft, a bush, and a connect pin when the movement control means of a connect pin is not provided.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Engine 14 Cylinder head 21 Intake valve 23 Intake cam shaft 23a Intake cam 27 Rocker arm 30 Variable valve mechanism 31 Rocker shaft 31a Long hole 31b Insertion hole 32 Control shaft 32a Through-hole 32b Open edge 33 Actuator 40 Variable valve lift mechanism 41 Input arm 42 Output arm 43 Slider gear 43c Shaft insertion hole 43d Circumferential groove 43f Inner wall 44 Connect pin 44a Tip 46 Bush 46a Pin insertion hole 46b Restriction protrusion 46c Slider gear side surface

Claims (2)

A control shaft that is movable in the axial direction;
A variable valve lift mechanism disposed on the control shaft,
The variable valve lift mechanism includes a slider having a shaft insertion hole into which a control shaft is inserted, an input arm that engages with a helical spline formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider and receives a force from the camshaft. The slider has an outer peripheral surface provided with an output arm that engages a helical spline formed in a direction different from the helical spline engaged with the input arm and lifts the engine valve of the internal combustion engine.
A circumferential groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft insertion hole of the slider, and a bush is disposed in the circumferential groove.
By inserting the connect pin into the pin insertion hole formed in the bush and the through hole formed in the control shaft, the bush is connected to the control shaft via the connect pin,
In the variable valve mechanism of the internal combustion engine in which the operation of the control shaft is transmitted to the slider via the connect pin and the bush, so that the slider is driven in the axial direction in conjunction with the control shaft.
A variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that movement restricting means for restricting movement of the connect pin is provided so that the connect pin does not protrude from the slider side surface of the bush toward the slider side.   The movement restricting means includes a protrusion protruding inward from a peripheral edge on the slider side of the pin insertion hole of the bush, a step formed on the connection pin, or an inner peripheral surface of the pin insertion hole of the bush and the connection pin. 2. The variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the variable valve mechanism is an inclined surface formed on at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces of the end portion on the slider side.

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