JP2008542631A - Device for transmitting motion in a combustion engine from a rocker arm to a valve, and a combustion engine including such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for transfer of control motion from a rocker arm to a valve arrangement of a combustion engine, which device comprises first and second motion transfer means (11, 12) which together constitute a ball joint. The motion transfer means comprise mutual contact surfaces so designed that the motion transfer means are in contact with one another in such a way as to delineate, via an annular contact line (13), a space (14) between the motion transfer means. The second motion transfer means is provided with a lubricant duct (17) which has an inlet aperture (17a) facing towards said space (14) and an outlet aperture (17b) facing towards the bottom surface (12a) of the second motion transfer means. The second motion transfer means is further provided with one or more depressions (18) which are set in the bottom surface (12a), are connected to the outlet aperture (17b) of the lubricant duct and have in the propagation plane of the bottom surface a combined area which is larger than the area of the circle formed by said annular contact line. The invention also relates to a combustion engine comprising such a device.

Description

  The invention relates to a device according to the first part of claim 1 for transmitting a control action from a rocker arm to a combustion engine valve device controlled by the rocker arm. The invention also relates to a combustion engine comprising such a device.

  A conventional piston type combustion engine is a so-called piston engine and is provided with one or more cylinders. Under the action of pressure generated by ignition of a mixture of fuel and air introduced into the cylinder, a piston is moved around in each cylinder. In a four-stage piston engine, each cylinder is provided with at least one intake valve, a mixture of fuel and air is drawn into the cylinder via the intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve is provided, Combustion gas is removed from the cylinder via the exhaust valve. The intake and exhaust valves use springs to apply force to the position where the valve closes, and each valve can move from the closed position to the open position by the operation of the control cam with respect to the rotating camshaft. The control cam is usually adapted to actuate the valve via a so-called rocker arm, and the rocker arm itself may be connected to the valve via a transmission comprising so-called ball pins and so-called elbow legs. In such a case, the ball pin is fixed to one end of the rocker arm and is rotatably accommodated in the cup-shaped portion of the elbow leg, thereby constituting a ball joint. The elbow leg has a bottom surface through which the elephant leg slidably contacts the support surface of the valve stem or the valve yoke. A rocker arm provided with a transmission of this type is mentioned, for example, in US 2002/0139337 A1. Through the ball pin and the elbow leg, the pivoting motion of the rocker arm is changed to the linear motion of the valve stem / valve yoke. During the mutual movement between the rocker arm and the valve stem / valve yoke, the bottom surface of the elbow leg will slide over the support surface for a short distance. In order to reduce wear on the bottom surface and the support surface of the elbow leg due to these sliding movements, it is beneficial to introduce lubricating oil between the bottom surface and the support surface of the elbow leg. For example, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,273,042 B1 and US Pat. No. 6,708,843 B2, this introduction may be accomplished via, for example, a lubricant channel extending through the ball pin and elephant leg.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a device having good lubrication characteristics for transmitting the control action from a rocker arm to a combustion engine valve device controlled by the rocker arm.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved with a device representing the features indicated in claim 1.

  The apparatus described in the present invention includes first transmission means to be fixed to the rocker arm, and includes second transmission means that constitutes a ball joint together with the transmission means, and the joint has a bottom surface through the bottom surface. Thus, the second transmission means tries to contact the valve device support surface so as to be slidable. For example, the first transmission means tries to take the shape of a ball pin, and the second transmission means tries to take the shape of an elephant leg. The first and second transmission means have mutual contact surfaces, thereby delineating the outline of the space between the first transmission means and the second transmission means via an annular contact line between the contact surfaces; The contact surface is designed so that the transmission means come into contact with each other, the second transmission means is provided with a lubricant flow path, and the conduit portion has an inlet facing the space and an outlet facing the bottom surface. According to the invention, one or more recesses provided in the bottom surface of the second transmission means are provided and connected to the outlet of the lubricant flow path, whereby one or more recesses are provided. The recess has a total area in the transmission plane of the bottom surface, and the total area is larger than the area of the circle formed by the annular contact line that is a line that outlines the space between the first transmission means and the second transmission means. .

  The bottom recess and the plurality of recesses are designed to receive lubricant from a lubricant flow path extending through the second transmission means. The lubricant pressure in the space between the transmission means acts on both sides of the transmission means and thereby creates an oil pressure that tries to push the transmission means apart from each other. Even when the rocker arm is released from the load and tries to move away from the support surface, these hydraulic pressures will try to push the second transmission means toward the support surface of the valve device, thereby This prevents the lubricant from flowing out of the lubricant flow path, and thus prevents effective lubrication of the sliding surface between the second transmission means and the support surface. The bottom surface of the second transmission means is provided with one or more recesses provided on the bottom surface and connected to the outlet of the lubricant flow path to support the second transmission means away from the support surface. Creates hydraulic pressure that tries to push in a direction perpendicular to the stretched surface. The fact that the area of this recess or the collection of these recesses in the bottom transmission plane is larger than the area of the circle formed by the annular contact line, the line that outlines the space between the transmission means, The oil pressure listed is greater than the oil pressure exerted in the opposite direction by the lubricant pressure in the space between the transmission means, so that when the rocker arm is released from the load, the second transmission means From the gap between the bottom surface and the support surface of the second transmission means. The solution according to the invention is thus to provide a simple way to ensure effective lubrication of the sliding surface between the second transmission means and the valve installation.

Preferred embodiments of the inventive device are described in the dependent claims and in the following description.
The invention also relates to a combustion engine comprising the device according to the invention. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a valve device 1 forming part of a combustion engine and engine components connected to the valve device to control the valve device. In the illustrated example, the valve device comprises two valve means 2a, 2b, which are connected to a common valve yoke 4 by respective valve rods 3a, 3b. The valve means 2a, 2b are in the form of conventional intake valves or exhaust valves in a combustion engine. The valve means 2a, 2b are spring loaded in the closed position upward in FIG. 1 by the operation of one or more spring means (not shown). The valve means 2a and 2b can be moved together from the closed position to the open position by the valve yoke 4 in accordance with the operation of the control cam 5 rotating together with the cam shaft. The control cam 5 operates the valve yoke 4 via a rocker arm 7 that is pivotally supported by a spindle 8. On one side of the spindle 8, the rocker arm is connected to the control cam 5 in the conventional manner by means of a push rod 9 at one end 7a. An alternative rocker arm 7 may be arranged so that its one end 7a is in direct contact with the control cam. At the second end 7b, on the opposite side of the spindle 8, the rocker arm is adapted to transmit the control action from the rocker arm 7 to the valve device 1. More specifically, the rocker arm pivoting operation is a linear operation of the valve device. It is connected to the valve yoke 4 via the device 10, adapted by changing to When the push rod 9 moves upward from the position shown in FIG. 1 under the operation of the control cam 5, it moves the valve means 2a, 2b from the closed position to the open position against the action of the spring means. For this purpose, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 changes the clockwise pivoting operation of the rocker arm 7 to the downward linear motion of the valve yoke 4 and the valve means 2a, 2b.

  The apparatus 10 includes first transmission means 11 intended to be fixed to the second end 7 b of the rocker arm, and includes second transmission means 12 suitable for forming a ball joint together with the first transmission means 11. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first transmission means 11 has its one end 11 a fitted in the recess 7 c of the rocker arm, and its opposite second end 11 b is in contact with the second transmission means 12. . The second transmission means 12 has a bottom surface, and the second transmission means tries to contact the support surface 4a of the valve device 1 so as to be slidable. In the illustrated example, the support surface is disposed on the valve yoke 4.

  The transmission means 11 and 12 have mutual contact surfaces 11c and 12c (see FIG. 2), and the outline of the space between the first transmission means and the second transmission means via an annular contact line 13 between the contact surfaces. The contact surfaces are designed so that the transmission means come into contact with each other in a manner that draws a line. The transmission means 11, 12 contact the convex contact surface 11 c of one transmission means 11 via the corresponding concave contact surface 12 c of the other transmission means 12. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the first transmission means 11 has a convex contact surface 11c and the second transmission means 12 has a concave contact surface 12C, but also opposite This is also possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the convex contact surface 11c of the convenience yoke is a spherical surface, and the concave contact surface 12c is an aspheric surface, preferably an arcuate shape. Alternatively, the convex contact surface may be aspheric, preferably arcuate, and the concave contact surface may be spherical.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the first transmission means 11 has a spherical portion 11d, and the spherical portion includes a convex contact surface 11c. The spherical portion 11d is accommodated in the cup-shaped portion 12d of the second transmission means 12 so as to be rotatable. The cup-shaped part 12d includes a concave contact surface 12c. The spherical portion 11d can be inserted into the cup-shaped portion 12d through the upper opening of the cup-shaped portion. The first transmission means 11 takes the form of a ball pin in this example, while the second transmission means 12 takes the shape of a so-called elbow.

  The first transmission means 11 is provided with a lubricant conduit portion 15, which faces the space 14 between the transmission means 11 and 12, and has an outlet 15b for introducing the lubricant into the space. ing. The lubricant conduit portion 15 further has an inlet 15a connected to a lubricant conduit portion 16 extending through the rocker arm. The rocker arm lubricant conduit portion 16 may be suitable, for example, for supplying lubricant, eg, lubricating oil, via the rocker arm spindle 8 as shown in FIG. The lubricant flow path 15 of the first transmission means passes through the center of the first transmission means, and the yoke extends in the longitudinal direction of the latter. The spherically shaped portion 11d of the first transmission means 11 has a flat lower end surface in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and an outlet 15b of the lubricant channel 15 is disposed therein.

  The second transmission means 12 is provided with a lubricant channel 17, and the conduit portion has an inlet 17 a facing the space between the transmission means and an outlet 17 b facing the bottom surface 12 a of the second transmission means. ing. This lubricant flow path 17 is intended to carry the lubricant from the space 14 between the transmission means to the bottom surface 12a of the second transmission means. The lubricant channel 17 extends through the center of the second transmission means and extends for convenience. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the inlet 17a is disposed at the deepest portion of the cup-shaped portion 12d, while the outlet 17b is disposed at the center of the bottom surface 12a.

  The second transmission means 12 is provided with one or more recesses 18, 18 ′ provided in the bottom surface 12 a, and the lubricant channel 17 extending through the second transmission means 12. It is connected to the outlet 17b. The recess described as being provided on the bottom surface 12a here means that the wall of the recess is pressured due to the pressure of the lubricant in a manner that will be described in more detail below. Saying that the recess is surrounded by a part of the bottom surface so that it can act as a surface, through which the bottom surface is intended to slidably contact the support surface 4a of the valve device 1 It is. One or more of the recesses 18 and 18 ′ have a collective area A 1 (see FIG. 7) in the extending surface of the bottom surface, and A 1 is an annular line that outlines the space 14 between the transmission means 11 and 12. It is larger than the area A2 of the circle formed by the contact line 13.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a single recess 18 of the above type is arranged on the bottom surface 12a. In these cases, the recess 18 is arranged at the center of the bottom surface 12 a and concentric with the outlet hole 17 b of the lubricant flow path 17. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the recess 18 takes the form of a relatively shallow recess with a substantially planar bottom 18a at the bottom. This recess has a circle shape with a diameter d1, and is larger than the diameter d2 of the circle formed by the circular contact line 13, as shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the recess 18 takes the shape of a recess in the bottom surface and has a frustoconical shape, which extends towards the bottom surface 12a and extends to the outlet 17b of the lubricant channel 17. The top is connected.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of recesses 18 'of the above type are disposed on the bottom surface 12a. In this case, each recess takes the shape of an elongated groove 18 'on the bottom surface. Each recess 18 'extends radially from the outlet 17b of the convenient yoke lubricant flow path 17 as shown in FIG. 6, and may have a semicircular cross-sectional shape, for example. In the case of a plurality of recesses 18 'in the bottom surface 12a, they should together include an area in the bottom surface that is greater than the area of the circle formed by the annular contact line 13.

  6 and 7, the annular contact line 13 is indicated by a broken line.

  When the rocker arm 7 pivots from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 under the operation of the control cam 5 and the push rod 9, the end 7b of the rocker arm is connected to the valve yoke via the transmission means 11 and 12. Push 4 down. This pivoting movement of the rocker arm forces the first transmission means 11 fastened to the rocker arm to push downward in the direction of the second transmission means, and against the valve yoke support surface 4a that contacts the second transmission means 12. And swivel. As a result, the spherical portion 11d of the first transmission means 11 turns from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 inside the cup-shaped portion 12d of the second transmission means. When the first transmission means 11 is pushed downwards towards the second transmission means, both means initially contact each other along an annular contact line. When the applied pressure between the first transmission means 11 and the second transmission means 12 is increased, a slight plastic deformation is given to the contact surfaces 11c, 12c between the two means, thereby the first line between the transmission means. The contact changes into mutual contact by an annular band shaped contact surface. At this position, the lower end of the annular band constitutes an annular contact line 13, which defines the contour of the space 14 between the transmission means. By the pivoting movement of the rocker arm 7 and the first transmission means 11, the second transmission means 12 is pushed downward toward the support surface 4a, and at the same time, the second transmission means 12 is slightly slid sideways along the support surface. Since there is a difference between the areas A1 and A2, the hydraulic pressure of the lubricant in the recess 18 or the recess 18 ′ of the bottom surface 12a of the second transmission means is the lubricant in the space 14 between the transmission means 11 and 12. As a result, the second transmission means receives an upward hydraulic pressure that is greater than the downward hydraulic pressure due to the hydraulic pressure. When the rocker arm 7 and the first transmission means 11 return from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 1 and are thereby released from the load, the second transmission means 12 is therefore directed upward by upward hydraulic pressure. The bottom surface 12a of the second transmission means will be lifted slightly from the support surface 4a so that the lubricant can flow along the entire bottom surface through the outlet of the lubricant flow path 17. The recesses 18, 18 ′ thus ensure effective lubrication at the mutual sliding surface between the second transmission means 12 and the valve device 1.

  The device described in the invention can of course be adapted to transfer the control action from the rocker arm to a valve device containing only one valve means. In such a case, the support surface is located directly on the valve stem connected to the convenience yoke valve means. The device described in the invention would be more suitable for transferring the control action from the rocker arm to a valve device in the form of a prior art fuel injection valve for the combustion engine.

  The device described in the invention seeks to form part of a combustion engine, in particular of the piston type, for vehicles such as, for example, passenger cars, trucks, buses.

  Since the modifiability of a number of embodiments is apparent to those skilled in the art, there is no need to deviate from the basic concept of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and the invention will of course be It is not limited to examples.

1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section of the apparatus described in the first embodiment of the invention with parts connected to the apparatus of the combustion engine shown in a partly missing side view. The enlarged view of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. The one part lacking schematic side view of a part of apparatus described in 2nd Example of invention. The one part lacking schematic side view of a part of apparatus described in 3rd Example of invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the bottom when the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is viewed in the direction of arrow VI in FIG. 5. When the apparatus shown to FIGS. 1-3 is seen in the arrow VII direction in FIG. 2, the schematic plan view of the bottom face.

Claims (9)

It is a device that transmits control action from the rocker arm to the valve device of the combustion engine,
The apparatus includes first transmission means (11) fastened to the rocker arm, and second transmission means (12) constituting a ball joint together with the first transmission means,
The second transmission means (12) has a bottom surface (12a), and is slidably contacted with the support surface of the valve device via the bottom surface (12a).
The first and second transmission means (11, 12) have mutual contact surfaces (11c, 12c), and the first transmission means (11) is connected by an annular contact line (13) between the mutual contact surfaces. In a manner that defines the outline of the space (14) between the second transmission means (12), the two transmission means (11, 12) are in contact with each other,
A lubricant channel (17) is provided in the second transmission means (12),
The lubricant channel has an inlet (17a) facing the space (14) and an outlet (17b) facing the bottom surface (12a);
A lubricant channel (15) is provided in the first transmission means (11),
The outlet for introducing the lubricant into the space, the lubricant channel facing the space (14) between the first transmission means (11) and the second transmission means (12) ( 15b)
In the device for transmitting a control action to the valve device,
The second transmission means (12) is provided with one or more recesses (18; 18 '), the recesses (18; 18') being on the bottom surface (12a) and for the lubricant. It leads to the exit (17b)
The one or more recesses (18; 18 ′) have a total area (A1) on a transmission plane of the bottom surface, and the total area is determined by the first transmission means and the second transmission means. A device for transmitting a control action from a rocker arm to a valve device of a combustion engine, characterized in that it is larger than the area (A2) of a circle formed by the annular contact line (13) defining the space (14) therebetween.   The control action is transmitted from the rocker arm according to claim 1 to the valve device of the combustion engine, wherein the one or more recesses are a recess (18) located in the center of the bottom surface (12a). Device to do.   The recess (18) located at the center of the bottom surface (12a) is a circle having a diameter (d1) when the transmission plane of the bottom surface is viewed, and the circle is formed by the annular contact line (13). Device for transmitting control action from a rocker arm according to claim 2 to a valve device of a combustion engine, characterized in that it is larger than the diameter (d2) of the circle made.   Control from the rocker arm according to claim 1 to a valve device of a combustion engine, wherein the one or more recesses have the form of a plurality of elongated grooves (18 ') in the bottom surface (12a). A device that transmits motion.   The valve of a combustion engine from a rocker arm according to claim 4, characterized in that the grooves (18 ') each extend radially from the outlet (17b) of the lubricant channel (17). A device that transmits control actions to a device.   The two transmission means (11, 12) are in contact with each other via the convex contact surface (11c) of one of the transmission means and the corresponding concave contact surface (12c) of the other transmission means. A device for transmitting a control operation from the rocker arm according to any one of claims 1 to 5, to a valve device of a combustion engine.   7. The first transmission means (11) includes the convex contact surface (11c) and the second transmission means (12) includes the concave contact surface (12c). A device that transmits control action from the rocker arm to the valve device of the combustion engine.   The first transmission means (11) includes a spherical portion (11d), and the spherical portion is pivotally received in the cup-shaped portion (12d) of the second transmission means (12). An apparatus for transmitting a control operation from a rocker arm according to claim 7 to a valve device of a combustion engine. Rocker arm (7),
Combustion engine comprising a valve device (1) controlled by the rocker arm via a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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