JP5241612B2 - Rocker arm unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rocker arm unit for use in a valve gear of an internal combustion engine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional rocker arm unit. This includes a support member attached to the cylinder head, a rocker arm supported by the support member, and a clip for connecting the support member and the rocker arm to each other. The rocker arm has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction, and a bearing part that abuts on the top of the support member is provided in a hemispherical shape on the front end side, and a valve contact part that abuts on the upper end of the valve on the rear end side. Is provided. In addition, a roller is accommodated in an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the rocker arm, and a cam abuts on the roller from above. During driving, the roller rotates via the cam, and accordingly, the rocker arm is swung around the support member. The valve opens and closes.
The clip is formed by bending a metal plate or the like, and is formed between a lower plate capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of the support member, an upper plate capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion, and the lower plate and the upper plate. Is connected to a rocker arm via an upper plate. The connecting plate is provided with a slit that is elongated in the width direction, and the front end portion of the rocker arm enters the slit in a loosely fitted state.

JP 2002-155710 A

The above clip has a problem that its shape is complicated and its manufacturing cost is high. Further, with this clip, there is a situation that the rocker arm cannot be reliably prevented from swinging around its own axis or swinging around the axis of the support member.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress inadvertent displacement of a rocker arm by a clip having a relatively simple shape.

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a supporting member attached to a cylinder head and one end portion in the length direction are supported by the supporting member, and the other end portion in the length direction is provided. A rocker arm that is brought into contact with the valve and a middle portion in the length direction is brought into contact with the cam and swings by the cam to open and close the valve; and the support member and the rocker arm are connected to each other. A clip engaging portion, and a clip engaging portion projecting in the length direction is provided at one end portion in the length direction of the rocker arm, and the clip is attached to the support member in a state of being attached to the support member. by contacting the both sides of the length direction of the engaging portion, wherein the rocker arm has a pair of regulating portions that restrict the swinging around the axis of its axial direction around and said supporting member,且The clip is in contact with the clip engaging portion on one end side in the length direction thereof, thereby restricting relative displacement of the rocker arm in the length direction relative to the support member to the outside. And a third restricting portion for restricting the relative displacement of the rocker arm in the lengthwise direction relative to the support member by contacting the clip engaging portion with the other end in the lengthwise direction thereof. It has the characteristics in the configuration.

  The invention of claim 2 is the lash adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a lash adjuster having a plunger that supports the rocker arm and a body that movably accommodates the plunger. It is characterized by being attached to the plunger.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the clip has a pair of clamping pieces that elastically hold the plunger from the outside.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the both restricting portions are configured as a window frame-shaped receiving portion into which the clip engaging portion enters. Has characteristics.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 4, the receiving portion is arranged so as to stand upright in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the clip is brought into contact with the rocker arm in a direction away from the support member, so that the clip is separated from the support member of the rocker arm. It has a feature in that it has a collar part that regulates detachment of the.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the third engaging portion is protruded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion. It is characterized in that a pair of retaining pieces that can come into contact with the portion are provided .

<Invention of Claim 1 >
When an accidental external force is applied to the rocker arm, both side surfaces in the length direction of the clip engaging portion come into contact with the pair of restricting portions of the clip, and the lock arm swings in the direction around its own axis and the direction around the axis of the support member. Since the movement is restricted, inadvertent displacement of the rocker arm is suppressed, and as a result, the rocker arm is prevented from being detached from the support member. Further, the clip includes at least an attachment portion to the support member, and a pair of restricting portions capable of contacting the clip engaging portion (in the invention of claim 10, a window frame-shaped receiving portion provided with the restricting portion). Therefore, a relatively simple shape can be used, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the clip has the second restricting portion, the rocker arm is prevented from being displaced from the support member or falling off due to the relative displacement of the rocker arm in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support member. Is done. Furthermore, since the clip has the third restricting portion, the rocker arm may be displaced from the support member or fall off from the support member due to the relative displacement of the rocker arm in the lengthwise direction relative to the support member. Is prevented.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Since the clip is attached to the plunger of the lash adjuster, it is attached at a position closer to the rocker arm than to be attached to the body side, so that inadvertent displacement of the rocker arm is surely suppressed.

<Invention of Claim 3>
Since the clip has a pair of holding pieces that elastically hold the plunger from the outside, the clip can be easily attached to the plunger with one touch.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Since both the restricting portions are configured as window frame-shaped receiving portions into which the clip engaging portions enter, the rigidity thereof is increased, and deformation due to contact with the clip engaging portions is prevented.

<Invention of Claim 5>
Since the receiving portion is arranged so as to stand upright in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion, a contact state with the clip engaging portion is realized while eliminating waste of material.

<Invention of Claim 6>
Since the clip has the flange portion, the rocker arm is prevented from falling off from the support member.

<Invention of Claim 7>
Since the abutting partner of the third restricting portion is a pair of retaining pieces protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion, the length of the rocker arm with respect to the support member without complicating the special shape The relative displacement to the outside in the other direction is restricted.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a rocker arm unit according to Reference Example 1. FIG. It is a side view of a rocker arm unit. It is a front view of a rocker arm unit. It is sectional drawing of the whole valve operating apparatus containing a rocker arm unit. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the rocker arm unit concerning the reference example 2 . 10 is a front view of a rocker arm unit according to Reference Example 3. FIG. It is a side view of a rocker arm unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rocker arm unit according to the first embodiment . It is a side view of a rocker arm unit. It is the top view which fractured | ruptured the principal part of the rocker arm unit. It is sectional drawing of the whole valve operating apparatus containing a rocker arm unit. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a rocker arm unit according to Embodiment 2 with a main part broken away. It is a front view of a rocker arm unit.

< Reference Example 1 >
Reference Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The rocker arm unit 10 according to the reference example 1 includes a rocker arm 20, a lash adjuster 40, and a clip 60.

  First, the overall structure of the valve gear for an internal combustion engine will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder head 80 is provided with a ventilation path 81 (intake port or exhaust port) and a stem hole 82 that communicates with the ventilation path 81 and opens to the outer surface of the cylinder head 80. In the stem hole 82 of the cylinder head 80, a valve 83 (intake valve or exhaust valve) for opening and closing the vent opening facing the vent path 81 is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate vertically between the valve open position and the valve close position. Has been. The valve 83 is always biased in the valve opening direction (upward) by the valve spring 88, and the upper end portion of the valve 83 is arranged to protrude upward from the upper end opening of the stem hole 82.

  The rocker arm 20 is disposed above the cylinder head 80, and the lash adjuster 40 is fitted into a bottomed mounting hole 84 provided to open on the outer surface of the cylinder head 80. The clip 60 is mounted across the rocker arm 20 and the lash adjuster 40. An oil passage 85 is provided inside the cylinder head 80, and an oil port facing the inner surface of the mounting hole 84 is provided in the middle of the oil passage 85.

  The lash adjuster 40 includes a plunger 41 that is elongated in the axial direction (vertical direction) for supporting the rocker arm 20 at the upper end portion, and a body 42 that accommodates the plunger 41 so as to be movable in the axial direction. It is inserted in conformity.

  The body 42 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is elongated in the axial direction, and a body hole 43 that faces the oil port of the oil passage 85 is provided in the peripheral wall thereof. The plunger 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 1, a support portion 44 that is rounded in a hemispherical convex shape is provided at an upper end portion thereof. A hole 45 for supplying hydraulic oil to the rocker arm 20 is provided in the center (top end) of the support portion 44 so as to penetrate inside and outside.

  The interior of the plunger 41 is a low-pressure chamber 46, and a high-pressure chamber 47 is defined between the lower end of the body 42 and the lower surface of the bottom wall of the plunger 41. A plunger hole 48 facing the body hole 43 is provided in the peripheral wall of the plunger 41 so as to open. An annular mounting groove 49 to which the clip 60 is mounted is provided in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the plunger 41 above the upper end of the body 42. Further, a communication hole 50 communicating with the low pressure chamber 46 and the high pressure chamber 47 is provided in the bottom wall of the plunger 41.

  A cage 51 is incorporated in the high-pressure chamber 47, and the cage 51 is pressed against the lower surface of the bottom wall of the plunger 41 by the urging force of the first spring 52 in contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall of the body 42. In addition, a spherical check valve 53 that opens and closes the communication hole 50 is housed in the high-pressure chamber 47 so as to be capable of restricting displacement in the radial direction (axial orthogonal direction) with respect to the cage 51. . A second spring 54 is inserted between the cage 51 and the check valve 53, and the check valve 53 is always urged upward by the second spring 54. The check valve 53 is configured to open when the hydraulic pressure in the low pressure chamber 46 rises higher than the hydraulic pressure in the high pressure chamber 47.

  2 and 3, the rocker arm 20 includes an arm main body 21 that is elongated in the front-rear direction, and a roller 22 that is rotatably accommodated in a roller accommodating portion 23 that is provided at the center in the length direction of the arm main body 21. have. The upper end of the roller 22 is disposed so as to be exposed above the upper end of the arm main body 21, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of an egg-shaped cam 90 provided on a rotation shaft parallel to the rotation center of the roller 22 from below. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rear end portion (the other end portion) of the arm body 21 in the longitudinal direction is in contact with the upper end of the valve 83 from above, thereby resisting the urging force of the valve spring 88. There is provided a valve contact portion 24 that presses in the opening direction. At the front end (one end) in the length direction of the arm main body 21, a bearing portion 25 bulging upward in a substantially hemispherical shape to receive the support portion 44 of the plunger 41 is provided. The inner surface (lower surface) of the bearing portion 25 is a hemispherical concave surface that slides on the hemispherical convex surface of the support portion 44 when the rocker arm 20 swings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-like base portion 26 is provided at the front end portion of the arm body 21 in the length direction so as to surround the bearing portion 25. Both side surfaces in the width direction of the base portion 26 are cut off obliquely, and a clip engagement portion 27 that protrudes forward is provided in the center portion in the width direction of the front end of the base portion 26. The clip engaging portion 27 is a flat block-shaped base portion 28 that protrudes forward from the front end of the base portion 26, and an engagement main body portion 29 that protrudes forward from the front end of the base portion 28 while being narrower than the base portion 28. And has a convex shape in plan view.

  The clip 60 is formed integrally by bending a metal plate after being punched into a predetermined shape. The clip 61 covers the upper portion of the bearing portion 25, the receiving portion 62 that receives the clip engaging portion 27, and the plunger 41. It consists of a mounting portion 63 to be mounted and a connecting portion 64 that is arranged between the receiving portion 62 and the mounting portion 63 and connects the both, and has a U-shape as viewed from the side.

  The connecting portion 64 has a substantially horizontal rectangular plate shape, and has a pair of wing portions 65 that protrude outward in the width direction from both side edges of the rear end and bend downward in the middle. The attachment portion 63 is composed of a pair of sandwiching pieces 66 that are folded back from the front end side (portion extending downward) of both wing portions 65, and the thickness direction of both sandwiching pieces 66 is directed in the width direction. The front ends of the both sandwiching pieces 66 are formed to be curved along the groove bottom surface of the mounting groove 49, and the both gripping pieces 66 elastically hold the groove bottom surface of the mounting groove 49. Is held in a positioning state on the outer peripheral surface of the.

  The receiving portion 62 is bent from the front end of the connecting portion 64 and rises substantially vertically in the vertical direction, and is parallel to the pair of lateral sides 67 facing in parallel in the height direction (vertical direction) in the width direction. It consists of a pair of opposing vertical sides 68 and forms a rectangular window frame as a whole. An insertion hole 69 into which the engagement main body 29 of the clip engagement portion 27 enters is provided in the receiving portion 62 so as to open in the front-rear direction (plate thickness direction). The inner surface of both sides of the insertion hole 69 of the receiving portion 62, that is, the inner surfaces of the vertical side portions 68, is a direction (Y direction in FIG. 3) in which the rocker arm 20 rotates (swings) around the support position by the support portion 44. A pair of restricting portions 70 that contact the clip engaging portion 27 in the width direction are configured. In a state where the clip engaging portion 27 is properly inserted into the receiving portion 62, a slight gap is retained between both side edges of the engaging main body portion 29 and the restricting portion 70.

  In addition, a pair of second restricting portions 71 are arranged on the rear surface of both vertical side portions 68 of the receiving portion 62 so as to be able to come into contact with the contact surface 38 on the front surface of the base portion 20 and the front in the length direction of the rocker arm 20. It is configured.

  The flange portion 61 has a rectangular flat plate shape that is spaced apart from the connecting portion 64 by the height dimension of the receiving portion 62 and is arranged substantially in parallel with the connecting portion 64. In the assembled state, the rocker arm 20 is separated from the lash adjuster 40. The upper end (top end) of the bearing portion 25 is elastically abuttable so as to be pressed against the rocker arm 20 in the upward direction. The flange 61 serves to prevent the rocker arm 20 from falling off the lash adjuster 40 upward.

Next, an assembling method and operation of the rocker arm unit 10 according to Reference Example 1 will be described.
The clip engaging portion 27 is inserted into the receiving portion 62 of the clip 60 from the rear, and the mounting portion 63 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 41 while the support portion 44 is fitted inside the bearing portion 25. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rocker arm unit 10 in which the rocker arm 20 and the plunger 41 are integrally connected via the clip 60 is constructed. Subsequently, the lash adjuster 40 is inserted into the mounting hole 84 of the cylinder head 80, the valve contact portion 24 is placed on the upper end of the valve 83, and the roller 22 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam 90 from below. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the rocker arm unit 10 is integrated in a valve operating apparatus. However, after the lash adjuster 40 is inserted into the mounting hole 84 of the cylinder head 80, the clip 60 may be attached to the plunger 41 and the rocker arm 20, and the procedure is arbitrary.

  At the time of driving, the rocker arm 20 swings and displaces (swing displacement) as the cam 90 rotates, and the valve 83 is opened and closed by the valve contact portion 24 and the valve spring 88. Further, the plunger 41 moves up and down relatively with respect to the body 42 according to the hydraulic pressure fluctuation of the hydraulic oil entering and leaving the low pressure chamber 46 and the high pressure chamber 47, so that the valve clearance is properly maintained. When the rocker arm 20 swings, the clip 60 maintains the integrity of the rocker arm 20 and the lash adjuster 40, and the hemispherical convex surface of the support portion 44 and the hemispherical concave surface of the bearing portion 25 slide against each other.

  By the way, after the rocker arm unit 10 is completed, when a force is applied to the side surface of the rocker arm 20 in a direction rotating about the support position by the support portion 44 with respect to the rocker arm 20, Further rocking of the rocker arm 20 is restricted by abutting against the restricting portions 70 facing both sides. Further, when a force in the direction in which the rocker arm 20 itself rotates about the axis (the X direction shown in FIG. 3) is applied to the side surface of the rocker arm 20, both side surfaces of the engagement main body 20 are applied in the direction in which the force is applied, as described above. Further rocking of the rocker arm 20 is restricted by coming into contact with the opposing restricting portion 70.

As described above, according to the reference example 1 , when an accidental external force is applied to the rocker arm 20, both side surfaces of the clip engaging portion 27 in the length direction come into contact with the pair of restricting portions 70 of the clip 60, Since the lock arm 20 is restricted from swinging in the direction around its own axis (X direction shown in FIG. 3) and in the direction around the axis of the lash adjuster 40 (Y direction shown in FIG. 3), the rocker arm 20 is careless. Displacement is suppressed. Further, since the clip 60 only needs to include at least the attachment portion 63 to the lash adjuster 40 and the pair of restricting portions 70 capable of contacting the clip engaging portion 27, the clip 60 has a relatively simple shape and is manufactured. Cost can be kept low.

  Further, since the clip 60 is attached to the plunger 41 of the lash adjuster 40, the clip 60 is attached to a position closer to the rocker arm 20 than to be attached to the body 42 side, so that inadvertent displacement of the rocker arm 20 is reliably suppressed.

  Moreover, since the clip 60 has a pair of clamping pieces 66 for elastically holding the plunger 41 from the outside, the clip 60 can be easily attached to the plunger 41 with one touch.

  In addition, since both the restricting portions 70 are constituted by the window frame-shaped receiving portion 62 into which the clip engaging portion 27 enters, the rigidity thereof is increased, and the restricting portion 70 is deformed by contact with the clip engaging portion 27. Is prevented. In addition, since the receiving portion 62 is arranged so as to stand in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion 27, a contact state with the clip engaging portion 27 is realized while eliminating material waste.

  Further, since the clip 60 has the flange portion 61, the rocker arm 20 is prevented from falling off from the lash adjuster 40.

  Further, since the clip 60 has the second restricting portion 71, the rocker arm 20 is displaced forward from the lash adjuster 40 due to relative displacement of the rocker arm 20 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lash adjuster 40. It is prevented from falling out.

< Reference Example 2 >
Next, Reference Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The rocker arm unit 10 according to the reference example 2 is different from the reference example 1 in the shapes of the receiving portion 62A of the clip 60A and the clip engaging portion 27A of the rocker arm 20. The other is the same as in Reference Example 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same structure portion as in Reference Example 1, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

  The receiving portion 62A has a band plate shape that rises substantially vertically from the front end of the connecting portion 64, and a pair of restricting portions 70 are formed on both side edges in the width direction. On the other hand, the clip engaging portion 27A has a shape protruding in a bifurcated shape from the front end of the base portion 26, and has a pair of stopper pieces 39 in the width direction. A receiving portion 62A is disposed between the both stop pieces 39, and both restricting portions 70 are disposed opposite the both stop pieces 39 with a slight gap in the width direction.

When an accidental external force is applied to the rocker arm 20, the inner surfaces of both stopper pieces 39, which are both side surfaces of the clip engaging portion 27A in the length direction, come into contact with the pair of restricting portions 70 of the clip 60A. Oscillation in the direction around its own axis and the direction around the axis of the lash adjuster 40 is restricted. Therefore, also in Reference Example 2 , as in Reference Example 1 , inadvertent displacement of the rocker arm 20 can be suppressed by the clip 60A having a relatively simple shape.

< Reference Example 3 >
6 and 7 show Reference Example 3. FIG. The rocker arm unit 10 according to the reference example 3 is different from the reference example 1 in the overall shape of the clip 60B. That is, the clip 60B is formed by bending a single metal wire (wire), and is attached to the attachment portion 63B that is bent along the groove bottom surface of the attachment groove 49 of the plunger 41, and the attachment portion 63B. It comprises a receiving part 62B that rises substantially vertically from both ends and is bent into a rectangular frame shape, and does not have a portion that covers the upper part of the bearing part 25. An insertion hole 69B into which the engagement main body 29 of the clip engagement portion 27 enters is provided in the receiving portion 62B so as to open in the front-rear direction, and a pair of restricting portions 70 are formed on the inner surfaces of both sides of the insertion hole 69B. Yes.

When an accidental external force is applied to the rocker arm 20, both side surfaces of the clip engaging portion 27 in the length direction come into contact with the pair of restricting portions 70 of the clip 60 </ b> B, and the lock arm 20 moves in the direction around its own axis and the lash adjuster 40. Oscillation in the direction around the axis is restricted. Therefore, also in Reference Example 3 , as in Reference Example 1 , inadvertent displacement of the rocker arm 20 can be suppressed by the clip 60B having a relatively simple shape.

< Embodiment 1 >
The first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 8 through FIG. 11. The rocker arm unit 100 according to the first embodiment includes a rocker arm 200, a lash adjuster 400, and a clip 600.

  First, the overall structure of the valve gear for an internal combustion engine will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the cylinder head 800 is formed with a ventilation path 810 (an intake port or an exhaust port) and a stem hole 820 that communicates with the ventilation path 810 and opens to the outer surface of the cylinder head 800. A valve 830 (intake valve or exhaust valve) for opening and closing a vent opening facing the vent path 810 is attached to the stem hole 820 so as to be able to reciprocate between a valve open position and a valve close position. The valve 830 is always biased in the valve closing direction (upward) by the valve spring, and the upper end portion of the valve 830 is arranged to protrude upward from the upper end opening of the stem hole 820.

  The rocker arm 200 is disposed above the cylinder head 800, the lash adjuster 400 is incorporated in a bottomed mounting hole 840 provided on the outer surface of the cylinder head 800, and the clip 600 straddles the rocker arm 200 and the lash adjuster 400. It is installed. An oil passage 850 is provided inside the cylinder head 800, and an oil port facing the inner surface of the mounting hole 840 is provided in the middle of the oil passage 850.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lash adjuster 400 accommodates the plunger 410 that is elongated in the vertical direction (axial direction) for supporting the rocker arm 200 at the upper end, the plunger 410 movably in the axial direction, and in the mounting hole 840. And a body 420 to be fitted.

  The body 420 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is elongated in the axial direction, and a body hole 430 that faces the oil port of the oil flow path 850 is provided on the peripheral wall thereof. The plunger 410 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a support portion 440 rounded into a hemispherical convex surface is provided at the upper end portion thereof as shown in FIG. A hole 450 for supplying hydraulic oil to the rocker arm 200 is provided in the center (upper end) of the support portion 440 so as to penetrate inside and outside.

  The inside of the plunger 410 is a low pressure chamber 460, and a high pressure chamber 470 is defined between the lower end of the inside of the body 420 and the lower surface of the bottom wall of the plunger 410. A plunger hole 480 facing the body hole 430 is provided on the peripheral wall of the plunger 410. An annular receiving groove 490 is recessed in the circumferential direction in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the plunger 410 located above the upper end of the body 420. The bottom wall of the plunger 410 is provided with a communication hole 500 that communicates with the low pressure chamber 460 and the high pressure chamber 470.

  A cage 510 is incorporated in the high-pressure chamber 470, and the cage 510 is pressed against the lower surface of the bottom wall of the plunger 410 by the biasing force of the first spring 520 in contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall of the body 420. In addition, a spherical check valve 530 that opens and closes the communication hole 500 while being accommodated in the high-pressure chamber 470 so as to be capable of restricting displacement in the radial direction (axial orthogonal direction) with respect to the cage 510 is provided. . A second spring 540 is interposed between the cage 510 and the check valve 530, and the check valve 530 is always urged upward by the second spring 540. The check valve 530 is configured to open when the hydraulic pressure in the low pressure chamber 460 is higher than the hydraulic pressure in the high pressure chamber 470.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rocker arm 200 is a roller that is rotatably incorporated in an arm body 210 that is elongated in the front-rear direction and a roller housing portion 220 that is recessed in the center in the length direction of the arm body 210. 230. The upper end of the roller 230 is disposed above the upper end of the arm main body 210, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the egg-shaped cam 900 provided on the rotation axis parallel to the rotation center of the roller 230 from below.

  A valve abutting portion 240 that abuts on the upper end of the valve 830 and presses the valve 830 downward (opening direction) is provided at the rear end of the arm body 210 in the length direction. On the other hand, a bearing portion 250 supported by the support portion 440 of the plunger 410 is provided in a hemispherical form at the front end portion (tip portion) in the length direction of the arm main body 210. The lower surface (inner surface) of the bearing portion 250 is a hemispherical concave surface that slides with the hemispherical convex surface of the support portion 440 when the rocker arm 200 swings.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a flat plate-like base portion 260 that surrounds the bearing portion 250 is provided at the front end portion of the arm body 210 in the length direction. A pair of sloped portions 270 that are obliquely cut off are provided on both side edges of the front end portion of the base portion 260, and a clip 600 and An engaging clip engaging portion 280 is provided to protrude forward.

  Both side edges of the clip engaging portion 280 are continuous from the inclined surface portion 270, and a pair of concave portions 290 are provided in the middle of the length direction by cutting out in a substantially U shape in a plan view. Specifically, the concave portion 290 includes a protruding portion 300 arranged in the front-rear direction, a pair of retaining pieces 310 projecting from the front end in the length direction of the protruding portion 300 to both sides in the width direction, and the length direction of the protruding portion 300. It is defined by a pair of facing portions 320 that face the retaining piece 310 at the base end and are integrally joined to the front end of the base portion 260. Of the inner surface of the recess 290, the both sides of the protrusion 300 are formed with a first contact surface 330 that can contact the clip 600 on both sides in the width direction (the circumferential direction of the lash adjuster 400), as shown in FIG. As described above, the rear surface of the retaining piece 310 is configured with a second contact surface 340 that can contact the clip 600 in front of the clip 600, and the front surface of the facing portion 320 can be contacted with the clip 600 and the rear thereof. A contact surface 350 is formed.

  The clip 600 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like. The clip 600 is connected to the substrate portion 610, the attachment portion 620 that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 410 along the rear end of the substrate portion 610, and the front end of the substrate portion 610. It consists of a frame-shaped receiving portion 630 into which the concave portion 290 of the clip engaging portion 280 is inserted, and has a substantially L shape in side view as a whole.

  The base plate part 610 has a pair of wing pieces 640 that are arranged substantially horizontally below the clip engaging part 280 in the assembled state and are bent downward after protruding in the width direction from both side edges of the rear end. The mounting portion 620 is configured by a pair of sandwiching pieces 650 that are folded back from the front ends of the tip portions of both wing pieces 640, and the thickness direction of the both sandwiching pieces 650 is directed in the width direction. The front end sides of both sandwiching pieces 650 are formed to be curved along the bottom surface of the receiving groove 490, and both sandwiching pieces 650 are elastically fitted into the receiving groove 490 of the plunger 410, It is attached to the plunger 410 by sandwiching the groove bottom surface from the width direction.

  The receiving portion 630 has a shape that rises from the front end of the substrate portion 610 at a substantially right angle, and has a rectangular window frame shape as a whole. Specifically, the receiving portion 630 includes a pair of left and right lateral sides 660 that face in parallel in the height direction (up and down direction) and a pair of upper and lower vertical sides 670 that face in parallel in the width direction. A rectangular insertion hole 680 into which the clip engaging portion 280 enters is provided in the inner side surrounded by the portion 670 and both lateral sides 660 so as to open in the front-rear direction (plate thickness direction). In the assembled state, the entire vertical side portion 670 is accommodated in the recess 290 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 10, a second restricting portion 710 that can contact the third abutting surface 350 of the clip engaging portion 280 is formed on the rear surface of both the vertical side portions 670, and is formed on the front surface of both the vertical side portions 670. A third restricting portion 720 that can abut on the second abutting surface 340 of the clip engaging portion 280 is configured. A restricting portion 730 that can abut on is configured. A predetermined distance between the second restricting portion 710 and the third abutting surface 350 and between the third restricting portion 720 and the second abutting surface 340 is set to allow rocking displacement (oscillation displacement) of the rocker arm 200. The interval is held.

Next, an assembly procedure and operational effects of the rocker arm unit 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
First, when attaching the clip 600 to the rocker arm 200, the rocker arm 200 is twisted around the axis from the normal assembly posture, and the clip engaging portion 280 is inserted into the insertion hole 680 of the receiving portion 630 in this state. When the retaining piece 310 is removed forward of the insertion hole 680, the rocker arm 200 is twisted in the opposite direction to return to the normal assembly posture. As a result, the clip 600 is assembled to the rocker arm 200. Next, the fitting portion 620 is elastically fitted and attached to the receiving groove 490 of the plunger 410 while fitting the bearing portion 440 into the bearing portion 250 from below. Thereby, the rocker arm unit 100 in which the rocker arm 200 and the lash adjuster 400 are integrally connected via the clip 600 is completed.

  Thereafter, the lash adjuster 400 is inserted into the mounting hole 840 of the cylinder head 800, and the valve abutting portion 240 of the rocker arm 200 is placed on the upper end of the valve 830 so that the front and rear ends of the rocker arm 200 are in a supported state, and The cam 900 is brought into contact with the roller 230 of the rocker arm 200 from above. The clip 600 may be assembled to the lash adjuster 400 after the lash adjuster 400 is inserted into the attachment hole 840.

  During driving, the rocker arm 200 swings as the cam 900 rotates, and the hemispherical convex surface of the bearing portion 440 and the hemispherical concave surface of the bearing portion 250 slide against each other. At this time, the vertical side portion 670 of the receiving portion 630 relatively moves in the concave portion 290 of the clip engaging portion 280, so that the rocker arm 200 is allowed to swing.

  Now, if the rocker arm 200 is pressed against the lash adjuster 400 so as to come out rearward, the second contact surface 340 of the clip engaging portion 280 comes into contact with the third restricting portion 720 of the receiving portion 630 and the rocker arm. More than 200 swings are regulated. Also, if the rocker arm 200 is pressed against the lash adjuster 400 in a direction that prevents it from moving forward, the third contact surface 350 of the clip engaging portion 280 comes into contact with the second restricting portion 710 of the receiving portion 630. Further swinging of the lock arm is restricted.

  Further, if the rocker arm 200 is pressed in a direction rotating in the circumferential direction of the lash adjuster 400 (a direction perpendicular to the swinging direction) around the bearing portion 250, the first contact surface 330 of the clip engaging portion 280 is used. However, the rocker arm 200 is further prevented from swinging by contacting the restricting portion 730 of the receiving portion 630. Also, if the rocker arm 20 is pressed in a direction to rotate around its own axis, the first contact surface 330 of the clip engaging portion 280 contacts the restricting portion 730 of the receiving portion 630 in the same manner as described above. Further swinging is restricted. Further, the rocker arm 200 is prevented from coming out of the lash adjuster 400 in the vertical direction when the upper and lower surfaces of the clip engaging portion 280 interfere with the upper and lower lateral sides 660. Therefore, the detachment of the rocker arm 200 from the lash adjuster 400 is reliably regulated.

According to the first embodiment , as described above, the clip engaging portion 280 engages with the clip 600, so that the rocker arm 200 is prevented from being detached from the lash adjuster 400. In this case, the clip engaging portion 280 is set in a small and simple shape at the tip of the rocker arm 200, and the clip 600 is also set in a small and simple shape in accordance with the clip engaging portion 280. Cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the clip 600 has the second restricting portion 710, the rocker arm 200 is displaced forward from the lash adjuster 400 due to relative displacement of the rocker arm 200 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lash adjuster 400. It is prevented from falling out.

  Further, since the clip 600 has the third restricting portion 720, the rocker arm 200 is displaced rearward from the lash adjuster 400 due to relative displacement of the rocker arm 200 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lash adjuster 400. It is prevented from falling out. In this case, since the abutting partner of the third restricting portion 720 is a pair of retaining pieces 310 that project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion 280, the lash can be obtained without complicating the special shape. The relative displacement of the rocker arm 200 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the adjuster 400 is restricted.

< Embodiment 2 >
Next, an embodiment 2 of the present invention by FIGS. The rocker arm unit 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shapes of the clip engaging portion 281 and the receiving portion 631. Other are the same as Embodiment 1, the description for the same structure portions as Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, without redundant description.

The clip 600 includes a substrate portion 610 and a mounting portion 620 similar to those of the first embodiment, and a receiving portion 631 that rises upward from the front end of the substrate portion 610. A pair of projecting pieces 79 are provided on the upper end of the receiving portion 631 so as to protrude on both sides in the width direction, and the entire receiving portion 631 has a T shape. The overhanging piece 79 serves to restrict the rocker arm 200 from protruding upward with respect to the lash adjuster 400. A restricting portion 731 is formed on both side surfaces of the receiving portion 631, a third restricting portion 721 is formed on both sides of the front surface of the receiving portion 631 in the width direction, and a second restricting portion 711 is provided on the rear surface of the receiving portion 631. Is configured.

  The clip engaging portion 281 has a shape protruding forward from the front end of the base portion 260, and a keyhole-shaped notch portion 39 through which the receiving portion 631 passes is provided at the front end edge. Of the inner surface of the cutout portion 39, the first contact surface 331 is formed on the inner surface facing each other in the width direction, and the second contact surface 341 and the third contact surface are respectively formed on the inner surfaces facing in parallel in the front-rear direction. A contact surface 351 is formed.

According to the second embodiment , rocking displacement of the rocker arm 200 is allowed within the range of the notch 39. Further, the rearward movement of the rocker arm 200 with respect to the lash adjuster 400 is regulated by the second abutting surface 341 of the clip engaging portion 281 coming into contact with the third regulating portion 721 of the clip 600, and the rocker arm 200 with respect to the lash adjuster 400 is Is prevented by the third contact surface 351 of the clip engaging portion 281 coming into contact with the second restricting portion 711 of the clip 600, and the rotation of the rocker arm 200 relative to the lash adjuster 400 is controlled by the clip engaging portion. The first contact surface 331 of 281 is regulated by coming into contact with the regulation part 731 of the clip 600. This prevents the rocker arm 200 from slipping out of the lash adjuster 400.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) The restricting portion may be configured to contact the rocker arm at a portion other than the front end portion in the length direction of the rocker arm.
(2) The clip shown in Embodiment 1 may also have the collar portion shown in Reference Example 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,100 ... Rocker arm unit 20,200 ... Rocker arm 27, 27A, 280, 281 ... Clip engaging part 40, 400 ... Rush adjuster (support member)
41, 410 ... Plunger 42, 420 ... Body 60, 60A, 60B, 600 ... Clip 62, 62A, 62B, 630, 631 ... Receiving part 63, 63B, 620 ... Mounting part 70, 730, 731 ... Restricting part 71, 710 , 711 ... 2nd restricting part 720, 721 ... 3rd restricting part 80, 800 ... Cylinder head 83, 830 ... Valve 90, 900 ... Cam

Claims (7)

A support member attached to the cylinder head;
One end portion in the length direction is supported by the support member, the other end portion in the length direction is brought into contact with the valve, and an intermediate portion in the length direction is brought into contact with the cam. A rocker arm that swings to open and close the valve;
A clip connecting the support member and the rocker arm to each other;
One end of the rocker arm in the length direction is provided with a clip engaging portion protruding in the length direction,
When the clip is attached to the support member and abuts on both side surfaces in the length direction of the clip engaging portion, the rocker arm swings around its own axis and around the axis of the support member. A pair of restricting portions for restricting the operation , and
The clip is configured to abut against the clip engaging portion at one end in the length direction thereof, thereby restricting the relative displacement of the rocker arm in the length direction relative to the support member to the outside. A third restricting portion for restricting relative displacement of the rocker arm to the other end in the length direction with respect to the support member by contacting the clip engaging portion with the other end in the length direction; rocker arm unit, characterized by that.   The rocker arm unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a lash adjuster having a plunger that supports the rocker arm and a body that movably accommodates the plunger, and the clip is attached to the plunger.   The rocker arm unit according to claim 2, wherein the clip includes a pair of clamping pieces that elastically hold the plunger from the outside.   The rocker arm unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the both restricting portions are configured as a window frame-shaped receiving portion into which the clip engaging portion enters.   The rocker arm unit according to claim 4, wherein the receiving portion is arranged so as to stand upright in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the clip engaging portion.   6. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the clip has a flange portion that regulates separation of the rocker arm from the support member by contacting with the rocker arm in a direction away from the support member. The rocker arm unit according to claim 1. The clip engaging portion is provided with a pair of retaining pieces that can come into contact with the third restricting portion by projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction thereof. The rocker arm unit according to claim 1.

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