WO2002029217A1

WO2002029217A1 - Retractable support element

Info

Publication number: WO2002029217A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/009979
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Haas; Bodo RÖRIG; Dieter Schmidt; Joachim Seitz
Original assignee: Ina-Schaeffler Kg
Priority date: 2000-09-30
Filing date: 2001-08-30
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Also published as: CA2421867A1; AU2002210471A1; EP1320666A1

Abstract

A retractable support element (1), requiring little installation room is disclosed. A slider (12) for coupling an inner element (6) with the outer housing (3) in the support element (1), is positioned laterally in a housing (2), arranged in the cylinder head (5). A drilling (8) is also provided in the inner element (6) for the slider (12) as a mere blind drilling, whereby the housing (2) fits directly in a drilling (9) in the outer housing (3) by means of a collar (11). The slider (12) can be displaced electromagnetically or hydraulically in at least one direction.

Description

Name of the invention

Support element that can be switched off

description

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a switchable support element for a rocker arm of a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which is installed in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, with an outer housing, an inner element, a slide and a housing for the slide, the outer housing being installed in a receptacle of the cylinder head and accommodates the inner element in an axially movable manner, wherein in the inner element and in the outer housing there is a bore aligned in an axial relative position, into which holes the slide for the coupling case of the inner element with the outer housing can be displaced at least in sections from the housing, and wherein the housing sits in the cylinder head and adjoins the bore of the outer housing with its inner face.

Background of the Invention

Such a support element is already known from DE 44 22 340 A1, which is considered to be generic. This is also designed to be switchable, wherein it is cut axially below its play compensation element by a slide for coupling purposes. The slide runs on its side facing away from the support element in a separate housing in the cylinder head. For coupling purposes, the slide completely passes through the supporting element at the end. At the same time, the document just mentioned shows that a so-called lost motion spring is provided, which acts axially below the slide on an inner element of the support element.

It is a disadvantage of the above-described support element that it builds relatively high. It should be noted that the game compensation element with the slide and the lost motion spring is nested one above the other. There may be installation space problems which result from the fact that the support element cuts cooling water or gas exchange channels or the like which may be present in this area. Furthermore, it is found that the support element cannot be supplied together with the housing for the slide, since both are available separately. Due to the individual mounting of the housing for the slide in the cylinder head, misalignment of the slide can also occur in relation to the holes provided for coupling in the support element.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a support element of the aforementioned type which can be switched off and in which the disadvantages cited are eliminated.

Summary of the invention

According to the invention this object is achieved by the features of claim 1, according to which the inner end face of the housing has a ring shoulder which is installed in the bore of the outer housing or that the inner end face of the housing is connected to the outer housing via a flange, the slide being electromagnetically loadable and is designed as an actuator rod with an anchor plate.

As an alternative to this, this object is achieved in accordance with the characterizing features of the independent claim 2, which claim 2 is relates to a hydraulically displaceable slide that the inner end face of the housing has a ring shoulder which is installed in the bore of the outer housing or that the inner end face of the housing is connected to the outer housing via a flange.

A particularly preferred embodiment is present if, according to a subsequent subclaim, the bores of the inner element and the outer housing run radially, the bore in the inner element being made as a blind bore.

There is thus a support element which can be switched off and in which the disadvantages cited at the outset are eliminated. This support element essentially does not require more installation space than non-switchable support elements, so that they can be easily adapted to cylinder heads which have been designed so far; or builds the support element shorter than the switchable solutions according to the prior art. On the one hand, this is achieved by avoiding the previously nested design by forming the bore in the inner element as a blind bore.

On the other hand, a simple form of loading of the slide is provided via means arranged laterally in the cylinder head. If necessary, the slide with housing can be supplied together with the support element that can be switched off, since the housing can be installed with the outer housing via its ring extension. For this it is only necessary to provide a longitudinal recess in the cylinder head at a suitable point for inserting the housing. However, it is also conceivable to provide a separate housing which is connected to the outer housing via its ring shoulder by lateral insertion into the cylinder head.

Because of the connection between the ring shoulder and the outer housing, which is preferably provided as a press connection, they are in the state of the Any possible misalignment of the housing and thus of the slide to the holes in the support element, which can be determined using technology, is effectively avoided.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if a hydraulic lash adjuster known per se is installed in the support element. Mechanical clearance adjustment measures or hydraulic clearance adjustment measures in the valve train can thus be dispensed with elsewhere.

Further subclaims relate to alternative forms of loading of the slide. This can, for example, be acted upon electromagnetically in at least one direction of displacement. However, it is also conceivable to shift it electromagnetically in its two directions of displacement. For this purpose, the slide is provided with an anchor plate which can be connected in one piece to the slide and also runs in the housing.

Embodiments which are unlocked or locked without pressure, as are known per se to the experts, are conceivable for the electromagnetic or hydraulic displacement of the slide in at least one direction.

If, as an alternative, the slide is hydraulically displaced in at least one direction of displacement, it can be displaced in the opposite direction using the force of a spring means such as, for example, at least one compression spring or also using hydraulic means. The hydraulic medium is expediently conducted from the cylinder head adjacent to the housing into a pressure chamber located in front of a pressure plate of the slide.

It is also conceivable and envisaged to design the ring shoulder of the housing as a separate component. This may have manufacturing or assembly technology

Benefits. As a simple connection form of the housing with the ring approach a snap connection is provided via a locking ring. At this point, however, it is also conceivable to have a positive or other form-fitting connection.

Instead of the aforementioned press connection of the ring approach with the outer housing, it can also be advantageous to connect the housing to the outer housing via a flange.

Brief description of the drawing

The invention is expediently explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. They show

Figures 1 to 4 cross sections through the switchable support element with housing, Figures 1, 2 refer to an electromagnetically displaceable slide and Figures 3, 4 to a hydraulically displaceable slide;

Figure 5 shows a housing in the cylinder head, the ring shoulder is made separately and

Figure 6 shows an alternative way of connecting the housing to the outer housing via a flange.

Detailed description of the drawing

FIGS. 1 to 4 disclose a support element 1 which can be switched off and has a laterally arranged housing 2, as is known to experts in terms of its basic structure (see also DE 4422 340 A1). The support element 1 has an outer housing 3, which is fixed in a receptacle 4 of an indicated Cylinder head 5 is installed. An inner element 6 is received in the outer housing 3 so as to be axially movable. This can have a hydraulic lash adjuster 7, not shown in the drawing. The inner element 6 has a head for one-sided support of a rocker arm.

A bore 9, 8 runs in each of the outer housing 3 and the inner element 6. The bore 8 in the inner element 6 is made as a blind bore, whereas the bore 9 in the outer housing 3 is made as a through bore. Both bores 8, 9 are aligned with the outer housing 3 in an axial relative position of the inner element 6. This relative position is determined by an axially separated state from the inner element 6 to the outer housing 3 for the purpose of achieving a full stroke on the gas exchange valve acted upon by the rocker arm.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the sleeve-like housing 2 runs in the cylinder head 5. This extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the support element 1 and directly adjoins the outer housing 3 with its inner end face 10. In the area of the inner end face 10 it has an annular shoulder 11 which is pressed into the bore 9, for example.

A slide 12 runs in the housing 2 and thus laterally in the cylinder head 5. This serves to couple the inner element 6 to the outer housing 3 when the support element 1 is switched on. In the event of a shutdown, the slide 12 extends at most up to immediately before the bore 8 of the inner element 6 If it is switched on, it is shifted with partial sections into the bore 8 of the inner element 6 during a basic cycle of a cam acting on the rocker arm.

Figures 1, 2 relate to an electromagnetic displacement possibility of the slide 12 in one direction. According to FIG. 1, the slide 12 can be displaced in its coupling direction via the force of an electromagnet 13 positioned in the housing 2. When this electromagnet 13 is energized, a with the slide 12 connected end plate 14 in the direction of the electromagnet 13. The coupling of the outer housing 3 with the inner element 6 is thus realized by moving the slide 12 into the bore 8. This displacement movement takes place against the force of a spring means 15 (FIG. 1), which is designed here as a compression spring and encloses the slide 12. In the event of decoupling, the energization of the electromagnet 13 is canceled, so that the slide 12 is displaced back into the housing 2 by the force of the spring means 15.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that, in contrast to FIG. 1, the slide 12 is displaced in the coupling direction via the force of a spring means 16 such as a compression spring and in the decoupling direction via the force of an electromagnet 17. An anchor plate 18 is arranged on one side of the ring shoulder 11.

FIGS. 3, 4 relate to hydraulic displacement possibilities of the slide 12. According to FIG. 3, the slide 12 can be displaced in its coupling direction via hydraulic medium that can be applied to its pressure plate 19. A resetting is again accomplished via the force of at least one spring means 20, such as a compression spring.

As an alternative to FIG. 3, it is provided according to FIG. 4 to produce the displacement of the slide 12 into its decoupling position by means of hydraulic medium pressure which can be conducted to its pressure plate 19a and its displacement into the coupling position via the force of a spring means 21 such as a compression spring.

Of course, it is also conceivable and envisaged to produce the displacement of the slide in its two displacement directions via electromagnetic means or entirely via hydraulic oil pressure. FIG. 5 shows that the ring shoulder 11 of the housing 2 can also be produced separately. It has an annular groove 22 on its outer jacket, in which a retaining ring 23 extends. The housing 2 with the ring extension 11 experiences a snap connection 24 via this locking ring 23.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows that the housing 2 can also be connected to the outer housing 3 via a flange 25. The flange 25 is expediently arranged such that it does not cut the cooling water or gas exchange channels and the like that may be present, and does not hinder the function of the support element 1.

Due to the lateral arrangement of the slide 12 in the housing 2, it is particularly advantageous that the support element 1 is essentially only as high as the non-switchable support elements previously implemented. At the same time, the connection of the ring shoulder 11 with the outer housing 3 achieves an excellent positional assignment of the slide 12 to the bores 8, 9.

reference numerals

supporting

casing

outer casing

admission

cylinder head

Inner element hydraulic lash adjuster

drilling

Inside front side

annular shoulder

pusher

electromagnet

anchor plate

spring means

electromagnet

anchor plate

printing plate

spring means

ring groove

circlip

snap

flange

Claims

claims

1. Switchable support element (1) for a rocker arm of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which is installed in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, with an outer housing (3), an inner element (6), a slide (12) and a housing (2) for the Slider (12), the outer housing (3) being installed in a receptacle (4) of the cylinder head (5) and receiving the inner element (6) in an axially movable manner, the inner element (6) and the outer housing (3) each A bore (8, 9) aligned in an axial relative position extends into which bores (8, 9) the slide (12) for coupling the inner element (6) to the outer housing (3) from the housing (2) at least in sections is displaceable and the housing (2) sits in the cylinder head (5) and adjoins with its inner end face (10) to the bore (9) of the outer housing (3), characterized in that the inner end face (10) of the housing (2) one Ring approach (11), which is installed in the bore (9) of the outer housing (3) or that the inner end face (10) of the housing (2) is connected to the outer housing (3) via a flange (25), the slide (12) being electromagnetic can be acted upon and designed as an actuator rod with an anchor plate (14, 18) (FIGS. 1, 2, 6).

2. Support element according to the preamble of claim 1, the slide (12) hydraulically displaceable and as a piston rod with a pressure plate

(19, 19a), characterized in that the inner end face (10) of the housing (2) has a ring extension (11) which is installed in the bore (9) of the outer housing (3) or that the inner end face (10) of the housing (2) is connected to the outer housing (3) via a flange (25) (FIGS. 3, 4, 6).

3. Support element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bores (8, 9) of the inner element (6) and the outer housing (3) run radially, the bore (8) in the inner element (6) being made as a blind bore is.

4. Support element according to claim 3, characterized in that in the inner element (6) a hydraulic play compensation element (7) is installed, wherein an axial line of the bore (8) of the inner element (6)

Game compensation element (7) cuts.

5. Support element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide (12) in the decoupling direction via the force of at least one spring means (15, 20) such as a compression spring and in the coupling direction, if referred to claim 1, via the force of an electromagnet ( 13) and, if referring to claim 2, can be displaced in the coupling direction via hydraulic medium which can be conducted to the pressure plate (19) (FIGS. 1, 3).

6. Support element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide (12) in the coupling direction via the force of at least one spring means (16, 21) such as a compression spring and in the decoupling direction, if referred to claim 1, via the force of an electromagnet ( 17) and, if referring to claim 2, can be displaced in the decoupling direction via hydraulic medium which can be conducted to the pressure plate (19a) (FIGS. 2, 4).

7. Support element according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring extension (11) is designed as a separate component relative to the housing (2) (Figure 5).

8. Support element according to claim 7, characterized in that the ring extension (11) has a housing-side ring groove (22) with a locking ring (23), via which the housing (2) with the ring extension (11) experiences a snap connection (24).