According to one aspect of the present invention, a sliding member includes: a sliding surface against which an outer surface of a cam abuts; and a groove having a spiral shape or a plurality of grooves having an annular shape, which are provided on the sliding surface. The sliding surface includes a central region having a circular shape and including a center of the sliding surface, and a first annular region located outside the central region. A ratio R.sub.C of a width L2 of the groove to a pitch L1 of the groove in the central region is larger than a ratio R.sub.O1 of the width L2 of the groove to the pitch L1 of the groove in the first annular region.

A harmonic drive, more particularly in an electromechanical camshaft phaser, comprises a drive element (2), a flexible transmission element (26) connected to the drive element (2) and having external teeth (29), and an output element (4) that is designed as a ring gear and has internal teeth (30) that partially mesh with the external teeth (29). The flexible transmission element (26) is pot-shaped, and is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to the drive element (2) radially inside the outer teeth (29).

A method for producing a constructed camshaft of an internal combustion engine may be used in connection with a camshaft having a cam, a shaft, and an anti-friction bearing. The method may involve machining the cam, machining the shaft to produce a setting region for arranging the cam, heating the cam and the anti-friction bearing, pushing the cam onto the shaft into a preliminary position and pushing the anti-friction bearing onto the shaft into a bearing position, equalizing a temperature between the shaft, the cam, and the anti-friction bearing by cooling at least the cam, and setting the cam onto an end position by way of pushing the cam onto the setting region.

In a first state: a spool valve of a control valve is disposed such that a second spool oil passage is closer to a second side in a longitudinal direction than a first spool oil passage; and as the spool valve has traveled toward the second side against a biasing force of a biasing member, a first port communicates with a second port via the first spool oil passage, a first sleeve oil passage, and the second spool oil passage. In a second state: the spool valve is disposed such that the first spool oil passage is closer to the second side than the second spool oil passage; and as the spool valve has traveled toward a first side in the longitudinal direction, the first port communicates with the second port via the first spool oil passage, the first sleeve oil passage, and the second spool oil passage.

A cylinder head having a cast-in-place valve seat for an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having an inner wall. At least one retaining feature integrally and homogeneously extends from the inner wall. The valve seat when positioned into a casting mold has the at least one retaining feature assisting in retaining the valve seat in the casting mold. A metal in a molten form is received in the casting mold. A cast component formed after cooling of the metal has the valve seat cast-in-place.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sliding member includes: a sliding surface against which an outer surface of a cam abuts; and a groove having a spiral shape or a plurality of grooves having an annular shape, which are provided on the sliding surface.

The sliding surface includes a central region having a circular shape and including a center of the sliding surface, and a first annular region located outside the central region. A ratio R.sub.C of a width L2 of the groove to a pitch L1 of the groove in the central region is larger than a ratio R.sub.O1 of the width L2 of the groove to the pitch L1 of the groove in the first annular region.

The present disclosure concerns a slotted guide of a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The slotted guide includes two guide tracks, which cross one another in a crossing region, for guiding a switching pin of a cam follower of the valve train. The two guide tracks have an on-track region, a crossing region, and an off-track region. At least one radial projection, structured and arranged to protrude beyond the slotted guide in a radial direction, is provided in or downstream from the off-track region of at least one guide track.

A cover body (2) for a valve rotating device includes a ring-shaped upper part (4) and a ring-shaped lower part (6). The upper part (4) and the lower part (6) are axially spaced apart and are adapted to accommodate an axial spring element (24) therebetween. The upper part (4) and the lower part (6) are connected to one another by at least one connecting piece arranged at the location opposite an insertion position of the axial spring element (24).

A valve rotating device (12) having such a cover body is also provided. A ring-shaped base body (22) hasg a plurality of pockets (16) oriented in a circumferential direction, in each of which a ball (14) and a tangential spring (32) are arranged. The pockets (16) have a variable depth in the circumferential direction such that inclined raceways (26) for the balls (14) arranged therein are formed. The tangential springs (32) push the balls (14) toward an end of the respective pocket (16). The axial spring element (24) is ring-shaped and a first end of the axial spring element (24) is supported on an ring-shaped stop surface (18) of the base body (22) and a second end of the axial spring element (24) is supported on a surface of the upper part (4) of the cover. A surface of the lower part (6) facing away from the axial spring element (24) rests against the balls (14), and wherein the balls (14) and the axial spring element (24) are arranged overlapping in the radial direction.

A method for producing a cover body (2) for a valve rotating device is also provided.

A preassembled module for a variable-lift valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided for installation into a cylinder head. The module has a base plate with an electric linear actuator which lies on an upper side of the base plate. A guide plate, which lies on the upper side, has an outer side wall arranged to guide a slide piece. The guide piece extends below the base plate two downwardly pointing actuating fingers. Each respective actuating finger has a contact surface for moving a transverse coupling slide of a switchable rocker arm. The slide piece has a bracket which protrudes over the guide plate with a contact landing arm which runs transversely relative to the electric linear actuator. An actuator-side end of the contact landing arm is in contact with an actuating pin of the electric linear actuator to move the slide piece.

A sliding member of the present invention includes a base material and a coating layer that is formed on the base material. The coating layer includes a particle aggregate, and the particle aggregate contains two or more kinds of precipitation hardened copper alloy particles that have different compositions. The sliding member has high coating strength and superior wear resistance.