Hermetically sealed lash adjuster

Abstract

A sealed type lash adjuster (100A) includes a plunger (2A), a body (1) in which the plunger (2A) is inserted in a fitting manner, a first sealing means (5) provided between the plunger (2A) and the body (1), and a second sealing member (20A) that can prevent or suppress intrusion of an engine oil from an outside. The second sealing means (20A) seals a portion of the plunger (2A) exposed from the body and is arranged so as to cover a clearance (K) formed between an open end portion of the body and the plunger (2A). More specifically, the second sealing member (20A) has a one-end portion (20aA) and an other-end portion (20bA) as sealing parts having a function of preventing or suppressing intrusion of the engine oil from the outside.

Claims

1. A sealed type lash adjuster comprising: a plunger having a reservoir chamber inside; a plunger spring that is arranged at a rear end portion of the plunger and provides a force, in a direction toward a front end side of the plunger, to the plunger; a body in which the plunger is inserted in a fitting manner, and that accommodates the plunger spring inside of the body, the body having an open end portion, the plunger and the open end portion of the body having a clearance; a first sealing member provided between the plunger and the body; a cap retainer that is attached to an end portion of the body and restricts protrusion of the plunger; a second sealing member capable of preventing or suppressing intrusion of a liquid; and a metal hold member that has an inner wall that has an insert hole through which the plunger is inserted and that has a hold portion that is provided at a top of the metal hold member and holds the second sealing member in contact with an outer surface of the plunger, wherein the second sealing member is separate from the cap retainer and is axially closer to the front end side of the plunger than the cap retainer in the direction, and the second sealing member externally surrounds and slidably seals a portion of the plunger exposed from the body to prevent or suppress intrusion of the liquid between the hold member and the portion of the plunger from an outside of the hold member and to further prevent or suppress intrusion of the liquid into the clearance, and wherein the hold member is formed so as to cover the clearance, and is fixed to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, the hold member is separate from the body and holds the second sealing member at the outside of the cap retainer, the hold member has a main body having the hold portion, and a flange portion around the main body, and the flange portion has a surface that is fitted to the cylinder head and surrounds the lash adjuster.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100A;

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100B;

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100C;

(4) FIG. 4 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100D; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100E.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(6) Best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detain in conjunction with the drawings.

Embodiment 1

(7) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of a sealed type lash adjuster (hereinafter also called simply a lash adjuster) 100A according to the present embodiment. As a basic structure, the lash adjuster 100A is structured to include a body 1, a plunger 2A, a check valve 3, a plunger spring 4, a first sealing member (first sealing means) 5, a ball plug 6, and a cap retainer 7.

(8) The body 1 is a member having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the plunger 2A is slidably inserted in the cylinder in a fitting manner in the direction parallel to a central axis line thereof. This cap retainer 7 for restricting protrusion of the plunger 2A is arranged at an end portion of the body 1. The cap retainer 7 is structured to function as a retainer for the plunger 2A but not to function to seal a liquid that is going to intrude from the outside. The plunger 2A is a circular column-shaped member, inside which is provided with a reservoir chamber 10. Note that the reservoir chamber 10 may be provided in an appropriate shape. A filling hole 2aA for filling oil (liquid) is provided on the end side of the plunger 2A. In addition, the ball plug 6 for sealing the filled oil and gas is pressed into this filling hole 2aA. A specified quantity of oil is filled, and the remaining space of the reservoir chamber 10 is taken up by gas (for example, air obtained from manufacturing atmosphere). Silicone oil, for example, can be applied as a sealed oil.

(9) A communication hole 2bA communicating with a high-pressure chamber 11 is provided at the rear end portion of the plunger 2A. In addition, the check valve 3 is arranged at this communication hole 2bA. The high-pressure chamber 11 is provided on the rear end side of the plunger 2A, and the plunger spring 4 is arranged in this high-pressure chamber 11. The check valve 3 opens to allow only the movement of the oil from the reservoir chamber 10 to the high-pressure chamber 11 when the plunger spring 4 urges the plunger 2A so as to protrude toward the front end side, and shuts off the movement reverse thereto.

(10) In addition, in the plunger 2A, a recycling hole 2cA communicating from a sliding surface to the reservoir chamber 10 is provided so that an open portion on the side of the reservoir chamber 10 is always located on the side nearer to the high-pressure chamber 11 than an oil surface L of the oil, in the in-use state. Note that the oil surface L is shown in a state inclined by 45 degrees in FIG. 1 because the lash adjuster 100A according to the present embodiment is assembled to the internal combustion engine (not illustrated) in a state inclined by 45 degrees relative to the vertical direction.

(11) The recycling hole 2cA is provided toward the central axis line in a manner orthogonal to the central axis line. On the sliding surface of the plunger 2A, a groove portion 2dA is provided around a full circumference at the same height (in the same position in the sliding direction) as that of the recycling hole 2cA. In addition, on the sliding surface of the plunger 2A, a groove portion 2eA is provided around a full circumference on the side nearer to the front end in the sliding direction than the groove portion 2dA. A first sealing member 5 for preventing external oil leakage is arranged in this groove portion 2eA. This first sealing member 5 seals a small clearance between the body 1 and the plunger 2A on the side nearer to the front end than the recycling hole 2cA. An X-seal, for example, can be applied as the first sealing member 5. However, not limited to this application, any appropriate sealing means such as other parts for sealing purposes may be applied.

(12) With the structure described above being as a basic structure of the lash adjuster 100A, the lash adjuster 100A has a second sealing member (second sealing member) 20A in the present embodiment. This second sealing member 20A has a structure to prevent or suppress intrusion of engine oil (liquid) from the outside. More specifically, the second sealing member 20A is structured to be capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding into a clearance K that is formed between an open end portion of the body 1 and the plunger 2A (more specifically, a clearance between the cap retainer 7 arranged in the open end portion and the plunger 2A in the present embodiment). The second sealing member 20A is formed and arranged so as to slidably seal a portion of the plunger 2A exposed out of the body 1 (more specifically, a portion exposed out of the body 1, or further exposed out of the cap retainer 7 in the state in which the plunger 2A is most depressed, which is hereinafter simply called an exposed portion) and to cover the clearance K.

(13) Specifically, the second sealing member 20A is provided with a one-end portion 20aA and an other-end portion 20bA as sealing parts having a function to prevent or suppress the intrusion of the engine oil from the outside. In the present embodiment, rubber is applied as a material of the second sealing member 20A. However, not limited to this application, any appropriate material may be applied to the second sealing member 20A. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20A is formed and arranged as described below.

(14) The exposed portion of the plunger 2A has a step shape 2fA around the outer circumference. A first cap 21 having a ring shape is pressed in until the first cap 21 is brought into contact with a step of the step shape 2fA functioning as a stopper. The one-end portion 20aA of the second sealing member 20A has an insert hole 51 passing the exposed portion of the plunger 2A through itself. By fitting the insert hole 51 to the exposed portion, the one-end portion 20aA of the second sealing member 20A closely contacts the exposed portion. In this state, a second cap 22 is assembled to the exposed portion by press fitting, and the one-end portion 20aA is sandwiched between and held by the first cap 21 and the second cap 22. As a result of the above, the one-end portion 20aA is fixed in close contact to the exposed portion of the plunger 2A, and functions as a seal part to prevent the intrusion of the engine oil and seals the exposed portion. That is, as a result of the above, a perfect seal part is applied to the exposed part of the plunger 2A. It is thus possible to prevent the engine oil from intruding from the outside via the exposed portion and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(15) On the other hand, the second sealing member 20A is formed so that the other-end portion 20bA is in relatively light contact with the outer circumference of the lash adjuster 100A, more specifically, the outer circumference of the body 1 in a state in which the one-end portion 20aA is fixed to the exposed portion. The relatively light contact of the other-end portion 20bA to the body 1 may be realized by utilizing, for example, contractive force of rubber. The relatively light contact may have a state in which the other-end portion 20bA does not closely contact the body 1 but contacts at least a part of the body 1. Thus, the other-end portion 20bA functions as a sealing part that prevents or suppress intrusion of the engine oil in the state in which the other-end portion 20bA contacts the outer circumference of the body 1. Consequently, the one-end portion 20aA and the other-end portion 20bA of the second sealing member 20A can prevent or suppress the engine oil from the outside from being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(16) Since the other-end portion 20bA is structured to contact the outer circumference of the body 1, the second sealing member 20A is arranged to cover the clearance K at the same time as the other-end portion 20bA is assembled so as to contact the outer circumference of the body 1A. Thus, it is further possible to effectively prevent or suppress intrusion of fine chips. As described above, the lash adjuster 100A is capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

Embodiment 2

(17) FIG. 2 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100B in accordance with the present embodiment. The lash adjuster 100B has the same basic structure as that of the lash adjuster 100A of the embodiment 1 except that a plunger 2B is substituted for the plunger 2A. In a part other than the basic structure, the lash adjuster 100B differs from the lash adjuster 100A in that the lash adjuster 100B is equipped with a second sealing member 20B and a structure associated herewith (retainer 23) instead of the second sealing member 20A and the structure associated herewith (the first and second caps 21 and 22).

(18) Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20B is formed and arranged so as to seal the exposed portion of the plunger 2B and cover the clearance K. In this regard, more specifically, the sealing member 20B of the present embodiment is formed and arranged as follows. Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20B is equipped with a one-end portion 20aB and an other-end portion 20bB as sealing parts having the function of preventing or suppressing intrusion of the engine oil. Although rubber is used as a material of the second sealing member 20B in the present embodiment, the material is not limited to the above but another appropriate material may be applied.

(19) A groove portion 2gB is formed around the outer circumference of the exposed portion. A retainer 23 having a cylindrical shape is fixed to the groove portion 2gB by swaging. The one-end portion 20aB that defines an insert hole S2 for the plunger 2B is fixed to a lower portion of the retainer 23 through vulcanization bonding. Thus, by swaging the upper portion of the retainer 23 against the groove portion 2gB, the one-end portion 20aB of the second sealing member 20B is fixed in close contact to the exposed portion of the plunger 2A. Thus, the one-end portion 20aB functions as a sealing part that prevents intrusion of the engine oil and seals the exposed portion. It is thus possible to structure the perfect sealing part to the exposed portion of the plunger 2B. It is thus possible to certainly prevent the engine oil from intruding from the outside via the exposed portion and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(20) On the other hand, the second sealing member 20B is formed so that the other-end portion 20bB is in relatively light contact with the outer circumference of the lash adjuster 100B, more specifically, the outer circumference of the cap retainer 7 in a state in which the one-end portion 20aB is fixed to the exposed portion. Thus, the other-end portion 20bB functions as a sealing part that prevents or suppress intrusion of the engine oil in the state in which the other-end portion 20bB contacts the outer circumference of the cap retainer 7. Consequently, the one-end portion 20aB and the other-end portion 20bB of the second sealing member 20B can prevent or suppress the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(21) Since the other-end portion 20bB is structured to contact the outer circumference of the cap retainer 7, the second sealing member 20B is disposed to cover the clearance K at the same time as the other-end portion 20bB is assembled so as to contact the outer circumference of the cap retainer 7. Thus, it is further possible to effectively prevent or suppress intrusion of fine chips. As described above, the lash adjuster 100B is capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

Embodiment 3

(22) FIG. 3 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a structure of a lash adjuster 100C in accordance with the present embodiment. The basic structure of the lash adjuster 100C is the same as that of the lash adjuster 100A of the embodiment 1 except a plunger 2C is substituted for the plunder 2A. The plunger 2C is the same as the plunger 2B of the embodiment 2. In a part other than the basic structure, the lash adjuster 100C differs from the lash adjuster 100A in that the lash adjuster 100C is equipped with a second sealing member 20C and a structure associated herewith (retainer 23) instead of the second sealing member 20A and the structure associated herewith.

(23) Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20C is formed and arranged so as to seal the exposed portion of the plunger 2C and cover the clearance K. In this regard, more specifically, the second sealing member 20C of the present embodiment is formed and arranged as follows. Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20C is equipped with a one-end portion 20aC and an other-end portion 20bC as sealing parts having the function of preventing or suppressing intrusion of the engine oil. Although rubber is applied as a material of the second sealing member 20C in the present embodiment, the material is not limited to the above but another appropriate material may be applied.

(24) Similarly to the aforementioned one-end portion 20aB of the embodiment 2, the one-end portion 20aC of the second sealing member 20C forms an insert hole S3 for the plunger 2C and is fixed to the retainer 23. By swaging the retainer 23 against the groove portion 2gC, the one-end portion 20aC of the second sealing member 20C is fixed in close contact to the exposed portion of the plunger 2A. Thus, the one-end portion 20aC functions as a sealing part that prevents intrusion of the engine oil and seals the exposed portion. It is thus possible to structure the perfect sealing part to the exposed portion of the plunger 2C. It is thus possible to certainly prevent the engine oil from intruding from the outside via the exposed portion and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(25) The second sealing member 20C is formed so that the other-end portion 20bC is attached (fixed) to a structure other than the lash adjuster 100C, more specifically, a fixed portion 30a formed on a cylinder head 30 of the internal combustion engine in a state in which the one-end portion 20aC is fixed to the exposed portion. The other-end portion 20bC and the fixed portion 30a are formed around the full circumference of the lash adjuster 100C. Thus, the other-end portion 20bC closely contacts the fixed portion 30a in a state in which the other-end portion 20bC is attached to the fixed portion 30a, and functions as a sealing part that prevents intrusion of the engine oil in a state in which the other-end portion 20bC is attached to the fixed portion 30a. Consequently, the one-end portion 20aC and the other-end portion 20bC of the second sealing member 20C can perfectly prevent the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(26) Since the other-end portion 20bC is structured to contact the fixed portion 30a of the cylinder head 30, the second sealing member 20C is disposed to cover the clearance K at the same time as the other-end portion 20bC is attached to the fixed portion 30a. Thus, it is further possible to effectively prevent or suppress intrusion of fine chips. In sealing of the exposed portion in the embodiment 1 to the present embodiment described above, it is preferable to directly fix the one-end portion 20a to the exposed portion in close contact. However, for example, the first cap 21, the second cap 22 or the retainer 23 may have the function of sealing the exposed portion. In this case, the second sealing means is realized by the second sealing member 20, and the first cap 21, the second cap 22 or the retainer 23. That is, the second sealing means may be composed of multiple structures, as described above. The lash adjuster 100C is capable of preventing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

Embodiment 4

(27) FIG. 4 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a lash adjuster 100D in accordance with the present embodiment. The basic structure of the lash adjuster 100D is the same as that of the lash adjuster 100A of the embodiment 1 in that a plunger 2D is substituted for the plunger 2A. In addition to the basic structure, the lash adjuster 100D differs from the lash adjusters 100A through 100C in that a second sealing member 20D is not structural parts of the lash adjuster 100D originally but is independent parts separate from the lash adjuster 100D. It is to be noted that the second sealing member 20D is used at the same time in practice, and the second sealing member 20D is handled as structural parts of the lash adjuster 100D. That is, although the second sealing means is originally independent parts separate from the lash adjuster, the second sealing means should include any parts simultaneously used with the lash adjuster. The plunger 2D is the same as the plunger 2A except that the step shape 2fA is formed in the exposed portion.

(28) Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20D is formed and arranged so as to seal the exposed portion of the plunger 2D and cover the clearance K. In this regard, more specifically, the second sealing member 20D of the present embodiment is formed and arranged as follows. Also, in the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20D is equipped with a one-end portion 20aD and an other-end portion 20bD as sealing parts having the function of preventing or suppressing intrusion of the engine oil. Although rubber is applied as a material of the second sealing member 20D in the present embodiment, the material is not limited to the above but another appropriate material may be applied.

(29) The one-end portion 20aD of the second sealing member 20D forms an insert hole S4 for passing the exposed portion through itself with a fine clearance, and slidably seals the exposed portion in a state in which the plunger 2D is inserted into the insert hole S4. Thus, the one-end portion 20aD functions as a sealing part that prevents or suppresses intrusion of the engine oil and seals the exposed portion.

(30) The second sealing member 20D is formed so that the other-end portion 20bD is attached (fixed) to a structure other than the lash adjuster 100D, more specifically, the fixed portion 30a formed in the cylinder head 30 of the internal combustion engine in a state in which the plunger 2D is inserted into the one-end portion 20aD. The other-end portion 20bD and the fixed portion 30a are formed around the full circumference of the lash adjuster 100D. In order to fix the other-end portion 20bD to the fixed portion 30a, more specifically, a diameter-reduced protrusion, for example, is formed on the inner circumference of an end of the other-end portion 20bD, a corresponding grooving portion is formed on the outer circumference of the fixed portion 30a, and the other-end portion 20bD is fitted to the fixed portion 30a by swaging. However, the fixing is not limited to the above, but may be realized by means of screwing by forming a male screw and a female screw.

(31) Thus, the other-end portion 20bD functions as a sealing part that prevents intrusion of the engine oil in a state in which the other-end portion 20bD is attached and fixed to the fixed portion 30A. Therefore, the one-end portion 20aD and the other-end portion 20bD of the second sealing member 20D is capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside. Since the other-end portion 20bD is structured to be fixed to the fixed portion 30a of the cylinder head 30, the second sealing member 20D is disposed to cover the clearance K at the same time as the other-end portion 20bD is attached to the fixed portion 30a. Thus, it is further possible to effectively prevent or suppress intrusion of fine chips. Further, in the present embodiment, since the second sealing member 20D is capable of suppressing lateral motion of the plunger 2D, it is possible to suppress abrasion of sliding portions of the plunger 2D and the body 1. As described above, the lash adjuster 100D is capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

Embodiment 5

(32) FIG. 5 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a lash adjuster 100E in accordance with the present embodiment. The basic structure of the lash adjuster 100E of the present embodiment is the same as that of the lash adjuster 100D of the embodiment 4. In a part other than the basic structure, the lash adjuster 100E differs from the lash adjuster 100D in that the lash adjuster 100E is equipped with a second sealing member 20E and a structure associated herewith (seal housing 25) instead of the second sealing member 20D. Although the second sealing member 20E and the seal housing 25 are not structural parts of the lash adjuster 100E originally but are independent parts separate from the lash adjuster 100E, the second sealing member 20E and the seal housing 25 are handled as structural parts of the lash adjuster 100E in the present embodiment as in the case of the embodiment 4.

(33) In the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20E slidably seals the exposed portion of the plunger 2E and is disposed by the seal housing 25 (hold member) formed to cover the clearance K. More specifically, the lash adjuster 100E of the present embodiment is structured as follows.

(34) The seal housing 25 has an insert hole S5 passing the plunger 2E through itself, and a hold portion 25a for holding the second sealing member 20E is formed in the insert hole S5. The material of the seal housing 25 may be a metal (for example, iron or aluminum). For example, the second sealing member 20E may be assembled to the hold portion 25a by pressing fitting. In the present embodiment, the second sealing member 20E is realized by parts for sealing, and may be appropriate sealing parts, which may be a squeeze type of sealing parts such as an O ring and an X ring, or a lip type of sealing parts such as a U packing or a V packing. It is thus possible to slidably seal the exposed portion.

(35) The seal housing 25 has a flange portion 25c around a main body 25b formed so as to cover the clearance K. The flange portion 25c is formed so that a surface fitted to the cylinder head 30 surrounds the lash adjuster 100E. The flange portion 25c is fixed to the cylinder head 30 of the internal combustion engine by bolts 26. An appropriate shield means may further be provided between the flange portion 25c and the cylinder head 30. It is thus possible to prevent or suppress intrusion of the engine oil between the flange portion 25c and the cylinder head 30. It is thus possible to prevent or suppress the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside of the lash adjuster 100E

(36) When the flange portion 25c is fixed to the cylinder head 30, the seal housing 25 is disposed to cover the clearance K at the same time. Thus, the present embodiment is capable of effectively preventing or suppressing intrusion of fine chips as in the case of the other embodiments. Further, since the present embodiment is capable of suppressing lateral motion of the plunger 2E, it is possible to suppress abrasion of sliding portions of the plunger 2E and the body 1. In the aforementioned embodiment 1 through the present embodiment, the structure of the first sealing member 5 can be simplified. More specifically, for example, a single lip seal rather than the X seal may be applied to the first sealing member 5. As described above, the lash adjuster 100E is capable of preventing or suppressing the engine oil from intruding from the outside and being mixed into the oil sealed inside.

(37) The embodiments described above are examples of preferred embodiments according to the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.