Oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain

Abstract

An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain includes a rocker arm base member and a base plate. The rocker arm base member includes a distribution slot disposed into a base lower surface, a plurality of receiving holes extending from a sidewall and/or from the base upper surface of the rocker arm base member into the distribution slot, and a plurality of oil distribution holes passing from the distribution slot through the base upper surface. The base plate being configured to cover at least a portion of the base lower surface including at least a portion of the distribution slot. In operation, the distribution slot receives oil from the plurality of oil receiving holes, passes at least a first portion of the oil to the plurality of oil distribution holes, and the plurality of oil distribution holes discharge at least a second portion of the oil past a base upper surface to provide lubrication to a portion of a rocker arm or other valvetrain components.

Claims

1. An oil distribution system (10) for an internal combustion engine valvetrain, said oil distribution system comprising: a rocker arm base member (100) having a base upper surface (102), a base lower surface (104), a plurality of sidewalls (106) spanning a distance between the base upper surface and the base lower surface, and a plurality of base mounting holes (108) extending from the base upper surface through the base lower surface, said rocker arm base member comprising: a distribution slot (110) disposed in the base lower surface; a plurality of oil receiving holes (120) extending from at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls and/or from the base upper surface into the distribution slot; and a plurality of oil distribution holes (130) passing from the distribution slot through the base upper surface; and a base plate (200) configured to cover at least a portion of the base lower surface including at least a portion of the distribution slot; and wherein the distribution slot is configured to receive oil from the plurality of oil receiving holes and pass at least a first portion of the oil to the plurality of oil distribution holes, and wherein said oil distribution holes are configured to discharge at least a second portion of the oil past the base upper surface.

2. The oil distribution system of claim 1, wherein the rocker arm base member includes at least a first rocker arm mounting structure (150) extending from the base upper surface and at least a first oil distribution hole (131) of the plurality of oil distribution holes is aligned with the first rocker arm mounting structure.

3. The oil distribution system of claim 2, wherein the rocker arm base member includes at least a second rocker arm mounting structure (160) extending from the base upper surface and at least a second oil distribution hole (132) of the plurality of oil distribution holes is aligned with the second rocker arm mounting structure.

4. The oil distribution system of claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a plate upper surface (210), a plate lower surface (220), and a plurality of plate mounting holes (230) extending from the plate upper surface through the plate lower surface.

5. The oil distribution system of claim 4, wherein at least one plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with at least one base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

6. The oil distribution system of claim 4, wherein each plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with a base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

7. The oil distribution system of claim 2, wherein the base plate includes a plate upper surface (210), a plate lower surface (220), and a plurality of plate mounting holes (230) extending from the plate upper surface through the plate lower surface.

8. The oil distribution system of claim 3, wherein the base plate includes a plate upper surface (210), a plate lower surface (220), and a plurality of plate mounting holes (230) extending from the plate upper surface through the plate lower surface.

9. The oil distribution system of claim 7, wherein at least one plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with at least one base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

10. The oil distribution system of claim 7, wherein each plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with a base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

11. The oil distribution system of claim 8, wherein at least one plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with at least one base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

12. The oil distribution system of claim 8, wherein each plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes is aligned with a base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes when the base plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of a rocker arm base member for an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an upper perspective view of an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an upper perspective view of an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain with an installed pair of rocker arms.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain with a pair of rocker arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Described herein is an oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine valvetrain. Reference is made to the Figures in which, unless otherwise noted, like numbers refer to like structures. As described herein and in the claims, the following numbers refer to the following structures as noted in the Figures. [0019] 10 refers to an oil distribution system. [0020] 20 refers to an oil flow path. [0021] 100 refers to a rocker arm base member. [0022] 101 refers to a base first end. [0023] 102 refers to a base upper surface. [0024] 103 refers to a base second end. [0025] 104 refers to a base lower surface. [0026] 105 refers to a base first edge. [0027] 106 refers to a sidewall. [0028] 107 refers to a base second edge. [0029] 108 refers to a base mounting hole. [0030] 110 refers to a distribution slot. [0031] 120 refers to an oil receiving hole. [0032] 130 refers to an oil distribution hole. [0033] 131 refers to a first oil distribution hole. [0034] 132 refers to a second oil distribution hole. [0035] 150 refers to a first rocker arm mounting structure. [0036] 160 refers to a second rocker arm mounting structure. [0037] 200 refers to a base plate. [0038] 210 refers to a plate upper surface. [0039] 220 refers to a plate lower surface. [0040] 230 refers to a plate mounting hole. [0041] 300 refers to a first rocker arm. [0042] 400 refers to a second rocker arm.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an oil distribution system (10) for an internal combustion engine valvetrain. As shown in FIG. 1, the oil distribution system includes a rocker arm base member (100) and a base plate (200).

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an oil distribution system (10) for an internal combustion engine valvetrain showing additional features of the rocker arm base member (100) and the base plate (200). As shown in FIG. 2, the rocker arm base member includes a base upper surface (102), a base lower surface (104) and a plurality of sidewalls (106) spanning a distance between the base upper surface and the base lower surface. A plurality of base mounting holes (108) extend from the base upper surface through the base lower surface and are configured to receive a fastenersuch as a bolt or a stud with a nutto attach the rocker arm base member to a cylinder head (not shown) of an internal combustion engine.

[0045] The rocker arm base member (100) includes a distribution slot (110) disposed in the base lower surface (104). In some embodiments, the distribution slot will originate at a base first end (101) and extend through a base second end (103). In other embodiments, the distribution slot will originate at the base first end without extending through the base second end. In yet other embodiments, the distribution slot will originate interior from the base first end and extend through the base second end. In still other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, the distribution slot will originate interior from the base first end without extending through the base second end.

[0046] A plurality of oil receiving holes (120) extend from at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls (106) of the rocker arm base member (100). Each oil receiving hole of the plurality of oil receiving holes extends into and along the distribution slot (110) to allow oil exterior to the rocker arm base member to pass into the distribution slot. While the oil receiving holes may be located at any one sidewall of the plurality of sidewallsincluding a sidewall corresponding to the base first end (101), the base second end (103), the base first edge (105), and/or the base second edge (107)it is preferred that at least one of the oil receiving holes is located in a sidewall corresponding to the base first edge as shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] A plurality of oil distribution holes (130) pass from the distribution slot (110) through the base upper surface (102) to allow at least a portion of the oil that passed into the distribution slot via the oil receiving holes to be discharged past the base upper surface and onto at least one rocker arm that is connected to the rocker arm base member (100). While the oil distribution holes may be located in any number of locations, it is preferred that each rocker arm connected to the rocker arm base member have at least one oil distribution hole substantially aligned to discharge oil onto valvetrain components such as a valve spring, valve, and/or rocker arm.

[0048] FIG. 2 also illustrates additional features of the base plate (200). As shown in FIG. 2, the base plate includes a plate upper surface (210) and a plate lower surface (220) opposite the plate upper surface. When the base plate is attached to the rocker arm base member (100) as shown in FIG. 1, the plate upper surface abuts against at least a portion of the base lower surface (104) such that the base plate covers at least a portion of the base lower surface. Preferably, the portion of the base lower surface covered by the base plate will include allor at least a portionof the distribution slot (110).

[0049] The base plate (200) also includes a plurality of plate mounting holes (230) with each mounting hole extending from the plate upper surface (210) through the plate lower surface (220). Preferably, at least one plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes will be aligned with at least one base mounting hole (108) of the plurality of base mounting holes when the lower plate is covering at least a portion of the base lower surface such that a single fastenersuch as a bolt or a stud with a nutmay pass through both the base mounting hole and the plate mounting hole to attach the rocker arm base member (100) to the base plate and to connect the assembled rocker arm base member and base plate to the cylinder head (not shown). In more preferred embodiments, each plate mounting hole of the plurality of plate mounting holes will be aligned with a separate base mounting hole of the plurality of base mounting holes.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the rocker arm base member (100) with arrows illustrating the oil flow path (20). As shown in FIG. 3, oil from exterior to the rocker arm base member (100)typically within the cylinder head below the base lower surface ((104) as shown in FIG. 2)enters the rocker arm base member through the plurality of oil receiving holes (120). Pressure within the cylinder head beneath the engine's valve cover along with turbulence caused by movement of rocker arms, valves, valve springs, and pushrods forces the oil into the plurality of oil receiving holes. The pressure and turbulence, combined with the volume of oil, then causes the oil to pass into the distribution slot (110). The pressure and turbulence, combined with the volume of oil, then causes the oil to flow along the distribution slot until it arrives at an oil distribution hole (130) of the plurality of oil distribution holes. Once the oil arrives at an oil distribution hole, the pressure and turbulence along with the volume of oil forces a portion of the oil through the oil distribution hole such that the portion of oil sprays upwardly onto at least a portion of a rocker arm (300/400 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), a valve spring, a valve, and/or related valvetrain components to provide lubrication to the valvetrain components during operation. The base plate ((200) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) covers the distribution slot and prevents any portion of the oil from escaping the distribution slot without being discharged through the oil distribution hole(s).

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the rocker arm base member (100). As shown in FIG. 4, the rocker arm base member includes at least a first rocker arm mounting structure (150) extending from the base upper surface (102). Many different forms of first rocker arm mounting structure may exist depending on the structure of the first rocker arm ((300) as shown in FIG. 5) and the mechanism for attaching said first rocker arm to the rocker arm base member. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first rocker arm mounting structure takes the form of a first tower extending upwardly from the base upper surface and including a first tower recess. A first rocker mounting hole extends intobut not necessarily throughthe first tower recess. The first rocker mounting hole being configured to receive a first fastener to connect a portion of the first rocker arm to the rocker arm base member as shown in FIG. 5which is an assembled view showing the first rocker arm attached to the rocker arm base memberand FIG. 6which is a partially exploded view thereof. Further, at least a first oil distribution hole (131) of the plurality of oil distribution holes may be aligned with the first rocker arm mounting structure as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0052] FIG. 4 also illustrates the rocker arm base member (100) including at least a second rocker arm mounting structure (160) extending from the base upper surface (102). Many different forms of second rocker arm mounting structure may exist depending on the structure of the second rocker arm ((400) as shown in FIG. 5) and the mechanism for attaching said second rocker arm to the rocker arm base member. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the second rocker arm mounting structure takes the form of a second tower extending upwardly from the base upper surface and including a second tower recess. A second rocker mounting hole extends intobut not necessarily throughthe second tower recess. The second rocker mounting hole being configured to receive a second fastener to connect a portion of the second rocker arm to the rocker arm base member as shown in FIG. 5which is an assembled view showing the second rocker arm attached to the rocker arm base memberand FIG. 6which is a partially exploded view thereof. Further, at least a second oil distribution hole (132) of the plurality of oil distribution holes may be aligned with the second rocker arm mounting structure as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 through FIG. 6, each of the first rocker arm mounting structure (150) and the second rocker arm mounting structure (160) includes a portion of a third tower extending upwardly from the base upper surface (102) and including a plurality of saddle mounting holes disposed therein. The plurality of saddle mounting holes being configured to receive a third fastener to connect a saddle to the third tower and hold each of the first rocker arm (300) and the second rocker arm (400) in place. The third tower includes a pair of concave recessesone of which is oriented to receive a convex surface of a portion of a first shaft for the first rocker arm while the other is oriented to receive a convex surface of a second shaft of the second rocker arm. Correspondingly, a bottom side of the saddle includes a pair of concave surfaces configured to fit over and around the convex surfaces of the portion of the first shaft and the second shaft which are disposed into the concave recesses of the third tower.

[0054] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first rocker arm (300) and the second rocker arm (400) may be thought of as a pair of rocker arms. One of said rocker arms being configured to actuate an intake valve of one cylinder of the internal combustion engine while the other rocker arm is configured to actuate an exhaust valve of the same cylinder of the internal combustion engine. While FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate rocker arms for a single cylinder of an internal combustion engine, one of ordinary skill will recognize that the configuration may apply to engines having multiple cylinders such as is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4in which case each cylinder may have its own pair of rocker arms configured to actuate that cylinder's individual intake and exhaust valves.

[0055] The oil distribution systems disclosed herein represent an improvement over the prior art. The distribution slot in the base lower surface can be easily and precisely machined to accurately align with the valve spring, valve, rocker arm, and/or associated valvetrain components without the need for difficult precision drilling. Subsequent covering of the distribution slots by the base plate allows a user to easily access the distribution slot, oil receiving holes, and oil distribution holes for cleaning of debris during servicing of the engine.

[0056] While the oil distribution system has been described as having one or more exemplary designs, the present article may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the oil distribution system using their general principles.