VALVE TRAIN FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

A valve train may include a camshaft, a cam follower, and first and second cams mounted axially adjacent in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft. The valve train may also include an adjustment arrangement having adjustable first and second mechanical engagement elements, which may each cooperate with at least one slide guide arranged on the camshaft. The valve train may further include a control shaft or control slide forming a stop for the first and second engagement elements and adjusting the first and second engagement elements into respective switching positions. The cam follower may be drivingly connected with the first and second cams in first and second positions, respectively. The first and second engagement elements may each be adjustable between respective basic positions, in which no contact exists with the associated slide guide, and the respective switching positions, in which the respective engagement element cooperates with the associated slide guide.

Claims

1. A valve train for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a camshaft and a cam follower; a first cam mounted in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft, and a second cam arranged in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft axially adjacent to the first cam; an adjustment arrangement having an adjustable first mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least one slide guide arranged on the camshaft, and an adjustable second mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least a second slide guide arranged on the camshaft; and one of a control shaft and a control slide, which, in a first position, forms a stop for the first engagement element and adjusts the first engagement element into a respective switching position, and in at least a second position forms a stop for the second engagement element and adjusts the second engagement element into a respective switching position; wherein the cam follower, in the first position, is drivingly connected with the first cam, and in the second position, is drivingly connected with the second cam; and wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are each adjustable between respective basic positions, in which no contact exists with the associated slide guide, and the respective switching positions, in which the respective engagement element cooperates with the associated slide guide.

2. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein the control shaft is configured as a camshaft with at least two control cams.

3. The valve train according to claim 2, wherein at least one of: at least one control cam is configured such that a turning of the control shaft adjusts at least one engagement element directly into its switching position; and at least one cam has one of a zero stroke or a stroke less than 6 mm, and at least one control cam is configured such that turning of the control shaft directly activates the at least one engagement element without a lever movement.

4. The valve train according to claim 2, wherein the control cams are arranged so that, depending on a turning angle, different cylinders of the internal combustion engine are one of actuatable, connectable, or disconnectable.

5. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein the control shaft has two first openings and two second openings aligned in an angled manner thereto, wherein the control shaft, depending on a rotation position, serves as a stop for one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element, and actuates the one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

6. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein the control slide has two through-openings, wherein the control slide, depending on a sliding position, serves as a stop for one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element, and actuates the one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

7. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein the cam follower has a roller pin and a roller rotatably mounted thereon.

8. The valve train according to claim 7, wherein the engagement elements are directed through the roller pin.

9. The valve train according to claim 7, further comprising an arresting device for each engagement element arranged in the roller pin, the arresting device having a spring-loaded arresting element, which is prestressed against an associated arresting recess on the associated engagement element and arrests the associated engagement element in its basic position or switching position.

10. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the first slide guide has at an end a ramp structure configured such that the first engagement element is brought out of engagement with the first slide guide and into its basic position; and the second slide guide has at an end a ramp structure configured such that the second engagement element is brought out of engagement with the second slide guide and into its basic position.

11. The valve train according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment arrangement for adjusting the one of the control shaft and the control slide.

12. The valve train according to claim 1, wherein the one of the control shaft and the control slide has a safety arrangement, which places the one of the control shaft and the control slide into a predefined position.

13. The valve train according to claim 12, wherein the safety arrangement has a spring, which prestresses the one of the control shaft and the control slide into the predefined position.

14. An internal combustion engine comprising a valve train having: a camshaft and a cam follower; a first cam mounted in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft, and a second cam arranged in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft axially adjacent to the first cam; an adjustment arrangement having an adjustable first mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least one slide guide arranged on the camshaft, and an adjustable second mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least a second slide guide arranged on the camshaft; and one of a control shaft and a control slide, which, in a first position, forms a stop for the first engagement element and adjusts the first engagement element into a respective switching position, and in at least a second position forms a stop for the second engagement element and adjusts the second engagement element into a respective switching position; wherein the cam follower, in the first position, is drivingly connected with the first cam, and in the second position, is drivingly connected with the second cam; and wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are each adjustable between respective basic positions, in which no contact exists with the associated slide guide, and the respective switching positions, in which the respective engagement element cooperates with the associated slide guide.

15. The valve train according to one of the preceding claims claim 11, wherein the adjustment arrangement is one of an electric motor and an electric adjuster.

16. The valve train according to claim 3, wherein the control cams are arranged so that, depending on a turning angle, different cylinders of the internal combustion engine are one of actuatable, connectable, or disconnectable.

17. A valve train for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a camshaft; a cam follower having a roller pin and a roller rotatably mounted thereon; a first cam mounted in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft, and a second cam arranged in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft axially adjacent to the first cam; an adjustment arrangement having an adjustable first mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least one slide guide arranged on the camshaft, and an adjustable second mechanical engagement element, which cooperates with at least a second slide guide arranged on the camshaft; and one of a control shaft and a control slide, which, in a first position, forms a stop for the first engagement element and adjusts the first engagement element into a respective switching position, and in at least a second position forms a stop for the second engagement element and adjusts the second engagement element into a respective switching position, the one of the control shaft and the control slide having a spring to prestress the one of the control shaft and the control slide into a predefined position; wherein the cam follower, in the first position, is drivingly connected with the first cam, and in the second position, is drivingly connected with the second cam; and wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are each adjustable between respective basic positions, in which no contact exists with the associated slide guide, and the respective switching positions, in which the respective engagement element cooperates with the associated slide guide.

18. The valve train according to claim 17, wherein the engagement elements are directed through the roller pin.

19. The valve train according to claim 17, further comprising an arresting device for each engagement element arranged in the roller pin, the arresting device having a spring-loaded arresting element, which is prestressed against an associated arresting recess on the associated engagement element and arrests the associated engagement element in its basic position or switching position.

20. The valve train according to claim 17, wherein the control shaft is configured as a camshaft with at least two control cams.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] There are shown, respectively diagrammatically,

[0019] FIG. 1 a valve train according to the invention for an internal combustion engine with a control shaft configured as a camshaft,

[0020] FIG. 2 an alternative embodiment of the control shaft,

[0021] FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of the valve train according to the invention, with a control slide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a valve train 1 according to the invention of an otherwise not shown internal combustion engine 2 has a camshaft 3 and a cam follower 4. A first cam 5a and a second cam 5b are arranged here in a torque-proof manner on the camshaft 3, the cam profiles of which cams can be alternatively picked up by the cam follower 4 and transferred to an associated valve, for example an inlet valve or an outlet valve of a cylinder. Here, the two cams 5a, 5b have different cam profiles, wherein purely theoretically for example the cam 5b can consist only of a base circle and thereby brings about a cylinder disconnection.

[0023] In a first position, a roller 6 of the cam follower 4 picks up the cam profile of the cam 5a, whilst the roller 6 of the cam follower 4 in the second position is drivingly connected with the second cam 5b and thereby picks up its profile. The roller 6 is mounted here rotatably on a roller pin 7. According to the invention, an adjustment arrangement 10 is now provided, which has an adjustable first mechanical engagement element 8a, which cooperates with at least a first slide guide 9a, arranged on the camshaft 3. Furthermore, an adjustable second mechanical engagement element 8b is provided, which cooperates with at least a second slide guide 9b arranged on the camshaft 3. The first and second engagement element 8a, 8b are adjustable here respectively between a basic position, in which no contact exists with the associated slide guide 9a, 9b, and a switching position, in which the respective engagement element 8a, 8b cooperates with the associated slide guide 9a, 9b.

[0024] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first engagement element 8a is situated here in its basic position, whilst the second engagement element 8b is situated in its switching position and cooperates with the associated slide guide 9b on the camshaft 3.

[0025] According to the invention, a control shaft 11 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) is now provided, or a control slide 12 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3), which in a first position forms a stop for the first engagement element 8a and in at least a second position forms a stop for the second engagement element 8b and therefore in the first position adjusts the first engagement element 8a into its switching position and in the second position adjusts the second engagement element 8b into its switching position. According to FIG. 1 the control shaft 1 is configured here as camshaft 13 and has first and second control cams 14, 15, wherein at least the control cam 14 is configured according to rotation position for adjusting the engagement element 8a, 8b, cooperating respectively therewith, in its switching position.

[0026] Here, at least one control cam 14, 15 can be embodied according to the invention so that by a rotating of the control shaft 11 at least one engagement element 8a, 8b is adjusted directly into its switching position. It is also conceivable that the control cams 14, 15 are arranged so that depending on the rotation angle different cylinders are able to be actuated or respectively connected. Hereby, it is possible for example to operate different cylnders in an engine braking operation and to increase or reduce the braking power by connecting or respectively disconnecting a further cylinder.

[0027] Observing the camshaft 11 according to FIG. 2, it can be seen that it has two first openings 16 and two second openings 17, aligned orthogonally thereto, wherein the control shaft 11 depending on the rotation position actuates either the first engagement element 8a or the second engagement element 8b. In the example which is shown, the openings 16, 17 are aligned orthogonally to one another, wherein of course it is clear that these can also be oriented at a different angle to one another. In the state illustrated according to FIG. 2, the first opening 16 points into the plane of the drawing and thereby runs transversely to an adjustment direction 18 of the engagement elements 8a, 8b, whereby the control shaft 11 forms a stop for the second engagement element 8b. In this position, the second opening 17 is aligned with the first engagement element 8a, so that the latter, on an upward movement of the cam follower 4, can engage into the opening 17 and thereby is not adjusted by the control shaft 11. The second engagement element 8b, on the other hand, strikes with its head against the control shaft 11 and is thereby adjusted from its basic position into its switching position.

[0028] According to FIG. 2, an adjustment arrangement 19 is shown for turning the control shaft 11, for example an electric motor or electric adjuster, wherein the adjustment arrangement 19 can of course also be operated hydraulically or pneumatically. In the same way, the control shaft 11 illustrated according to FIG. 2 can also be adjusted in a translatory manner for adjusting the respective engagement elements 8a, 8b from their basic position into their switching position, so that in this case no turning of the control shaft 11 takes place and this is configured, in this case, as control slide 12.

[0029] In the embodiment of the valve train according to the invention, illustrated according to FIG. 3, a comparatively simple control slide 12 is provided, which has only two through-openings 17′, which as regards their function correspond to the second through-openings 17 according to FIG. 2 and thereby enable a dipping of the respective engagement element 8a, 8b through the associated through-opening 17′, depending on the position of the control slide 12. The control slide 12 illustrated according to FIG. 3 therefore does not need any further through-openings, but rather is simply displaced by a displacement along the direction 20 so that the control slide 12 serves firstly for the respective engagement element 8a, 8b as a stop, and for the other engagement 8b, 8a offers the possibility for passage through the respective through-opening 17′, so that it is not actuated by the control slide 12.

[0030] The control shaft 11 is also conceivable as passable for several cylinders. In this case, the control cam 14, 15 would have a different shape, in order to then be able to nevertheless connect the cylinders sequentially with the passable control shaft 11. This becomes necessary, because with the sequential connecting, the control shaft 11 is rotated into different positions. In order to also combine the sequential connecting with the other two embodiments, the control shaft 11 with (through)-openings 16, 17 and the control slide 12 (perforated sheet), these are to be likewise adapted. The control slide 12 is to have elongated holes, if applicable, and the control shaft 11 with the openings 16, 17 can be equipped with several openings 16, 17 at different positions.

[0031] In the majority of embodiments shown, the situation is such that a hitherto necessary separate actuator for adjusting the respectively associated engagement element 8a, 8b can now be dispensed with, whereby the valve train 1 according to the invention can be constructed at a more favourable cost, with a more compact structure and with improved functional reliability. An adjustment of the respective engagement element 8a, 8b from its basic position into its switching position takes place here preferably by an upward movement of the cam follower 4 and, in the course of this, by a striking of the respective engagement element 8a, 8b against the control shaft 11 or respectively the control slide 12, whereupon the engagement element 8a, 8b is adjusted. An additional adjustment arrangement, to be supplied with energy separately, or respectively an additional actuator to be supplied with energy separately, is therefore not needed for adjusting the engagemenet elements 8a, 8b in these embodiments. The individual control cams 14, 15 or respectively the openings 16, 17, 17′ are arranged or respectively constructed here so that only an associated cylinder is affected by the switchover or for example can also be adjusted in an alternating manner.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, a control cam 15 can also be provided with a zero stroke, wherein with a zero stroke cylinder disconnection or with an engine braking operation with a cam with very small stroke, a control cam 14 must be embodied so that on turning of the control shaft 11 the engagement element 8a, 8b is directly activated, without the cam stroke (as it is not present). Here, the rotational movement of the control shaft via the control cam contour is transferred into a linear movement, thereby comes in contact with the engagement element 8a, 8b and thereby adjusts the latter in axial direction. The resetting of the engagement element 8a, 8b takes place via a ramp structure in the slide guide 9a.

[0033] Observing FIGS. 1 to 3 once again, it can be seen that the engagement elements 8a, 8b are directed through the roller pin 7 and are thereby held by the latter. Furthermore, an arresting arrangement 21 is preferably arranged in the roller pin 7 for each engagement element 8a, 8b, which arresting arrangement respectively has a spring-loaded arresting element 22, which is prestressed against an associated arresting recess 23 on the associated engagement element 8a, 8b and arrests the latter in two different detent positions in its basic position or switching position, as is clearly shown according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0034] A resetting of the respective engagement element 8a, 8b from its switching position into its basic position can take place for example by a ramp structure, not shown in further detail, of the respectively associated slide guide 9a, 9b, which is realized for example by a reduction of the groove depth. Provision can therefore be made that optionally or cumulatively the first slide guide 9a has at the end a ramp structure which is configured such that the first engagement element 8a is brought out of engagement with the first slide guide 9a and into its basic position, and/or that the second slide guide 9b has at the end a ramp structure which is configured such that the second engagement element 8b is brought out of engagement with the second slide guide 9b and into its basic position.

[0035] In addition, a safety arrangement 24 can be provided, which places the control shaft 11 or the control slide 12 into a predefined position and thereby realizes a failsafe. The resetting can take place e.g. by a spring 25 or within the adjustment arrangement 19, in particular within the electric adjuster. The predefined position can be realized e.g. by a spring-loaded detent position.

[0036] With the valve train 1 according to the invention, and in particular with the control shaft 11 according to the invention or respectively with the control slide 12, which can be configured for example as a favourably priced perforated sheet, a particularly simple adjustment, because not actuators are necessary, of the engagement elements 8a, 8b can be brought about from their basic position into their switching position. Hereby, the entire valve train 1 can be produced not only at a more favourable cost, but also more compactly and more reliably as regards function.