US20130186358A1 - Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet - Google Patents
Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130186358A1 US20130186358A1 US13/742,477 US201313742477A US2013186358A1 US 20130186358 A1 US20130186358 A1 US 20130186358A1 US 201313742477 A US201313742477 A US 201313742477A US 2013186358 A1 US2013186358 A1 US 2013186358A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve stem
- elongated body
- outer elongated
- pallet
- finger follower
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/12—Transmitting gear between valve drive and valve
- F01L1/18—Rocking arms or levers
- F01L1/185—Overhead end-pivot rocking arms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L13/00—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations
- F01L13/0005—Deactivating valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/20—Adjusting or compensating clearance
- F01L1/205—Adjusting or compensating clearance by means of shims or the like
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/20—Adjusting or compensating clearance
- F01L1/22—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically
- F01L1/24—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically by fluid means, e.g. hydraulically
- F01L1/2405—Adjusting or compensating clearance automatically, e.g. mechanically by fluid means, e.g. hydraulically by means of a hydraulic adjusting device located between the cylinder head and rocker arm
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L13/00—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations
- F01L13/0015—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations for optimising engine performances by modifying valve lift according to various working parameters, e.g. rotational speed, load, torque
- F01L13/0036—Modifications of valve-gear to facilitate reversing, braking, starting, changing compression ratio, or other specific operations for optimising engine performances by modifying valve lift according to various working parameters, e.g. rotational speed, load, torque the valves being driven by two or more cams with different shape, size or timing or a single cam profiled in axial and radial direction
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L2303/00—Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L2305/00—Valve arrangements comprising rollers
Definitions
- the invention relates to roller finger followers that are used in overhead cam type internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to switchable roller finger followers that have a lift and a no lift mode.
- Switchable roller finger followers that have at least one lift mode and a no lift mode are known.
- such finger followers have an outer elongated body, one end of which contacts a valve stem and operates on the valve stem, and a second end which is in contact with a hydraulic lash adjuster.
- the end which contacts the valve stem is formed on the outer elongated body and includes side walls to ensure that its position on the valve stem is maintained. This requires complex machining or formation of the outer elongated body.
- An inner elongated body is located in the outer elongated body and houses a cam follower that is contacted by the cam so as to provide motion to the finger follower to open or close the valve.
- the inner elongated body has two modes, a locked mode and an unlocked mode.
- a latching mechanism on the outer elongated body is used to lock the inner elongated body in a fixed position relative to the outer body.
- the cam which is fixed to the cam shaft of the engine translates movement to the finger follower which in turn translates into movement of the valve via the valve stem.
- the latching mechanism is released and the inner elongated body is unlocked and can travel freely up and down in conjunction with the cam without transferring the cam motion to the outer body and valve stem.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,007 discloses a roller finger follower of this type. This provides a lost motion spring to maintain contact between the cam follower and the cam.
- a switchable roller finger follower having an outer elongated body with a valve stem end, a lash adjuster end and two outer elongated body side walls.
- a first inner cavity is located in said outer elongated body.
- An inner elongated body is positioned in the first inner cavity and has a first end pivotally attached to the outer elongated body at the valve stem end via a pin.
- a second end of the inner elongated body is located adjacent to the lash adjuster end of the outer elongated body.
- a lost motion spring is located between the inner and outer elongated bodies.
- a latching mechanism is provided to lock the inner elongated body in a fixed position relative to the outer elongated body, and can be released in order to allow movement between the inner and outer elongated bodies.
- a valve stem pallet is located between the two outer elongated body side walls and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pivot pin.
- the valve stem pallet can be separately manufactured via cold forming, machining, punching and/or bending up sheet metal, or by various other methods. By separately forming the valve stem pallet from the outer elongated body, manufacturing is simplified and costs are reduced.
- valve stem pallet In another aspect of the invention, the motion of the valve stem pallet is limited by stops on or connected to the outer elongated body.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finger follower in accordance with the prior art.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a finger follower in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the finger follower of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve stem pallet used in connection with the finger follower of FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the valve stem pallet similar to the valve stem pallet shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the valve stem pallet shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a valve stem pallet according to the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the valve stem pallet shown in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a flat pattern for a valve stem pallet in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a valve stem pallet made from the flat pattern shown in FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a view of a valve stem pallet located in a finger follower having rotation limit stops for limiting a pivoting movement of the valve stem pallet.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12 - 12 in FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a finger follower having an arrangement for limiting rotation of the valve stem pallet.
- FIG. 1 shows a prior art finger follower 10 being acted on by cam 12 .
- the finger follower 10 pivots on and is in contact with a lash adjuster 14 , and through its pivot action operates on a valve stem 16 to open and close a valve in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (not shown).
- the finger follower 10 pivots about a pivot point 18 formed on top of the lash adjuster 14 .
- the finger follower 10 has an outer elongated body 20 having a valve stem end 22 , a lash adjuster end 24 , and two elongated body side walls 26 and 28 .
- a first inner cavity 30 in the outer elongated body 20 is defined between the valve stem end 22 , the lash adjuster end 24 and the side walls 26 and 28 .
- Affixed to the outer elongated body 20 , at its lash adjuster end 24 are lost motion spring pins 32 and 34 .
- Each of the side walls 26 and 28 provide lost motion spring stops 36 and 38 .
- An inner elongated body 40 is positioned in the first inner cavity 30 .
- the inner elongated body 40 has a first end which is pivotally attached to the valve stem end 22 of the outer elongated body 20 , by a pin 41 , a second end which is adjacent to the lash adjuster end 24 , and two inner elongated side walls.
- a center cam follower in the form of a roller 56 is mounted in the inner elongated body 40 .
- a latch assembly 58 forms part of the outer elongated body 20 .
- the latch assembly 58 is a conventional latch assembly which is operated in a conventional manner in order to lock the inner elongated body 40 to the outer elongated body 20 for transferring movement from the cam to the valve stem 16 . When the latch assembly 58 is unlocked, the cam movement simply results in the inner elongated body 40 pivoting up and down inside the outer elongated body.
- a lost motion torsional spring 60 is located between the inner and outer elongated bodies, and includes helical spring parts 62 and 63 positioned on pins 32 and 34 respectively.
- the action of the spring 60 is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7.909,007, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
- the finger follower 110 in accordance with the present invention is shown.
- the finger follower 110 is similar to the prior art finger follower 10 in that it includes an outer elongated body 120 as well as an inner elongated body 140 which are connected together in a pivotable manner at the valve stem end 122 via a pin 141 .
- a lost motion spring 160 is provided connected to the spring holding pins 132 and 134 and has spring parts 162 and 163 as shown which act on spring pallets 152 and 154 on the inner elongated body 140 in order to maintain contact of the cam follower roller 156 with the cam (not shown).
- a latch assembly 158 is provided which, in a latched position, fixes the inner elongated body 140 in position relative to the outer elongated body 120 , and which can be released in order to allow movement between the inner and outer elongated bodies 140 , 120 .
- a valve stem pallet 170 is located between the two outer elongated body sidewalls 126 , 128 and is connected in a rotational fixed manner to the pivot pin 141 .
- This connection can be via a press fit, splined fit, welding or any other suitable manner.
- the pivot pin 141 is slidably and rotatably located in the holes defined through the sidewalls 126 , 128 of the outer elongated body 120 as well as the sidewalls 146 , 148 of the inner elongated body 140 .
- the construction of the valve stem pallet 170 can be varied. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , which is shown in detail in FIG.
- the valve stem pallet 170 is a cold forged or machined part having a center lug 171 with downwardly extending sidewalls 172 , 174 at each end in order to provide guides for capturing the end of the valve stem ( 16 in FIG. 1 ).
- An opening 176 is defined through the lug 171 which is adapted for a press fit with the pin 141 .
- the bottom surface 182 of the lug 171 is a convex surface, preferably having a three dimensional curvature.
- the convex surface 182 can be formed as a partial spherical surface or any other suitable convex surface form. As shown in FIG.
- rotation limiters in the form of projections 174 , 175 extend from the sidewalls that are received in corresponding grooves 147 , 149 defined on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 146 , 148 of the inner elongated body 140 .
- These rotation limiters prevent over-rotation of the valve stem pallet 170 while in use.
- a preferred material for the pallet 170 is steel which is preferably surface hardened or heat treated at least in the area of the convex surface 182 .
- FIGS. 5 and 6 an alternate embodiment of a forged or machined valve stem pallet 170 ′ is shown.
- This embodiment is similar to the valve stem pallet 170 ; however, instead of the lug 171 with a single opening 176 , the sidewalls 172 ′, 174 ′ extend upwardly past a cross member 180 ′ on which the convex surface 182 ′ is defined.
- the sidewalls 172 ′, 174 ′ include aligned openings 176 ′, 178 ′ for receiving the pin 141 .
- This embodiment can offer reduced weight in comparison to the valve stem pallet 170 . Rotation limiters could also optionally be provided.
- valve stem pallet 190 is shown.
- the second embodiment of the valve pallet 190 is similar to the first embodiment except that it is formed as a turned part and includes a circular casing 192 with a cross member 196 extending across the medial portion.
- the upper end of the circular casing is deformed inwardly to form a top section 194 that engages with a connecter portion 198 that is affixed to the pin 141 via a press fit through an opening defined through the connecter portion 198 .
- the valve stem pallet 190 is preferably formed of steel and is hardened at least in the area of the cross member 196 .
- the cross member 196 can also have a convex form in the contact area for the valve stem 16 , in a similar manner as described in connection with the first embodiment of the valve stem pallet 170 .
- a further alternative is to locate the cross member 196 at the bottom of the circular casing 192 , eliminating any extension of the casing 192 past the convex contact area with the valve stem.
- the third embodiment of a valve stem pallet 200 is shown.
- the third embodiment of the valve stem pallet 200 is formed from sheet metal and can be made via a punched blank 202 shown in FIG. 9 .
- the blank 202 is bent-up in order to form the flanges 204 , 206 having holes 208 , 210 , respectively defined therethrough for receiving the pin 141 .
- the base 212 extends between the flanges 204 , 206 , and side members 214 , 216 are bent around along the underside of the base in an area beneath the flanges 204 , 206 in order to provide guides for maintaining the valve stem in position on the base 212 in use.
- the side members 214 , 216 can be welded in place.
- the base 212 can be formed convexly in the area of contact with the valve stem by a stamping operation, and is preferably formed of steel and hardened, at least in the area of the base 212 .
- the side walls 126 , 128 of the outer elongated body 120 at the valve stem end 122 include rotation limiters 123 formed thereon.
- the rotation limiters 123 are preferably in the form of inwardly directed curved flanges having a curve or other shape adapted to limit a pivoting movement of the valve stem pallet 170 ′ via contact with adjacent edges of the sidewalls 172 ′, 174 ′ in a maximum pivoted position.
- the inner elongated body 140 is formed with a single flange that extends between the side walls 172 ′, 174 ′ of the valve stem pallet 170 ′.
- the pin 141 has a press fit with the openings 176 ′, 178 ′ in the side walls 172 ′, 174 ′ of the valve stem pallet 170 ′ and a slip fit in the holes defined in both the outer elongated body 120 and the inner elongated body 140 .
- the pin 141 ′ includes a head 143 ′.
- the pin 141 ′ is press fit through the openings 176 ′, 178 ′ in the valve stem pallet 170 ′ and includes a slip fit with the corresponding holes in the outer elongated body 120 and the inner elongated body 140 .
- An anchor pin 145 ′ is connected through the head 143 ′ and into the side wall 128 of the outer elongated body 120 so that the valve stem pallet 170 is locked in rotation via the pin 141 ′ to the outer elongated body 120 .
- the anchor pin 145 ′ extends into a slot in the sidewall 128 so that a limited pivoting movement for the pin 141 ′ and the valve stem pallet 170 ′ is possible. This prevents excess or unwanted pivoting movement of the valve stem pallet 170 ′.
- other means for fixation to the outer elongated body 120 such as a keyed opening, welding, or any other suitable connection means.
- the guides provided on the valve stem pallets discussed above that are adapted to capture the ends of the valve stem 16 can be eliminated from the valve stem pallets according to the invention, and instead be provided as downwardly directed extensions of the sidewalls 126 , 128 or 146 , 148 of the outer or inner elongated bodies 120 , 140 on either side of the valve stem pallet that are adapted to capture an end of the valve stem.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The following documents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/589,505, filed Jan. 23, 2012.
- The invention relates to roller finger followers that are used in overhead cam type internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to switchable roller finger followers that have a lift and a no lift mode.
- Switchable roller finger followers that have at least one lift mode and a no lift mode are known. Typically, such finger followers have an outer elongated body, one end of which contacts a valve stem and operates on the valve stem, and a second end which is in contact with a hydraulic lash adjuster. The end which contacts the valve stem is formed on the outer elongated body and includes side walls to ensure that its position on the valve stem is maintained. This requires complex machining or formation of the outer elongated body. An inner elongated body is located in the outer elongated body and houses a cam follower that is contacted by the cam so as to provide motion to the finger follower to open or close the valve. The inner elongated body has two modes, a locked mode and an unlocked mode. A latching mechanism on the outer elongated body is used to lock the inner elongated body in a fixed position relative to the outer body. When the inner elongated body is locked in a stationary position, the cam which is fixed to the cam shaft of the engine translates movement to the finger follower which in turn translates into movement of the valve via the valve stem. In order to deactivate the finger follower, the latching mechanism is released and the inner elongated body is unlocked and can travel freely up and down in conjunction with the cam without transferring the cam motion to the outer body and valve stem.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,007 discloses a roller finger follower of this type. This provides a lost motion spring to maintain contact between the cam follower and the cam.
- It would be desirable to provide a finger follower of the type noted above with simpler manufacturing and reduced costs.
- A switchable roller finger follower is provided having an outer elongated body with a valve stem end, a lash adjuster end and two outer elongated body side walls. A first inner cavity is located in said outer elongated body. An inner elongated body is positioned in the first inner cavity and has a first end pivotally attached to the outer elongated body at the valve stem end via a pin. A second end of the inner elongated body is located adjacent to the lash adjuster end of the outer elongated body. A lost motion spring is located between the inner and outer elongated bodies. A latching mechanism is provided to lock the inner elongated body in a fixed position relative to the outer elongated body, and can be released in order to allow movement between the inner and outer elongated bodies. A valve stem pallet is located between the two outer elongated body side walls and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pivot pin. The valve stem pallet can be separately manufactured via cold forming, machining, punching and/or bending up sheet metal, or by various other methods. By separately forming the valve stem pallet from the outer elongated body, manufacturing is simplified and costs are reduced.
- In another aspect of the invention, the motion of the valve stem pallet is limited by stops on or connected to the outer elongated body.
- Other aspects of the invention are described below and in the claims, and have not been repeated here.
- The foregoing Summary and the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finger follower in accordance with the prior art. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a finger follower in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the finger follower ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve stem pallet used in connection with the finger follower ofFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the valve stem pallet similar to the valve stem pallet shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the valve stem pallet shown inFIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a valve stem pallet according to the invention. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the valve stem pallet shown inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a flat pattern for a valve stem pallet in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 10 is a valve stem pallet made from the flat pattern shown inFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is a view of a valve stem pallet located in a finger follower having rotation limit stops for limiting a pivoting movement of the valve stem pallet. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 inFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a finger follower having an arrangement for limiting rotation of the valve stem pallet. - Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from the parts referenced in the drawings. A reference to a list of items that are cited as “at least one of a, b, or c” (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
-
FIG. 1 shows a priorart finger follower 10 being acted on bycam 12. Thefinger follower 10 pivots on and is in contact with alash adjuster 14, and through its pivot action operates on avalve stem 16 to open and close a valve in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (not shown). Thefinger follower 10 pivots about apivot point 18 formed on top of thelash adjuster 14. Thefinger follower 10 has an outerelongated body 20 having avalve stem end 22, alash adjuster end 24, and two elongatedbody side walls 26 and 28. A firstinner cavity 30 in the outerelongated body 20 is defined between thevalve stem end 22, thelash adjuster end 24 and theside walls 26 and 28. Affixed to the outerelongated body 20, at itslash adjuster end 24, are lostmotion spring pins side walls 26 and 28 provide lostmotion spring stops 36 and 38. - An inner
elongated body 40 is positioned in the firstinner cavity 30. The innerelongated body 40 has a first end which is pivotally attached to thevalve stem end 22 of the outerelongated body 20, by apin 41, a second end which is adjacent to thelash adjuster end 24, and two inner elongated side walls. A center cam follower in the form of aroller 56 is mounted in the innerelongated body 40. Alatch assembly 58 forms part of the outerelongated body 20. Thelatch assembly 58 is a conventional latch assembly which is operated in a conventional manner in order to lock the innerelongated body 40 to the outerelongated body 20 for transferring movement from the cam to thevalve stem 16. When thelatch assembly 58 is unlocked, the cam movement simply results in the innerelongated body 40 pivoting up and down inside the outer elongated body. - A lost motion
torsional spring 60 is located between the inner and outer elongated bodies, and includeshelical spring parts pins spring 60 is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7.909,007, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , afinger follower 110 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Thefinger follower 110 according to the invention is similar to the priorart finger follower 10 in that it includes an outerelongated body 120 as well as an innerelongated body 140 which are connected together in a pivotable manner at the valve stemend 122 via apin 141. A lostmotion spring 160 is provided connected to the spring holding pins 132 and 134 and hasspring parts spring pallets elongated body 140 in order to maintain contact of thecam follower roller 156 with the cam (not shown). Alatch assembly 158 is provided which, in a latched position, fixes the innerelongated body 140 in position relative to the outerelongated body 120, and which can be released in order to allow movement between the inner and outerelongated bodies - As shown in detail in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , avalve stem pallet 170 is located between the two outer elongated body sidewalls 126, 128 and is connected in a rotational fixed manner to thepivot pin 141. This connection can be via a press fit, splined fit, welding or any other suitable manner. Thepivot pin 141 is slidably and rotatably located in the holes defined through thesidewalls elongated body 120 as well as thesidewalls elongated body 140. The construction of thevalve stem pallet 170 can be varied. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 , which is shown in detail inFIG. 4 , thevalve stem pallet 170 is a cold forged or machined part having acenter lug 171 with downwardly extendingsidewalls FIG. 1 ). Anopening 176 is defined through thelug 171 which is adapted for a press fit with thepin 141. Thebottom surface 182 of thelug 171 is a convex surface, preferably having a three dimensional curvature. Theconvex surface 182 can be formed as a partial spherical surface or any other suitable convex surface form. As shown inFIG. 4 , rotation limiters in the form ofprojections grooves sidewalls elongated body 140. These rotation limiters prevent over-rotation of thevalve stem pallet 170 while in use. By separately manufacturing thevalve stem pallet 170, this eliminates the need for forming a valve stem pallet as part of the outer elongated body as previously known in the art which involve higher manufacturing costs as well as more complex packaging. A preferred material for thepallet 170 is steel which is preferably surface hardened or heat treated at least in the area of theconvex surface 182. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternate embodiment of a forged or machinedvalve stem pallet 170′ is shown. This embodiment is similar to thevalve stem pallet 170; however, instead of thelug 171 with asingle opening 176, thesidewalls 172′, 174′ extend upwardly past a cross member 180′ on which theconvex surface 182′ is defined. Thesidewalls 172′, 174′ include alignedopenings 176′, 178′ for receiving thepin 141. This embodiment can offer reduced weight in comparison to thevalve stem pallet 170. Rotation limiters could also optionally be provided. - Referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second embodiment of thevalve stem pallet 190 is shown. The second embodiment of thevalve pallet 190 is similar to the first embodiment except that it is formed as a turned part and includes acircular casing 192 with across member 196 extending across the medial portion. The upper end of the circular casing is deformed inwardly to form atop section 194 that engages with aconnecter portion 198 that is affixed to thepin 141 via a press fit through an opening defined through theconnecter portion 198. The valve stempallet 190 is preferably formed of steel and is hardened at least in the area of thecross member 196. Thecross member 196 can also have a convex form in the contact area for thevalve stem 16, in a similar manner as described in connection with the first embodiment of thevalve stem pallet 170. A further alternative is to locate thecross member 196 at the bottom of thecircular casing 192, eliminating any extension of thecasing 192 past the convex contact area with the valve stem. - Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , the third embodiment of avalve stem pallet 200 is shown. The third embodiment of thevalve stem pallet 200 is formed from sheet metal and can be made via a punched blank 202 shown inFIG. 9 . The blank 202 is bent-up in order to form theflanges holes 208, 210, respectively defined therethrough for receiving thepin 141. Thebase 212 extends between theflanges side members flanges side members base 212. - Referring now to
FIGS. 11 and 12 , an alternate embodiment of thefinger follower 110 is shown in which theside walls elongated body 120 at the valve stemend 122 includerotation limiters 123 formed thereon. Therotation limiters 123 are preferably in the form of inwardly directed curved flanges having a curve or other shape adapted to limit a pivoting movement of thevalve stem pallet 170′ via contact with adjacent edges of thesidewalls 172′, 174′ in a maximum pivoted position. In this embodiment, the innerelongated body 140 is formed with a single flange that extends between theside walls 172′, 174′ of thevalve stem pallet 170′. Thepin 141 has a press fit with theopenings 176′, 178′ in theside walls 172′, 174′ of thevalve stem pallet 170′ and a slip fit in the holes defined in both the outerelongated body 120 and the innerelongated body 140. - Referring now to
FIG. 13 , an alternate embodiment of the rotation limiter for thevalve stem pallet 170′ is shown. In this embodiment, thepin 141′ includes ahead 143′. Thepin 141′ is press fit through theopenings 176′, 178′ in thevalve stem pallet 170′ and includes a slip fit with the corresponding holes in the outerelongated body 120 and the innerelongated body 140. Ananchor pin 145′ is connected through thehead 143′ and into theside wall 128 of the outerelongated body 120 so that thevalve stem pallet 170 is locked in rotation via thepin 141′ to the outerelongated body 120. Alternatively, theanchor pin 145′ extends into a slot in thesidewall 128 so that a limited pivoting movement for thepin 141′ and thevalve stem pallet 170′ is possible. This prevents excess or unwanted pivoting movement of thevalve stem pallet 170′. Alternatively, instead of thepin 141′ with ahead 143′, other means for fixation to the outerelongated body 120, such as a keyed opening, welding, or any other suitable connection means. - As a further alternative, the guides provided on the valve stem pallets discussed above that are adapted to capture the ends of the
valve stem 16 can be eliminated from the valve stem pallets according to the invention, and instead be provided as downwardly directed extensions of thesidewalls elongated bodies - Having thus described the present invention in detail, it will be appreciated and apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The preferred embodiments and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/742,477 US20130186358A1 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2013-01-16 | Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261589505P | 2012-01-23 | 2012-01-23 | |
US13/742,477 US20130186358A1 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2013-01-16 | Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130186358A1 true US20130186358A1 (en) | 2013-07-25 |
Family
ID=48796192
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/742,477 Abandoned US20130186358A1 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2013-01-16 | Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130186358A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102014223602A1 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2016-01-07 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Switchable drag lever |
WO2016007486A1 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2016-01-14 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration |
EP3140521A4 (en) * | 2014-05-06 | 2018-02-14 | Eaton Corporation | Cylinder deactivation deactivating roller finger follower having improved packaging |
CN107787394A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2018-03-09 | 伊顿公司 | For the switching rocking arm of the internal exhaust gas recirculation controlled with simple breech lock |
US20190032765A1 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2019-01-31 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Rotatable body valve stem contact for switchable roller finger follower |
CN115485462A (en) * | 2020-04-06 | 2022-12-16 | 伊顿智能动力有限公司 | Switching rocker arm with stamped inner arm configuration |
US11788439B2 (en) | 2010-03-19 | 2023-10-17 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Development of a switching roller finger follower for cylinder deactivation in internal combustion engines |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6769387B2 (en) * | 2002-10-19 | 2004-08-03 | General Motors Corporation | Compact two-step rocker arm assembly |
US6976461B2 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2005-12-20 | Ina-Schaeffler Kg | Finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine |
US20070113813A1 (en) * | 2005-11-21 | 2007-05-24 | Lalone Barry G | Two-step rocker arm having roller element cam followers |
US20070221153A1 (en) * | 2006-03-21 | 2007-09-27 | William Paul Curtis | High profile rocker arm assembly with offset valve lash adjuster |
US20090064954A1 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2009-03-12 | Schaeffler Kg | Switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine |
US20120097123A1 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2012-04-26 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Finger lever |
-
2013
- 2013-01-16 US US13/742,477 patent/US20130186358A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6769387B2 (en) * | 2002-10-19 | 2004-08-03 | General Motors Corporation | Compact two-step rocker arm assembly |
US6976461B2 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2005-12-20 | Ina-Schaeffler Kg | Finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine |
US20070113813A1 (en) * | 2005-11-21 | 2007-05-24 | Lalone Barry G | Two-step rocker arm having roller element cam followers |
US20070221153A1 (en) * | 2006-03-21 | 2007-09-27 | William Paul Curtis | High profile rocker arm assembly with offset valve lash adjuster |
US20090064954A1 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2009-03-12 | Schaeffler Kg | Switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine |
US20120097123A1 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2012-04-26 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Finger lever |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11788439B2 (en) | 2010-03-19 | 2023-10-17 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Development of a switching roller finger follower for cylinder deactivation in internal combustion engines |
US10294834B2 (en) | 2014-05-06 | 2019-05-21 | Eaton Corporation | Cylinder deactivation deactivating roller finger follower having improved packaging |
US10590814B2 (en) * | 2014-05-06 | 2020-03-17 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Cylinder deactivation deactivating roller finger follower having improved packaging |
EP3140521A4 (en) * | 2014-05-06 | 2018-02-14 | Eaton Corporation | Cylinder deactivation deactivating roller finger follower having improved packaging |
US20190257226A1 (en) * | 2014-05-06 | 2019-08-22 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Cylinder deactivation deactivating roller finger follower having improved packaging |
US10215062B2 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2019-02-26 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration |
EP3167167A4 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2018-04-11 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration |
US20170114674A1 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2017-04-27 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration |
WO2016007486A1 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2016-01-14 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration |
DE102014223602A1 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2016-01-07 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Switchable drag lever |
US20180119584A1 (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2018-05-03 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm for internal exhaust gas recirculation with simple latch control |
EP3314097A4 (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2019-03-13 | Eaton Corporation | Switching rocker arm for internal exhaust gas recirculation with simple latch control |
CN107787394A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2018-03-09 | 伊顿公司 | For the switching rocking arm of the internal exhaust gas recirculation controlled with simple breech lock |
US20190032765A1 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2019-01-31 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Rotatable body valve stem contact for switchable roller finger follower |
US10683923B2 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2020-06-16 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Rotatable body valve stem contact for switchable roller finger follower |
CN115485462A (en) * | 2020-04-06 | 2022-12-16 | 伊顿智能动力有限公司 | Switching rocker arm with stamped inner arm configuration |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20130186358A1 (en) | Roller finger follower with swivelable valve pallet | |
US7926455B2 (en) | Roller finger follower for valve deactivation | |
US7909007B2 (en) | Roller finger follower for valve deactivation | |
KR101931426B1 (en) | Follower mechanism | |
US9982767B2 (en) | Follower mechanism | |
EP1934436B1 (en) | Switching finger follower assembly | |
US6691657B2 (en) | Two-step finger follower rocker arm | |
US20080283003A1 (en) | Two-step roller finger cam follower | |
US8955481B2 (en) | Three arm finger follower with cam switching profile and compression lost motion springs | |
JP4247529B2 (en) | Valve mechanism of internal combustion engine | |
EP3620624B1 (en) | Switchable rocker arm and roller retainer thereof | |
EP3314097B1 (en) | Switching rocker arm for internal exhaust gas recirculation with simple latch control | |
JP5093920B2 (en) | Rocker arm | |
CN104285043B (en) | Key pin, valve lifter assembly and internal combustion engine | |
US9874121B2 (en) | Variable valve lift apparatus | |
US7089899B1 (en) | Stamped two-step rocker arm component | |
US20130220254A1 (en) | Rocker arm | |
US20230024930A1 (en) | Switching rocker arm having stamped inner arm configuration | |
EP4093952A1 (en) | Switching roller finger follower with inner arm having asymmetric inner roller | |
JP6828461B2 (en) | Variable valve gear for internal combustion engine | |
US20150053160A1 (en) | Slider pad for roller finger follower | |
US9995184B2 (en) | Arrangement for coupling two components that can move relative to each other in a switchable valve train component for an internal combustion engine | |
JP4485456B2 (en) | Variable valve mechanism for internal combustion engine | |
KR20150036241A (en) | Toggle lever | |
JP2014092127A (en) | Variable valve gear of internal combustion engine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANTHER, DEBORA;VILLEMURE, JEFF;SCHEIDT, MARTIN;SIGNING DATES FROM 20121004 TO 20121109;REEL/FRAME:029640/0221 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG, GERMANY Free format text: MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNORS:SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG;SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH;REEL/FRAME:037732/0228 Effective date: 20131231 Owner name: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG, GERMANY Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG;REEL/FRAME:037732/0347 Effective date: 20150101 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG, GERMANY Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258;ASSIGNOR:SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG;REEL/FRAME:040404/0530 Effective date: 20150101 |