Components of a variable valve drive for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (1) of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which component has at least one push rod (2) arranged parallel to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, the push rod (2) having a contact surface (3) for longitudinal displacement under the action of an electric actuator (A), and individual adjusting plates (4) being suspended on the push plate, wherein each adjusting plate has a contact surface (6) at its free end (5) for acting on a coupling slide (7) of at least one switchable valve push rod (8) of a row of switchable valve push rods that load the gas exchange valves acting in the same direction. The individual adjusting plates (4) form curved end strips (10) at their ends (9) facing the push rod (2), and the end strips are fastened on one of the longitudinal sides (11, 12) of the push rod (2) by a riveted connection (13).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a component of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which component has at least one push rod that can be arranged parallel to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The push rod has a contact surface for longitudinal displacement by the action of an e-actuator, and a separate adjusting plate is suspended on the push plate. Each adjusting plate has a contact surface at its free end for acting on the coupling sliding device of at least one switchable valve push rod in a row of switchable valve push rods that load the same-acting gas exchange valve. Background Art

[0002] From DE 10 2017 101 792 B4 Figure 1 、 1 a generic component in the state of being already installed on the cylinder head is known. Such a complete unit with switchable, longitudinally or transversely lockable valve push rods, and optionally also with a support element for the valve push rods and an electric actuator is also called an e-Rocker-Modul. Each adjusting plate passes through the transverse slot of the central push rod as "loosely" as possible here and is held by a spring clip inserted into the transverse slot. The spring clip is fixed in the constriction of the push rod by legs that project and bend transversely from this spring clip. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a component in which the adjusting plate is connected to the push rod particularly simply and with accurate positioning.

[0004] According to the present invention, this technical problem is solved in that each adjusting plate forms a bent end strip at its end facing the push rod, and this end strip is fastened to one of the longitudinal sides of the push rod by at least one riveted connection.

[0005] Based on this design, a simple, durable and extremely accurately positioned connection of the adjusting plate to the push rod is created. The proposed riveted connection allows a particularly wide selection of different materials for the push rod and the adjusting plate and their dimensional settings. Obviously, the entire component can be delivered to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine with the adjusting plate completely pre-installed and can be finally installed there.

[0006] According to an extended design variant of the invention, a so-called clinch connection is also considered to replace a pure riveted connection, which can be created, for example, by solid rivets or blind rivets or two-part riveted connections such as blind rivets. In a clinch connection, a cylindrical part is pressed, for example by an embedding process, into an end strip and an adjusting plate, and the clinch connection is sold by the German company "PRESSOTECHNIK" under the trademark "ClinchNiet".

[0007] An optional arrangement of the ends on the upper side of the push bar has proven to be advantageous. Since in this case the individual adjusting plates extend through the transverse slots of the push bar, additional fastening and better positional assignment are thus achieved. This is especially the case if the slots, as further proposed, enclose the adjusting plates to a certain extent without gaps ("suction-tight"). It is obvious here that the individual slots in the push bar can also be dispensed with. The ends of the adjusting plates then surround one of the longitudinal sides of the push bar and are then riveted to the upper or lower side of the push bar.

[0008] In an extended design variant of the invention, it is proposed that the end strips of the individual adjusting plates are positionally assigned by additional machine elements such as pins. Instead of pins, screws, embedding points, etc. can also be used. At least one additional press rivet connection can also be used.

[0009] Above or below the push bar, recesses or elevations for the end strips are also proposed in order to arrange and fasten the end strips precisely in position on the push bar.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the heads of the individual rivets, for example semi-circular heads, also act as spacers against the surrounding structure. Here, for example, a second push bar that forms a composite structure with the "first" push bar is also considered, or a guide on the internal combustion engine side is also considered.

[0011] According to a preferred extended design variant, the push bar and the adjusting plate thereon are also located within a bearing frame, which can be connected to the cylinder head. Thus, the expensive and subsequently installable guides on the cylinder head are eliminated. Suitable linear guides for the push rods, such as sliding guides or rolling guides, can be provided in the frame itself.

[0012] The adjusting plate can preferably be a rigid component. But particularly preferably, the adjusting plate is configured as a spring tongue.

[0013] The cost - effective connection portion for the contact surface of the electric actuator is the subject of another dependent claim. The electric actuator can alternatively also be a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. Thus, a one - piece bent tab projects at the end of the push bar. The tab can alternatively also be located on another longitudinal section of the push bar or be formed as a separate sheet metal part or the like. The electric actuator can extend flush or parallel to the push bar. This electric actuator can be mounted orthogonally, obliquely or similarly; for example, depending on the available structural space. It is also stipulated that the actuator does not act directly on the contact surface of the push bar, but an intermediate element is used here.

[0014] The riveted connection described here is regarded as a particularly advantageous connection solution of the adjusting plate to the push bar. However, screw connections, clamping, welding or their combinations are also considered. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 The assembly with the carrier frame is shown in a spatial view;

[0016] Figure 2 Shown is Figure 1 an enlarged cross - section of, which has a switchable valve push rod and a support element;

[0017] Figure 3 a variant of the rivet connection of the adjusting plate to the push bar is shown; and

[0018] Figure 4 Another variant of the rivet connection of the adjusting plate to the push bar and to an additional pin is shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] Figure 1 、 2 The assembly 1 of a variable valve drive for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The assembly 1 depicts a push bar 2 guided in a bearing slot 20 of a carrier frame 19 and is intended for lateral mounting along the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine (also see Figure 1 ) of DE 10 2017 101792 B4.

[0020] The push bar 2, which is present here as a strip of sheet metal, has on the Figure 1 end shown on the right a contact surface 3 formed as a bent tab for longitudinal displacement in one direction under the action of an electric actuator A. The return of the push bar 2 is effected by a mechanical spring device (not shown).

[0021] As can be seen from all the figures, separate adjusting plates 4, implemented as leaf springs, are suspended on the push bar 2. Each of the adjusting plates acts during operation, via a contact surface 6 implemented at its free end 5, on a laterally extending coupling slide device 7 of a switchable valve push rod 8 (see Figure 2) The valve pushrod is part of a series of switchable valve pushrods (here three) that load the gas exchange valves with the same action.

[0022] As can be seen from all the figures, each adjusting plate 4 is "tightly (saugend)" guided through the slot 14 of the push bar 2 at its end 9 facing the push bar 2 and is placed on the upper longitudinal side 11 of the push bar 2 with a bent end strip 10. Here, each adjusting plate 4, more precisely the end strip 10 of the adjusting plate, is firmly connected to the push bar 2 by a riveted connection 13. For the riveted connection 13 according to Figure 3 hollow rivets 18 are used, and according to Figure 4 solid rivets 17 with semi-circular heads 16 protruding from the lower longitudinal side 12 of the push bar 2 are used. By means of the latter, the push bar 2 can be kept spaced apart from surrounding components, such as another push bar.

[0023] Figure 4 It is also shown that the adjusting plate 4 is additionally precisely oriented on the push bar 2 by its end strip 10 via a pin connection 15.

[0024] List of reference numerals

[0025] 1 Assembly

[0026] 2 Push bar

[0027] 3 Contact surface

[0028] 4 Adjusting plate

[0029] 5 End

[0030] 6 Contact surface

[0031] 7 Linking sliding device

[0032] 8 Valve pushrod

[0033] 9 End

[0034] 10 End strip

[0035] 11 Upper longitudinal side

[0036] 12 Lower longitudinal side

[0037] 13 Riveted connection

[0038] 14 Slot

[0039] 15 Pin connection

[0040] 16 Head

[0041] 17 Rivet (solid rivet)

[0042] 18 Rivet (hollow rivet)

[0043] 19 Bearing frame

[0044] 20 Support seam

[0045] A Electric actuator

Claims

1. Component (1) of a variable valve drive for an internal combustion engine, said component having at least one push rod (2) arranged parallel to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, said push rod (2) having a contact surface (3) for longitudinal displacement under the action of an electric actuator (A), and individual adjusting plates (4) being suspended on the push rod, wherein each adjusting plate has, at its free end (5), a contact surface (6) for acting on a coupling slide device (7) on at least one switchable valve tappet (8) of a row of switchable valve tappets that load a gas exchange valve with the same action, characterized in that Each adjusting plate (4) ends at its end (9) facing the push bar (2) with a bent end strip (10), which is fastened on one of the longitudinal sides (11, 12) of the push bar (2) by means of at least one riveted connection (13).

2. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each adjusting plate (4) extends through a slot (14) of the push bar (2) and is fixed with its end strip (10) on the upper longitudinal side (11) of the push bar.

3. The component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The slot (14) of the push bar (2) closely surrounds the corresponding adjusting plate (4).

4. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one additional pin connection (15) extends through the end strip (10) of the corresponding adjusting plate (4) and the push bar (2).

5. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heads (16) of the rivets (17, 18) of the riveted connection (13) protruding from the push bar (2) are simultaneously spacers for the surrounding structure.

6. The component according to claim 1, wherein The end strip (10) of each adjusting plate (4) is fastened either in a complementary recess of the push bar (2) or between the elevations of the push bar (2).

7. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that The adjusting plate (4) is a leaf spring tongue.

8. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The push bar (2) is in a bearing frame (19) which can be joined to the cylinder head, and the bearing frame is provided with a support slot (20) for longitudinally guiding the push bar (2).

9. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact surface (3) of the push bar (2) for the electric actuator (A) is a single-ended protruding bent portion.

10. The component according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, 6-9, characterized in that, To produce the riveted connection (13), either a) a one-piece solid rivet or hollow rivet (17, 18) is provided, or b) a multi-piece locking ring-bolt connection is provided, or c) the riveted connection (13) is combined with a press riveting connection.

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