Patent ID: 6220209
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A rocking follower mechanism for operation with a three-dimensional cam in an internal combustion engine, the three-dimensional cam having a cam surface and different profiles in an axial direction thereof, the rocking follower mechanism comprising:a valve lifter including a surface having a guide groove formed on the surface, the guide groove including an expanded width groove on at least a portion thereof; anda rocking follower supportable in the guide groove and defining a rocking axis, the rocking follower having a cam sliding surface that contacts with the cam surface of the three-dimensional cam such that a positional variation of the cam surface, in accordance with the rotation of the internal combustion engine, is transmitted to the valve lifter;wherein the rocking follower includes a wide portion corresponding to the expanded width groove of the guide groove, the wide portion operatively engageable with the expanded width groove so as to prevent the rocking follower from moving in a direction of the rocking axis, the wide portion being formed so as not to be operatively contactable with the cam surface.