Patent ID: 8181613
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. A variable valve system for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a drive shaft configured to rotate in synchronization with rotation of the engine; a drive cam disposed about an outer periphery of the drive shaft; a link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to an outer periphery of the drive cam to rotate relative to the drive cam; a control shaft extending parallel to the drive shaft and including a main shaft and an eccentric cam, wherein an axis of the main shaft is spaced apart from an axis of the eccentric cam; an oscillating arm having a control shaft support portion rotatably connected to the eccentric cam of the control shaft, and having a pin connected to the second end of the link arm, the oscillating arm being configured and arranged to be oscillated by the link arm; a link rod having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably connected to the oscillating arm; an oscillating cam rotatably supported by the drive shaft and connected to the second end of link rod, the oscillating cam being configured and arranged to actuate a valve of the engine; a main lubricant flow path provided in the drive shaft; a first lubricant flow path formed in the drive shaft and the drive cam, the first lubricant path being configured to cause the main lubricant flow path to communicate lubricant to a first sliding contact area between the drive cam and the first end of the link arm; a second lubricant flow path formed in the link arm and configured to cause the first sliding contact area to communicate lubricant to a second sliding contact area between the pin of the oscillating arm and the second end of the link arm; and a third lubricant flow path formed in the oscillating arm and configured to cause the second sliding contact area to communicate lubricant to a third sliding contact area between the eccentric cam of the control shaft and the control shaft support portion of the oscillating arm; wherein the second lubricant flow path includes a first end open to a side of the first sliding contact area close to the second end of the link arm, and a second end open to a side of the second sliding contact area close to the first end of the link arm.