Patent ID: 8136492
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: F01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head and a variable valve control system in which a rocker arm is disposed between an engine valve and first and second cams for the engine valve, wherein the rocker arm is pivotally supported by a rocker arm shaft and is slidably movable thereon in an axial direction of the rocker arm shaft, in response to a movement of the rocker arm shaft, to selectively engage with one of said cams, whereby control of the engine valve is switchable between said cams, said internal combustion engine comprising: a support shaft supported on said cylinder head so as to be parallel with the rocker arm shaft; a stopper pivotally supported on said support shaft, wherein the stopper includes a pair of substantially plate-shaped engagement nails which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the support shaft, and which extend outwardly from a support-shaft side thereof towards the rocker arm; wherein the rocker arm has at least two engagement grooves formed therein for selectively engaging the corresponding engagement nails; and a deck-like portion located between the engagement grooves, wherein the engagement nails are formed in such different shapes and the engagement grooves are formed in such different shapes as to disengage only a first one of the engagement nails from a corresponding one of the engagement grooves in response to a swinging state of the stopper, and wherein the rocker arm is configured and arranged such that while out of engagement with the corresponding one of the engagement grooves, said first one of the engagement nails is put on the deck-like portion so as to disengage a second one of the engagement nails from the corresponding one of the engagement grooves in association with a swing state of the rocker arm.