Patent ID: 7909006
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. A variable valve mechanism comprising: a cam which is mounted on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; an intermediate member which is positioned in the course of a path for transmitting the lift of the cam to a valve; a control shaft which can vary the rotary angular position continuously or stepwise; a control member which is installed to be rotatable around the control shaft; a lock mechanism for preventing the control member from rotating relative to the control shaft; and a coupling member for coupling the control member to the intermediate member; the control shaft being rotated to change the position of the intermediate member and the operating angle of the valve is varied; wherein the lock mechanism includes a control pin, which is inserted into a hole in the control shaft to protrude in the radial direction of the control shaft, a bearing hole, which is formed in the control member in parallel with the control shaft, and an adjustment member, which is rotatably supported by the bearing hole; wherein the adjustment member and the control pin come into surface contact with each other directly or through an interposition member to inhibit the control member from rotating relative to the control shaft; wherein the operating angle of the valve can be adjusted by replacing the adjustment member, the interposition member, or the control pin with another having a different dimension to change the distance between the center line of the bearing hole and the center line of the control pin and change the relative angle between the control shaft and the control member; and wherein the adjustment member rotates within the bearing hole to maintain the surface contact irrespective of the magnitude of the relative angle.