Patent ID: 6880507
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. Internal combustion engine comprising a valve train that includes a switchable cam follower having a generally cylindrical shape and moveable longitudinally in a receptacle of the engine, the cam follower is acted upon at one axial end by a cam of a camshaft and at an other axial end indirectly or directly by a gas exchange valve of the valve train, a main oil gallery is arranged in the internal combustion engine for introducing hydraulic medium into a valve lash adjustment element arranged in the cam follower, and a switchable oil channel is arranged in the internal combustion engine for introducing hydraulic medium into a region of a switch element arranged in the cam follower, wherein the cam follower includes two non-intersecting helical grooves, a first helical groove being located on an outer surface of the cam follower, through which at a first peripheral point of the cam follower the switchable oil channel is connected hydraulically to a region of an inlet opening for a switch element at second peripheral point of the cam follower, and a second helical groove on the outer surface of the cam follower, through which at a third peripheral point of the cam follower the main oil gallery is hydraulically connected to an inlet opening of the valve lash adjustment element located at a fourth peripheral point of the cam follower.