Valve operating system in internal combustion engine

Abstract: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine which provides a stable seating force for an engine valve (V) and includes an armature (12) operatively connected to a stem (8) of the engine valve that is capable of being seated on a valve seat member (6) provided to a cylinder head, valve-opening (13) and valve-closing (14) electromagnets for exhibiting electromagnetic forces for attracting the armature to open and close the engine valve, respectively, and valve-opening (15) and valve-closing (16) resilient means for exhibiting resilient forces for biasing the engine valve in opening and closing directions, respectively, and for retaining the armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with each other during deenergization of both the valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets. When the engine valve is closed by energizing the valve-closing electromagnet and is seated on the valve seat member, only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the engine valve V because the valve-closing electromagnet attracts the armature and compresses the valve-opening resilient means.

Description: The present invention relates to a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine and, in particular, to a valve operating system that includes a valve seat member mounted in a cylinder head to define a valve bore, an armature operatively connected to a stem of an engine valve capable of being seated on the valve seat member, a valve-opening electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force of attracting the armature to open the engine valve, a valve-closing electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature to close the engine valve, a valve-opening resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve in an opening direction, and a valve-closing resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve in a closing direction and for retaining the armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with the valve-opening resilient means during deenergization of the valve-opening and closing electromagnets. Such a valve operating system is conventionally for example, from PCT International Patent Application Laid-open No.W095/00959 and the like. In the valve operating system disclosed in the above PCT International Patent Application, the armature is fixed to the upper end of the stem of the engine valve, and in order to provide a reliable seated state of the engine valve, even if an elongation of the stem is produced due to the thermal expansion, a gap is created between the valve-closing electromagnet and the armature in the seated state of the engine valve. However, the seating force for the engine valve on the valve seat member depends on the electromagnetic force of the valve-closing electromagnet, and the seating force is varied substantially by a variation in the electromagnetic force due to a variation in value of a current supplied to energize the valve-closing electromagnet. US-A-4719882 and GB 2 137 420 each discloses a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve seat member mounted in a cylinder head to define a valve bore, an armature operatively connected to a stem of an engine valve capable of being seated on said valve seat member, a valve-opening electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to open the engine valve, a valve-closing electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to close the engine valve, a valve-opening resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in an opening direction, and a valve-closing resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in a closing direction and for retaining said armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with said valve-opening resilient means when said valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are deenergized, wherein said valve-operating system is constructed so that only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to said engine valve when said engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, and wherein said armature and said stem are operatively interconnected through a connecting means which is adapted to enable said armature and said stem to be moved in unison with each other during closing of said engine valve until the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, but to permit the armature to be moved a distance toward said valve-closing electromagnet in the axial direction relative to said stem after stoppage of the movement of said stem as a result of seating of said engine valve. From a first aspect, the present invention is characterised over US-A-47l9882 and GB 2 137 420 respectively in that said connecting means includes a bottomed cylindrical cap which is fixed to an upper end of said stem, said bottomed cylindrical cap being engaged with said armature from a side opposite from said valve-closing electromagnet and being fitted into said armature for axial relative sliding movement. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the cap can be easily formed as a slide surface by machining. From a second aspect, the present invention comprises a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve seat member mounted in a cylinder head to define a valve bore, an armature operatively connected to a stem of an engine valve capable of being seated on said valve seat member, a valve-opening electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to open the engine valve, a valve-closing electromagnet for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to close the engine valve, a valve-opening resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in an opening direction, and a valve-closing resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in a closing direction and for retaining said armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with said valve-opening resilient means when said valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are deenergized, wherein said valve-operating system is constructed so that only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to said engine valve when said engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, and wherein said armature and said stem are operatively interconnected through a connecting means which is adapted to enable said armature and said stem to be moved in unison with each other during closing of said engine valve until the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, but to permit the armature to be moved a distance toward said valve-closing electromagnet in the axial direction relative to said stem after stoppage of the movement of said stem as a result of seating of said engine valve, wherein said connecting means includes a bottomed cylindrical cap which is formed into a bottomed cylinder-like configuration and fixed to said armature and into which an upper portion of said stem is slidably fitted, characterised in that said cap has an opened bore in its closed end. Therefore, the cap and the armature are in a state in which they are supported by the upper portion of the stem during movement of the armature toward the valve-closing electromagnet, and hence, it is possible to prevent the deflection of the armature to stably attract the armature to the valve-closing electromagnet. Further, it is possible to avoid the pressurization and depressurization of a space created between the cap and the stem slidably fitted in the cap, and to prevent the stem from being attracted upwards when the volume of the space is increased during closing of the engine valve, thereby preventing an increase in seating force. Therefore, after seating of the engine valve, the armature can be moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet with the stem remaining in the valve-seated position, and the transmission of the force from the armature can be cut off from the engine valve, so that the seating force can be provided by only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means applied to the stem. The present invention at least in its preferred embodiments therefore provides a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine wherein a stable seating force for the engine valve is provided irrespective of the elongation of the stem and the variation in current supplied to the valve-closing electromagnet. Thus, the valve-operating system is constructed so that only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the engine valve when the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member. Thus, the seating force for the engine valve is determined by the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means and hence, a stable seating force can be provided. Preferably the resilient force of the valve-opening resilient means is applied to the armature to stop the application of the resilient force to the engine valve with attraction of the armature toward the valve-closing electromagnet, and the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the stem which is capable of being axially moved relative to the armature during attraction of the armature toward the valve-closing electromagnet. Thus, only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the stem of the engine valve with attraction of the armature toward the valve-closing electromagnet by the energization of the valve-closing electromagnet. Therefore, the seating force for the engine valve can be determined by the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means without the need for a complicated control. Preferably the distance through which the armature is moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet after seating of the engine valve is set at a value equal to or larger than the maximum amount of elongation of the stem due to the thermal expansion of the engine valve. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the thermal expansion of the engine valve to ensure the normal operation of the engine valve at an increased temperature. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a valve operating system in a condition in which an engine valve is in a neutral position in a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.1, but in a condition in which the engine valve is in a seated state. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.1, but in a condition in which an armature 20 has been moved toward a valve-closing electromagnet after seating of the engine valve. Fig. 4 is an exploded vertical sectional view of the valve operating system shown in a state during assembling. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a valve operating system according to a second embodiment in a condition in which an engine valve is in a neutral position. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.5, but in a condition in which the engine valve has been seated. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.5, but in a condition in which an armature has been moved toward a valve-closing electromagnet after seating of the engine valve. The mode for carrying the present invention will now be described in connection with the preferred embodiments by reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring first to Fig.1, an engine valve V which is either an intake valve or an exhaust valve is disposed in a cylinder head 5 of an internal combustion engine. The engine valve V is comprised of a valve member 7 capable of being seated on a valve seat member 6 which is provided in the cylinder head 5 to define a valve bore 6a, and a stem 8 integrally connected to the valve member 7 and slidably fitted within a guide tube 9. The guide tube 9 includes a radially outward protruding flange portion 9a at its upper end is fixed to the cylinder head 5 by press-fitting into the cylinder head 5 until the flange portion 9a is engaged with an upper surface of the cylinder head 5. A valve operating system 10 1 according to the present invention is disposed on the cylinder head 5 and connected to an upper end of the stem 8 of the engine valve V. The valve operating system 10 1 includes a casing 11 separatably coupled to the upper surface of the cylinder head 5, an armature 12 movably accommodated in the casing 11 and operatively connected to the stem 8 of the engine valve V, a valve-opening electromagnet 13 disposed within the casing 11 at a location in which it is opposed to a lower surface of the armature 12 to exhibit an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature 12 to open the engine valve V, a valve-closing electromagnet 14 disposed within the casing 11 at a location in which it is opposed to an upper surface of the armature 12 to exhibit an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature 12 to close the engine valve V, a valve-opening coil spring 15 as a valve-opening resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve V in an opening direction, and a valve-closing coil spring 16 as a valve-closing resilient means for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve V in a closing direction and for retaining the armature 12 at a predetermined neutral portion by cooperation with the valve-opening coil spring 15 during deenergization of the valve-opening and closing electromagnets 13 and 14. The casing 11 is comprised of a casing body 17 extending coaxially with the stem 8 of the engine valve V to define an accommodating bore 19 with its upper end opened, and a lid plate 18 fixed to an upper surface of the casing body 17. The lid plate 18 is fastened to the upper surface of the casing body 17 by a plurality of bolts 20, so that it closes an upper end of the accommodating bore 19. A plurality of vertically extending support sections 21 are integrally provided at a lower portion of an outer periphery of the casing body 17, and fastening bolts 22 are inserted through the support sections 21, respectively. The casing 11 is fastened to the upper surface of the cylinder head 5 by threaded fitting of the fastening bolts 22 into the cylinder head 5. A support collar 24 is integrally provided at a lower portion of the casing 11, i.e., of the casing body 17 and protrudes radially inwards from an inner surface of the accommodating bore 19. A support tube 25 is threadedly engaged with female threads 27 provided on an inner periphery of the support collar 24 for advancing and retreating movements in a direction coaxial with the stem 8 of the engine valve V. A retaining nut 28 engaged with a lower surface of the support collar 24 is threadedly engaged with the exterior of the support tube 25. Thus, the support tube 25 can be firmly fixed to the support collar 24, i.e., the lower end of the casing 11 for advancing and retreating movements in the direction coaxial with the stem 8 by a double-nut structure formed by the threaded engagement of the support tube 25 with the support collar 24 and the threaded engagement of the retaining nut 28 with the support tube 25. A cylindrical portion 30 defining a support bore 29 coaxial with the stem 8 is integrally provided at the upper end of the casing 11, i.e., on the lid plate 18 to protrude upwards. A cylindrical regulating member 31 is slidably fitted into the support bore 29 for movement in an axial direction of the stem 8 and has a through-hole 32 provided therein over its entire vertical length. A cap nut 34 is threadedly fitted over the cylindrical portion 30, so that an upper end of the regulating member 31 abuts against a closed end of the cap nut 34, and a retaining nut 35 is threadedly fitted over the cylindrical portion 30 to limit the advanced or retreated position of the cap nut 34. Thus, the double-nut structure is formed by the cap nut 34 and the retaining nut 35, and the end of the axially outward movement of the regulating member 31 can be adjustably and firmly limited by regulating the advanced or retreated position of the cap nut 34. A hole 36 coaxially connected to the through-hole 32 of the cylindrical regulating member 31 is provided on the closed end of the cap nut 34. An upper portion of the stem 8 in the engine valve V is inserted from below into the casing body 17, so that it is coaxially passed through the support tube 25, and a retainer 38 is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8 by a split cotter 37. A cap-like receiving member 39 is mounted on the stem 8 to abut against the upper surface of the cylinder head 5 to cover the flange portion 9a of the guide tube 9. The valve-closing coil spring 16 is mounted between the retainer 38 and the receiving member 39 to surround the stem 8 axially movably passed through the receiving member 39, so that the stem 8, i.e., the engine valve V, is resiliently biased in a closing direction by the spring force of the valve-closing coil spring 16. Moreover, a ring-like seal member 40 in sliding contact with the outer surface of the stem 8 is retained within the receiving member 39. The armature 12 is formed into a disk-like shape, and the valve-opening coil spring 15 is mounted between the armature 12 and the regulating member 31, so that the armature 12 is resiliently biased downwards, i.e., in a direction of opening of the engine valve V. The valve-opening electromagnet 13 is fixedly disposed in a lower portion of the accommodating bore 19, so that it is opposed to the lower surface of the armature 12. The valve-opening electromagnet 13 includes a cylindrical inner yoke 44 coaxially surrounding the stem 8 and the valve-closing coil spring 16, a cylindrical outer yoke 45 fitted in the accommodating bore 19 to coaxially surround the inner yoke 44, and a ring-like coil assembly 46 which has a coil wound around a bobbin made of a synthetic resin and which is fitted between the inner and outer yokes 44 and 45. A radially outward protruding flange portion 44a is integrally provided at a lower end of the inner yoke 44 and has an outer edge engaged with a lower end of the outer yoke 45. The valve-closing electromagnet 14 is fixedly disposed in an upper portion of the accommodating bore 19, so that it is opposed to the upper surface of the armature 12. The valve-closing electromagnet 14 includes a cylindrical inner yoke 47 coaxially surrounding the regulating member 31, a cylindrical outer yoke 48 fitted in the accommodating bore 19 to coaxially surround the inner yoke 47, and a ring-like coil assembly 49 which has a coil wound around a bobbin made of a synthetic resin and which is fitted between the inner and outer yokes 47 and 48. A radially outward protruding flange portion 47a is integrally provided at an upper end of the inner yoke 47 and has an outer edge engaged with an upper end of the outer yoke 48. A sleeve 50 is fitted into the accommodating bore 19 in a ring-like configuration to surround the armature 12 and interposed between the outer yoke 45 of the valve-opening electromagnet 13 and the outer yoke 48 of the valve-closing electromagnet 14. The lower end of the inner yoke 44 of the valve-opening electromagnet 13 is supported in an abutting manner on the upper end of the support tube 25. A shim 51 is interposed between the upper end of the inner yoke 47 of the valve-closing electromagnet 14 and the lid plate 18 of the casing 11. More specifically, the valve-opening and closing electromagnets 13 and 14 with the sleeve 50 interposed therebetween are fixed within the casing 11 by clamping thereof between the shim 51 disposed at the upper end of the casing 11 and the upper end of the support tube 25. A grommet 52 is fitted in the lower end portion of the casing body 17 which corresponds to the support collar 24. A pair of lead wires 53 connected to the coil of the coil assembly 46 of the valve-opening electromagnet 13 are passed through the grommet 52 and extend outside the casing 11. A grommet 54 is fitted in the lid plate 18, and a pair of lead wires 55 connected to the coil of the coil assembly 49 of the valve-closing electromagnet 14 are passed through the grommet 54 and extend outside the casing 11. The armature 12 and the stem 8 are interconnected through a connecting means 56 1 which is adapted to transmit a force between the armature 12 and the stem 8 during movement of the armature 12 toward the valve-opening electromagnet 13, but to cut off the transmission of the force during movement of the armature 12 toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14. The connecting means 56 1 is adapted to enable the armature 12 and the stern 8 to be moved in unison with each other, until the engine valve V is seated on the valve seat member 6 during closing thereof, and to enable the armature 12 to be moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 after seating of the engine valve V. The connecting means 56 1 includes a cap 57 1 which is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8, so that it can be engaged with the armature 12 from the side opposite from the valve-closing electromagnet 14, i.e., from below, and which is axially relatively slidably fitted into the armature 12. The cap 57 1 is formed into a bottomed cylinder-like configuration having an engage collar portion 58 capable of engaging the lower surface of the armature 12 at its opened end, and is relatively slidably fitted into a central portion of the armature 12. The upper end of the stem 8 is fixed to the cap 57 1 by press-fitting, threads or the like. If the distance from the neutral position of the engine valve V to the seating of the valve member 7 of the engine valve V on the valve seat member 6 is represented by L 1 , the distance L 2 through which the armature 12 in the neutral position is moved until it becomes close to the valve-closing electromagnet 14, i.e., until it contacts with the valve-closing electromagnet 14, is set at a value equal to or larger than the distance L 1 . That is, when the engine valve V is closed, there is distance L 3 (= L 2 - L 1 ) created between the current position of the armature 12 at the time when the valve member 7 of the engine valve V is seated on the seat member 6, as shown in Fig.2 and the limit position of armature 12 approaching the valve-closing electromagnet 14. After seating of the engine valve V on the valve seat member 6, the armature 12 can be moved through the distance L 3 toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14, with the stem 8 remaining in the valve-seated position, by the sliding movement relative to the cap 57 1 , as shown in Fig.3. This distance L 3 is set when the engine is cold at a value equal to or larger than a maximum amount of elongation of the stem 8 due to thermal expansion of the engine valve V. Moreover, in a condition in which the armature 12 is in contact with the valve-closing electromagnet 14, as shown in Fig.3, the spring force of the valve-opening coil spring 15 acting on the armature 12 as well as the electromagnetic force of the valve-closing electromagnet 14 cannot be applied to the stem 8, and only the spring force of the valve-closing coil spring 16 is applied to the stem 8, i.e., the engine valve V. The assembly and operation of the first embodiment now will be described. The upper portion of the stem 8 of the engine valve V is capable of being inserted from below into the casing 11 coaxially through the support tube 25 at the lower end of the casing 11. The valve-opening and closing electromagnets 13 and 14 are fixed within the casing 11, and the cap 57 1 , which is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8, is slidably fitted in the armature 12 so that cap 57 1 engages the lower surface of the armature 12 from below. The valve-opening coil spring 15 for biasing the engine valve V in the opening direction is mounted between the armature 12 and the regulating member 31 supported at the upper end of the casing 11, and is accommodated in the casing 11. The retainer 38 is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8, and the valve-closing coil spring 16 is mounted between the receiving member 39 located at a fixed position on the upper surface of the cylinder head 5 and the retainer 38. Therefore, as shown in Fig.4, the valve-opening and closing electromagnets 13 and 14, the armature 12, the valve-opening coil spring 15 and the like can be accommodated and disposed within the casing 11 to form a pre-assembled unit U. Thus, the pre-assembled unit U can be prepared by a previous assembling step conducted at a convenient location to avoid assembling those components in the narrow space above the cylinder head 5. In this pre-assembled unit U, the armature 12 is urged against the valve-opening electromagnet 13 by the valve-opening coil spring 15 and supported by the valve-opening electromagnet 13. In assembling the valve operating system 10 1 to the cylinder head 5, the pre-assembled unit U need only be assembled to the cylinder head 5 in a condition in which the engine valve V, the valve-closing coil spring 16 and the like have been assembled to the cylinder head 5, as shown in Fig.4. The cap 57 1 that is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8 is inserted from below into the casing 11 and into the armature 12 so that it is engaged with the lower end of the armature 12, and the bolts 22 are installed through holes in casing 11 to engage the threaded holes in the cylinder head 5 to thereby urge the armature 12 upwards away from the valve-opening electromagnet 13. This completes the assembling of the valve operating system 10 1 and completes the attachment of the valve-operating system 10 1 to the cylinder head 5. Thus, it is possible to enhance the assemblability of the valve operating system 10 1 . In such valve operating system 10 1 , the resilient force of the valve-opening coil spring 15 is applied to the armature 12 and the resilient force of the valve-closing coil spring 16 is applied to the stem 8. When the armature 12 is attracted to the valve-closing electromagnet 14, the armature 12 and the stem 8 can be moved relative to each other. Therefore, only the resilient force of the valve-closing coil spring 16 can be applied to the stem 8 of the engine valve V by only moving the armature 12 toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 by energization of the valve-closing electromagnet 14, whereby when the engine valve V is seated, the seating force can be determined by the resilient force of the valve-closing coil spring 16 without need for a complicated control. As a result, the stable seating force for the engine valve V can be provided in such a manner that it can be determined by the valve-closing coil spring 16, irrespective of the elongation of the stem 8 and a variation in value of the current supplied to the valve-closing electromagnet 14. The connecting means 56 1 for operatively connecting the armature 12 and the stem 8 includes the bottomed cylindrical cap 57 1 which is fixed to the upper end of the stem 8 so that it can be engaged with the armature 12 from the side opposite from the valve-closing electromagnet 14 and which is axially relatively slidably fitted into the armature 12. Thus, the armature 12 and the stem 8 can be moved in unison with each other until the engine valve V is seated on the valve seat member 6 upon the closing thereof, but after seating of the engine valve V, the armature 12 can be moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14. Therefore, the construction for cutting off the transmission of the force between the armature 12 and the stem 8 during closing of the engine valve V can be easily made, and the outer surface of the cap 57 1 can be easily formed as a slide surface by machining. Moreover, since the distance L 3 through which the armature 12 is moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 after seating of the engine valve V is set at the value equal to or larger than the maximum amount of stem 8 elongated due to the thermal expansion of the engine valve V, it is possible to cope with the thermal expansion of the engine valve V to ensure the normal operation of the engine valve V when at an increased temperature. Figs.5 to 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.5 is a vertical sectional view of a valve operating system in a condition in which an engine valve is in a neutral position; Fig.6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.5, but in a condition in which the engine valve has been seated; and Fig.7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but in a condition in which an armature has been moved toward a valve-closing electromagnet after seating of the engine valve. As is the valve-operating system 10 1 of the first embodiment, the valve-operating system 102 includes a casing 11, an armature 12 operatively connected to a stem 8 of an engine valve V, a valve-opening electromagnet 13 disposed within the casing 11 at a location in which it is opposed to a lower surface of the armature 12, a valve-closing electromagnet 14 disposed within the casing 11 at a location in which it is opposed to an upper surface of the armature 12, a valve-opening coil spring 15 for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve V in an opening direction, and a valve-closing coil spring 16 for exhibiting a resilient force for biasing the engine valve V in a closing direction and for retaining the armature 12 at a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with the valve-opening coil spring 15 during deenergization of the valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets 13 and 14. However, the construction of a connecting means 56 2 provided between the stem 8 and the armature 12 is different from that in the first embodiment. The connecting means 56 2 includes a bottomed cylindrical cap 57 2 which is fixed to the armature 12 and into which an upper portion of the stem 8 is slidably fitted. The cap 57 2 is formed into a bottomed cylinder-like configuration having, at its opened end, an engage collar portion 58 capable of engaging the lower surface of the armature 12. The cap 57 2 is fitted into a central portion of the armature 12. A portion of the cap 57 2 protruding from the armature 12 is press-fitted into a ring 59 engaging the upper surface of the armature 12 and thus, the cap 57 2 is fixed to the armature 12 in such a manner that the central portion of the armature 12 is clamped by the engage collar portion 58 and the armature 12. An opened bore 60 is provided in a closed end of the cap 57 2 . According to the second embodiment, if the valve-closing electromagnet 14 is energized in a condition in which the engine valve V is in the neutral position, as shown in Fig.5, the engine valve V is closed in response to attraction of the armature 12 toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 and the biasing force of valve-closing coil spring 16, so that the valve member 7 of the engine valve V is seated on the valve seat member 6, as shown in Fig.6. In this state, the cap 57 2 and the armature 12 can be moved upwards, i.e., toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 relative to the stem 8 of the engine valve 8. With the continuation of the energization of the valve-closing electromagnet 14, the armature 12 and the cap 57 2 are moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14, while the stem 8 remains in the same position. Thus, in a condition in which the armature 12 is in contact with the valve-closing electromagnet 14, as shown in Fig.7, the spring force of the valve-opening coil spring 15 acting on the armature 12 as well as the electromagnetic force of the valve-closing electromagnet 14 are not applied to the stem 8, and only the spring force of the valve-closing coil spring 16 is applied to the stem 8, i.e., to the engine valve V. As a result, as in the first embodiment, a stable seating force for the engine valve V can be provided in such a manner that it is determined only by the valve-closing coil spring 16, irrespective of an elongation of the stem 8 and a variation in value of current supplied to energize the valve-closing electromagnet 14. Moreover, the connecting means 56 2 includes the bottomed cylindrical cap 57 2 which is fixed to the armature 12 and into which the upper end of the stem 8 is slidably fitted, and when the armature 12 is moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14 with the stem 8 remaining in the closed position, the cap 57 2 , i.e., the armature 12, is brought into a state in which it is supported on at the upper end of the stem 8. Therefore, it is possible to prevent any deflection of the armature 12 to stably attract the armature 12 toward the valve-closing electromagnet 14. In addition, by the fact that the opened bore 60 is provided in the closed end of the cap 57 2 , it is possible to avoid the pressurization and depressurization of a space created between the cap 57 2 and the stem 8 slidably fitted into the cap 57 2 , and to prevent the stem 8 from being attracted upwards, when the volume of the space during closing of the engine valve V is increased, thereby preventing an increase in seating force. As discussed above, according to one aspect of the invention, when the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the engine valve. Thus, it is possible to provide the stable seating force irrespective of the elongation of the stem and the variation in value of the current supplied to energize the valve-closing electromagnet. According to another aspect of the invention, only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to the stem of the engine valve with a separate attraction of the armature to the valve-closing electromagnet by the energization of the valve-closing electromagnet. Therefore, it is possible to determine the seating force for the engine valve by the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means without need for a complicated control. According to still another aspect of the invention, after seating of the engine valve, the armature can be moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet with the stem remaining in the same position, and the transmission of the force from the armature can be cut off by the connecting means provided between the armature and the stem, so that the seating force can be provided by only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means applied to the stem. According to a further aspect of the invention, by the fact that the bottomed cylindrical cap that is fixed to the upper end of the stem to become engaged with the armature from the side opposite from the valve-closing electromagnet is fitted into the armature for axial relative sliding movement, the outer peripheral surface of the cap can be easily formed as a slide surface by machining. According to a still further aspect of the invention, by the fact that the upper portion of the stem is slidably fitted into the cap fixed to the armature, the cap, i.e., the armature, is in a state in which it is supported by the upper portion of the stem during movement of the armature toward the valve-closing electromagnet. Thus, it is possible to prevent any deflection of the armature to stably attract the armature to the valve-closing electromagnet. According to another feature of the invention, the distance through which the armature is moved toward the valve-closing electromagnet after seating of the engine valve is set at a value equal to or larger than the maximum amount in elongation of the stem due to the thermal expansion of the engine valve. Thus, it is possible to cope with the thermal expansion of the engine valve to ensure the normal operation of the engine valve at an increased temperature. According to still another feature of the invention, it is possible to avoid the pressurization and depressurization of the space created between the cap and the stem slidably fitted in the cap, and to prevent the stem from being attracted upwards when the volume of the space is increased during closing of the engine valve, thereby preventing an increase in seating force. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications in design may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve seat member (6) mounted in a cylinder head (5) to define a valve bore (6a), an armature (12) operatively connected to a stem (8) of an engine valve (V) capable of being seated on said valve seat member, a valve-opening electromagnet (13) for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to open the engine valve, a valve-closing electromagnet (14) for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to close the engine valve, a valve-opening resilient means (15) for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in an opening direction, and a valve-closing resilient means (16) for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in a closing direction and for retaining said armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with said valve-opening resilient means when said valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are deenergized, wherein said valve-operating system is constructed so that only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to said engine valve when said engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, and wherein said armature (12) and said stem (8) are operatively interconnected through a connecting means (56 1 ;56 2 ) which is adapted to enable said armature and said stem to be moved in unison with each other during closing of said engine valve (V) until the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member (6), but to permit the armature to be moved a distance toward said valve-closing electromagnet (14) in the axial direction relative to said stem after stoppage of the movement of said stem as a result of seating of said engine valve, characterised in that said connecting means (56 1 ) includes a bottomed cylindrical cap (57 i ) which is fixed to an upper end of said stem (8), said bottomed cylindrical cap being engaged with said armature (12) from a side opposite from said valve-closing electromagnet (14) and being fitted into said armature for axial relative sliding movement. A valve operating system according to claim 1, wherein the resilient force of said valve-opening resilient means (15) is applied to said armature (12) to stop the application of the valve-opening resilient force to said engine valve (V) with attraction of said armature toward said valve-closing electromagnet (14), and the resilient force of said valve-closing resilient means (16) is applied to the stem (8) which is capable of being axially moved relative to said armature during attraction of said armature toward said valve-closing electromagnet. A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve seat member (6) mounted in a cylinder head (5) to define a valve bore (6a), an armature (12) operatively connected to a stem (8) of an engine valve (V) capable of being seated on said valve seat member, a valve-opening electromagnet (13) for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to open the engine valve, a valve-closing electromagnet (14) for exhibiting an electromagnetic force to attract said armature to close the engine valve, a valve-opening resilient means (15) for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in an opening direction, and a valve-closing resilient means (16) for exhibiting a resilient force to bias said engine valve in a closing direction and for retaining said armature in a predetermined neutral position by cooperation with said valve-opening resilient means when said valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are deenergized, wherein said valve-operating system is constructed so that only the resilient force of the valve-closing resilient means is applied to said engine valve when said engine valve is seated on the valve seat member, and wherein said armature (12) and said stem (8) are operatively interconnected through a connecting means (56 1 ;56 2 ) which is adapted to enable said armature and said stem to be moved in unison with each other during closing of said engine valve (V) until the engine valve is seated on the valve seat member (6), but to permit the armature to be moved a distance toward said valve-closing electromagnet (14) in the axial direction relative to said stem after stoppage of the movement of said stem as a result of seating of said engine valve, characterised in that said connecting means (56 2 ) includes a bottomed cylindrical cap (57 2 ) which is formed into a bottomed cylinder-like configuration and fixed to said armature (12) and into which an upper portion of said stem (8) is slidably fitted, and wherein said cap (57 2 ) has an opened bore (60) in its closed end. A valve operating system according to any preceding claim, wherein the distance through which the armature (12) is moved toward said valve-closing electromagnet (14) after seating of said engine valve (V) is set at a value equal to or larger than the maximum amount of elongation of said stem (8) due to the thermal expansion of said engine valve.

Inventors: HATANO HARUMI, IKOMA KOUICHI, KOMATSU YASUYUKI, NAKAMURA MINORU, HATANO, HARUMI, IKOMA, KOUICHI, KOMATSU, YASUYUKI, NAKAMURA, MINORU
Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO LTD, HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1997
Main classification: F01L9
IPC codes: F01L9, F16K31