Source: http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US7464680
Timestamp: 2013-12-12 22:30:23
Document Index: 89028216

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Patent US7464680 - Switching element for a valve train of an internal combustion engine - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe invention proposes a switching element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, particularly for valve deactivation, with a simple-to-implement measure for adjusting the coupling lash of its coupling means (8) in a receptacle (6) using two retaining rings (19, 20), one of which is...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US7464680?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7464680 - Switching element for a valve train of an internal combustion enginePublication numberUS7464680 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/498,481PCT numberPCT/EP2003/000307Publication date16 Dec 2008Filing date15 Jan 2003Priority date6 Feb 2002Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2470834A1, CA2470834C, EP1472438A1, EP1472438B1, US6997154, US7207303, US7210439, US20050120989, US20050166880, US20060191503, US20060219199, US20090145391, WO2003067038A1Publication number10498481, 498481, PCT/2003/307, PCT/EP/2003/000307, PCT/EP/2003/00307, PCT/EP/3/000307, PCT/EP/3/00307, PCT/EP2003/000307, PCT/EP2003/00307, PCT/EP2003000307, PCT/EP200300307, PCT/EP3/000307, PCT/EP3/00307, PCT/EP3000307, PCT/EP300307, US 7464680 B2, US 7464680B2, US-B2-7464680, US7464680 B2, US7464680B2InventorsNorbert Geyer, Peter Sailer, Oliver SchnellOriginal AssigneeIna-Schaeffler KgExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (100), Non-Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (2), Classifications (24), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSwitching element for a valve train of an internal combustion engineUS 7464680 B2Abstract The invention proposes a switching element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, particularly for valve deactivation, with a simple-to-implement measure for adjusting the coupling lash of its coupling means (8) in a receptacle (6) using two retaining rings (19, 20), one of which is stocked in a variety of thicknesses.
1. A method of adjusting coupling lash in a switching element for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, preferably for valve deactivation, having an outer part and an inner element that is axially displaceable in a bore therein, wherein the outer part and the inner element each have at least one receptacle aligned with each other in an axially separated relative position achieved by a lost motion spring, wherein one or more movable coupling means for coupling the inner element with the outer part are applied in one of the receptacles toward the other receptacle in their positions relative to one another, wherein a first upper stop for defining the relative position is applied between the inner element and the outer part, and wherein a hydraulic lash adjuster with a pressure piston is installed in the inner element, which pressure piston is fixed against moving axially out of the inner element by a second upper stop, characterized in that each of the upper stops is designed as at least one annular element such as a retaining ring and the upper stops are arranged on top of each other in the bore of the outer part, wherein as seen when looking into the bore of the outer part, the lower retaining ring forms the second upper stop and the first retaining ring, located above it, forms the first upper stop, wherein variable-thickness first and constant-thickness second retaining rings are provided at assembly of the retaining rings, and wherein the retaining ring stack contacts a stop such as an annular shoulder of the bore with the first retaining ring out of the bore, wherein provided as the upper stop in each case is at least one annular element such as a retaining ring, the bore of the outer part has a stop distant from the bore such as an annular shoulder, and as coupling means at least one piston is provided, which extends in the receptacle that is embodied as a radial bore of the inner element, having the following steps, which may also be supplemented with additional intermediate steps:
a) snapping-in of the at least one second retaining ring into a region axially below the stop in such a way that the bore-distant edge of the pressure piston of the lash adjuster is pressed by the force of a compression spring of the lash adjuster against the second retaining ring and the latter is pressed against the stop;
b) displacement of the inner element in the direction of the bore, with the coupling means extended in the receptacle of outer part, until the coupling means comes to bear against a lower surface of the receptacle;
c) measurement of the free travel traversed by the inner element with the coupling means to the point of contact with the lower surface, and
d) pairing of the at least one first retaining ring having such a thickness that, upon its subsequent snapping-in to a region axially below the stop, in contact with the second retaining ring, the inner element is displaced by the second retaining ring such that the coupling means extends at an equal distance from the receptacle at least in both axial directions.
2. A method for setting the mechanical lash to a predetermined desired value in a valve-deactivating lifter having a pin housing disposed in a lifter body wherein the housing is retained in the body by a retaining ring disposed in a retainer groove in the lifter body and extends radially inwards of an inner wall of said body, the pin housing having locking pins slidably disposed in a transverse bore for engaging a circumferential groove in the lifter body, said circumferential groove having a locking surface, comprising the steps of:
a) installing said pin housing into said lifter body;
b) engaging said locking pins with said circumferential groove;
c) installing said retaining ring into said retainer groove;
d) biasing said pin housing against said retaining ring;
e) measuring a clearance between said locking pins and said locking surface;
f) numerically subtracting a predetermined desired clearance value from said measured clearance to obtain a first numerical difference;
g) selecting a spacer having a thickness equal to said first numerical difference; and
h) installing said selected spacer in said retainer groove adjacent said retaining ring to yield said predetermined desired clearance (lash) in said lifter. Description
This application is a National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. � 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP03/00307, filed Jan. 15, 2003, which in turn claims priority of both German Application No. DE 102 04 672.7, filed Feb. 6, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/354,628, filed Feb. 6, 2002, the priorities of each of which is hereby claimed, said International Application having been published in German, but not in English, as International Publication No. WO 03/067038 A1.
A drawback of this prior art is that adjustment of lash in the coupling is relatively complicated and expensive. It is clear that the receptacle in the outer part (here a coupling bore) for receiving the piston must be designed with a slight lash relative to the outer peripheral surface of the piston. This lash and a vertical position vary from one switching element to the other depending on the manufacturing conditions. The relatively broad range of variation of this mechanical free travel in the switching elements is, however, not desirable.
If two pistons are provided for coupling, as is the case in DE 4,206,166, the aforesaid stop measures prove to be nearly impossible. The aligned position of the coupling bores situated diametrically opposite each other in the inner element is realized when the two axially movable parts of the switching element make contact with the base circle of the cam. An adjustment of the coupling lash in this case is accomplished by extremely complicated manufacturing and measuring techniques by pairing suitable switching elements (in this case, cup tappets) with cam pairs or camshafts. Under certain circumstances, it is necessary to tolerate an excessive lash variation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that
each of the upper stops is designed as at least one annular element such as a retaining ring and the upper stops are arranged on top of each other in the bore of the outer part, wherein as seen when looking into the bore of the outer part, the lower retaining ring forms the second upper stop and the first retaining ring, located above it, forms the first upper stop, wherein variable-thickness first retaining rings and constant-thickness second retaining rings are provided at assembly of the retaining rings, and wherein the retaining ring stack contacts a stop such as an annular shoulder of the bore with the first retaining ring out of the bore. Due to the at least two, or two retaining rings, as the case may be, a simple, tilt-free and adjustable upper stop and, at the same time, a safety device against loss of the pressure piston of the hydraulic lash adjuster is obtained. Preferably, two coupling means (pistons) are provided in the inner element. However, the invention applies equally to embodiments with only one piston or with a plurality of pistons.
The subordinate claim 1 refers alternatively to a method for adjusting the coupling lash in a switching element according to the features of the preamble to claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be explained more closely with reference to the drawing in which
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a switching element 1 for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switching element 1 is configured in this case as a roller tappet for a tappet push rod drive and comprises an outer part 2 having a bore 3 in which an axially movable inner element 4 extends. The inner element 4 and the outer part 2 are forced apart from each other by a lost motion spring 5, not requiring further explanation here.
In the illustrated axially separated position of the outer part 2 relative to the inner element 4, the receptacles 6, 7 thereof are aligned to each other. The receptacle 6 of the outer part 2 is manufactured as a circumferential annular groove. The receptacle 7 in the inner element 4, in contrast, is designed as a radially extending through-bore. Arranged herein are two diametrically opposite coupling means 8, embodied here as pistons. The coupling means 8 are forced radially outwards (coupling direction) through the force of a compression spring 10. In the radially inward direction i.e., in the uncoupling direction, the coupling means 8 can be displaced by means of hydraulic medium. For this purpose, the outer part 2 appropriately has two oil passages 11 situated diametrically opposite each other (see FIG. 1). These passages 11 are configured in the present case as bores and offset by 90� to the coupling means 8 in the circumferential direction. In useful fashion, the oil passages 11 communicate with two hydraulic medium ducts from surrounding structure, not explained further here.
A person skilled in the art will further see in the figures that means 13 for preventing rotation are provided on the outer peripheral surface 12 of the outer part 2. These means 13 are designed here as opposite flattened portions. This measure proves to be necessary, firstly, in order to connect the oil passages 11 to their respective ducts and, secondly, in order to properly align a roller 14 with respect to a cam, not shown.
The outer part 2 has, in a region distant from the bore, an annular groove 17 with a stop 18. Two retaining rings 19, 20 are snapped into the annular groove 17. These rings form a second and a first upper stop 21, 22, respectively. As a whole, the retaining rings 19, 20 bear against the stop 18. The second, lower retaining ring 19 serves as an anti-loss device of a pressure piston 23 of a hydraulic lash adjuster 24 that is installed in the inner element 4. An adjustment of the coupling lash of the coupling means 8 in the surrounding receptacle 6 is achieved by means of the first retaining ring 20 that is situated on the second retaining ring 19 and is stocked in different thicknesses during assembly.
REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Switching element
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SAE Technical Paper Series, Mar. 2001, pp. 195-201.7Sandford, M. et al., "Reduced Fuel Consumption and Emission Through Cylinder Deactivation", Aachener Kolloquium Fahrzeug-und Motorentechnik, pp. 1017-1027 (1998).Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS792182323 Oct 200612 Apr 2011Schaeffler KgHydraulic play compensation deviceUS817190621 Oct 20098 May 2012Apq Development, LlcValve lifter guide and method of using sameClassifications U.S. Classification123/90.59, 123/90.55, 123/90.52, 123/90.48, 123/90.5International ClassificationF01L1/245, F01L1/14, F01L1/255, F01L13/00, H01H3/42Cooperative ClassificationF01L1/255, F01L1/14, F01L2105/00, F01L13/0031, F01L13/0005, F01L1/146, F01L2103/00, F01L1/245European ClassificationF01L1/245, F01L13/00D4, F01L1/14D, F01L13/00B, F01L1/255, F01L1/14Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescription11 Jun 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 427 Jan 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG, GERMANYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GEYER, NORBERT;SAILER, PETER;SCHNELL, OLIVER;REEL/FRAME:016208/0484;SIGNING DATES FROM 20041222 TO 20041223RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google