Patent ID: 7059287

Claim:
A switchable cam follower ( 1 ) or a switchable support element of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said cam follower or support element comprising an outer part ( 2 ) which is assembled together with an inner part ( 4 ) that is displaceable relative thereto in a direction of cam lift, said inner part ( 4 ) comprising, at a parting gap ( 5 ) to the outer part ( 2 ), two spaced apart or opposing openings ( 6 , 7 ) for coupling means, each of said openings ( 6 , 7 ) being aligned, at one cam position, to a further opening ( 10 , 11 ) for coupling means in the outer part ( 2 ), the coupling means being configured and arranged so that, in a coupled state, each coupling means extends beyond the parting gap ( 5 ) on one coupling side ( 12 , 13 ) while simultaneously extending in the opening ( 10 , 6 ) of the outer and the inner part ( 2 , 4 ) wherein in an uncoupled position of the coupling means ( 14 , 15 ), an axial idle stroke of the coupling means ( 15 ) on the one coupling side ( 12 ) till coupling is achieved is large and the axial idle stroke of the coupling means ( 14 ) on the further coupling side ( 13 ) till coupling is achieved is small, the one cam position is determined by a base circle contact of the cam or cams wherein in a coupled state of the coupling means ( 14 , 15 ), a radial clearance of the coupling means ( 15 ), alone or together with a tolerance of the radial clearance relative to its opening ( 10 ) on the one coupling side ( 12 ) is large and relative to its opening ( 7 ) on the further coupling side ( 13 ) is small.