Patent ID: 8307795

Claim:
An internal combustion engine valve drive train switching device having two axially overlapping valve train switching units ( 14 , 16 ) provided with cam shifting structures for the valves of different cylinders and forming together guide tracks ( 44 , 46 ), and switching means ( 36 , 38 ) which cooperate with the guide tracks ( 44 , 46 ) in one operating mode and two safety units ( 10 , 12 ), which are provided to prevent an undesired switching of one of the valve drive train switching units ( 14 , 16 )) by covering part of the guide tracks ( 44 , 46 ), and also an undesired co-operation of one of the switching means ( 36 , 38 ) with the valve drive train switching units ( 14 , 16 ), the safety units ( 10 , 12 ) by interaction of the switching means ( 36 , 38 ) with one of the valve train switching units ( 14 , 16 ) permitting an interaction between the other switching means ( 36 , 38 ) and the other valve train switching unit ( 14 , 16 ) as a result of a displacement of the one valve train switching unit ( 14 , 16 ) relative to the switching means ( 36 , 38 ) which effects a displacement of the safety unit ( 10 , 12 ) which causes an uncovering of a partial area of the guide tracks ( 44 , 46 ).