Patent ID: 8336513

Claim:
A variable tappet comprising: an outer tappet body; an inner tappet body that is slidably disposed within the outer tappet body and selectively connected with the outer tappet body; a lost motion elastic member that is disposed within the outer tappet body and elastically supports the outer tappet body; and a connecting unit that is slidably disposed within the inner tappet body and selectively connects the outer tappet body and the inner tappet body; wherein the connecting unit comprises: a connecting pin slidably coupled in the inner tappet body and supplied with hydraulic pressure to selectively connect the outer tappet body and the inner tappet body; and an elastic member disposed in the inner tappet body and supplying an elastic force to the connecting pin; wherein the connecting pin comprises: a connecting pin body slidable in the inner tappet body; and a protrusion that is protruded from the connecting pin body and selectively connected with the outer tappet body; wherein the inner tappet body comprises a connecting pin sliding groove through which the protrusion of the connecting pin is slidably mounted; wherein the outer tappet body comprises a stepped portion and the protrusion of the connecting pin is selectively caught therein; and wherein the inner tappet body comprises a guide groove that is formed corresponding to the stepped portion and wherein the guide groove and the stepped portion are slidably engaged each other.