Patent ID: 7392777

Claim:
A variable valve train for a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, which gas exchange valve is actuated by a cam and biased against opening direction by a closing spring, said valve train comprising a force transmission device that is arranged between the cam and the gas exchange valve and includes a hydraulic lifting device comprising a pressure piston that is arranged for longitudinal displacement in a cylinder, said pressure piston defining a pressure chamber that is connected to an adjustable pressure medium supply of the internal combustion engine and said pressure piston permitting, under high-pressure loading, a hydraulic actuation of the gas exchange valve independently of the cam, against a force of the closing spring, wherein the force transmission device is configured as an oscillating lever or rocker arm mounted for pivoting on a lever shaft comprising a longitudinal channel that transports pressure medium and acts as a link between the pressure medium supply and the pressure chamber, the pressure piston comprises a recess that is connected through at least one radial bore to an annular groove extending in an outer peripheral surface of the pressure piston, as a function of a lift position of the pressure piston relative to the cylinder, this annular groove communicates hydraulically with a pressure channel of the oscillating lever or rocker arm, which pressure channel is connected to the longitudinal channel of the lever shaft and opens into the cylinder, so that, when the pressure piston is in a fully retracted position, the recess is connected through a largest possible flow cross-section to the pressure channel, whereas, in an extended position of the pressure piston, the pressure channel is practically closed by the outer peripheral surface of the piston.