Valve actuating device for engine

• US 5,682,847 A
• Filed: 10/11/1996
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hara, Seinosuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Application Number:
  US08/729,990
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.15, 123/90.16, 123/90.17, 123/90.22, 123/90.27, 123/90.39, 123/90.4, 123/90.44, 123/90.45
• US Class Current: 123/90.16
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/267 with means for varying the timing or the lift of the valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2305/00 Valve arrangements comprising rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 1/242 Arrangement of spark plugs or injectors

Abstract

A valve actuating device for an engine having first and second engine valves for each engine cylinder. The valve actuating device comprises first, second and third cams which have respectively first, second and third cam profiles which are different from each other. The first and second cam profiles are for a low engine speed range. The third cam profile is for a high engine speed range. First and second rocker arms are supported on a rocker shaft and swingable respectively in accordance with the first and second cam profiles and are adapted respectively to make valve movement actions of the first and second engine valves. A third rocker arm is supported on the rocker shaft and swingable in accordance with the third cam profile of the third cam. The third rocker arm is put into a first state to be simultaneously connected with the first and second rocker arms to serve as a single body, and a second state to be disconnected from the first and second rocker arms. Additionally, a connection mechanism is provided to put the third rocker arm into one of the first and second states, and includes a connection lever which is supported by the third rocker arm and swingable on a plane perpendicular to axis of the rocker shaft. A hydraulic pressure-operated driving device is provided to swingingly move the connection lever to engage with the engagement projections under hydraulic pressure. A lever restoring device is disposed in the third rocker arm to swingingly move the connection lever in a direction to put the third rocker arm into the second state.

Claims

1. A valve actuating device for an engine having first and second engine valves for each engine cylinder, comprising:

first, second and third cams .which have respectively first, second and third cam profiles which are different from each-other, the first and second cam profiles being for a first engine operating condition, the third cam profile being for a second engine operating condition;

first and second rocker arms supported on a rocker shaft and being swingable respectively in accordance with the first and second cam profiles of the first and second cams, said first and second rocker arms being adapted respectively to make valve movement actions of the first and second engine valves in accordance with the first and second cam profiles;

a third rocker arm supported on the rocker shaft and being swingable in accordance with the third cam profile of the third cam, said third rocker arm being adapted to make a valve movement action of the first and second engine valves in accordance with the cam profile of the third cam, said third rocker arm being put into a first state to be simultaneously connected with said first and second rocker arms to serve as a single body, and a second state to be disconnected from the first and second rocker arms; and

a connection mechanism for putting said third rocker arm into one of the first and second states, said connecting mechanism including

a connection lever which is supported by said third rocker arm and swingable on a plane perpendicular to axis of the rocker shaft,

an engagement projection formed on each of said first and second rocker arms, a first end portion of said connection lever being engageable with said engagement projections,

hydraulic pressure-operated driving means for swingingly moving said connection lever to cause the first end portion of said connection lever to engage with said engagement projections under hydraulic pressure so that said third rocker arm is put into the first state, and

lever restoring means disposed in said third rocker arm to swingingly move said connection lever in a direction to put said third rocker arm into the second state.

2. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydraulic pressure-operated driving means includes a piston member movably disposed in a chamber formed in said third rocker arm, said piston member being capable of biasing a second end portion of said connection lever to swingingly move said connection lever.

3. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second engine valves are first and second intake valves for each engine cylinder.

4. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first engine operating condition is in a low engine speed range, and said second engine operating condition is in a high engine speed range higher in engine speed than the low engine speed range.

5. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second cams are arranged to cause the first and second engine valves to respectively make first and second valve lifts which are different from each other.

6. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third rocker arm is disposed between said first and second rocker arms.

7. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said connection lever includes first and second levers which are located parallel with each other and independently movable to be respectively engageable with the engagement projections of said first and second rocker arms, each of first and second levers having a first end portion engageable with the engagement projection of said corresponding rocker arms, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.

8. A valve actuating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said piston member is located to simultaneously bias the second end portions of said first and second levers.