Axially Shiftable Camshaft Patents (Class 123/90.18)
  • Patent number: 11236647
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a slotted guide of a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The slotted guide includes two guide tracks, which cross one another in a crossing region, for guiding a switching pin of a cam follower of the valve train. The two guide tracks have an on-track region, a crossing region, and an off-track region. At least one radial projection, structured and arranged to protrude beyond the slotted guide in a radial direction, is provided in or downstream from the off-track region of at least one guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne, Rolf Kirschner, Mario Mohler, Markus Walch
  • Patent number: 11111828
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine has a camshaft that can be rotated in a direction of rotation around an axis of rotation, at least two cam pieces arranged on the camshaft which each have at least two cams for actuating a respective gas exchange valve and which are rotationally fixedly connected to the camshaft, and an actuator via which the cam pieces can be shifted in the axial direction of the camshaft. A first of the cam pieces has a first rib protruding outwardly from a first base body of the first cam piece in the radial direction of the camshaft and the second cam piece has a second rib protruding outwardly from a second base body of the second cam piece in the radial direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Thomas Stolk
  • Patent number: 11085340
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve train of an internal combustion engine having variable-lift gas exchange valves, comprising: a carrier shaft, a cam piece arranged on the carrier shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. The cam piece comprises a cam group of axially adjacent cams of different elevations, and an axial slotted link having axially opposite displacement grooves, each having a displacement region and an outlet region. Actuator pins, by engaging with the displacement grooves, displace the cam piece on the carrier shaft. Each displacement groove axially delimits, partially or completely, the outlet region by only one groove wall, and the one groove wall, at which the actuator pin, which is in engagement with the displacement region, positively accelerates the cam piece into a displacement direction. The width of the displacement grooves is smaller in the outlet region than a diameter of the actuator pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Arne Manteufel
  • Patent number: 11047269
    Abstract: A valve train device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, includes a support element secured to a housing, at least one axially moveable cam unit associated with a valve, and at least one switch unit for axially moving at least one part of the cam unit having at least one displacement body which is provided to be introduced for axial movement at least functionally between the support element and the cam unit. The cam unit has at least three cam paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Markus Lengfeld, Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk
  • Patent number: 11022007
    Abstract: A camshaft for an engine and a method of assembling such a camshaft, wherein the camshaft has a base shaft and an external toothing which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft A hub has an internal toothing which correlates with the external toothing of the base shaft such that the hub is connected rotationally conjointly and axially non-displaceably to the base shaft. The external toothing has at least one form-fit subregion, which extends axially at least in certain portions along the base shaft, or one force-fit subregion in order for the hub to be arranged at least in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner, and wherein at least the form-fit subregion or the force-fit subregion is adjoined by at least one alignment region which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft and which serves for the angular alignment of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Volker Junge
  • Patent number: 11002162
    Abstract: A valve drive for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine has a first camshaft which is rotatably mounted in a first and a second camshaft bearing and which includes at least one cam with a first cam curve and a second cam curve that differs from the first cam curve. A gas exchange valve is actuated by the first or the second cam curve. A camshaft section is provided, by which the cam can be moved by an actuator such that the gas exchange valve can be actuated either via the first or the second cam curve. The first camshaft and the cam have a fixed position relative to each other. The first camshaft can be axially moved in the first and the second camshaft bearing, and an axial lock is provided for the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Emmersberger, Dietmar Knoll, Roland Kraft, Rudolf Schmid, Thomas Steinle
  • Patent number: 10890087
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a variable valve train for an internal combustion engine, comprising a camshaft, a gas exchange valve and a cam carrier. The cam carrier is arranged rotationally fixedly and axially displaceably on the camshaft and has a first cam and a second cam. The variable valve train has a force transmission device with a force transmission element, in particular a finger follower or rocker arm, which, depending on an axial position of the cam carrier, creates an active connection either between the first cam and the gas exchange valve or between the second cam and the gas exchange valve. The variable valve train has a first actuator for axial displacement of the cam carrier, wherein the first actuator is received at least partially in the force transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Steffen Hirschmann, Jens Dietrich, Thomas Malischewski
  • Patent number: 10858969
    Abstract: An engine variable valve train is provided with a cylindrical cam carrier fitted on a camshaft in a manner axially slidable to and co-rotatable with the camshaft. The cam carrier has therearound mutually adjoining low-speed and high-speed cam lobes selectively acting on the engine valve and being different in cam profile. The cam carrier has therearound lead grooves to be engaged with or disengaged from changeover pins for axial shift of the cam carrier. The lead grooves include a speed-increasing lead groove for changeover from the low-speed to the high-speed cam lobe and a speed-decreasing lead grooves for changeover from the high-speed to the low-speed cam lobe. The speed-increasing and speed-decreasing lead grooves are different in groove contour. This enables the cam carrier to axially shift smoothly and to improve the durability of the lead grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Dai Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10801376
    Abstract: A valve train device, particularly for an internal combustion engine, includes a camshaft, a cam element able to be displaced axially on the camshaft, and a mechanical displacement element which is provided on the camshaft for the purpose of axially displacing the cam element. The mechanical displacement element is provided to move the cam element by interaction with only a single contour of the cam element in a first and a second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Thomas Stolk
  • Patent number: 10746274
    Abstract: Engine and its camshaft, camshaft manufacturing method, the camshaft comprises a central shaft having an axial hole, the central shaft has a fitting section, the outer circumference of a cross section at any axial position of the fitting section is a polygon; a first cam and a second cam, the first cam and second cam are respectively installed on the fitting section of the central shaft and are spaced axially. Such a structure has the advantages of higher torque transmission, simpler structure, simplified manufacturing process, shorter manufacturing time consumption and reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Xi, Zhou Yang, Song Zhu, Fengwu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10704432
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine includes a lifting profile assembly rotationally fixed on an axially movable camshaft, and has a control groove having a depth that varies along a rotation direction, an actuator to cause axial movement by controlled engaging in the control groove, and an electromagnetically drivable tappet unit that cooperates with the control groove such that, when rotating, a reset or driver effect is exerted on the tappet unit, wherein the tappet unit has at least two independently drivable tappets, the control groove engages a first individual tappet, forms a radially peripheral wall along a peripheral groove side whereby a second individual tappet is positioned outside the control groove during rotation, and a ramp section cooperating with the second individual tappet whereby the second individual tappet is reset or driven when the first individual tappet is reset or driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ETO Magnetic GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Vincon, Timo Rigling, Maria Gruener
  • Patent number: 10690023
    Abstract: A valvetrain assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a first camshaft, a first intake cam, a second intake cam, a first cam slide member, and a first actuator. The first camshaft rotatably is supported by a cylinder head. The first intake cam and a second intake cam are disposed on and engaged with the first camshaft for common rotation. The first cam slide member is fixed for common rotation with the first and second intake cams. The first cam slide member has a pin groove disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam slide member. The pin groove includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The first actuator has a first and a second pins. The first and second pins are individually extendable into the pin groove of the first cam slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Claywell, Maqsood Rizwan Ali Khan, Kevin Eckerle
  • Patent number: 10677114
    Abstract: A variable valve operating device for an internal combustion engine includes a cam carrier supported on a camshaft and shifting switching pins that are advanced into and retracted out of shift lead grooves defined in the cam carrier. The shift lead grooves include shift groove side walls having shift groove side wall surfaces from shift starting inflection regions of the cam carrier to shift ending inflection regions thereof. The shift groove side walls include particular shift groove side walls extending from axial positions of the shift starting inflection regions toward shift intermediate regions and also extending from circumferential positions of the shift intermediate regions disposed between the shift starting inflection regions and the shift ending inflection regions toward the shift starting inflection regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Dai Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10677113
    Abstract: A rocker arm arrangement for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine may include a roller shaft including at least one roll and an adjusting arrangement configured to adjust the roller shaft between a first position and a second position. The rocker arm arrangement may also include a first cam and a second cam respectively having a cam stroke region and an idle speed region and secured to a cam shaft. The adjusting arrangement may include a first engagement pin and a second engagement pin arranged on the roller shaft and adjustable into a switching position and into a home position. The first guide track and the second guide track may be respectively arranged on the cam shaft in a circumferential direction of the cam shaft at least partially overlapping one of the cam stroke region of the first cam and the cam stroke region of the second cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Herrn R. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 10677115
    Abstract: A valve train device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, includes at least one camshaft which has at least one cam element with at least one multi-track cam. The cam element is provided to be axially displaced by a maximum displacement path. The valve train device further includes a limiting mechanism which is provided to limit in at least one operating state the displacement path of the cam element to a switching path of the switching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Schroeer, Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 10648372
    Abstract: A sliding cam system for an internal combustion engine. The sliding cam system includes a cam shaft and a cam carrier, arranged rotationally fixedly and axially movably on the cam shaft. The cam carrier including a first shifting gate and a second shifting gate. The sliding cam system includes a first actuator with an element able to move along a longitudinal axis of the cam shaft, especially a pin, which can be brought into contact with the first shifting gate for the axial movement of the cam carrier in a first direction. The sliding cam system includes a second actuator with an element able to move along the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft, especially a pin, which can be brought into contact with the second shifting gate for the axial movement of the cam carrier in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Steffen Hirschmann, Jens Dietrich
  • Patent number: 10641141
    Abstract: A valve gear for an engine includes a camshaft including a valve drive cam, a rocker arm, a synchronous cam that rotates in synchronism with the valve drive cam, and a switching mechanism that switches a drive mode of an intake valve or an exhaust valve in a period defined by the synchronous cam. The switching mechanism includes a switch and a driver. The switch switches the drive mode by moving elements which define a valve gear system from the valve drive cam to the rocker arm. The driver includes a cam follower that is pushed by the synchronous cam and drives the elements of the valve gear system in directions to switch the drive mode by a force received from the cam follower. A period when the synchronous cam pushes the cam follower is a period when the intake valve or the exhaust valve is kept closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10544713
    Abstract: A control device is configured, if, although the control device has caused a cam switching device to perform a first cam switching operation for switching the profiles of all the valve-driving cams of a plurality of cylinders from a first profile to a second profile, the profiles of all the valve-driving cams of the plurality of cylinders do not coincide with the second profile, to cause the cam switching device to perform a second cam switching operation for switching the profile of the valve-driving cam for at least one or more normal cylinders that are one or more cylinders at which the switching of profiles to the second profile has succeeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Sadakane, Hiroyuki Sugihara, Noriyasu Adachi, Keisuke Sasaki, Shigehiro Sugihira, Takayoshi Kawai, Kaoru Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 10513950
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine equipped with a cam switching device including a cam groove provided on the outer peripheral surface of a camshaft and an electromagnetic solenoid type actuator capable of protruding, toward the camshaft, an engagement pin that is engageable with the cam groove. The control device is configured, in causing the cam switching device to perform a cam switching operation, to perform energization of the actuator such that the engagement pin is seated on a forward outer peripheral surface, and to more lower, when an electric current (coil current) flowing through the actuator as a result of the energization is greater, an average electric voltage per unit time applied to the actuator in protruding the engagement pin toward the cam groove from the forward outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyasu Adachi, Keisuke Sasaki, Shigehiro Sugihira, Takayoshi Kawai, Shinji Sadakane, Hiroyuki Sugihara, Kaoru Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 10502154
    Abstract: An electronic control unit of a control device for an internal combustion engine executes, for a first cycle, first drive processing for controlling an actuator such that a pin drive operation is executed for switching from a first cam to a second cam, executes second drive processing for controlling the actuator such that the pin drive operation is executed again for a second cycle, and executes abnormality determination processing for determining that a cam switching mechanism has an abnormality in a case where a pin returns to a reference position by using a pin return section following a cam switching section of the first cycle after the execution of the first drive processing and the pin returns to the reference position by using the pin return section following the cam switching section of the second cycle after the execution of the second drive processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Sasaki, Noriyasu Adachi, Shigehiro Sugihira, Takayoshi Kawai, Shinji Sadakane, Kaoru Otsuka
  • Patent number: 10480363
    Abstract: A cam-switching device switches between first and second cams provided so as to correspond to intake exhaust valves of an engine. In a case of switching from the first cam to the second cam, a cylinder resting unit stops the opening and closing operations of the intake and exhaust valves in the same combustion cycle, and a cam shaft moving unit starts sliding the cam shaft in a first cam angle range. In a case of switching from the second cam to the first cam, the cylinder resting unit stops the opening and closing operations of the intake and exhaust valves in the same combustion cycle, and the cam shaft moving unit starts sliding the cam shaft in a second cam angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 10480444
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a three step camshaft system during engine position sensor fault conditions. The three step camshaft has multiple cam actuators each having an actuator pin. The method includes: disposing multiple camshaft barrels on a camshaft, each barrel having a slot receiving the actuator pin of a cam actuator during camshaft barrel rotation axially displacing each camshaft barrel to a high lift lobe position, a low lift lobe position and an active fuel management (AFM) lobe position; determining if an engine position sensor is in a fault condition; identifying if the fault condition occurs simultaneously with any of the camshaft barrels positioned in the AFM lobe position; energizing selected cam actuators in communication with the camshaft barrels positioned in the AFM lobe position to axially displace the camshaft barrel away from the AFM lobe position and to the low lift lobe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Etsuko Stewart, Timothy P. Philippart, Scott T. Feldmann, Zhong Li
  • Patent number: 10473004
    Abstract: A variable valve train of an internal combustion engine has cylindrical cam carriers axially slidably and co-rotatably fitted on camshafts, respectively. The cam carriers have, respectively, first cam lobes and second cam lobes different in cam profile and axially adjacent to each other. Cam changeover mechanisms operate to axially shift the cam carriers to change over the first cam lobes and the second cam lobes to operate engine valves. An axial recess is formed in an axial end surface of an enlarged-diameter portion of the camshaft for axial insertion of an end of the cam carrier. The engine can thus be reduced in axial size, and a required axial shifting space for the cam carrier is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Dai Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10473000
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus disposed at an intake part and an exhaust part of an engine includes: a moving cam rotating together with a camshaft, being movably disposed in an axial direction of the camshaft, and forming a plurality of cams for realizing valve lift to be different from each other and a cam guide protrusion; an operating unit selectively guiding the cam guide protrusion so as to move the moving cam in an axial direction of the camshaft; a controller controlling an operation of the operating unit; and a valve opening/closing unit opened/closed by contacting any one among the plurality of cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Heechang Oh, Seung Kook Han, Ju Hun Lee, Wootae Kim
  • Patent number: 10436080
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus may include a moving cam formed of a hollow cylindrical shape, configured to be moveable in an axial direction of a camshaft while being rotated with the camshaft, and forming a plurality of cams implementing a cam guide protrusion device and different valve lifts from each other; an operation device selectively guiding a cam guide protrusion device to move the moving cam in the axial direction of the camshaft; a controller configured for controlling an operation of the operation device; a valve opening/closing device in contact with any one cam among the plurality of cams; a plurality of stopper grooves formed at an external circumference of the camshaft; and a stopper device provided at the moving cam and inserted to the stopper groove to be rotated at a position after the moving cam is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Wook Son, You Sang Son, Seung Kook Han, Back Sik Kim, Wootae Kim
  • Patent number: 10385738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable valve control device (1) for internal combustion engines of the reciprocating-piston design having at least one gas exchange valve (32), which can be actuated by a camshaft (3) by means of a cam device (4) that is connected to the camshaft (3) for conjoint rotation and that has at least two different cam tracks (7, 8), which camshaft is supported in such a way that the camshaft can be rotated about a camshaft axis (2), wherein, selectively, one of the cam tracks (7, 8) can be activated and at least one other cam track (8, 7) can be deactivated by means of a control device (10), and wherein the control device (10) has at least one control lever (12), which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (11), and has at least one first control body (13), which is connected to the camshaft (3) for conjoint rotation and in the surface of which at least one first control groove (17) and at least one second control groove (18) are formed, wherein, selectively, a first control stud (19) of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Rieger, Thomas Moser, Benjamin Bierbaumer
  • Patent number: 10378396
    Abstract: A variable valve-operating device for an internal combustion engine has a cam carrier with cam lobes formed therearound to act on an engine valve and with a speed increasing side lead groove and a speed decreasing side lead groove formed therearound to be engaged with a speed increasing side switching pin and a speed decreasing side switching pin, respectively, to axially shift the cam carrier, to selectively make one of the cam lobes to be operative. A speed increasing side entry lead groove portion of the speed increasing side lead groove is formed in a position axially overlapping a low speed steady position lead groove portion of the speed decreasing side lead groove. A speed decreasing side entry lead groove portion of the speed decreasing side entry lead groove is formed in a position axially overlapping a high speed steady position lead groove portion of the speed increasing side lead groove. The variable valve-operating device can thus be miniaturized by reducing the axial width of the cam carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriaki Okano, Yoshihiro Takada
  • Patent number: 10344638
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is provided with a cam switching device including a cam groove provided on the outer peripheral surface or a camshaft and an actuator capable of protruding, toward the camshaft, an engagement pin that is engageable with the cam groove. The internal combustion engine system is configured, in causing the cam switching device to perform a cam switching operation, to control the actuator such that the engagement pin is seated on a forward outer peripheral surface which is located more forward than an end of the cam groove on the forward side with respect to an insert section of the cam groove in the rotational direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Sasaki, Noriyasu Adachi, Shigehiro Sugihira, Takayoshi Kawai, Shinji Sadakane, Hiroyuki Sugihara, Kaoru Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 10202911
    Abstract: A method may include restricting cam movement while the vehicle is moving in response to an oil pressure below a threshold oil pressure, and an engine speed below a threshold engine speed, and during a vehicle stopped condition, overriding the restricted cam movement. In one example, the vehicle stopped condition may include the oil over-temperature and the load above the threshold load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
  • Patent number: 10054013
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a shaft on which at least one sliding element is received in such a way as to be axially displaceable along a shaft axis. The shaft may comprise an external longitudinal spline structure that meshes with an internal spline structure of a passage in the sliding element such that the sliding element is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the shaft. The sliding element, on its axial end faces, may comprise guiding portions by way of which the sliding element is guided on the shaft to minimize an axial offset of the sliding element. Further, guiding sleeves against which the guiding portions of the sliding element are supported may be received on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG
    Inventors: JĂ¼rgen Meusel, Michael Kunz
  • Patent number: 10041383
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism includes a first cam unit including cams configured to drive an intake valve on a first side in a first cylinder; a first sliding mechanism configured to slide the first cam unit such that the first cam unit is switched between two positions to select any one of the cams; a second cam unit including cams configured to drive an intake valve on a second side in the first cylinder, cams configured to drive an intake valve on the first side in a second cylinder, and cams configured to drive an intake valve on the second side in the second cylinder; and a second sliding mechanism configured to slide the second cam unit such that the second cam unit is switched among three positions to select any one of the cams for each of the intake valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yano, Yu Yokoyama, Toru Sakuma, Yuta Nishimura, Atsuhisa Tamano
  • Patent number: 9945273
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus includes a first moving cam, the first moving cam provided to rotate together with the camshaft and move in an axial direction of the camshaft, a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts relative to each other, a second moving cam provided to rotate together with the camshaft and move in an axial direction of the camshaft, and forming a second cam guide protrusion and a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts relative to each other, a first operating unit, a second operating unit, a controller, and a valve opening/closing unit, wherein at least two pins are respectively disposed at the first operating unit and the second operating unit so as to guide the first cam guide protrusion and the second cam guide protrusion, and an interference preventing pin formed to have a relatively large diameter in comparison with the other pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Byong Young Choi
  • Patent number: 9869253
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus may include a first moving cam provided to rotate together with a camshaft and move in an axial direction of the camshaft, and configured to form a first cam guide protrusion and a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts from each other, a second moving cam provided to rotate together with a second camshaft and move in an axial direction of the second camshaft, and configured to form a second cam guide protrusion and a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts from each other, a first operating device operated to move the first moving cam in a first direction, a second operating device operated to move the second moving cam in a second direction, a controller configured to control operations of the first operating device and the second operating device, and a valve opening/closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byong Young Choi, Seung Kook Han, Soo Hyung Woo, Wootae Kim
  • Patent number: 9845712
    Abstract: A cam system for operating a first engine valve and a second engine valve includes translatable first and a second sliding lobe packs. The first sliding lobe pack operates the first engine valve with one of a high lift lobe, a low lift lobe, and a zero lift lobe. The second sliding lobe operates the second engine valve with one of a high lift lobe or one of two low lift lobes. A shift barrel has a first groove configured to translate the first and a second sliding lobe packs in a first direction, and a second groove configured to translate the first and a second sliding lobe packs in a second direction, opposite the first. A shift actuator has a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, each selectively actuatable to engage the first groove or the second groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: David N. Hayden
  • Patent number: 9777603
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly includes a base shaft including at least one lobe pack axially movably mounted on the base shaft, the lobe pack including a control groove therein. An actuator device includes a pin movably mounted to the actuator between a retracted position and an extended position for engaging with the control groove to cause axial movement of the lobe pack. The control groove includes a pin engagement region, a shifting region and an ejection region. The pin engagement region of the control groove has a first pair of sidewalls. The shifting region extends from the pin engagement region and has a second pair of sidewalls angled relative to the first pair of sidewalls and having a first portion with a varying groove width that varies relative to a groove width of the pin engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley R. Kaan, Domenic Certo, Joseph J. Moon
  • Patent number: 9759099
    Abstract: In a valve drive train device for an internal combustion engine of motor vehicle, wherein at least one axially movably mounted cam element including at least one cam set with at least two cam parts and a shifting gate with at least two gate track for converting a rotary movement of the cam element into an axial shifting motion, at least one of the cam parts and the adjacent gate track are disposed in an at least partially axially overlapping relationship for reducing thereby the axial length and the mass of the cam element or permitting the use of a larger, highly durable, actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Markus Lengfeld, Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 9605603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an active cam profile from a plurality of cam profiles is disclosed. The systems and methods may be used to determine how to operate an engine torque actuator or provide an indication of cam profile switching degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 9605566
    Abstract: An adjustment shaft actuator. The adjustment shaft actuator includes an adjustment shaft arranged parallel to a camshaft of a valve train and having a lever unit with a lever arm, a cam unit that has a cam and that is connected to the camshaft in a non-rotatable manner, whereby the lever unit is arranged so as to be axially movable on the adjustment shaft or the cam unit is arranged so as to be axially movable on the camshaft, and an adjustment unit provided in order to effectuate axial movement between the at least one lever unit and the at least one cam unit, by way of which the at least one lever arm can be brought into effective contact with the cam in order to bring about a rotation of the adjustment shaft by rotating the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: IAV GMBH INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT AUTO UND VERKEHR
    Inventors: Heiko Neukirchner, Andreas Werler, Uwe Richter
  • Patent number: 9546578
    Abstract: A valve operating system for an engine is provided. The system includes first and second detent mechanisms for holding a cam element at a first position when the cam element is shifted to one side in camshaft directions, and at a second position when the cam element is shifted to the other side. The detent mechanisms include first and second detent cams and first and second pushing members, respectively. The first detent cam includes first and second grooves and a first top portion. The second detent cam includes third and fourth grooves and a second top portion. The first and second grooves have inclining portions extending from the first top portion toward bottoms thereof, inclining with respect to the camshaft directions, respectively. The third and fourth grooves have inclining portions extending from the second top portion toward bottoms thereof, inclining with respect to the camshaft directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Akitomo Takagi, Toshimasa Kotani
  • Patent number: 9540970
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine with a sliding cam valve train that has a cam part (2) with three adjacent cams of different lifts (H, M, L) and a groove-shaped connecting link path with two path sections (S1, S2) that lift in both axial directions of the cam part and are arranged completely one behind the other around the circumference is provided. An actuator (10) selectively couples two actuator pins (7, 8) in the connecting link path, in order to move the cam part. The base position of the cam part should be moved into a desired axial position during the operation of the internal combustion engine through successive coupling of the actuator pins in the connecting link path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Popp, Jan Pfannenmuller
  • Patent number: 9482122
    Abstract: A detent assembly and a method of assembling the detent assembly are disclosed. The detent assembly includes a first shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The first shaft defines a cavity having an opening defined by the outer surface. The detent assembly further includes a camshaft defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis to present an inner wall of the camshaft that circumscribes the longitudinal axis. The inner wall defines a plurality of recesses spaced from each other. The detent assembly also includes a self-contained plunger unit that is secured to the first shaft in the cavity as a unit. A plunger of the self-contained plunger unit engages the inner wall as the camshaft is disposed over the self-contained plunger unit so that the plunger rests in one of the recesses of the camshaft to selectively secure together the first shaft and the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Moon, Patrick J. Tow, Domenic Certo
  • Patent number: 9297283
    Abstract: Camshaft unit (1) having a first camshaft (2), which is phase-adjustable with respect to a crankshaft, a second camshaft (3), which is disposed concentric to the first camshaft (2) and is always in phase with the crankshaft, a camshaft adjuster (5) with which the first camshaft (2) is phase-adjustable with respect to the crankshaft, a connecting member (4), which is displaceable in the axial direction of the camshafts (2, 3) and has first toothed section (16) that meshes with counter-toothed section (6) on the first camshaft (2), and an adjusting drive (9) by which a connecting member (4) can be displaced axially, wherein through an axial advance, a relative rotation of the first camshaft (2) with respect to the connecting member (4) takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Sebastian Zwahr
  • Patent number: 9291283
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device includes a first predetermined portion receiving the oil discharged from a pump, a first channel establishing communication between the pump and the first predetermined portion, a second channel branched from the first channel for supplying oil to a second predetermined portion, a flow passage area regulation unit arranged on the second channel and equipped with a spool that moves in a flow passage area increasing direction when an oil pressure in the second channel increases and in a decreasing direction when the oil pressure decreases, and a bypass channel, which is provided separately from a portion of the second channel where the spool disconnects the second channel, establishes communication between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second channel relative to the flow passage area regulation unit and supplies oil to the second predetermined portion even when the spool disconnects the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Miyachi, Hisashi Ono
  • Patent number: 9267402
    Abstract: A multistage variable valve lift apparatus includes: a camshaft; a plurality of cams slidably provided on the camshaft and each including a cam base with a guide projection and a cam lobe; a solenoid unit that includes an operating rod with a guide slot into which the guide projection is selectively inserted; and a valve opening/closing portion that comes into selective contact any one of the plurality of cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Jong Hyeok Choi, Young Hong Kwak, Byong Young Choi, Jin Kook Kong, Gee Wook Shin
  • Patent number: 9255496
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine includes at least one basic camshaft with a cam carrier provided thereupon in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. The cam carrier has at least one valve-actuating cam as well as a tubular basic element that receives the basic camshaft in at least some sections. At least one cam element of the cam carrier, in particular the valve-actuating cam, is arranged on the basic element. At least one torque-transmitting connecting element is located between the basic element and the cam element. An internal combustion engine having at least one valve train and a method for producing a valve train are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: RĂ¼diger Zeidler
  • Patent number: 9228456
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine is disclosed , having at least one main camshaft, on which at least one cam carrier is provided such that it is fixed so as to rotate with said main camshaft and can be displaced axially between at least two axial positions, wherein at least one valve actuating cam for actuating a gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine is assigned to the cam carrier. The valve actuating cam is mounted rotatably and a rotary angular position of the valve actuating cam with regard to the cam carrier can be set by means of an adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Gross, Hendrik Schramm, Moayed El-Gaml
  • Patent number: 9217382
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing idling torque imbalances between cylinders by actuating a common camshaft to which the cylinders are coupled. The camshaft may be adjusted within camshaft limits during each combustion event of each cylinder. In this way, idling NVH issues may be addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Patent number: 9157342
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes: a first passage which is formed in the vane rotor, which extends in the radial direction at a position apart from the first lock member and the second lock member in the circumferential direction, which includes an opening portion located in an outer end portion of the first passage, and which receives a hydraulic pressure different from a hydraulic pressure within the advance angle hydraulic chambers and a hydraulic pressure within the retard angle hydraulic chambers; a second passage which is connected to the first passage and hydraulic pressure receiving portions of the first lock member and the second lock member; and a seal member which is press-fit in the opening portion of the outer end portion of the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 9140147
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus has a simple design that efficiently operates without interference. The apparatus according may include: a camshaft formed in a hollow cylinder shape; a control shaft disposed in the hollow of the camshaft; a cam that rotates together with the camshaft; a cam rod connecting the control shaft with the cam to move together; an operating unit disposed on the exterior circumference of the camshaft to rotate together with the camshaft; an operating unit rod connecting the control shaft with the operating unit such that the control shaft and the operating unit move together; a solenoid selectively connected with the operating unit, and moving the operating unit along an axial direction of the camshaft; and a tappet contacting the cam to transform rotational motion of the cam to rectilinear motion of a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Jei Choon Yang, Young Hong Kwak, Byong Young Choi, Jin Kook Kong, Gee Wook Shin
  • Patent number: 9121312
    Abstract: A driving portion is configured to cause a driving force to move a spool in a first direction, and a bias unit is configured to cause a biasing force to bias the spool in a second direction in an axis direction. A part of a lock region is defined as a throttle region at which a flowing amount of working fluid flowing from a supply port to an introduction port is throttled. The throttle region is set to be located at a movable end position of the spool in the second direction to which the spool arrives when the driving force is not applied to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Futoshi Kawamura