Engine valve driver

0001The invention relates to an engine with a valve train device for swinging a rocker arm, which drives a valve for opening and closing a valve opening in a combustion chamber of the engine, wherein a displacement means is provided, configured to continuously adjust a valve opening duration and/or a valve lift.

0002Prior art document <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE4220816A1"><text>DE 42 20 816 A1</text></patcit> discloses an engine with a valve train device with a swinging rocker arm which drives a valve for opening and closing a valve opening in a combustion chamber of the engine. A displacement means is configured to continuously adjust a valve opening duration and/or a valve lift. The valve train device comprises a camshaft that functions as a driving means for swinging an intermediate rocker member. The intermediate rocker member is configured to transmit the motion of a cam of the camshaft to rocker face on the rocker arm. The valve opening duration and/or valve lift are continuously adjustable by displacement of a contact point that corresponds to an input point of a driving force transmitted from the camshaft to the rocker face formed at the rocker arm.

0003Engines are known, wherein different notches are provided on a camshaft for alternatively controlling an opening duration and a lift of a valve. This, however, provides a very restricted way of valve opening control only.

0004Besides, in <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="JPSHO59500002A"><text>JP-A-Sho59-500002</text></patcit> an engine is disclosed in which, to open and close intake and exhaust valves by cam shafts via rocker arms, a swinging member for each valve is disposed and swung by the camshaft, an intermediate roller is interposed between a swing cam face of the swinging member and the rocker arm, and the valve opening duration and the valve lift can be continuously changed by displacing the intermediate roller.

0005Now, in such conventional valve train devices, the shorter the valve opening duration, the smaller the lever ratio of the rocker arm is, and, in contrary, the longer the valve opening duration, the larger the lever ratio of the rocker arm is. Due to such a larger lever-ratio for a longer valve opening duration, a distal end of the rocker arm presses against the valve and the intermediate roller presses against the intermediate portion of the rocker arm. As a result, it is difficult to secure rigidity of the entire valve opening/closing device and particularly accuracy to control the valve opening duration and the valve lift is apt to reduce during operation at high engine speeds. Further, due to such a smaller lever-ratio for a shorter valve opening duration, it is difficult to secure the valve lift for a shorter valve opening duration, which is disadvantageous for reduction of pumping loss and improvement of combustibility, and controllability of valve opening and closing timing is also apt to worsen.

0006It is, therefore, an object of the invention to improve an engine of the above kind, wherein rigidity all over the valve opening and closing device can be secured.

0007According to the present invention said object is solved by an engine having the features of independent claim 1.

0008Accordingly, a lever ratio for a shorter opening duration of the valve is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve, wherein the lever ratio is defined as a ratio of a lever length of the rocker arm to a lever length of a movable portion of the displacing means.

0009The valve opening duration and/or valve lift are continuously adjustable by displacement of a contact point that corresponds to an input point of a driving force transmitted from an upstream member in a driving force transmission path.

0010Further, preferably the displacement means comprises an intermediate rocker member disposed between the swing cam face formed at the swinging member and a pressurized rocker face formed at the rocker arm, the intermediate rocker member being configured to transmit the motion of the swing cam face to the pressurized rocker face.

0011Furthermore, a first contact point between the intermediate rocker member and the swing cam face and/or another contact point between the intermediate rocker member and the pressurized rocker face are displaceable by a movement of an intermediate rocker member.

0012Still further, a rocker lever ratio for a shorter opening duration of the valve is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve, wherein a first distance is defined as a distance between a swinging axis (b) of the rocker arm and valve axis, and a second distance is defined as a distance between the swinging axis of the rocker arm and a line which connects a swinging axis of the swing member to a contact point between the swing cam face of the swinging member and the intermediate rocker.

0013Moreover, preferably the intermediate rocker member has an intermediate rocker roller that is disposed, through an intermediate rocker pin, at a distal end of an intermediate arm portion; and/or in that the intermediate rocker member is pressurized by the swing cam face, causing the intermediate rocker pin to press against the pressurized rocker face directly or through the intermediate arm portion; and/or in that the rocker arm is supported for swinging by a rocker shaft; and/or in that the driving means is a camshaft that is preferably located across the swinging member from the rocker shaft of the rocker arm; and/or in that the swing cam face has a base circle section that does not allow the valve lift to change with a change of a swinging angle of the swinging member and a lift section that is continuously connected with the base circle section and which allows the valve lift to increase with an increase of the swinging angle; wherein preferably the swinging member is located such that the base circle section is located on the rocker shaft side; and/or in that the rocker lever ratio becomes larger as the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin are displaced toward the rocker shaft side and, in contrast, it becomes smaller as they are displaced away from the rocker shaft side.

0014Also, preferably the displacing means has an eccentric pin portion that is formed midway of the rocker shaft and is eccentric therefrom; wherein preferably a base end of the intermediate arm portion is coupled, for swinging, with the eccentric pin portion; and/or wherein a rotation of the rocker shaft allows the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin to be displaced toward or away from the rocker shaft side.

0015According to a preferred embodiment, the drive means comprises a camshaft of a crankshaft type in which a drive shaft has a disk like cam plate eccentrically formed in one body with the drive shaft; wherein preferably a base end of a connecting rod is coupled with the cam plate for free rotation; and/or that a distal end of the connecting rod is coupled with the swinging member for free rotation.

0016Additionally or alternatively to any of the above embodiments, an engine is provided wherein the driving means comprises a camshaft that is rotated by a crankshaft; and/or in that the displacing means is constituted such that a camshaft abutment portion is formed at the swinging member and driven by the camshaft, and an abutment displacing mechanism is configured to change a relative distance between a swinging axis of the swinging member and the camshaft abutment portion; and/or in that a change of the relative distance of the camshaft abutment portion allows the opening duration and/or the lift of the valve to be continuously adjusted; and/or in that a swinging member lever ratio for a shorter opening duration of the valve is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve, wherein a second distance is defined as a relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging axis of the swinging member and a first distance is defined as a distance between a swinging axis of the rocker arm and the valve axis.

0017Further preferred embodiments of the invention are subject to the respective subclaims.

0018In the following, the present invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: <dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG. 1</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view, showing a valve train device of a first embodiment according to the invention;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of the first embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 3</dt><dd>is a front, perspective view of the device of the first embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 4</dt><dd>is a front view of the device of the first embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 5</dt><dd>shows a cam angle-lift characteristic curve of the device of the first embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 6</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of a second embodiment according to the invention;</dd><dt>FIG. 7</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of the second embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 8</dt><dd>is a perspective view of the device of a third embodiment according to the invention;</dd><dt>FIG. 9</dt><dd>is a front view of the device of the third embodiment;</dd></dl><dl id="dl0002"><dt>FIG. 10</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of a fourth embodiment according to the invention;</dd><dt>FIG. 11</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of a further embodiment ;</dd><dt>FIG. 12</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of the further embodiment ;</dd><dt>FIG. 13</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of a further embodiment ; and</dd><dt>FIG. 14</dt><dd>is a cross-sectional side view of the device of the further embodiment</dd></dl> .

0019Now, several embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0020<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005">FIGs. 1 through 5</figref> are those for describing of a first embodiment. <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> are cross-sectional side views, showing a smaller opening state and a larger opening state on an intake valve side, respectively, of a valve train device of an engine. <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> are a front perspective view and a side view of the first embodiment, respectively. <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> shows a cam angle - lift characteristic curve of the first embodiment.

0021Referring to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, reference numeral 1 denotes a valve device for opening and closing valve openings that open into a combustion chamber. The valve device is constituted as follows. In the embodiments herein, the constitution only on the intake valve side is shown. A right and a left intake openings 2b are formed in a combustion recess 2a that is formed in a cylinder head 2 and forms part of a combustion chamber on a ceiling side thereof. Each intake valve opening 2b is in fluid communication with an intake port 2c which is in turn led to an external connection port in an engine wall. Also, each intake valve opening 2b is opened and closed by a valve head 3a of an intake valve 3. The intake valve 3 is normally biased by a valve spring 6 that is interposed between a retainer 4 that is mounted at the top end of a valve stem 3b of the intake valve 3 and is prevented from moving axially, and a spring seat 5 that is placed on a seat surface of the cylinder head 2.

0022A valve train device 7 is disposed over the intake valves 3 and is constituted such that an intake camshaft 8, which functions as a swinging member driving means, swings each swinging member 9, the swinging member 9 swings a rocker arm 11 through an intermediate rocker 10, and the swinging movement of the rocker arm 11 forces the intake valve 3 to travel to and fro in its axial direction, thereby opening and closing the valve opening 2b.

0023The intake camshaft 8 is arranged parallel to a crankshaft (not shown), supported for rotation and prevented from moving in both of its axial direction and a direction normal to the axial direction, by cam journals formed in the cylinder head 2 and corresponding cam caps mounted on an upper mating surface of the cam journals. The intake camshaft 8 is formed with one cam nose 8c which is in common with the right and left intake valves and consists of a base circle section 8a having a constant outside diameter and a lift section 8b having a predetermined cam profile.

0024The swinging member 9 includes: a pair of swing arm portions 9a, 9a, supported for free rotation by a swing shaft 12 that is arranged parallel to the intake camshaft 8 and prevented from moving in its axial direction and a direction normal thereto; a swing cam face 9b that is formed so as to connect both the distal ends (lower ends) of the paired swing arm portions 9a, 9a; a roller shaft 9c that is disposed midway of the swing arm portions 9a and parallel to the swing shaft 12 so as to pass through the right and left swing arm portions 9a, 9a; and a swing roller 9d supported for rotation by the roller shaft 9c, the swing roller 9d normally being in contact with the cam nose 8c for rotation.

0025The swing shaft 12 passes through the bases (upper end portion) of the swing arm portions 9a and swings. A pair of right and left balancing springs 13 of coil springs are mounted to the swing shaft 12. Each balancing spring 13 has an end 13a that engages an edge positioned on the opposite side of the camshaft and between the roller shaft 9c and the swing shaft 12 of the swing arm portions 9a, and has the other end that engages the cylinder head 2. The paired balancing springs 13 bias the swinging member 9 so that the swing roller 9d contacts the cam nose 8c of the intake camshaft 8, to thereby avoid the weight of the swinging member 9 from acting on the valve spring 6.

0026The swing cam face 9b is generally in a shape of a plate having a curved surface in a base circle section 9e and a lift section 9f which are connected each other continuously. The swinging member 9 is arranged in a way that the base circle section 9e is located on a rocker shaft side 14 and the lift section 9f is located on the opposite side thereof. The base circle section 9e is an arc having a radius R1 and a swinging axis (center) (a) which is an axis of the swing shaft 12. Accordingly, while the base circle section 9e is in contact with the swing roller 9d and the swinging angle of the swinging member 9 increases, the intake valve 3 remains in its fully closed position and is not lifted.

0027On the other hand, as the point of the lift section 9f which presses against the swinging roller 9d progresses toward an apex of the lift section 9f, in other word, the swinging angle of the swinging member 9 becomes larger, the intake valve 3 is lifted larger. The lift section 9f is constituted with a ramp zone for a constant velocity, an acceleration zone for acceleration of velocity, and a lift zone for an approximately constant velocity.

0028The rocker arm 11 is formed in one body such that it has a cylindrical base 11c, and a right and a left arm portions 11d extending forward (on the side of the intake valves). The base 11c is supported, for swing, by the rocker shaft 14 that is disposed parallel to the intake camshaft 8 and on the side of an axis of the cylinder. At the lower portion of the distal end of each arm portion 11d is formed a valve pressing face 11a so as to press against a shim 3c that is mounted to the upper end of a valve stem 3b of the intake valve 3. In the upper peripheral of each arm portion 11d is formed a pressurized rocker face 11 b which is pushed by a rocker pin 10a of the intermediate rocker 10. The pressurized rocker face 11 b is formed into an arc having a radius R2 about the swinging axis (a) of the swinging member 9, as seen in the direction of the camshaft with the valve being fully closed.

0029The rocker shaft 14 is constituted so that the angular position of the rocker shaft 14 is freely controlled by a drive mechanism (not shown). Midway of the rocker shaft 14 is formed an eccentric pin portion 14a that has a diameter smaller than any other portions and deviated outwardly in a radial direction from the axis b of the rocker shaft 14. An engagement recess 10c formed in the base end of the intermediate arm portion 10b of the intermediate rocker 10 is rotationally engaged with the eccentric pin portion 14a.

0030The intermediate rocker 10 is generally configured that both distal ends of the paired right and left intermediate arm portions 10b are fixedly connected each other by the rocker pin 10a extending in the direction of the camshaft, and the rocker roller 10d is rotationally supported by the rocker pin 10a. The distal ends of the intermediate arm portions 10b may be coupled by engagement of the rocker pin 10a. The rocker roller 10d rotationally contacts the swing cam face 9b of the swinging member 9, and the rocker pin 10a slidably contacts the pressurized rocker face 11 b of the rocker arm 11.

0031Thus, a displacing means is constituted such that the drive mechanism varies the angular position of the rocker shaft 14 to move or displace the positions of both the intermediate rocker roller 10d of the intermediate rocker 10 and the intermediate rocker pin 10a along the pressurized rocker face 11 b.

0032Now, a rocker lever ratio is defined as Lv/Lc, where Lc is a distance between the swinging axis (center) (b) of the rocker arm 11 and a straight line (A) which connects the swinging center (a) of the swinging member 9 and the point at which the swing cam face 9b contacts the intermediate rocker roller 10d; and Lv is a distance between the valve axis and the swinging center (b) of the rocker arm 11. The lever ratio increases as the opening duration of the valve becomes shorter.

0033The drive mechanism changes the angular position of the rocker shaft 14 to move or displace the positions of the intermediate rocker roller 10d and the intermediate rocker pin 10a of the intermediate rocker 10 along the swing cam face 96 and the pressurized rocker face 11 b, causing the valve lift and the valve opening angle to change continuously. The drive mechanism controls the angular position of the rocker shaft 14 in such a manner that the valve opening angle and the valve lift increase as the valve opening increases in response to the opening of an acceleration pedal, for example.

0034Specifically, in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, for example, in a small opening state that the valve opening duration is shortest and the maximum valve lift is smallest, the rocker shaft 14 is rotated at a position where the eccentric pin portion 14a is farthest away from the swing cam face 9b. The contact point (c) between the swing cam face 9b and the rocker roller 10d is therefore positioned farthest away from the lift section 9f. Also, the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) reaches its largest one because the contact point (c) is brought into a position closest to the swinging center (b) of the rocker arm 11 and the distance Lc is shortest. For this state, a lift curve is therefore drawn as a curve C1 shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>.

0035Meanwhile, in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, for a large opening state that the valve opening duration is longest and the maximum valve lift is largest, the rocker shaft 14 is rotated at a position where the eccentric pin portion 14a is closest to the swing cam face 9b. The contact point (c') between the swing cam face 9b and the intermediate rocker roller 10d is therefore positioned nearest to the lift section 9f, more specifically at a position close to a boundary between the lift section 9f and the base circle section 9e. Also, the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) reaches its smallest one because the contact point (c') is remote from the swinging center (b) of the rocker arm 11 and the distance Lc is largest. For this state, a lift curve is therefore drawn as a curve C3 shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>. With a transition from the small opening state to the large opening state, the lift curve is, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> continuously changed from the curve C1 to the curve C3.

0036In <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>, lift curves C1' to C3' are comparative examples in case of a constant rocker lever ratio. This comparative device has the same large opening state as of the present invention. The change in the valve lift from the large opening state to the small opening state are comparatively shown. It is apparent from those curves that, in the comparative device, the lift curves show large drops of the valve lift from the curve C3' to C2' and to C1', and in contrast, in this embodiment, the lift curves show that the lift drops are suppressed from the curve C3 to C2 and to C1. It is also clear that if the valve opening of the embodiment and the comparative device is same then the lift drop of the embodiment is smaller than that of the comparative devices.

0037In each lift curve of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>, outer portions outside of the valve opening duration represent a ramp zone in which the valve lift height corresponds to a valve clearance. Within this ramp zone, the valve is not opened due to the valve clearance in a cold state. However, the valve will be slightly opened nearly from the end of the ramp zone by thermal expansion of the valve stem in a hot operation of the engine.

0038In the embodiment, the swinging member 9 is swing with the rotation of the camshaft 8, and the swinging of the swinging member 9 causes the swing cam face 9b to push against the intermediate rocker roller 10d, to thereby oscillate the intermediate rocker member 10. Then, the intermediate rocker pin 10a of the intermediate rocker member 10 oscillates the rocker arm 11 to open and close the intake valve 3.

0039Subsequently, the rotation of the rocker shaft 14 continuously displaces the intermediate rocker roller 10d of the intermediate rocker member 10, the swing cam face 9b, of the intermediate rocker pin 10a and the contact point (c) with the pressurized rocker face 11b, which allows the valve opening duration and the valve lift to be controlled continuously.

0040Further, this embodiment is highly versatile, since there is no phase lag between the valve lift curves in the large and small opening durations. In other words, a common mechanisms and components may be used for a right bank and a left bank of a V-engine.

0041Because of use of rotational motion of the rocker shaft 14 to move the intermediate rocker member 10, an extremely simple configuration can be obtained, resulting in an improvement of accuracy to control the valve opening duration and the maximum valve lift.

0042For the purpose of displacing the contact point (c) using the rotational motion of the rocker shaft 14, a constitution is adopted that the base end of the intermediate rocker member 10 is swingably coupled with the eccentric pin portion 14a formed midway of the rocker shaft 14. The rotation of the rocker shaft 14 causes the intermediate rocker roller 10d and the intermediate rocker pin 10a to displace along the swing cam face 9b and the pressurized rocker face 11b. As a result, with an extremely simple constitution, the valve opening duration and the valve lift can be changed continuously.

0043A relative slide which is occurred between the intermediate rocker pin 10a of the intermediate rocker member 10 and the pressurized rocker face 11 b of the rocker arm 11 when the valve is opened and closed can be considerably reduced since the rocker shaft 14 as the swinging axis of the rocker arm 11, and the eccentric pin portion 14a as the swinging axis of the intermediate rocker member 10 are positioned in proximity to each other.

0044Meanwhile, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, for a large opening state that the valve opening duration is long and the maximum valve lift is large, the intermediate rocker roller 10d and the intermediate rocker pin 10a of the intermediate rocker member 10 are displaced to the opposite side of the rocker shaft. Accordingly, the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) is small, to thereby push atop of the intake valve 3. Bending moment acting on the rocker arm 11 is therefore reduced, resulting in increase of rigidity of the entire valve opening and closing mechanism.

0045On the other hand, in a small opening state that both the valve opening duration and the maximum valve lift are small, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, the intermediate rocker roller 10d and the intermediate rocker pin 10a are displaced to the rocker shaft 14 side. Accordingly, the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) is large, and it is therefore easy to secure the maximum valve lift, in spite of a short opening duration of the valve (Refer to the curves C1 and C1', in <figref idref="f0005">FIG.5</figref>). From this, it is possible to contemplate reduction of pumping loss, improvement of combustion, prevention of the ramp velocity in the valve lift curve from lowering, and ability to control timing of the valve opening and closing.

0046Further, the swing roller 9d is disposed within a space defined by lines connecting between the swinging center (a) of the swinging member 9 and both ends of the swing cam face 9b, as seen in the direction of the camshaft. As a result, bending moment generated, due to a rotary force of the camshaft 8, at a portion for supporting the swing roller 9d can be caused to be smaller, compared with a conventional configuration that a swing roller is supported at the distal end of a separate arm, for example, and the resultant rigidity of the swinging member is increased.

0047Furthermore, since the balancing springs 13 for biasing to rotate the swinging member 9 in the direction of suppressing the action of the weight of the swinging member 9 on the valve spring 6 which biases the valve to close are provided, the load applied to the valve spring 9 is never increased by provision of the swinging member 9. Accordingly, it is not required to set the spring load to be larger and the ability of the valve to follow is also secured at high engine speed.

0048<figref idref="f0006">FIGs. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">7</figref> are drawings for describing of a second embodiment according to the invention, in which the same reference numerals and symbols as those in <figref idref="f0001">FIGs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref> represents the same parts or the equivalents.

0049The second embodiment is an example, in which the camshaft is of crankshaft type. That is, a crankshaft (camshaft) 18 includes a drive shaft 19a and a disk-like cam plate 19b which is formed midway of the drive shaft 19a in one body and located eccentrically relative thereto. To the cam plate 19b is rotatably mounted a base 20a of a plate-like connecting rod 20, the distal end 20b of which is also rotatably coupled with a roller shaft 9c of the swinging member 9.

0050In the second embodiment, rotation of the drive shaft 19a eccentrically rotates the cam plate 19b about the axis (d), the connecting rod 20 oscillates the swinging member 9, and this swinging motion causes the rocker arm 11 to open and close the intake valve 3 through the intermediate rocker member 10.

0051In the second embodiment, since the camshaft is of crankshaft type, it is possible to oscillate the swinging member 9 easily, securely with ability to follow exactly, the valve opening duration and the valve lift are controllable accurately, and any balancing spring is not needed.

0052<figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0009">9</figref> are drawings for description of a third embodiment according to the invention, in which the same reference numerals and symbols as those in <figref idref="f0001">FIGs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref> represents the same parts or the equivalents.

0053The third embodiment is an example, in which separate valve train devices 7, 7' are provided for the right and left intake valves 3, 3', respectively. Specifically, it is constituted such that a left cam nose 8c and a right cam nose 8c' oscillate a left swinging member 9 and a right swinging member 9', respectively, which in turn oscillate a left rocker arm 11 and a right rocker arm 11', respectively, which subsequently advance and retract the intake valves 3, 3', respectively, to thereby open and close the intake valve openings 2b, 2b'.

0054In the third embodiment, since there are separately disposed the left and right valve train devices 7, 7', an appropriate geometry of the left and right cam noses 8c, 8c', left and right swing cam faces 9b, 9b', and left and right intermediate rocker 10, 10' allows the intake valves 3, 3', to operate at different open and close timing as well as the valve lift.

0055<figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref> is a drawing for description of a fourth embodiment according to the invention, in which the same reference numerals and symbols as those in <figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0009">9</figref> represents the same parts or the equivalents. The fourth embodiment is an example, in which a swing cam face 9b of a swinging member 9 presses against an intermediate rocker roller 10d, a pressing portion 10e is provided so as to project sideward from a side face of the distal end of a intermediate arm portion 10b and overlap the rocker arm 11, and a pressing face 10f formed in a lower surface of the distal end of the pressurized rocker face 11 b of the rocker arm 11.

0056In this embodiment, the intermediate rocker 10 has an intermediate arm portion 10b, the base end of which is bifurcated and fitted in an eccentric pin portion 14a. An engagement pin 10g is passed through the bifurcated portion to shut the eccentric pin portion 14a. In such a way, the intermediate rocker 10 is rotationally coupled with a rocker shaft 14.

0057As described above, the rocker arm 11 is not pressed directly by the intermediate rocker pin 10a but pressed by the pressing face 10f that has a large curvature and is formed in the intermediate rocker 10. It is therefore possible to relax a contact stress on a rocker pressing face and also reduce the number of parts to be required.

0058In each embodiment, it has been described that the swinging member 9 is supported by the swing shaft 12 and the rocker arm 11 is supported by the rocker shaft 14. However, the swinging member 9 and the rocker arm 11 may be supported by a spherical pivot, respectively.

0059Also, it has been described that the drive means for swinging the swinging member 9 is a camshaft 8 or 18. However, the driving means is not limited to the camshaft. Any other type of driving means such as a solenoid type and a cylinder type may be used, which, in brief, are capable of swinging the swinging member 9 in response to the engine speed.

0060Further, it has been described that the displacing means or the intermediate rocker 10 is of eccentric pin type that is incorporated in the rocker shaft 14. However, this displacing means is not limited to the eccentric pin type. Any other type of displacing means such as a solenoid type and a cylinder type may be used, which, in brief, are capable of displacing the intermediate rocker 10 so as to change the contact points between the rocker roller and rocker pin and the swing cam face and the pressurized rocker face.

0061<figref idref="f0011">FIGs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0012">12</figref> are drawings for description of a further embodiment according te , in which the same reference numerals and symbols as those in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">FIGs. 1 to 10</figref> represent the same parts or the equivalents.

0062The further embodiment is an example, in which a roller 9d is attached to the swinging member 9 and rotationally contacts a cam nose 8c of a camshaft 8, a relative length Lc' between an axis (d) of a roller shaft 9c of a roller 9d and an axis (a) of a swing shaft 12 of the swinging member 9 is variable, and the roller 9d is guided, by changing the relative length, in the direction D which is inclined relative to a straight line (E) connecting the axis (a) with the axis (d).

0063Specifically, a lever ratio Lv/Lc' of the swinging member when the valve opening duration is short is determined to be larger than that when the valve opening duration is long, where Lc' is defined as a relative distance between the axis (a) of the swing shaft 12 of the swinging member 9 and the axis (d) of a camshaft abutment portion (roller) 9d of the swinging member 9 which contacts with the cam nose 8c, and Lv as a distance between an axis (b) of a swing shaft 14 of the rocker arm 11 and the valve axis (B).

0064Midway of the swinging member 9 is formed a guide 9g which is an elongated slot and passed through the swinging member 9. A roller shaft 9c is passed through the guide 9g and displaceable in the direction D. The roller shaft 9c has the axis (d) parallel to the swing shaft 12 and supports the roller 9d for rotation.

0065The guide 9g is formed in shape of an elongated slot for guiding the roller shaft 9c to a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the guide 9g. The guide direction (the axis of the guide) (D) is defined to be inclined relative to the straight line (E) which connects the axis (a) of the swinging member 9 and the axis (d) of the roller 9d. More specifically, The guide 9g is guided in a way that the larger the relative length Lc' becomes (the more close to the state shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref>), the more the guide 9g advances on the camshaft 8 side, and on the contrary, the smaller the relative length Lc' becomes (the more close to the state shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG.11</figref>) the more the guide 9g retracts on the opposite side of the camshaft 8.

0066And the swinging member 9 is provided with a roller (the abutment portion) variable mechanism 30 for varying the relative length Lc' of the roller 9d. The roller variable mechanism 30 includes a drive shaft 31 formed to have an axis (e) which is parallel to the axis (a) and positioned to be eccentric in a radial direction thereof and an arm 32 having one end 32a which is connected with the roller 9c and having the other end 32b which is coupled with a drive shaft 31 for rotation relative thereto. The other end 32b is formed to be bifurcate and provided with a pin 32c for preventing the drive shaft 31 from coming off.

0067Here, an actuator (not shown) for rotating the swing shaft 12 about the axis (a) is coupled with an outer, axial end of the swing shaft 12 and is connected to a control means for controlling an angular position of the swing shaft 12, in response to the engine speed or engine load.

0068In the range of an idling operation or low-speed, low-load operation, as shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref>, the actuator rotates the swing shaft 12 of the swinging member 9 to an angular position so that the axis (e) of the drive shaft 31 is positioned across the axis (a) of the swing shaft 12 from the roller 9c. At this time, the roller 9d is brought into a right end position of the guide 9g, which is the farthest position from the camshaft 8, resulting in the shortest relative length Lc' and the largest lever ratio (Lv/Lc') of the swinging member. At this time, the roller 9d is positioned on the opposite side of the camshaft 8. The swinging member 9 therefore contacts the rocker roller 10 at a right end (as shown in the drawing) of a base circle section 9e of the swing cam face of the swing member 9, resulting in the shortest opening duration and the smallest lift of the valve 3.

0069As the engine speed and load become higher, as shown in <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 12</figref>, the actuator rotates the swing shaft 12 of the swinging member 9 to an angular position so that the axis (e) of the drive shaft 31 is positioned on the roller 9c side.

0070At this time, the roller 9d is brought into a left end position of the guide 9g, which is the nearest position from the camshaft 8, resulting in the longest relative length Lc' and the smallest lever ratio (Lv/Lc') of the swinging member. At this time, the roller 9d is positioned on the camshaft 8 side. The swinging member 9 therefore contacts the rocker roller 10 at a left end (as shown in the drawing) of a base circle section 9e of the swing cam face of the swing ember 9, resulting in the longest opening duration and the largest lift of the valve 3.

0071Also, in this embodiment, since a lever ratio Lv/Lc' of the swinging member in the engine operation range of a short valve opening duration is determined to be larger than that in the engine operation range of a long opening duration, the same effects as described in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> are achieved. In other words, at the same valve opening, the valve lift drop is smaller than that in case of a constant lever ratio of the swinging member.

0072Further, since the roller variable mechanism 30 is constituted such that rotation of the swing shaft 12 of the swinging member 9 displaces the position of the drive shaft 31 and thus the position of the roller 9d, the relative distance between the roller 9d as a camshaft abutment portion and the swinging shaft 12 can be changed with a simple constitution.

0073Furthermore, since the longitudinal axis (D) of the elongated slot like guide 9g for guiding the roller 9d to the predetermined position is inclined relative to the straight line (E) of the swinging member 9, varying the relative distance Lc' between the roller 9d and the swing shaft 12 also varies the valve lift and the valve opening duration. Appropriate setting of the inclination angle and inclination direction of the longitudinal axis (D) allows for optional selection of the valve lift and valve opening duration.

0074Since the abutment portion to the camshaft 8 is a roller 9d that contacts and rotates on the cam nose 8c of the camshaft 8, it is possible to reduce the loss of the driving force transmitted from the camshaft 8 to the camshaft abutment.

0075<figref idref="f0013">FIGs. 13</figref> and <figref idref="f0014">14</figref> are drawings for description of a further embodiment in which the same reference numerals and symbols as those in <figref idref="f0011">FIGs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0012">12</figref> represents the same parts or the equivalents.

0076In the further embodiment, a rocker arm 11 serves as the swinging member in each embodiment described above, and an relative distance Lc" between the rotation axis (d) of the roller 9d driven by the camshaft 8 and the swinging axis (b) of the rocker arm 11 is variable.

0077Specifically, the rocker arm 11 is supported by a swing shaft 14 and swung about a swinging axis (b). The rocker arm 11 is biased by a biasing spring (not shown) in clockwise direction as shown in the drawing, to thereby normally press a rocker pressing face against the roller shaft 9c, and press the roller 9d against a cam nose 8c of the camshaft 8. The rocker arm 11 is formed with a cam face consisting of a base circle section 9g which is a concentric circle whose center is the swinging center (b) and does not lift the valve 3 with increase of the swinging angle, and a lift section 9f for lifting the valve 3 with increase of the swinging angle of the rocker arm 11 in counterclockwise, as shown in the drawing. The cam face presses and drives the valve 3 via a valve lifter 4a that is disposed at the top end of the valve 3.

0078The rocker arm 11 is provided with a roller variable mechanism 30 for varying the relative distance Lc". This roller variable mechanism 30 includes a drive shaft 31 that is formed at a position radially eccentric from the axis (b) of the swing shaft 14 and has an axis (e) parallel to the axis (b), and an arm 32 having one end 32a coupled with the roller shaft 9c and the other end 32b couple with the drive shaft 31 for rotation relative thereto. The other end 32b is formed to be bifurcate and provided with a pin 32c for preventing the drive shaft 31 from coming off.

0079Here, an actuator (not shown) for rotating the swing shaft 14 about the axis (b) is coupled with an outer, axial end of the swing shaft 14 and is connected to a control means for controlling an angular position of the swing shaft 14, in response to the engine speed or engine load.

0080Now, a rocker lever ratio Lv/Lc" when the valve opening duration is short, where Lc" is a relative distance between the axis (b) of the swing shaft 14 of the rocker arm 11 and the axis (d) of the roller 9d; Lv is a distance between the axis (b) of the swing shaft 14 of the rocker arm 11 and the valve axis (B), is determined to be larger than that when the valve opening duration is large.

0081In the range of an idling operation or low-speed and low-load operation, as shown in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 13</figref>,the actuator rotates the swing shaft 14 to an angular position so that the axis (e) of the drive shaft 31 is positioned across the axis (b) of the swing shaft 14 from the roller 9c. At this time, the roller 9d is brought to the farthest position from the camshaft 8, resulting in the shortest relative length Lc" and the largest rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc"). At this time, for the rocker arm 11 at start of an intake stroke, the base circle section 9e of the cam face contacts the valve lifter 4a at a portion of the base circle section 9e remote from the lift section 9f. In a predetermined time duration at each of an initial and end stages of the intake stroke, the base circle section 9e contacts the valve lifter 4a and the valve 3 is not lifted, resulting in the shortest opening duration and the smallest valve lift of the valve 3.

0082As the engine speed and load become higher, as shown in <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 14</figref>, the actuator rotates the swing shaft 14 so that the axis (e) of the drive shaft 31 is positioned on the roller 9d side, resulting in the longest relative length Lc" and the smallest rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc"). At this time, the rocker arm 11 contacts the valve lifter 4a nearly at the boundary between the base circle section 9g and the lift section 9f of the cam face. The lift section 9f contacts the valve lifter 4a immediately at the initial and end stages of the intake stroke, resulting in the longest opening duration and the largest lift of the valve 3.

0083By the way, during the intake stroke, the contact point of between the cam face of the rocker arm 11 and the valve lifter 4a is changed in its position such that the contact point is displaced from one side to the other side and subsequently returns from the other side to the one side of the valve axis (B). Accordingly, in this embodiment, the lever length (Lv) is defined as a distance between the valve axis (B) and the axis (b) of the rocker arm 11.

0084Thus, in this embodiment, since the rocker lever ratio Lv/Lc" in the engine operation range of a short valve opening duration is determined to be larger than that in the engine operation range of a long opening duration, the same effects as described in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> are achieved. In other words, at the same opening of the valve, the valve lift drop is smaller than that in case of a constant rocker lever ratio.

0085Further, since the roller variable mechanism 30 is constituted such that rotation of the swing shaft 14 of the rocker arm 11 displaces the position of the drive shaft 31 and thus the position of the roller 9d, the relative distance Lc" can be changed with a simple constitution.

0086Since the camshaft abutment portion on the camshaft 8 is a roller 9d that contacts and rotates on the cam nose 8c of the camshaft 8, it is possible to reduce the loss of the driving force transmitted from the camshaft 8 to the camshaft abutment portion.

0087According to the invention, the valve lift can be secured since the lever ratio is determined to be larger when the valve opening duration is shorter. It is therefore possible to reduce pumping loss, improve combustibility, suppress reduction of the ramp velocity, and improve the ability to control the valve opening and closing timing.

0088Moreover, when the swing shaft is swung by the driving means, the rocker arm is swung by the swing of the swing shaft via the intermediate rocker member to open and close the valve. The opening duration and the lift of the valve can be adjusted continuously, since the contact point between the pressurized rocker face and the swing cam face of the intermediate rocker member is forced to displace.

0089Additionally, an action to increase the valve lift in spite of a shorter opening duration of the valve, as explained above, is achieved since the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) is determined to be larger for a shorter opening duration of the valve, as described, the swinging member lever ratio (Lv/Lc') is determined to be larger for a shorter opening duration of the valve, as described, and the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc") is determined to be larger for a shorter opening duration of the valve, as described. It is therefore possible to reduce pumping loss, suppress reduction in the ramp velocity, and improve combustibility and ability to control the valve opening and closing timing.

0090Also, the contact point between the pressurized rocker face and the intermediate rocker member is positioned approximately just above the valve axis since the rocker lever ratio is determined to be smaller for a longer opening duration of the valve. It is also possible to increase the rigidity as a whole of the valve opening and closing mechanism.

0091According to an embodiment, the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin are provided at the distal end of the intermediate arm potion; the camshaft is located across the swinging member from the rocker shaft of the rocker arm; the swinging member is located such that the base circle section of the swing cam face is located on the rocker shaft side; and the rocker lever ratio becomes larger as the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin are moved toward the rocker shaft side, and, in contrast, it becomes smaller as they are moved away from the rocker shaft side. The locker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) for a shorter opening duration of the valve can be determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve and thus a more specific configuration can be provided to realize the effects described above.

0092Further, according to a further embodiment, the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin can be displaced toward or away from the rocker shaft side, using a simple configuration, to continuously control the valve opening duration and the valve lift, since a connection recess formed in the base end of the intermediate rocker member is engaged with the eccentric pin provided midway of the rocker shaft to rotate the rocker shaft.

0093Accordingly, since the camshaft is of crankshaft type having a cam plate, and the cam plate and the swinging member are connected via the connecting rod, the swinging member can be securely and easily driven with sufficient ability to follow and oscillate easily, resulting in improvement of accuracy to control the valve opening duration and the valve lift.

0094Moreover, the relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging axis can be changed with a simple constitution of the abutment displacing mechanism which includes a drive shaft having its axis displaceable relative to the swinging axis of the swinging member or the rocker member, and an arm portion having one end coupled with the camshaft abutment portion and the other end coupled with the drive shaft.

0095Furthermore, the abutment displacing mechanism can be more simplified and a compact valve train mechanism can be realized.

0096Preferably, the guide portion for guiding the camshaft abutment portion to a given position is inclined relative to the radial direction of the camshaft. The range of the combination of the valve lift and the valve opening duration can be therefore extended due to the variable relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging shaft.

0097Since the camshaft abutment portion is a roller that contacts and rotates on the camshaft, it is possible to reduce loss of the driving force transmitted from the camshaft to the camshaft abutment portion.

0098Of course, the various embodiments as well as single features or portions thereof are freely combinable with one another, in particular the intake and/or output valves of a cylinder are drivable in common or individually in every one of the described embodiments.

0099With an engine as described above which provides a valve train device, it is easy to secure rigidity all over the valve opening and closing device, accuracy to control the valve lift for shorter valve opening duration, and the ability to control the valve opening and closing timing, and it is additionally possible to reduce pumping loss and improve combustibility.

0100A valve train device of an engine as described for swinging a rocker arm, which is disposed for swinging, to drive a valve for opening and closing a valve opening in a combustion chamber, comprises: a swinging member is disposed so as to be swung by a drive means; the swinging member has a swing cam face for swinging the rocker arm; valve opening duration and valve lift are continuously adjustable by displacing with a displacing means a contact point that corresponds to an input point of a driving force transmitted from an upstream member residing in a driving force transmission path; a lever ratio for a shorter opening duration of the valve, which ratio is defined as a ratio of a lever length of a movable portion of the displacing means to a lever length of the rocker arm, is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve.

0101Preferably, the displacing means has an intermediate rocker member that is disposed between the swing cam face formed in the swinging member and a pressurized rocker face formed in the rocker arm, to transmit the motion of the swing cam face to the pressurized rocker face, so that the movement of the intermediate rocker member allows both a contact point between the intermediate rocker member and the swing cam face and another contact point between the intermediate rocker member and the pressurized rocker face to displace; a rocker lever ratio Lv/Lc for a shorter opening duration of the valve, where Lv is defined as a distance between a swinging axis of the rocker arm and valve axis, and Lc as a distance between the swinging axis of the rocker arm and a line which connects a swinging axis of the swinging member to contact point between the swing cam face of the swinging member and the intermediate rocker, is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve.

0102Further, preferably the intermediate rocker member has an intermediate rocker roller that is disposed, through an intermediate rocker pin, at the distal end of an intermediate arm potion and the intermediate rocker member is pressurized by the swing cam face, causing the intermediate rocker pin to press against the pressurized rocker face directly or through the intermediate arm portion; the rocker arm is supported for swinging by a rocker shaft; the driving means is a camshaft that is located across the swinging member from the rocker shaft of the rocker arm; the swing cam face has a base circle section that does not allow the valve lift to change with change of the swinging angle of the swinging member and a lift section that continuously connects with the base circle section and allows the valve lift to increase with increase of the swinging angle; the swinging member is located such that the base circle section is located on the rocker shaft side; and the rocker lever ratio becomes larger as the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin are displaced toward the rocker shaft side and, in contrast, it becomes smaller as they are displaced away from the rocker shaft side.

0103More preferably, the displacing means has an eccentric pin portion that is formed midway of the rocker shaft and is eccentric therefrom; a base end of the intermediate arm portion is coupled, for swinging, with the eccentric pin portion; and rotation of the rocker shaft allows the intermediate rocker roller and the intermediate rocker pin to displace toward or away from the rocker shaft side.

0104Still further, preferably the camshaft is of crankshaft type in which a drive shaft has a disk like cam plate eccentrically formed in one body with the drive shaft; a base end of a connecting rod is coupled with the cam plate for free rotation; and the distal end of the connecting rod is coupled with the swinging member for free rotation.

0105Additionally or alternatively, the driving means is a camshaft that is rotated by a crankshaft; the displacing means is constituted such that a camshaft abutment portion is formed in the swinging member and driven by the camshaft, and a abutment displacing mechanism is disposed to change a relative distance between a swinging axis of the swinging member and the camshaft abutment portion; change of the relative distance of the camshaft abutment portion allows the opening duration and the lift of the valve to be continuously adjusted; and a swinging member lever ratio Lv/Lc' for shorter opening duration of the valve, where Lc' is defined as a relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging axis of the swinging member and Lv as a distance between a swinging axis of the rocker arm and the valve axis, is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve.

0106Preferably, the abutment displacing mechanism includes a drive shaft having its axis displaceable relative to the swinging axis of the swinging member, and an arm portion having one end coupled with the camshaft abutment portion and having the other end coupled with the drive shaft; and displacement of the drive shaft displaces the camshaft abutment portion via the arm portion, thereby allowing the relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging axis of the swinging member to change. Further, preferably the axis of the drive shaft is located eccentrically relative to the swinging axis of the swinging member; and the rotation of the swinging axis by a given angle displaces the camshaft abutment portion via the arm, thereby allowing the relative distance to change.

0107Still further, preferably the swinging member has a guide portion for guiding the camshaft abutment portion to a given position; and the rotation of the swinging shaft by a given angle causes the position of the camshaft abutment portion to displace, thereby allowing the relative distance to change; and a guiding direction of the guide portion is inclined relative to the radial direction of the camshaft.

0108Moreover, preferably the camshaft abutment portion is a roller that is supported by a roller shaft parallel to the swinging axis of the swinging member and contacts the camshaft for rotation.

0109Additionally or alternatively the driving means is a camshaft that is rotated by a crankshaft; the rocker arm also serves as the swinging member; the displacing means comprises a camshaft abutment portion that changes a relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion actuated by the camshaft and the swinging axis of the rocker arm; change of the relative distance of the camshaft abutment portion allows the opening duration and the lift of the valve to be continuously adjusted when the relative distance of the camshaft abutment portion is changed; and an rocker lever ratio Lv/Lc" for shorter opening duration of the valve, where Lc" is defined as a relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging axis, and Lv as a distance between a swinging axis of the rocker arm and a valve axis, is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve.

0110Preferably, the abutment displacing mechanism includes: a drive shaft that has its axis and is displaceable such that the axis of the drive shaft is displaceable relative to the swinging axis of the rocker arm; and an arm portion having one end couple with the camshaft abutment portion and the other end coupled with the drive shaft, and displacement of the drive shaft displaces the camshaft abutment portion via the arm portion, thereby allowing the relative distance between the camshaft abutment portion and the swinging center of the rocker arm to change.

0111Further, preferably the axis of the drive shaft is located eccentrically relative to the swinging axis of the rocker arm; and the rotation of the swinging axis by a given angle displaces the camshaft abutment portion via the arm, thereby allowing the relative distance to change.

0112Moreover, the camshaft abutment portion is a roller that is supported by a roller shaft parallel to the swinging axis of the rocker arm and contacts the camshaft for rotation.

0113As explained before, an intermediate rocker member 10 is disposed between a swing cam face 9b and a pressurized rocker face 11 b of the rocker arm 11, an opening duration and a lift of the valve can be continuously adjusted by displacing contact point c, c', and the rocker lever ratio (Lv/Lc) for a shorter opening duration of the valve is determined to be larger than that for a longer opening duration of the valve.