Valve lifter for internal combustion engine
View Patent ↗A valve lifter is disclosed comprising a lifter housing having a receiver, a switch retainer having at least one bore, and a key disposed in the at least one bore. The key is movable into the receiver to lock the switch retainer against movement relative to the lifter housing.
1. A valve lifter comprising:
a lifter housing having a receiver;
a switch retainer having at least one bore;
a key disposed in the at least one bore, the key being movable into the receiver to lock the switch retainer against movement relative to the lifter housing;
a first main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the key;
a second main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the first main ball; and
a first spring disposed in the switch retainer and adapted to bias the first main ball.
2. The valve lifter of claim 1 wherein the receiver comprises a groove.
3. The valve lifter of claim 1 wherein the key comprises a locking ball.
4. The valve lifter of claim 1 wherein the key is movable in response to hydraulic pressure.
5. The valve lifter of claim 1 wherein the first main ball is subject to hydraulic pressure and engagable with the key in response thereto.
6. The valve lifter of claim 1 wherein the switch retainer is locked in a high lift mode.
7. The valve lifter of claim 1 further comprising a column extending from the switch retainer and engagable with the lifter housing.
8. A valve lifter for an internal combustion engine, the valve lifter comprising:
a lifter housing having a groove;
a switch retainer slidable relative to the lifter housing, the switch retainer having at least one bore;
a locking ball disposed in the at least one bore, the locking ball being movable into the groove to lock the switch retainer against movement relative to the lifter housing;
a first main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the locking ball; and
a second main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the first main ball.
9. The valve lifter of claim 8 wherein the locking ball is movable in response to hydraulic pressure.
10. The valve lifter of claim 8 wherein the first main ball is subject to hydraulic pressure and engagable with the locking ball in response thereto.
11. The valve lifter of claim 8 wherein the switch retainer is locked in a high lift mode.
12. The valve lifter of claim 8 further comprising a first spring disposed in the switch retainer and adapted to bias the first main ball.
13. The valve lifter of claim 8 further comprising a spring engaged with the lifter housing and adapted to bias the switch retainer away from the lifter housing.
14. The valve lifter of claim 8 further comprising a column extending from the switch retainer and engagable with the lifter housing.
15. A valve lifter for an internal combustion engine, the valve lifter comprising:
a lifter housing having a groove;
a switch retainer slidable relative to the lifter housing, the switch retainer having at least one bore;
a locking ball disposed in the at least one bore, the locking ball being movable into the groove to lock the switch retainer against movement relative to the lifter housing;
a first main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the locking ball in response to hydraulic pressure; and
a second main ball disposed in the switch retainer and engagable with the first main ball.