Valve cover assembly for a vehicle engine and method for producing same
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a valve cover assembly adapted to be secured to a cylinder head of a vehicle engine. The valve cover assembly includes a valve cover body formed from a first material and an attachment member formed from a second material and attached to the valve cover body.
1. A valve cover assembly adapted to be secured to a cylinder head of a vehicle engine, said valve cover assembly comprising:
a valve cover body having a closed end and an open end and formed from a first material;
an attachment member extending circumferentially uninterrupted about said open end of said valve cover body, said attachment member formed from a second material and attached to said valve cover body about said open end, wherein the attachment member being a continuation of said valve cover body; and
a seal disposed between said attachment member and said cylinder head;
wherein said attachment member is provided with a groove formed therein adapted to receive said seal therein for forming a seal between said valve cover assembly and the cylinder head of the vehicle engine.
2. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve cover body is permanently attached to said attachment member.
3. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve cover body is releasably attached to said attachment member.
4. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve cover body is formed from a non-metal material and said attachment member is formed from a metal material.
5. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve cover body is formed from a plastic or polymer material and said attachment member is formed from aluminum or steel material.
6. The valve cover assembly of claim 4 wherein said valve cover body is secured to said attachment member by an in situ molding process.
7. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment member includes at least one clip for each side of said valve cover body.
8. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve cover body includes a flange and said attachment member includes at least a portion which engages an upwardly facing surface of said flange of said valve cover body.
9. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment member is provided with a plurality of fastener receiving holes.
10. The valve cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment member and said valve cover body are provided with a plurality of fastener receiving holes.