Support arrangement for cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine
In a cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, wherein the follower, at one end, rests on the gas exchange valve and, at the opposite end, rests on a housing structure of the internal combustion engine, at least two different operating modes are provided as the cam follower rests on the housing structure of the internal combustion engine via an adjustable support element and on the valve via an articulated element disposed in a seating bore formed into the cam follower.
1 . A support arrangement for a cam follower ( 1 ) for actuating a gas exchange valve ( 2 ) of an internal combustion engine, which follower, at a first end ( 5 ), rests on the gas exchange valve ( 2 ) and, at a second end ( 7 ), rests on a housing structure of the internal combustion engine, the cam follower support arrangement at the second end including an adjustable support element ( 12 ) mounted to the internal combustion engine and, at the first end, an articulated element ( 6 ) having an outer body ( 15 ) arranged in a seating bore of the cam follower ( 1 ) and an inner body ( 16 ), which is capable of swiveling relative to the outer body ( 15 ) and is connected thereto.
2 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the articulated element ( 6 ) is firmly connected to the cam follower ( 1 ).
3 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer body ( 15 ) of the articulated element ( 6 ) is joined to the cam follower ( 1 ) by one of screwing, pressing or bonding.
4 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the articulated element ( 6 ) has a contact face ( 11 ) for acting upon a valve stem end face ( 10 ) of the gas exchange valve ( 2 ).
5 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the contact face ( 11 ) is formed on the inner body ( 16 ) of the articulated element ( 6 ).
6 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the two faces ( 10 and 11 ) are essentially planar faces.
7 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 4 , wherein one face ( 10 or 11 ) is spherically convex and the other face ( 10 or 11 ) is spherically recessed.
8 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the two faces ( 10 and 11 ) always bear at least partially against one another in any operating mode of the internal combustion engine.
9 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cam follower ( 1 ) is embodied as a lever.
10 . The support arrangement for a cam follower as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cam follower ( 1 ) is an integrally cast component.