Finger follower for lobe switching and single source lost motion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11208921-B2
Application number	US-202015929899-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 28, 2020
Priority date	Dec 6, 2018
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A switching finger may operate in two or three states or positions and cooperate with a single motion source to achieve methods of operating an engine in corresponding two or three modes. The modes may include cylinder deactivation, main event or auxiliary modes, including lost motion braking, LIVC and EEVO. A follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The latch may support the lever in one or more precise positions, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of controlling motion of at least one valve in an internal combustion engine using a valvetrain component disposed between a motion source and a motion receiving component, the valvetrain component including a main body, a lever adapted to pivot relative to the main body, and an adjustable support assembly for providing selective support to the lever, the adjustable support assembly including a movable latch adapted to engage the lever, the adjustable support assembly further including an actuating piston adapted to move within a bore in the movable latch, the valvetrain component being configured to operate in at least two states of operation by actuation of the actuating piston, the method comprising:
moving the actuating piston within the bore so as to position the movable latch in a first latch position relative to the lever and thereby configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a first state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a first range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component;
operating the engine in a first operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the first state;
moving the actuating piston within the bore so as to position the movable latch in a second latch position relative to the lever and thereby configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a second state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a second range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component; and
operating the engine in a second operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the second state.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion source is configured to provide main event motion to the at least one valve, and wherein the second range of motion is such that the main event motion is conveyed from the motion source to the motion receiving component.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a third state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a third range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component; and
operating the engine in a third operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the third state.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the motion source is configured to provide auxiliary motion to the at least one valve, and wherein the third range of motion is such that the auxiliary motion is conveyed from the motion source to the motion receiving component.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the configuring of the valvetrain component to operate in the first state, second state and third state further comprises moving the actuating piston in a direction that is transverse to a latch movement direction.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary motion facilitates lost motion braking.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary motion facilitates early exhaust valve opening.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary motion facilitates late intake valve closing.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion source is configured to provide lost motion braking to the at least one valve, and wherein the first range of motion is such that the lost motion braking is conveyed from the motion source to the motion receiving component.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion source is configured to provide early exhaust valve opening motion, and wherein the second range of motion is such that the early exhaust valve opening motion is conveyed from the motion source to the motion receiving component.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a third state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a third range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component; and
operating the engine in a third operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the third state;
wherein the motion source is configured to provide main event motion to the at least one valve, and wherein the third range of motion is such that the main event motion is conveyed from the motion source to the motion receiving component.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuring of the valvetrain component to operate in the first state further comprises moving the movable latch in the adjustable support assembly by engaging the latch with a conical surface on the actuating piston.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the latch is adapted to move in a latch movement direction and wherein the moving of the movable latch further comprises moving the actuating piston in a direction that is transverse to the latch movement direction.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the moving of the actuating piston further comprises hydraulically actuating the actuating piston.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuring of the valvetrain component to operate in the first state further comprises supporting the lever with a stepped engagement surface on the movable latch.

16. A method of controlling motion of at least one valve in an internal combustion engine using a valvetrain component disposed between a motion source and a motion receiving component, the valvetrain component including a main body, a lever pivotably mounted to the main body for movement in a lever pivoting direction relative to the main body, and an adjustable support assembly for providing selective support to the lever, the adjustable support assembly including a movable latch adapted to support the lever in at least two positions, the adjustable support assembly further including an actuating piston adapted to move in a direction that is substantially transverse to the lever pivoting direction and to support the movable latch in the at least two positions, the valvetrain component being configured to operate in at least two states of operation by movement of the movable latch, the method comprising:
moving the actuating piston in an actuating piston movement direction so as to cause movement of the movable latch in a latch movement direction to a first latch position relative to the lever and thereby configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a first state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a first range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component, the actuating piston movement direction being substantially transverse to the latch movement direction;
operating the engine in a first operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the first state;
moving the movable latch to a second position relative to the lever and thereby configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a second state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a second range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component; and
operating the engine in a second operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the second state.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising
configuring the valvetrain component to operate in a third state of the at least two states, in which the valvetrain component conveys a third range of motion from the motion source to the motion receiving component; and
operating the engine in a third operating mode when the valvetrain component is in the third state.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the motion source is configured to provide auxiliary motion to the at least one valve, and wherein the third range of motion is su

Assignees

• Jacobs Vehicle Systems Inc

Inventors

• Mandell John
• Roberts Gabriel S
• Janak Robb

Classifications

• F01L13/06

  for braking · CPC title

• F01L2013/105

  Hydraulic motors · CPC title

• F01L2305/00

  Valve arrangements comprising rollers · CPC title

• F01L2013/001

  Deactivating cylinders · CPC title

• F01L1/185 Primary

  Overhead end-pivot rocking arms · CPC title