Pushrod assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016017764-A1
Application number	US-201514800092-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 15, 2015
Priority date	Jul 15, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A pushrod assembly for an internal combustion engine comprises a pushrod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to receive valve actuation motions from a valve actuation motion source and the second end being configured to impart the valve actuation motions to a valve train component. The pushrod includes a resilient element engagement feature. The pushrod assembly includes a fixed support and a resilient element operatively connected to the resilient element engagement feature and the fixed support. The resilient element is configured to bias the pushrod, via the resilient element engagement feature, toward the valve actuation motion source. An internal combustion engine may comprise the pushrod assembly described herein. A follower assembly may be provided to maintain contact between second end of the pushrod and the valve train component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A pushrod assembly for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a pushrod having a first end configured to receive valve actuation motions from a valve actuation motion source and a second end configured to impart the valve actuation motions to a valve train component, the pushrod further comprising a resilient element engagement feature; a fixed support; and a resilient element operatively connected to the resilient element engagement feature and the fixed support and configured to bias the pushrod, via the resilient element engagement feature, toward the valve actuation motion source.

2 . The pushrod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient element engagement feature is disposed proximally to the second end of the pushrod.

3 . The pushrod assembly feature of claim 1 , wherein the resilient element engagement feature comprises a retainer affixed to the pushrod.

4 . The pushrod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient element comprises a coil spring surrounding the pushrod.

5 . An internal combustion engine comprising the pushrod assembly of claim 1 .

6 . The internal combustion engine of claim 5 , wherein the second end of the pushrod is in contact with the valve train component via a follower assembly, disposed in the valve train component, comprising:
a sliding member; and a sliding member resilient element operatively connected to the sliding member and configured to bias the sliding member toward the pushrod.

7 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the valve train component comprises a bore and the sliding member is disposed in the bore, wherein the sliding member resilient element is operatively connected to the valve train component.

8 . The internal combustion engine of claim 7 , the valve train component comprising a first contact surface and the sliding member comprising a second contact surface complementary to the first contact surface,
wherein engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface permits the valve actuation motions to be conveyed to the valve train component.

9 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the valve train component comprises a bore and the follower assembly further comprises:
an adjustable housing disposed within the bore and having an internal bore, wherein the sliding member is disposed within the internal bore and wherein the sliding member resilient element is operatively connected to the adjustable housing.

10 . The internal combustion engine of claim 9 , the adjustable housing comprising a first contact surface and the sliding member comprising a second contact surface complementary to the first contact surface,
wherein engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface permits the valve actuation motions to be conveyed to the valve train component.

11 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the sliding member resilient element is configured to bias the valve train component away from the pushrod.

12 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the valve train component is a rocker arm.

13 . The internal combustion engine of claim 5 , wherein the second end of the pushrod is in contact with the valve train component via a follower assembly, disposed in the second end of the pushrod, comprising:
a sliding member; and a sliding member resilient element operatively connected to the sliding member and configured to bias the sliding member toward the valve train component.

14 . The internal combustion engine of claim 13 , wherein the pushrod comprises a bore and the sliding member is disposed in the bore, wherein the sliding member resilient element is operatively connected to the pushrod.

15 . The internal combustion engine of claim 7 , the pushrod comprising a first contact surface and the sliding member comprising a second contact surface complementary to the first contact surface,
wherein engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface permits the valve actuation motions to be conveyed to the valve train component.

Assignees

• Jacobs Vehicle Systems Inc

Inventors

• Baltrucki Justin
• Gron G Michael
• Yang Dong

Classifications

• F01L13/06 Primary

  for braking · CPC title

• F01L2800/10

  Providing exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] · CPC title

• F01L1/181

  Centre pivot rocking arms · CPC title

• F01L1/20

  Adjusting or compensating clearance · CPC title

• F01L1/46

  Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in preceding subgroups · CPC title