Method and apparatus for adjusting variable valve lift

Abstract

An apparatus for adjusting individual valve lift comprising a control arm assembly disposed between the cam lobes and the valve rockers for a multi-valve train. The control arm at each valve includes a driven gear. An actuator shaft includes a mating drive gear at each driven gear for rotating each control arm to vary the overall lift of the valves. In the prior art, the mating drive gears are fixed to the actuator shaft at identical fixed orientations. In accordance with the present invention, each mating drive gear is rotatably adjustable on the actuator shaft to permit changing of the orientation of each gear with respect to the actuator shaft, thereby changing the contact point of the control arm with its respective cam lobe. The lifts of the individual valves may be individually adjusted to provide equal air flow through all the valves in a multi-valve train.

1 . An assembly for adjustably varying the actuation of a continuously variable valve lift mechanism in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a) an actuator shaft; and   b) at least a segment of a gear disposed on said actuator shaft for variably engaging said continuously variable valve lift mechanism, wherein said gear segment is rotationally adjustable upon said actuator shaft.   
   
   
       2 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 a) an adjustment block mounted on said actuator shaft;   b) at least one adjustment screw engagingly disposed in said adjustment block and bearing upon said gear segment; and   c) a locker disposed in said adjustment block and received in said gear segment.   
   
   
       3 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said locker is a locking screw. 
   
   
       4 . An assembly for adjustably varying the actuation of a continuously variable valve lift system in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a) a plurality of continuously variable valve lift mechanisms for actuating a plurality of engine combustion valves, defining said system;   b) an actuator shaft disposed along said plurality of variable valve lift mechanisms; and   c) a plurality of gear segments disposed on said actuator shaft and positioned at each of said plurality of continuously variable valve lift mechanisms, wherein at least one of said gear segments is rotationally adjustable upon said actuator shaft.   
   
   
       5 . A method for varying the orientation of a segment of a gear disposed and rotationally adjustable upon on an actuator shaft for variably engaging a continuously variable valve lift mechanism, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an adjustment block mounted on said actuator shaft;   b) providing an adjustment screw engagingly disposed in said adjustment block and bearing upon said gear segment; and   c) adjusting said adjustment screw to cause said gear segment to rotate about said actuator shaft to a desired orientation.   
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5  comprising the further steps of:
 a) providing a locker received in said gear segment; and   b) tightening said locker after said adjusting step.   
   
   
       7 . A method for equalizing the lifts of a plurality of combustion valves in a multi-valve train, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of continuously variable valve lift mechanisms for actuating said plurality of engine combustion valves,   b) providing an actuator shaft disposed along said plurality of continuously variable valve lift mechanisms, and   c) providing a plurality of gear segments disposed and rotationally adjustable upon said actuator shaft and positioned at each of said plurality of continuously variable valve lift mechanisms;   d) providing an adjustment block mounted on said actuator shaft adjacent each of said continuously variable valve lift mechanisms;   e) providing an adjustment screw engagingly disposed in each of said adjustment blocks and bearing upon said gear segment; and   h) adjusting each of said adjustment screws to cause each of said gear segments to rotate about said actuator shaft to a desired orientation.   
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7  comprising the further steps of:
 a) providing a locker received in said gear segment; and   b) tightening said locker after said adjusting step.