Module of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A module of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine is proposed that includes a push rod mounted longitudinally in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The push rod is actuated by a linear actuator that includes an armature that makes contact, at least indirectly with the push rod, to displace it in a first longitudinal direction. A switchable rocker arm with a coupling slide arranged transversely to a longitudinal extent or side of the rocker arm corresponds to an actuating finger that extends from the push rod. The coupling slide includes a slide part that projects laterally from the rocker arm and can be acted upon by a free end of the actuating finger. Kinetic energy of the push rod is dissipated or converted at least partially via a separate damper in the first longitudinal direction before it reaches a final position.

1 . A module of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising
 a push rod configured to be mounted longitudinally in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, the push rod having an actuating finger;   a linear actuator having an armature, the armature configured to displace the push rod in a first longitudinal direction;   a switchable rocker arm having a coupling slide arranged transversely to a longitudinal side of the switchable rocker arm, the coupling slide arranged to be actuated by the actuating finger; and   as the push rod is displaced by the linear actuator, kinetic energy of the push rod is dissipated at least partially by a damper.   
     
     
         2 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an electronic actuator is applied as the linear actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the damper acts upon the push rod before the push rod reaches a final position configured as a stop on the cylinder head. 
     
     
         4 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the damper dissipates kinetic energy of the push rod as the push rod moves in the first longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the damper dissipates kinetic energy of the push rod as the push rod moves in a second longitudinal direction, opposite the first longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         6 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the damper is attached to an end of the push rod. 
     
     
         7 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the cylinder head, and the damper is configured within the cylinder head. 
     
     
         8 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a reverse position of the push rod is accomplished in a second longitudinal direction by a compression spring configured to be tensioned between the push rod and the cylinder head. 
     
     
         9 . The module as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the damper and compression spring are either combined in an assembly or are each spatially separate. 
     
     
         10 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the damper is one of either an elastic solid body, a gas damper, or a fluid damper. 
     
     
         11 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuating fingers are leaf-like spring tongues. 
     
     
         12 . An actuation system for a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a push rod configured to be mounted longitudinally in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, the push rod having at least one actuating finger configured to actuate a coupling slide of at least one switchable rocker arm;   a linear actuator having an armature, the armature configured to displace the push rod; and   as the push rod is displaced by the linear actuator, at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the push rod is dissipated by a damper.   
     
     
         13 . The actuation system of  claim 12 , wherein the damper is a hydraulic clearance compensation element. 
     
     
         14 . The actuation system of  claim 12 , further comprising the at least one switchable rocker arm, wherein the coupling slide of the at least one switchable rocker arm is arranged transversely to a longitudinal side of the switchable rocker arm. 
     
     
         15 . The actuation system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one switchable rocker arm includes a first and a second switchable rocker arm, and the at least one actuating finger includes a first and a second actuating finger, the first actuating finger arranged to actuate the first switchable rocker arm and the second actuating finger arranged to actuate the second switchable rocker arm. 
     
     
         16 . The actuation system of  claim 15 , wherein displacement of the push rod in a first longitudinal direction by the linear actuator causes synchronous coupling or synchronous uncoupling of the first and second switchable rocker arms. 
     
     
         17 . The actuation system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second actuating fingers are leaf-like spring tongues that extend from the push rod. 
     
     
         18 . The actuation system of  claim 12 , wherein the damper dissipates kinetic energy of the push rod as the push rod is displaced in a first longitudinal direction by the linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The actuation system of  claim 12 , further comprising a spring that is arranged to move the push rod in a second longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         20 . The actuation system of  claim 19 , wherein the damper dissipated kinetic energy of the push rod as it moves in the second longitudinal direction.