U.S. patent application number 14/724513 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for cylinder deactivation engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hyundai Motor Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company. Invention is credited to Myungsik Choi, Won Gyu KIM, Wootae KIM, Young Hong KWAK.
Application Number | 20160160701 14/724513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55974905 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160160701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Myungsik ; et
al. |
June 9, 2016 |
CYLINDER DEACTIVATION ENGINE
Abstract
A cylinder deactivation engine may include: one or more
deactivation cylinders to be selectively deactivated; one or more
non-deactivation cylinders not to be deactivated; cylinder
deactivation apparatuses operably connected to the deactivation
cylinders and operated by hydraulic pressure to selectively
implement a zero lift of a valve or valves of the deactivation
cylinders; one or more variable valve lift apparatuses operably
connected to the non-deactivation cylinders and operated by the
hydraulic pressure to selectively change a lift of a valve of the
non-deactivation cylinders; a hydraulic pump that generates the
hydraulic pressure for operating the variable valve lift
apparatuses and the cylinder deactivation apparatuses; and one or
more oil control valves that control the hydraulic pressure from
the oil pump so that the hydraulic pressure is selectively supplied
to the variable valve lift apparatuses and the cylinder
deactivation apparatuses.
Inventors: |
Choi; Myungsik; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Won Gyu; (Seoul, KR) ; KWAK; Young
Hong; (Suwon-si, KR) ; KIM; Wootae;
(Anyang-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hyundai Motor Company
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
55974905 |
Appl. No.: |
14/724513 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/90.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01L 2013/001 20130101;
F01L 13/0005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01L 13/00 20060101
F01L013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0175830 |
Claims
1. A cylinder deactivation engine comprising: one or more
deactivation cylinders to be selectively deactivated; one or more
non-deactivation cylinders not to be deactivated; cylinder
deactivation apparatuses operably connected to the one or more
deactivation cylinders and operated by hydraulic pressure to
selectively implement a zero lift of a valve or valves of the one
or more deactivation cylinders; one or more variable valve lift
apparatuses operably connected to the one or more non-deactivation
cylinders and operated by the hydraulic pressure to selectively
change a lift of a valve of the one or more non-deactivation
cylinders; a hydraulic pump that generates the hydraulic pressure
for operating the one or more variable valve lift apparatuses and
the cylinder deactivation apparatuses; and one or more oil control
valves that control the hydraulic pressure from the oil pump so
that the hydraulic pressure is selectively supplied to the one or
more variable valve lift apparatuses and the cylinder deactivation
apparatuses.
2. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 1, wherein each
cylinder deactivation apparatus is disposed at an intake part to
operate an intake valve of a corresponding deactivation cylinder or
at an exhaust part to operate an exhaust valve of the corresponding
deactivation cylinder.
3. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 2, wherein each
variable valve lift apparatus is disposed at the intake part to
operate the intake valve of a corresponding non-deactivation
cylinder.
4. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 3, wherein the oil
control valve communicates with two cylinder deactivation
apparatuses provided for each of the one or more deactivation
cylinders and with one variable valve lift apparatus provided for
each of the one or more non-deactivation cylinders.
5. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 3, wherein the
variable valve lift apparatus includes: an outer body that
selectively pivots with rotation of a cam, has a first end
connected with the intake valve of the corresponding
non-deactivation cylinder and a second end mounted with a pivot
shaft, and has an internal space; an inner body that is disposed in
the internal space of the outer body and has a first end rotatably
connected with the first end of the outer body; a connecting shaft
that is disposed through the first end of the outer body and the
first end of the outer body and connects the outer body and the
inner body to each other; and a lost motion spring that returns the
inner body that has rotated about the connecting shaft relative to
the outer body.
6. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 5, wherein: when the
hydraulic pressure is supplied to the variable valve lift
apparatus, the inner body is fixed to the outer body; when the cam
rotates, the inner body pivots with the outer body on a pivot shaft
of the outer body; when the hydraulic pressure supplied to the
variable valve lift apparatus is removed, the inner body is unfixed
from the outer body; and when the cam rotates, the inner body
pivots on the connecting shaft.
7. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 6, wherein: the
variable valve lift apparatus further includes a latching pin and a
latching spring disposed in the outer body; when the hydraulic
pressure is supplied to the variable valve lift apparatus, the
inner body is fixed to the outer body by the latching pin; and when
the hydraulic pressure supplied to the variable valve lift
apparatus is removed, the latching pin is returned by the latching
spring, and the inner body and the outer body are unfixed.
8. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 6, wherein: when the
outer body pivots with the inner body, a high lift of the intake
valve is implemented; and when the outer body pivots while being
locked by the inner body that has pivoted on the connecting shaft,
a normal lift of the intake valve is implemented.
9. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 5, wherein: the inner
body is formed with an internal space of the inner body; and the
variable valve lift apparatus further includes a roller that is
disposed in the internal space of the inner body, is rotatably
connected to the inner body, and is in rolling contact with the cam
so that the inner body pivots with the rotation of the cam.
10. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 3, wherein the
cylinder deactivation apparatus includes: an outer body that
selectively pivots with rotation of a cam, has a first end
connected with the intake or exhaust valve of the corresponding
deactivation cylinder and a second end mounted with a pivot shaft,
and has an internal space; an inner body that is disposed in the
internal space of the outer body and has a first end rotatably
connected with the first end of the outer body; a connecting shaft
that is disposed through the first end of the outer body and the
first end of the outer body and connects the outer body and the
inner body to each other; and a lost motion spring that returns the
inner body that has rotated about the connecting shaft relative to
the outer body.
11. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 10, wherein: when the
hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder deactivation apparatus
is removed, the inner body is fixed to the outer body; when the cam
rotates, the inner body pivots with the outer body on a pivot shaft
of the outer body; when the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the
cylinder deactivation apparatus, the inner body is unfixed from the
outer body and only the inner body pivots on the connecting shaft
with the rotation of the cam.
12. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 11, wherein: the
cylinder deactivation apparatus further include a latching pin and
a latching spring disposed in the outer body; when the hydraulic
pressure supplied to the cylinder deactivation apparatus is
removed, the latching pin pushed in a first direction by the
latching spring fixes the outer body to the inner body; and when
the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinder deactivation
apparatus, the latching pin is pushed in a second direction, and
the inner body and the outer body are unfixed.
13. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 11, wherein: when the
outer body pivots with the inner body, a normal lift of the valve
is implemented; and when only the inner body pivots on the
connecting shaft, a zero lift of the valve is implemented.
14. The cylinder deactivation engine of claim 10, wherein: the
inner body is formed with an internal space; and the cylinder
deactivation apparatus further includes a roller that is disposed
in the internal space of the inner body, is rotatably connected to
the inner body, and is in rolling contact with the cam so that the
inner body pivots with the rotation of the cam.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority of Korean Patent
Application Number 10-2014-0175830 filed on Dec. 9, 2014, the
entire contents of which application are incorporated herein for
all purposes by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cylinder deactivation
engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
cylinder deactivation engine that can change the valve lifts of
cylinders that are not deactivated.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In general, an internal combustion engine is an apparatus
that operates using energy from heat generated by burning a gas
mixture in a combustion chamber. A multi-cylinder engine with a
plurality of cylinders for increasing power and reducing noise and
vibration is generally used.
[0006] Recently, a cylinder deactivation apparatus of an engine
that improves fuel efficiency by deactivating some of a plurality
of cylinders in an engine when the engine generates small power has
been developed as a result of an increase in energy cost.
[0007] One way of deactivating cylinders used by such a cylinder
deactivation apparatus is to operate an engine by injecting and
burning a gas mixture in only some of a plurality of cylinders
without injecting and igniting a gas mixture in the other
cylinders. For example, for a four-cylinder engine, the apparatus
does not inject and ignite a gas mixture in two cylinders but
operates the engine with only the other two cylinders.
[0008] Meanwhile, a variable valve lift technique that selectively
implements a zero lift of a valve so that a gas mixture is not
injected may be applied to deactivated cylinders.
[0009] However, in a cylinder deactivation engine implemented by
the existing cylinder deactivation apparatuses, valves of cylinders
that are not deactivated operate to normal lifts, so appropriate
valve lifts according to the speed of an engine cannot be achieved.
Further, when the configuration for changing the valve lifts of
cylinders that are not deactivated is complicated, the weight and
manufacturing cost of an engine may be excessively increased.
[0010] The information disclosed in this Background section is only
for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the
invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form
of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already
known to a person skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide
a cylinder deactivation engine that deactivates some of cylinders
and changes valve lifts of the other cylinders.
[0012] In various aspects, the present invention provides a
cylinder deactivation engine that includes two or more cylinders
and selectively deactivates some of the cylinders. The cylinder
deactivation engine may include: one or more deactivation cylinders
to be selectively deactivated; one or more non-deactivation
cylinders not to be deactivated; cylinder deactivation apparatuses
operably connected to the one or more deactivation cylinders and
operated by hydraulic pressure to selectively implement a zero lift
of a valve or valves of the one or more deactivation cylinders; one
or more variable valve lift apparatuses operably connected to the
one or more non-deactivation cylinders and operated by the
hydraulic pressure to selectively change a lift of a valve of the
one or more non-deactivation cylinders; a hydraulic pump that
generates the hydraulic pressure for operating the one or more
variable valve lift apparatuses and the cylinder deactivation
apparatuses; and one or more oil control valves that control the
hydraulic pressure from the oil pump so that the hydraulic pressure
is selectively supplied to the one or more variable valve lift
apparatuses and the cylinder deactivation apparatuses
[0013] Each cylinder deactivation apparatus may be disposed at an
intake part to operate an intake valve of a corresponding
deactivation cylinder or at an exhaust part to operate an exhaust
valve of the corresponding deactivation cylinder. Each variable
valve lift apparatus may be disposed at the intake part to operate
the intake valve of a corresponding non-deactivation cylinder.
[0014] The oil control valve may communicate with two cylinder
deactivation apparatuses provided for each of the one or more
deactivation cylinders and with one variable valve lift apparatus
provided for each of the one or more non-deactivation
cylinders.
[0015] The variable valve lift apparatus may include: an outer body
that selectively pivots with rotation of a cam, has a first end
connected with the intake valve of the corresponding
non-deactivation cylinder and a second end mounted with a pivot
shaft, and has an internal space; an inner body that is disposed in
the internal space of the outer body and has a first end rotatably
connected with the first end of the outer body; a connecting shaft
that is disposed through the first end of the outer body and the
first end of the outer body and connects the outer body and the
inner body to each other; and a lost motion spring that returns the
inner body that has rotated about the connecting shaft relative to
the outer body.
[0016] When the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the variable
valve lift apparatus, the inner body may be fixed to the outer
body; when the cam rotates, the inner body may pivot with the outer
body on a pivot shaft of the outer body; when the hydraulic
pressure supplied to the variable valve lift apparatus is removed,
the inner body may be unfixed from the outer body; and when the cam
rotates, the inner body may pivot on the connecting shaft.
[0017] The variable valve lift apparatus may further include a
latching pin and a latching spring disposed in the outer body. When
the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the variable valve lift
apparatus, the inner body may be fixed to the outer body by the
latching pin; and when the hydraulic pressure supplied to the
variable valve lift apparatus is removed, the latching pin may be
returned by the latching spring, and the inner body and the outer
body are unfixed.
[0018] When the outer body pivots with the inner body, a high lift
of the intake valve may be implemented; and when the outer body
pivots while being locked by the inner body that has pivoted on the
connecting shaft, a normal lift of the intake valve may be
implemented.
[0019] The inner body may be formed with an internal space of the
inner body; and the variable valve lift apparatus may further
include a roller that is disposed in the internal space of the
inner body, is rotatably connected to the inner body, and is in
rolling contact with the cam so that the inner body pivots with the
rotation of the cam.
[0020] The cylinder deactivation apparatus may include: an outer
body that selectively pivots with rotation of a cam, has a first
end connected with the intake or exhaust valve of the corresponding
deactivation cylinder and a second end mounted with a pivot shaft,
and has an internal space; an inner body that is disposed in the
internal space of the outer body and has a first end rotatably
connected with the first end of the outer body; a connecting shaft
that is disposed through the first end of the outer body and the
first end of the outer body and connects the outer body and the
inner body to each other; and a lost motion spring that returns the
inner body that has rotated about the connecting shaft relative to
the outer body.
[0021] When the hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder
deactivation apparatus is removed, the inner body may be fixed to
the outer body; when the cam rotates, the inner body may pivot with
the outer body on a pivot shaft of the outer body; when the
hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinder deactivation
apparatus, the inner body may be unfixed from the outer body and
only the inner body may pivot on the connecting shaft with the
rotation of the cam.
[0022] The cylinder deactivation apparatus may further include a
latching pin and a latching spring disposed in the outer body. When
the hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder deactivation
apparatus is removed, the latching pin pushed in a first direction
by the latching spring may fix the outer body to the inner body;
and when the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinder
deactivation apparatus, the latching pin may be pushed in a second
direction, and the inner body and the outer body may be
unfixed.
[0023] When the outer body pivots with the inner body, a normal
lift of the valve may be implemented; and when only the inner body
pivots on the connecting shaft, a zero lift of the valve may be
implemented.
[0024] The inner body may be formed with an internal space; and the
cylinder deactivation apparatus may further include a roller that
is disposed in the internal space of the inner body, is rotatably
connected to the inner body, and is in rolling contact with the cam
so that the inner body pivots with the rotation of the cam.
[0025] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have
other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are
set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which
together serve to explain certain principles of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a variable valve lift apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the variable valve
lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cylinder deactivation
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the cylinder
deactivation apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cylinder deactivation
engine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described below. While the
invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not
intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments.
On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only
the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives,
modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a variable valve lift apparatus
100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a variable valve lift apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an outer
body 110, an inner body 120, a roller 130, a connecting shaft 140,
and a lost motion spring 150.
[0033] The outer body 110 pivots by selectively receiving torque of
a camshaft to open/close a valve. A cam 5 (see, for example, FIG.
4) is formed or disposed on the camshaft to convert the rotation of
the camshaft into the pivot of the outer body 110. The valve is an
intake valve or an exhaust valve. A space 112 is formed through the
outer body 110 perpendicular to the outer body 110. That is, the
outer body 110 has a predetermined length to pivot and has a
predetermined width and thickness such that the internal space 112
of the outer body 110 is defined.
[0034] The valve is connected to a first end of the outer body 110
and a pivot shaft is disposed at a second end of the outer body
110. The internal space 112 of the outer body 110 is open at the
first end, so the outer body 110 can generally have a U-shape.
[0035] In the following description, first ends and second ends of
the components disposed on or coupled to the outer body 110 mean
portions in the same directions as the first end and the second end
of the outer body 110.
[0036] The inner body 120 is disposed in the internal space 112 of
the outer body 110. A first end of the inner body 120 is rotatably
coupled to the first end of the outer body 110. Further, the inner
body 120 pivots by receiving torque of the camshaft to open/close a
valve. A space is formed through the inner body 120, perpendicular
to the inner body 20. That is, the inner body 120 has a
predetermined length to pivot and has predetermined width and
thickness such that the internal space 124 of the inner body 120 is
defined.
[0037] The roller 130 is disposed in the internal space 124 of the
inner body 120. The roller 130 is rotatably coupled to the inner
body 120. A roller rotation shaft 135 is provided to rotatably
connect the roller 130 and the inner body 120. That is, the roller
130 rotates about the roller rotation shaft 135. The roller 130 is
in rolling contact with the cam 5 to convert the rotation of the
camshaft into the pivot of the outer body 110 or the inner body
120.
[0038] The connecting shaft 140 connects the first end of the outer
body 110 with the first end of the inner body 120 such that they
can rotate. That is, the inner body 120 can rotate about the
connecting shaft 140 relative to the outer body 110. The first end
of the outer body 110 connected with the inner body 20 by the
connecting shaft 140 is referred to as an outer connecting portion
114, and the first end of the inner body 120 connected with the
outer body 110 by the connecting shaft 140 is referred to as an
inner connecting portion 122.
[0039] A valve contact portion 116 is formed or disposed close to
the outer connecting portion 114 at the first end of the outer body
110. In some embodiments, two outer connecting portions 114 may be
formed at the first end of the outer body 110 that are open to a
side. Accordingly, two valve contact portions 116 may be formed or
disposed close to the two outer connecting portions 114,
respectively. Further, the valve contact portions 116 push two
valves, respectively, with pivot of the outer body 110 in contact
with the valves.
[0040] The inner body 120 may be selectively fixed to the outer
body 110 and may pivot with it, or may be selectively unfixed from
the outer body 110 and may independently pivot. The lost motion
spring 150 returns the inner body 120 that has rotated relative to
the outer body 110 by independently pivoting, when the inner body
120 is unfixed from the outer body 110
[0041] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the variable valve
lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner body 120 further has a
latching pin hole 129, and a latching pin 160, a stopper 167, and a
latching spring 165 that are disposed in the outer body 110.
[0042] The latching pin hole 129 is formed so that a fixing member,
which selectively fixes the inner body 120 to the outer body 110,
such as the latching pin 160, is inserted therein. Although the
latching pin 160 is shown as the fixing member in FIG. 1, it is not
limited thereto. The latching pin 160 is operated by hydraulic
pressure and may be disposed at the second end of the outer body
110 to be easily supplied with hydraulic pressure.
[0043] The stopper 167 is provided to prevent the latching pin 160
from separating out of the second end of the outer body 110. A
hydraulic chamber 169 is defined between the stopper 167 and the
latching pin 160 by the outer body 110, the stopper 167, and the
latching pin 160. Further, the latching pin 160 is pushed toward
the first end of the outer body 110 and inserted into the latching
pin hole 129 by hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic
chamber 169, so the inner body 120 is fixed to the outer body
110.
[0044] The latching spring 165 is provided to return the latching
pin 160 to the position before it is pushed by the hydraulic
pressure. That is, when the hydraulic pressure supplied to the
hydraulic chamber 169 is removed, the latching pin 160 is returned
by the latching spring 165, and the inner body 120 and the outer
body 110 are unfixed.
[0045] When the inner body 120 is fixed to the outer body 110, the
inner body 120 and the outer body 110 pivot together on the pivot
shaft of the outer body 110 by rotation of the cam 5 being in
rolling contact with the roller 130. Further, when the inner body
120 is unfixed from the outer body 110, the inner body 120 pivots
on the connecting shaft 140 by rotation of the cam 5 being in
contact with the roller 130 and the outer body 110 is locked by the
inner body 120, which has pivoted on the connecting shaft 140, and
pivots on the pivot shaft of the outer body 110.
[0046] A high lift of the valve can be made by the outer body 110
pivoting with the inner body 120 and a normal lift of the valve can
be made by the outer body 110 that pivots while being locked by the
inner body 120 that has pivoted on the connecting shaft 40.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cylinder deactivation
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a cylinder deactivation apparatus
200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
includes an outer body 210, an inner body 220, a roller 230, a
connecting shaft 240, and a lost motion spring 250.
[0048] The outer body 210 pivots by selectively receiving torque of
a camshaft to open/close a valve. A cam 5 is formed or disposed on
the camshaft to convert the rotation of the camshaft into the pivot
of the outer body 210. The valve is an intake valve or an exhaust
valve. A space 212 is formed through the outer body 210
perpendicular to the outer body 210. That is, the outer body 210
has a predetermined length to pivot and has predetermined width and
thickness such that the internal space 212 of the outer body 210 is
defined.
[0049] The valve is connected to a first end of the outer body 210
and a pivot shaft is disposed at a second end of the outer body
210. The internal space 212 of the outer body 210 is open at the
first end, so the outer body 210 can generally have a U-shape.
[0050] In the following description, first ends and second ends of
the components disposed on or coupled to the outer body 210 mean
portions in the same directions as the first end and the second end
of the outer body 210.
[0051] The inner body 220 is disposed in the internal space 112 of
the outer body 210. A first end of the inner body 220 is rotatably
coupled to the first end of the outer body 210. Further, the inner
body 220 pivots by receiving torque of the camshaft to selectively
open/close a valve. A space is formed through the inner body 220,
perpendicular to the inner body 220. That is, the inner body 220
has a predetermined length to pivot and has predetermined width and
thickness such that an internal space 224 of the inner body 220 is
defined.
[0052] The roller 230 is disposed in the internal space 224 of the
inner body 220. The roller 230 is rotatably coupled to the inner
body 220. A roller rotation shaft 235 is provided to rotatably
connect the roller 230 and the inner body 220. That is, the roller
230 rotates about the roller rotation shaft 235. The roller 230 is
in rolling contact with the cam 5 to convert the rotation of the
camshaft into the pivot of the outer body 210 or the inner body
220.
[0053] The connecting shaft 240 connects the first end of the outer
body 210 with the first end of the inner body 220 such that they
can rotate. That is, the inner body 220 can rotate about the
connecting shaft 240 relative to the outer body 210. The first end
of the outer body 210 connected with the inner body 220 by the
connecting shaft 240 is referred to as an outer connecting portion
214, and the first end of the inner body 220 connected with the
outer body 210 by the connecting shaft 240 is referred to as an
inner connecting portion 222.
[0054] A valve contact portion 216 is formed or disposed close to
the outer connecting portion 214 at the first end of the outer body
210. Two outer connecting portions 214 may be formed at the first
end of the outer body 210 that are open to a side. Accordingly, two
valve contact portions 216 may be formed or disposed close to the
two outer connecting portions 214, respectively. Further, the valve
contact portions 216 push two valves, respectively, with pivot of
the outer body 210 in contact with the valves.
[0055] The inner body 220 may be selectively fixed to the outer
body 210 and may pivot with it, or may be selectively unfixed from
the outer body 110 and may independently pivot.
[0056] The lost motion spring 250 returns the inner body 220 that
has rotated relative to the outer body 210 by independently
pivoting, when the inner body 220 is unfixed from the outer body
210
[0057] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the cylinder
deactivation apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner body 220 further
has a latching pin hole 229, and a latching pin 260, a stopper 267,
and a latching spring 265 are disposed in the outer body 210.
[0058] The latching pin holes 229 are formed to receive the
latching pin 260. The latching pin 260 is operated by hydraulic
pressure, and may be disposed at the second end of the outer body
210 to be easily supplied with hydraulic pressure. A component for
supplying hydraulic pressure such as an HLA (Hydraulic Lash
Adjuster) may be disposed at the second end of the outer body
210.
[0059] The stopper 267 is provided to prevent the latching pin 260
from separating out of the second end of the outer body 210.
[0060] As the latching pin 260 is inserted in the latching pin hole
229 by an elastic force of the latching spring 265, the inner body
220 can be fixed to the outer body 210. That is, the latching
spring 265 is disposed between the stopper 267 and the latching pin
260 to push the latching pin 260 toward the inner body 220 with its
first end. A hydraulic chamber 269 is defined at a first end of the
latching pin 260 by the outer body 210 and the latching pin 260. As
the latching pin 260 is pushed toward the second end of the outer
body 210 by the hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic
chamber 269, the inner body 220 and the outer body 210 are unfixed.
In other words, when the hydraulic pressure supplied to the
hydraulic chamber 269 is removed, the latching pin 260 is returned
into the latching pin hole 229 by the latching spring 265, such
that the inner body 220 is fixed to the outer body 210.
[0061] When the inner body 220 is fixed to the outer body 210, the
inner body 220 and the outer body 210 pivot together on the pivot
shaft of the outer body 210 by rotation of the cam 5 being in
rolling contact with the roller 230. When the inner body 220 is
separated from the outer body 210, only the inner body 220 pivots
on the connecting shaft 240 by rotation of the cam 5 being in
rolling contact with the roller 230.
[0062] A normal lift of the valve can be made by the outer body 210
pivoting with the inner body 220, and a zero lift of the valve can
be made by the outer body 110 that does not pivot when only the
inner body 220 pivots. That is, a cylinder can be deactivated.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cylinder deactivation
engine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Although a four-cylinder engine is shown in FIG. 5,
exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited
thereto. For the convenience of illustration in FIG. 5, a first
cylinder Cyl 1, a second cylinder Cyl 2, a third cylinder Cyl 3,
and a fourth cylinder Cyl 4, and the intake part and the exhaust
part of an engine, are divided by dashed dotted lines.
[0064] By way of illustration, the cylinders that are selectively
deactivated are referred to as deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl
3, while the cylinders that are not deactivated are referred to as
non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl 4. In FIG. 5, the second
cylinder Cyl 2 and the third cylinder Cyl 3 that are usually
deactivated in a four-cylinder engine are shown as the deactivation
cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3, and the first cylinder Cyl 1 and the
fourth cylinder Cyl 4 that are not usually deactivated are shown as
the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl 4, but the present
invention is not limited to this configuration.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the cylinder deactivation engine
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
includes the variable valve lift apparatus 100, the cylinder
deactivation apparatus 200, a valve opening/closing unit 300, an
oil pump 400, and an oil control valve 500.
[0066] The variable valve lift apparatus 100 is disposed to
open/close the intake valves of the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl
1 and Cyl 4 by pivoting. Further, the variable valve lift apparatus
100 operates to selectively implement a normal lift or a high lift
of the intake valves of the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and
Cyl 4.
[0067] The cylinder deactivation apparatus 200 is disposed to
open/close the exhaust valves and the intake valves of the
deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3 by pivoting. Two cylinder
deactivation apparatuses 200 are provided for each of the
deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3 to open/close the exhaust
valve and the intake valve. That is, the cylinder deactivation
mechanism 200 is provided to selectively implement a normal lift or
a zero lift of the exhaust valves and the intake valves of the
deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3.
[0068] The valve opening/closing unit 300 is disposed to open/close
the exhaust valves of the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl
4. The valve opening/closing unit 300 implements a predetermined
signal lift of the exhaust valves of the non-deactivation cylinders
Cyl 1 and Cyl 4.
[0069] The oil pump 400 pumps oil to generate hydraulic pressure
for operating the variable valve lift apparatus 100 and the
cylinder deactivation apparatus 200. The oil pump 400 is the same
as or similar to those in the art, so the detailed description is
not provided.
[0070] The oil control valve 500 controls the hydraulic pressure
from the oil pump 400 so that the hydraulic pressure is selectively
supplied to the variable valve lift apparatus 100 and the cylinder
deactivation apparatus 200. The basic configuration and function of
the oil control valve 500 are the same as or similar to those in
the art, so the detailed description is not provided.
[0071] Multi-cylinder engines are equipped with one or more oil
control valves 500, and the oil control valve 500 communicates with
the one variable valve lift apparatus 100 for each of the
non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl 4 and with two cylinder
deactivation apparatuses 200 for each of the deactivation cylinders
Cyl 2 and Cyl 3. That is, the oil control valve 500 selectively
supplies oil to one variable valve lift apparatus 100 and two
cylinder deactivation apparatus 200.
[0072] By way of illustration, in FIG. 5, one oil control valve 500
communicates with the variable valve lift apparatus 100 for the
first cylinder Cyl 1 and the two cylinder deactivation apparatuses
200 for the second cylinder Cyl 2, and another oil control valve
500 communicates with the variable valve lift apparatus 100 for the
fourth cylinder Cyl 4 and the two cylinder deactivation apparatuses
200 for the third cylinder Cyl 3.
[0073] As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, it is possible to implement variable valve
lifts of the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl 4 while
deactivating the deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3. Therefore,
it is possible to maximize improvement of fuel efficiency. Further,
one oil control valve 500 controls deactivation of one of the
deactivation cylinders Cyl 2 and Cyl 3 and the variable valve lift
of one of the non-deactivation cylinders Cyl 1 and Cyl 4, such that
it is possible to prevent unnecessary increase of the weight and
manufacturing cost of an engine.
[0074] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in
the appended claims, the terms "inner" or "outer", and etc. are
used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with
reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the
figures.
[0075] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of
the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable
others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
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