# US 10,309,267 B2 · Variable valve mechanism, engine, and automatic two-wheeled vehicle

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- Number: US 10,309,267 B2
- Document ID: US10309267B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/639,762
- Filed: 2017-06-30
- Published: 2018-01-11
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-05
- Assignees: Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Applicants: Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Inventors: Koichi Tanaka; Kunio Arase; Koji Mori
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309267B2

## CPC

- F01L 1/34409: {by torque-responsive means}
- F01L 1/053: overhead type
- F01L 1/18: Rocking arms or levers
- F01L 1/181: {Centre pivot rocking arms}
- F01L 1/344: changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L 1/267: {with means for varying the timing or the lift of the valves}
- F01L 2001/0473: {Composite camshafts, e.g. with cams or cam sleeve being able to move relative to the inner camshaft or a cam adjusting rod}
- F01L 2001/0535: {Single overhead camshafts [SOHC]}
- F01L 2250/02: the camshaft being driven by chains
- F01L 2305/00: Valve arrangements comprising rollers
- F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES

## Abstract

The present invention can achieve a variable valve mechanism having a simple and compact configuration. A variable valve mechanism changes an opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve in response to an engine rotation speed. The variable valve mechanism includes: a cam sprocket which rotates in response to a rotation of a crank shaft; an intake cam shaft which is integrated with an intake cam; an exhaust cam shaft which is integrated with an exhaust cam; and a governor flange that transmits a rotation of the cam sprocket to the intake cam shaft and the exhaust cam shaft. The intake cam shaft and the exhaust cam shaft are formed so that the other cam shaft is inserted through one cam shaft to be relatively rotatable. The governor flange is provided to rotate along with the intake cam shaft and rotates relative to the cam sprocket under a predetermined condition.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A variable valve mechanism which changes an opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve in response to an engine rotation speed, the variable valve mechanism comprising:
a cam sprocket which rotates in response to a rotation of a crank shaft;
a first cam shaft which is integrated with any one of intake side and exhaust side cams;
a second cam shaft which is integrated with the other cam; and
a transfer member that transmits a rotation of the cam sprocket to the first and second cam shafts; and
an intermediate operation member that is able to switch a relative rotation or an integral rotation of the cam sprocket and the transfer member,
wherein
the first and second cam shafts are formed so that the other cam shaft is inserted through one cam shaft to be relatively rotatable; and
the transfer member is provided to rotate along with any one of the first and second cam shafts and rotates relatively to the cam sprocket under a predetermined condition; and
the intermediate operation member engages with the cam sprocket and the transfer member and moves outward in the radial direction of the cam sprocket to rotate the transfer member relatively to the cam sprocket when the engine rotation speed exceeds a predetermined rotation speed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The variable valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the transfer member rotates relatively to the cam sprocket when the engine rotation speed exceeds a predetermined rotation speed and rotates along with the cam sprocket when the engine rotation speed is a predetermined rotation speed or less.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The variable valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the intermediate operation member includes:
a support portion which is supported by the cam sprocket to be rotatable;
a weight portion which is formed to be separated from the support portion; and
an engagement portion which engages with the transfer member; and
the intermediate operation member rotates about the support portion as a support point, when the weight portion moves outward in the radial direction in accordance with the rotation of the cam sprocket.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The variable valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the intermediate operation member is formed to be slidable along a guide groove formed in the cam sprocket and the transfer member; and
when the intermediate operation member moves outward in the radial direction in accordance with the rotation of the cam sprocket, the transfer member rotates relatively to the cam sprocket.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An engine comprising:
the variable valve mechanism according to claim 1.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An automatic two-wheeled vehicle comprising:
the engine according to claim 5.