Variable valve lift system

Abstract

A summation rocker system is disclosed for acting on the end of a stem of a poppet valve (16) in dependence upon the combined lifts of a first and a second cam profile defined by different cam lobes (14, 22) of a concentric camshaft (46). The system comprises a first rocker (12) mounted on a pivot shaft (18) and having a first follower (44) to contact the first cam profile and an end acting on the valve (16) to displace the valve (16) by an amount dependent upon the lift of the first cam profile, a rocker shaft (24) to be fixedly mounted on the engine, and a second rocker (20) pivotable about the rocker shaft (24), the second rocker (20) having a second follower (48) to contact the second cam profile and acting to displace the pivot shaft (18) of the first rocker (12) in dependence of the lift of second cam profile. The rocker shaft (24) intersects a plane containing the axis of the pivot shaft (18) and the end of the first rocker (12) acting on the valve stem, and the first rocker (12) includes a cut-out (26) for receiving the rocker shaft (24), which cut-out (26) is configured and dimensioned to prevent the rocker shaft (24) from interfering with movement of the first rocker (12).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.