# US 12,760,666 B2 · Valve bridge for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, valve train for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, and internal combustion engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,666 B2 - Document ID: US12760666B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/547,630 - Filed: 2022-02-17 - Published: 2024-05-02 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-24 - Assignees: Daimler Truck AG - Applicants: Daimler Truck AG - Inventors: Matthias Lahr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760666B2 ## CPC - F01L 1/26: characterised by the provision of two or more valves operated simultaneously by same transmitting-gear; peculiar to machines or engines with more than two lift-valves per cylinder (with coaxial valves F01L1/28) - F01L 1/181: {Centre pivot rocking arms} - F01L 1/46: Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in preceding subgroups - F01L 13/065: {Compression release engine retarders of the "Jacobs Manufacturing" type} - F01L 2800/17: Maintenance; Servicing - F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES ## Abstract A valve bridge for a valve train of an engine includes a bridge operating region via which the valve bridge can be operated by a first rocker arm and is movable translationally in a first operating direction, a first valve operating region via which a first gas exchange valve of the engine can be operated, and a second valve operating region via which a second gas exchange valve of the engine can be operated. The first valve operating region has a through opening continuous along the first operating direction, a first longitudinal region in which the through opening is completely continuously closed in its peripheral direction, and a second longitudinal region directly connected to the first longitudinal region in the first operating direction and in which the through opening is open along its peripheral direction at a first location in a first opening direction perpendicular to the first operating direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve bridge for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a bridge operating region via which the valve bridge is configured to be operated by a first rocker arm of the valve train and is movable translationally in a first operating direction; a first valve operating region via which a first gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine is configured to be operated by the valve bridge by operating the valve bridge; and a second valve operating region via which a second gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine is configured to be operated by the valve bridge by operating the valve bridge, wherein the first valve operating region has: a through opening that is continuous along the first operating direction, a first longitudinal region in which the through opening is completely continuously closed in its peripheral direction, and a second longitudinal region which is directly connected to the first longitudinal region in the first operating direction and in which the through opening is open along its peripheral direction at a first location in a first opening direction running perpendicular to the first operating direction, and wherein the first valve operating region is configured to receive, via the through opening, a valve cap that is held therein independent of the first gas exchange valve by a contour of the valve cap contacting the first valve operating region within the through opening, wherein the valve cap is separate from the first gas exchange valve and the second exchange valve, from the first rocker arm, and from the valve bridge and via which the first gas exchange valve is configured to be operated by a second rocker arm of the valve train, wherein the first location is covered in a second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction by a collar of the valve bridge arranged in the first longitudinal region, wherein the collar has an extension running along the first operating direction, and wherein the valve bridge is configured to be shifted in the second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction relative to the first gas exchange valve, the second gas exchange valve, the valve cap, and the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm into a dismounting position in which, in an idle state of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm and the first gas exchange valve and the second gas exchange valve: the second gas exchange valve is arranged completely outside of the second valve operating region; and a spacing running along the first operating direction between the second rocker are and the valve cap remaining on the first gas exchange valve when shifting the valve bridge is larger than the extension of the collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve bridge of claim 1, wherein the second valve operating region has a groove that is open at a location in a second opening direction running perpendicular to the first operating direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The valve bridge of claim 2, wherein the groove is completely closed in a second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve bridge of claim 1, wherein the valve bridge is one part. ### Claim 5 A valve train for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a first gas exchange valve; a second gas exchange valve; a first rocker arm; and a valve bridge shared by the first gas exchange valve and the second exchange valve via which the first gas exchange valve and the second exchange valve is configured to be operated by the first rocker arm and is configured to be moved translationally in a first operating direction, wherein the valve bridge has: a bridge operating region via which the valve bridge is configured to be operated by the first rocker arm and is movable translationally in the first operating direction; a first valve operating region via which the first gas exchange valve is configured to be operated by the valve bridge by operating the valve bridge; and a second valve operating region via which the second gas exchange valve is configured to be operated by the valve bridge by operating the valve bridge, wherein the first valve operating region has: a through opening that is continuous along the first operating direction; a first longitudinal region in which the through opening is completely continuously closed in its peripheral direction; and a second longitudinal region which is directly connected to the first longitudinal region in the first operating direction and in which the through opening is open along its peripheral direction at a first location in a first opening direction running perpendicular to the first operating direction, wherein the first valve operating region is configured to receive, via the through opening, a valve cap that is held therein independent of the first gas exchange valve by a contour of the valve cap contacting the first valve operating region within the through opening, wherein the valve cap is separate from the first gas exchange valve and the second exchange valve, from the first rocker arm, and from the valve bridge and via which the first gas exchange valve is configured to be operated by a second rocker arm of the valve train, wherein the first location is covered in a second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction by a collar of the valve bridge arranged in the first longitudinal region, wherein the collar has an extension running along the first operating direction, and wherein the valve bridge is configured to be shifted in the second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction relative to the first gas exchange valve, the second gas exchange valve, the valve cap, and the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm into a dismounting position in which, in an idle state of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm and the first gas exchange valve and the second gas exchange valve: the second gas exchange valve is arranged completely outside of the second valve operating region; and a spacing running along the first operating direction between the second rocker arm and the valve cap remaining on the first gas exchange valve when shifting the valve bridge is larger than the extension of the collar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The valve train of claim 5, wherein the valve cap passes through the first longitudinal region and the second longitudinal region along the first operating direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The valve train of claim 5, wherein the valve bridge and the valve cap form an assembled unit which is configured to be mounted as a whole, in which the valve cap is held on the valve bridge independently of the first gas exchange valve and the second gas exchange valve and independently of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, comprising: the valve train of claim 5.