Internal combustion engine having variable valve operating device

An internal combustion engine having a variable valve operating device, the internal combustion engine being mounted on a vehicle and comprising:

• a cylinder head joined to a cylinder body and forming a combustion chamber and a valve operating chamber therein;
• a variable valve operating device having a valve characteristic variable mechanism for controlling a valve operating characteristic of at least one engine valve out of an intake valve and an exhaust valve;
• and
• an intake valve rocker arm having one end connected to an upper end of an intake valve stem, and an exhaust valve rocker arm having one end connected to an upper end of an exhaust valve stem,
• wherein each of the intake valve rocker arm and the exhaust valve rocker arm has an intermediate portion supported on a respective one of a pair of shafts disposed on opposite sides on a camshaft, the shafts extending parallel to the camshaft,
• wherein each of the intake valve rocker arm and the exhaust valve rocker arm extends outwardly from the respective shaft at an angle that is slanted toward the other of the intake valve rocker arm and the exhaust valve rocker arm,
• wherein the valve characteristic variable mechanism includes an actuator for changing at least one of an operational timing and a lift quantity of the at least one engine valve, and the actuator is arranged outside the valve operating chamber;
• wherein a drive axis of the actuator is arranged substantially orthogonal to a cylinder axis.

An internal combustion engine having a variable valve operating mechanism, the internal combustion engine being mounted on a vehicle and comprising:

• a cylinder head joined to a cylinder body and forming a combustion chamber and a valve operating chamber therein;
• and
• a variable valve operating device having a valve characteristic variable mechanism for controlling valve operating characteristics of engine valves constituting of an intake valve and an exhaust valve, wherein the valve characteristic variable mechanism includes an actuator for changing at least one of operational timing and a lift quantity of the engine valves, and the actuator is arranged outside the valve operating chamber,
• wherein the actuator is constituted of a plurality of actuators, each having an electric motor for individually controlling the corresponding intake valve and the exhaust valve, and a cylinder intake passage is arranged in a space surrounded by the plurality of actuators as viewed in the direction of the cylinder axis.