Valve clearance compensation device and method for controlling a valve clearance compensating device for an internal combustion engine

A method for controlling a valve clearance compensating device for a valve (16) of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• an external part (14) having a guide duct (12),
• an internal part (10) which is arranged slidably within the guide duct (12) of the external part (14) at least along one longitudinal section of the guide duct (12) and is movable along the guide duct (12) in order to provide for the clearance of an associated valve (16) of the internal combustion engine, the clearance compensating device further including
• a pressure chamber (18), and a storage chamber (20) which are hydraulically interconnected with a one-way valve (22) disposed therebetween and which are associated with the internal part (10),
• a clearance compensating element (24), by means of which an actuating force can be applied to the internal part (10) for valve lash adjustment, and
• a supply device (28), which is hydraulically connected to a blocking chamber (30) and by means of which hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the blocking chamber (30) for exerting a blocking force against the actuating force to the internal part (10),
• the supply device (28) comprising a timing device (38) for modifying the blocking force in dependence on a cycle of the timing device (38),
• said method comprising the steps of supplying a hydraulic medium to the interior part for exerting a the blocking force opposed to the actuating force and modifying the volume of the blocking chamber (30) in dependence on a cycle of the timing device (38) of the supply device (28) so as to prevent lash adjustment when the valve (16) is opened by the exhaust gas counter pressure in an exhaust pipe.