Valve lifter assembly for internal combustion engine

A valve lifter and displacement-limiting clip assembly for an internal combustion engine comprising:

• a valve lifter including an elongate lifter body having an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface defining a longitudinal pushrod bore, the pushrod bore having a center axis and extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the lifter body;
• the lifter body further having a plurality of axial body segments, including a proximal segment defining an opening to the pushrod bore, a distal segment configured to receive a lifter roller, and a reduced diameter clip segment, the lifter body further having an indented cutout extending axially through the proximal segment and having sidewalls defining a channel and a taper;
• a clip having a holder engaged with the clip segment, and a hanger attached to the holder and configured to couple the assembly with a wall portion of a cylinder block in the internal combustion engine, such that the clip is rotatable to a stop position defined by contact between the hanger and the wall portion, and the clip further including a first and a second stress diffusing fillet transitioning from the holder to the hanger;
• the clip further including an anti-scuffing outer profile having a first and a second arcuate segment upon the holder, and a linear segment extending between the arcuate segments, so as to inhibit interference between the clip and the lifter bore during the rotation of the clip;
• and
• the hanger extending into the cutout and mated with the channel to rotationally couple the valve lifter to the clip, such that angular displacement of the valve lifter during service is limited at the stop position, and the fillets being positioned within the cutout such that a clearance exists between portions of the sidewalls forming the taper and each of the fillets, for inhibiting impingement of the sidewalls upon the fillets at the stop position.

A valve lifter for an internal combustion engine comprising:

• an elongate lifter body having an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface defining a longitudinal pushrod bore having a center axis;
• the lifter body further having a plurality of axial body segments, including a proximal segment defining an opening to the pushrod bore, a distal segment defining a transverse bore configured to receive a lifter roller, and a clip segment, each of the proximal and distal segments defining a full outer diameter dimension, for guiding the valve lifter within a lifter bore in a cylinder block of the internal combustion engine;
• the clip segment being located axially between the proximal and distal segments and defining a reduced outer diameter dimension, for receiving a holder of a clip about the valve lifter to form an assembly therewith;
• the lifter body further having an indented cutout extending axially through the proximal segment, the cutout including sidewalls defining a proximal channel and a distal taper;
• the channel being configured to mate with a straight section of a hanger of the clip, to rotationally couple the lifter body to the clip such that angular displacement of the assembly is limited at a stop position of the clip defined by contact between a curved section of the hanger, and a wall portion of the cylinder block;
• and
• the taper widening in a distal direction from the channel, to provide a clearance between the sidewalls and stress diffusing fillets transitioning from the holder to the straight section of the hanger, such that impingement of the sidewalls upon the fillets is inhibited at the stop position;
• wherein the cutout includes a planar back wall oriented parallel the longitudinal axis and adjoining the sidewalls;
• and
• wherein the lifter body further includes a cylindrical outer surface and a planar relief surface each formed upon the clip segment, and an outer profile that is linear upon the planar relief surface and arcuate upon the cylindrical outer surface, and the planar relief surface being transitionless with the planar back wall of the cutout.