Description: FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of rocker arm assemblies for vehicle engines. More particularly, the disclosure relates to lubrication arrangements for rocker arm assemblies.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, internal combustion engines have rocker arms to actuate intake and exhaust valves, which permit air to enter and exhaust to leave each cylinder. There are separate rocker arms for each valve. A rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker shaft mounted on pedestals and pairs of rocker arms on a cylinder head. The rocker shaft receives lubricant fluid from the pedestals and carries lubricant fluid to the valves via the rocker arms. Pushrods cause the rocker arms to rotate or pivot and actuate the valves during engine operation. The pushrods extend through the engine to connect to a camshaft. The pushrods move the rocker arms to open and close the valves as the camshaft rotates. However, during the operation of the vehicle, the rocker shaft may be subjected to vibrations, which causes rotation of the shaft by the rocker arm motion. The rotation of the shaft cause to change in the orientation of the shaft to obstruct lubricant flow, and in the worst case, it may block lubricant passage and leads to failure of engine operation.
There is, therefore felt a need of a lubrication arrangement for a rocker arm assembly that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly that ensures correct orientation and facilitates smooth flow of lubricant fluid from the cylinder head to the control valves and prevents failure.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly that restricts the rotation of the rocker shaft when subjected to vibrations.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly of a vehicle. The assembly is configured to be mounted on the cylinder head. The arrangement comprises a plurality of pairs of rocker arms, pedestals, and a hollow elongate shaft. Each arm has a first passage configured therethrough. The pedestal is operatively disposed between a pair of rocker arm. The pedestal includes an aperture and a second passage. The aperture is defined on operative top surface of the pedestal. The second passage configured in the pedestal. The hollow elongate shaft defines a bore to enable flow of lubricant fluid therethrough. The shaft has a plurality of perforations configured thereon in spaced apart configuration. The shaft is configured to pass through the first passages and the second passages and configured to be bolted to the pedestals to allow the perforations to be in fluid communication with the first and second passages.
In an embodiment, the shaft includes a notch substantially perpendicular to the bore of the shaft. The notch enables the shaft to be bolted to the pedestal.
In an embodiment, a dowel pinis configured to be inserted in the aperture and the notch to lock the shaft in a predetermined orientation and allow oil from the cylinder head to enter the shaft via the pedestal for lubrication of valves.
In an embodiment, the dowel pin is selected from the group consisting of pin, rod, peg, screw, bolt, and the like.
In an embodiment, the dowel pin is screwed in the aperture and the notch to lock the shaft in a predetermined orientation.
In an embodiment, the dowel pin is press fitted in the aperture and the notch to lock the shaft in a predetermined orientation.
In an embodiment, each pedestal includes a third vertical passage configured to receive a fastening bolt to facilitate mounting of the pedestals on the cylinder head. In another embodiment, the third vertical passage is isolated from the second passage of said pedestal.
In an embodiment, the pedestal includes a mounting face configured at its operative bottom portion, the mounting face configured to be mounted onto the cylinder head via the fastening bolt. In an embodiment, an inlet is configured at the mounting face. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder head to receive the lubricant fluid.
In an embodiment, the perforations communicate between inside and outside of the shaft.
In an embodiment, the perforations of the shaft are configured to be in fluid communication with pedestal to allow lubricant fluid to flow from the cylinder head to the shaft via the pedestal.
In an embodiment, the perforations of the shaft are configured to be in fluid communication with the pairs of rocker arms to allow lubricant fluid from the shaft to reach the valves via the rocker arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The lubrication arrangement of the present disclosure for engine rocker arm assembly will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the rocker arm assembly;
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged section view of a pedestal of the assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a rocker shaft of Figure 1, depicting perforations and notches; and
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a pedestal, pair of rocker arms and a rocker shaft being assembled to form the lubrication arrangement of Figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Lubrication arrangement for rocker arm assembly
102 – Pairs of rocker arms
104 – Pedestals
106 – First passage
108 – Second passage
110 – Aperture
112 – Notch
114 – Dowel pin
116 – Bolt
118 – Mounting face
120 – Third passage
122 – Bore
124 – Perforations
126 – Inlet
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The present disclosure envisages a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly. The lubrication arrangement (hereinafter referred to as “arrangement 100”) will now be described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 4.
Referring to Figure 1, the arrangement 100 comprises a plurality of pairs of rocker arms 102, pedestals 104, and a hollow elongate shaft 105. The arrangement 100 is configured to be mounted on the cylinder head.
Referring to Figure 1, the pedestal 104 is operatively disposed between a pair of rocker arm 102. Referring to Figure 2, the pedestal 104 includes an aperture 110 and a second passage 108. The aperture 110 is defined on operative top surface of the pedestal 104. The second passage 108 is configured in the pedestal 104 (refer Figure 4).
Referring to Figure 4, each arm of the pairs of arms 102 has a first passage 106 configured therethrough.
The hollow elongate shaft 105 defines a bore 122 to enable flow of lubricant fluid therethrough. The shaft 105 has a plurality of perforations 124 configured thereon in a spaced apart configuration. The shaft 105 is configured to pass through the first passages 106 and the second passages 108 and configured to be bolted to the pedestals 104 to allow the perforations to be in fluid communication with the first passages 106 and second passages 108. The rocker arms 102 pivot about the shaft 105 when the engine operates.
In an embodiment, the perforations 124 of the shaft 105 are configured to be in fluid communication with pedestal 104 to allow lubricant fluid to flow from the cylinder head to the shaft 105 via the pedestal 104. In an embodiment, the perforations 124 communicate between inside and outside of the shaft 105.
In an embodiment, the lubricant fluid flow start with pump, flow through gallery in block and cylinder head and reach pedestal 104. Further the fluid flows from pedestal 104 towards the bore 122 of the shaft 105 and fill shaft ID and then to rocker arms 102 and finally move back to sump, and again flows to the pump and the cycle goes on.
In an embodiment, the shaft 105 includes a notch 112 substantially perpendicular to the bore 122 of the shaft 105. The notch 112 enables the shaft 105 to be bolted to the pedestal 104. In an embodiment, the notch 112 is configured on the shaft 105 at an angle of 85 degrees or 80 degrees with respect to the bore 122 of the shaft 105 to make the notch 112 to be substantially perpendicular to the bore 122.
In an embodiment, a dowel pin 114 is configured to be inserted in the aperture 110 and the notch 112 to lock the shaft in a predetermined orientation and allow lubricant fluid from the cylinder head to enter the shaft 105 via the pedestal 104 for lubrication of valves. In an embodiment, the dowel pin 114 is selected from the group consisting of pin, rod, peg, screw, bolt, and the like. In an embodiment, the dowel pin 114 is screwed in the aperture 110 and the notch 112 to lock the shaft 105 in a predetermined orientation. In an embodiment, the dowel pin 114 is press fitted in the aperture 110 and the notch 112 to lock the shaft 105 in a predetermined orientation.
In an embodiment, each pedestal 105 includes a third vertical passage 120 configured to receive a fastening bolt 116 to facilitate mounting of the pedestals 104 on the cylinder head. In another embodiment, the third vertical passage 120 is isolated from the second passage 108 of the pedestal 104.
In an embodiment, the pedestal 104 includes a mounting face 118 configured at its operative bottom portion. The mounting face 118 is configured to be mounted onto the cylinder head via the fastening bolt 116. In an embodiment, an inlet 126 is configured at the mounting face. The inlet 126 is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder head to receive the lubricant fluid. The shaft 105 when locked allows the inlet 126 to be in fluid communication with the perforation 124 to receive oil from the cylinder head. Similarly, other perforations 124 which are in the passages 106 of the rocker arms 102 provide the lubricant fluid towards the valves.
Thus, the arrangement 100 restricts the rotation of the rocker shaft when subjected to vibrations, thereby preventing engine failure. Further, locking of the shaft 105 via the dowel pin 114 ensures correct orientation of the shaft 105 which facilitates smooth and uninterrupted flow of lubricant fluid from the cylinder head to the control valves and prevents failure of the engine.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a lubrication arrangement for an engine rocker arm assembly, that:
• facilitates smooth and uninterrupted flow of lubricant from the cylinder head to the control valves; and
• restricts the rotation of the rocker shaft when subjected to vibrations, thereby preventing engine failure.
The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. , Claims: WE CLAIM:
1. A lubrication arrangement (100) for an engine rocker arm assembly of a vehicle, said assembly configured to be mounted on the cylinder head, said arrangement (100) comprising:
a. a plurality of pairs of rocker arms (102), each arm (102) having a first passage (106) configured therethrough;
b. a pedestal (104) operatively disposed between a pair of rocker arm (102), said pedestal (104) having:
i. an aperture (110) defined on operative top surface thereon; and
ii. a second passage (108) configured therein,
c. a hollow elongate shaft (105) defining a bore (122) to enable flow of lubricant fluid therethrough, said shaft (105) having a plurality of perforations (124) configured thereon in spaced apart configuration, said shaft (105) configured to pass through said first passages (106) and said second passages (108) and configured to be bolted to said pedestals (104) to allow said perforations (124) to be in fluid communication with said first and second passages (106, 108).
2. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft (105) includes a notch (112) substantially perpendicular to the bore (122) of the shaft (105), said notch (112) enables said shaft (105) to be bolted to the pedestal (104).
3. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a dowel pin (114) is configured to be inserted in said aperture (110) and said notch (112) to lock the shaft (105) in a predetermined orientation and allow lubricant fluid from the cylinder head to enter the shaft (105) via said pedestal (104) for lubrication of valves.
4. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said dowel pin (114) is screwed in said aperture (110) and said notch (112) to lock said shaft (105) in a predetermined orientation.
5. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said dowel pin (114) is press fitted in said aperture (110) and said notch (112) to lock said shaft (105) in a predetermined orientation.
6. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pedestal (104) includes a third vertical passage (120) configured to receive a fastening bolt (116) to facilitate mounting of the pedestals (104) on the cylinder head.
7. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said third vertical passage (120) is isolated from said second passage (108) of said pedestal (104).
8. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a mounting face (118) is configured at operative bottom portion of said pedestal (104), said mounting face (118) is configured to be mounted onto the cylinder head via said fastening bolt (116).
9. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein an inlet (126) is configured at said mounting face (118), said inlet (126) is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder head to receive the lubricant fluid from the head.
10. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perforations (124) of said shaft (105) are configured to be in fluid communication with pedestal (104) to allow lubricant fluid to flow from the cylinder head to the shaft (105) via the pedestal (104).

Dated this 22nd day of April, 2022

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT CHENNAI