The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 11, 2000
Kazuhisa Mikame, Nagoya, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota, JP;
Abstract
An engine valve drive apparatus. A camshaft rotatably supported by the engine includes a cam for selectively opening and closing a valve. The cam has a cam surface for driving the valve. The cam surface has a profile that varies continuously in the direction of the cam axis. A valve lifter is arranged between the cam and the valve to convey the motion of the cam to the valve. A cam follower is supported on the valve lifter. The cam follower includes a slide surface having a pair of edges. The cam surface is arched outwardly in the direction of the cam axis to prevent the slide surface edges from contacting the cam surface. The curved surface prevents damage to the cam surface and enables smooth sliding between the cam surface and the cam follower. Alternatively, the slide surface of the cam follower may be arched outwardly.