RECIPROCATING PISTON MACHINE WITH VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO, CONNECTING ROD FOR A RECIPROCATING PISTON MACHINE OF SAID TYPE, AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE COMPRESSION RATIO IN A RECIPROCATING PISTON MACHINE OF SAID TYPE

摘要

The invention relates to the adjustment of the compression ratio of a reciprocating piston machine (10), in particular a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. The reciprocating piston machine (10) comprises a connecting rod (12) in and/or on which a switch (38) is arranged for triggering the adjustment of the compression between at least a first compression ratio and a second compression ratio that is different from the first one. The switch (38) includes a switching element (40) that is guided so as to be movable bidirectionally along a switching path between at least two switched positions on the connecting rod (12). A first switched position is associated with the first compression ratio and a second switched position is associated with the second compression ratio, and the switching path extends at an angle to the plane defined by the connecting rod (12) during the movement thereof, said angle being different from 90°. Accelerating forces acting on the switching element (40) during movements of the connecting rod (12) are utilized to move the switching element (40), the switching element (40) being prevented, during an intended movement in one direction, from moving back into the opposite direction.