FLEXIBLE COUPLING/LINKAGE FOR AN ACTUATOR

摘要

A flexible coupling linkage (14) anchors a housing (16) that at least partially encloses a rotor (18) of an actuator (22) against rotation, while allowing free movement of the housing (16) in two other planes relative to the rotor (18) to match an angular rotational plane orientation of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18) due to misalignment. The flexible coupling linkage (14) can be selected from a group of pivot joints (24a, 24b) including at least one of a pivot pin joint (30, 34), a ball-and-socket joint (32), and any combination thereof. The pivot joint (24) defines a restrained point (26a, 26b) associated with the housing (16) radially spaced from an axis of rotation of the rotor (18) preventing rotation of the housing (16) about the axis of rotation of the rotor (18), while allowing angular displacement of the housing (16) about the restrained point (26a, 26b) permitting the housing (16) to match an angle of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18).

主权项

1. In a variable valve lift and timing assembly (10) for an internal combustion engine (20) of a motor vehicle having an actuator (22) for driving a control shaft (12) of a rocker arm (42) in rotation through at least a predetermined arc (44), the actuator (22) including a housing (16) at least partially enclosing a rotor (18), the improvement comprising:
a flexible coupling linkage (14) restraining the housing (16) against rotation while allowing free movement of the housing (16) in two other planes relative to the rotor (18) to match an angular rotational plane of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18) due to misalignment.