Device for Filtering Lubricating Oil

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for filtering lubricating oil in the course of a mechanical valve train of an internal combustion engine, especially for motor vehicles, with at least one force-transmitting and oil-lubricated component operative between gas exchange valves and their periodic drive, the device comprising a filter element ( 16 ) which is assigned to the component and the surface of which is of oil-permeable design in order to prevent the component being contaminated with particles.

1 . A device for filtering lubricating oil in the course of a mechanical valve train of an internal combustion engine, for motor vehicles, with at least one force-transmitting and oil-lubricated component operative between gas exchange valves and their periodic drive, the device comprising a filter element assigned to the component, wherein the surface of the filter element is of oil-permeable design.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the filter element takes the form of a strainer provided with a mesh fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the surface of the filter element is provided with pores.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least two filter elements are arranged in series, one behind the other in the oil flow direction.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the component in the course of the valve train takes the form of a push rod having the geometry of a tube, and that the filter element is inserted into the push rod.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein in an end area of the tube the filter element has a diameter that permits a tightly sealing fit to the tube.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein in the longitudinal direction of the push rod the filter element has a smaller area adjoining the tightly sealing fit.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the component in the course of the valve train takes the form of a valve tappet with integral valve clearance compensation having, in the oil flow direction: an oil admission, an oil reservoir, a high-pressure chamber and a non-return valve acting between the oil reservoir and the high-pressure chamber, the filter element being arranged inside the oil reservoir.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a displaceably supported compensation piston, in which the oil reservoir is formed, is arranged in the valve tappet, the compensation piston being of two-part design with a piston upper part associated with a gas exchange valve and a piston lower part carrying the non-return valve, the oil admission being assigned to the piston upper part.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a displaceably supported compensation piston, in which the oil reservoir is formed, is arranged in the valve tappet, the compensation piston being of two-part design with a piston upper part associated with a gas exchange valve and a piston lower part carrying the non-return valve, the oil being admitted laterally and the filter element being arranged in the piston lower part.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the mesh fabric is of roof-shaped design and is inserted in a holding element, which with an outer face is wedged into the component.