Cam shaft

Abstract

The instant invention relates to a cam shaft ( 1 ) for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, which is supported on a cylinder head housing ( 15 ) via at least one roller bearing ( 2 ), wherein provision is made for at least one thrust bearing ( 3 ), which supports the cam shaft ( 1 ) in axial direction ( 4 ) and which is embodied as ball or also as roller bearing ( 2 ).

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A cam shaft assembly comprising:
 a cam shaft;   at least one roller bearing for supporting the cam shaft in a first direction; and   at least one thrust bearing for supporting the camshaft in a second direction, the thrust bearing including at least one of a ball bearing and a roller bearing.   
     
     
         14 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second direction extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cam shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a bearing ring that engages the thrust bearing, the bearing ring including a circumferential groove; and   a connecting element attached to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine;   wherein the circumferential groove of the bearing ring is engageable with the connecting element.   
     
     
         16 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting element is at least one of a stud screw and a pin. 
     
     
         17 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one roller bearing comprises at least one roller that directly engages the cam shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 17 , wherein a region of the cam shaft that the roller directly engages is hardened. 
     
     
         19 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a bushing directly engaging the cam shaft, wherein the at least one roller bearing comprises at least one roller directly engaging the bushing. 
     
     
         20 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the bushing is hardened. 
     
     
         21 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the bushing is joined to the cam shaft by at least one of adhesion, an interference fit, or welding. 
     
     
         22 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising at least two cams attached to the cam shaft, wherein the at least one thrust bearing is arranged between and engages the at least two cams. 
     
     
         23 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least two cams attached to the cam shaft; and   at least two spacers disposed between and engaging the at least two cams, wherein the at least one thrust bearing is arranged between and engages the at least two spacers.   
     
     
         24 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising at least two cams, each cam including a collar, wherein the at least one thrust bearing is arranged between the two cams and engages the collar of the at least two cams. 
     
     
         25 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the collar is integrally formed with the cam. 
     
     
         26 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the collar is attached to the cam by at least one of soldering, welding, and adhering. 
     
     
         27 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one cam attached to the cam shaft by at least one of thermal joining, an interference fit, and adhesion. 
     
     
         28 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one roller bearing is attached to the cam shaft by at least one of thermal joining, an interference fit, and adhesion. 
     
     
         29 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one thrust bearing is attached to the cam shaft by at least one of thermal joining, an interference fit, and adhesion 
     
     
         30 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the camshaft is configured to be supported in an internal combustion engine in at least one of a tunnel bearing manner and an open bearing manner. 
     
     
         31 . The cam shaft assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one roller bearing comprises a closed roller bearing attached to the cam shaft during assembly of the cam shaft assembly.