Adjusting device for gas exchange valves

Claim 1

An improved electromagnetically operated, spring-biased actuator assembly for gas exchange valves in internal combustion engines, comprising in operative combination: a) a first actuating solenoid and a second actuating solenoid, said second actuating solenoid disposed opposite to and spaced from said first actuating solenoid a sufficient distance to define a gap therebetween, both of said solenoids having a ferromagnetic iron core; b) means for reciprocatingly actuating a gas exchange valve, said gas exchange valve being movable between a first, closed operating position to a second, open operating position; c) said reciprocating actuator means including a generally disc-shaped anchor plate having a central axis and a peripheral edge spaced outwardly from said axis, said anchor plate disposed to travel between said actuating solenoids and selectively attractable to and guidingly reciprocated between positions of engagement with a pole surface of each of said actuating solenoids, said first actuating solenoid pole surface engagement position corresponding to said closed operating position of said gas exchange valve, and said second actuating solenoid pole surface engagement position corresponding to said open operating position of said gas exchange valve; d) said anchor plate including: i) an upper and lower guide stem, each of said guide stems disposed opposite one another and coaxial with the axial center of said anchor plate, ii) said upper guide stem being receivingly engageable by a central axial bore of said first actuating solenoid and said lower guide stem being receivingly engageable by a central axial bore of said second actuating solenoid; ii) said lower guide stem including means for contacting a coaxially aligned stamp member of a gas exchange valve stem to transfer reciprocating movement of said anchor plate to said gas exchange valve; e) a spring system for symmetrically stressing said anchor plate and assisting said reciprocating movement upon the appropriate excitation of either of said actuating solenoids; f) means for improving the switching behavior of said actuator assembly in association with said gap so that the fast time switching of said anchor plate is increased while precise movement between said closed and open operating positions of said anchor plate is maintained.