US Patent 7685977 Internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and at least one gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) controlled by a first cam (14) on a first camshaft (16) and by a second cam (15) on a second camshaft (17), at least one camshaft (16, 17) having an adjustable phase position in order to modify the control times of the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b). The first cam (14) acts upon actuating means (6, 10) and the second cam (15) upon actuating means (6, 10) which actuate the gas exchange valve (6, 10). The actuating means (6, 10) are designed in such a way that the gas exchange valve (1) opens only when both the first cam (14) and the second cam (15) are acting upon the actuating means (6, 10). A simple structure with very high degrees of freedom for the control is achieved in that the actuating means (6, 10) comprise a lever which actuates the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) and is actuated by both cams (14, 15).