Switching rocker arm assembly having eccentric axle for lash adjustment

Abstract

A switching rocker arm assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present teachings includes an outer arm, an inner arm, a bearing axle and a pivot axle. The outer arm can have a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The outer arm can define outer bores. The inner arm can have a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The inner arm can be disposed between the first and second outer side arms. The inner arm can define inner bores. The bearing axle can support a bearing. One of the bearing axle and pivot axle comprises (i) a central axle body having a central centerline, (ii) a first axle end body having a first centerline and (iii) a second axle end body having a second centerline. The central centerline is offset from at least one of the first and second centerlines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A switching rocker arm assembly comprising:
 an outer arm having a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm, the outer arm defining outer bores;   an inner arm having a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm, the inner arm disposed between the first and second outer side arms, the inner arm defining inner bores;   a bearing axle that supports a bearing; and   a pivot axle cooperating with the outer and inner arms;   wherein one of the bearing axle and pivot axle comprises (i) a central axle body having a central centerline, (ii) a first axle end body having a first centerline and (iii) a second axle end body having a second centerline, wherein the central centerline is offset from at least one of the first and second centerlines.   
     
     
         2 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the central axle body locates between the first and second inner side arms. 
     
     
         3 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 2  wherein the central centerline is offset relative to the first and second centerlines a distance equal to a desired mechanical lash adjustment desired in the switching rocker arm assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second centerlines are coaxial. 
     
     
         5 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 4  wherein the pivot axle is eccentric. 
     
     
         6 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising an elephant foot (e-foot), wherein the e-foot is assembled between the central axle body of the pivot axle and a valve, wherein rotation of the pivot axle causes the e-foot to move relative to the valve. 
     
     
         7 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 5  wherein the pivot axle defines a tool engaging feature on one of the first and second axle end bodies. 
     
     
         8 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the pivot axle secures the inner arm to the outer arm while also allowing a rotational degree of freedom wherein one of the outer and inner arms rotates relative to the other of the outer and inner arms about the pivot axle when the switching rocker arm assembly is in a deactivated state. 
     
     
         9 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 5  wherein one of the inner and outer rocker arms defines a passage that extends to a corresponding bore that receives the pivot axle. 
     
     
         10 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a securing member disposed through the passage that fixes the pivot axle relative to the one of the inner and outer rocker arms subsequent to setting lash. 
     
     
         11 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 10  wherein the securing member comprises flowable plastic that is configured to solidify. 
     
     
         12 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 9  wherein the pivot axle defines an annular groove around one of the first and second axle end bodies, wherein the securing member locates within the annular groove. 
     
     
         13 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bearing axle is eccentric. 
     
     
         14 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 13  wherein the bearing is configured to engage a cam lobe and wherein rotation of the bearing axle causes the bearing to move relative to the cam lobe to adjust mechanical lash. 
     
     
         15 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  wherein the bearing axle is supported on opposite ends by torsion spring ends. 
     
     
         16 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  wherein one of the inner and outer rocker arms defines a passage, the switching rocker arm further comprising:
 a securing member disposed through the passage that fixes the bearing axle relative to the one of the inner and outer rocker arms subsequent to setting lash. 
 
     
     
         17 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 16  wherein the securing member comprises flowable plastic that is configured to solidify. 
     
     
         18 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 17  wherein the bearing axle defines an annular groove around one of the first and second axle end bodies, wherein the securing member locates within the annular groove. 
     
     
         19 . A switching rocker arm assembly comprising:
 an outer arm having a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm, the outer arm defining outer bores;   an inner arm having a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm, the inner arm disposed between the first and second outer side arms, the inner arm defining inner bores;   a bearing axle that supports a bearing;   a pivot axle cooperating with the outer and inner arms; and   an elephant foot (e-foot);   wherein the pivot axle comprises (i) a central axle body having a central centerline, (ii) a first axle end body having a first centerline and (iii) a second axle end body having a second centerline, wherein the central centerline is offset from at least one of the first and second centerlines, wherein the e-foot is assembled between the central axle body of the pivot axle and a valve, wherein rotation of the pivot axle causes the e-foot to move relative to the valve setting lash of the switching rocker arm assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 19  wherein the central axle body locates between the first and second inner side arms. 
     
     
         21 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 20  wherein the central centerline is offset relative to the first and second centerlines a distance equal to a desired mechanical lash adjustment desired in the switching rocker arm assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first and second centerlines are coaxial. 
     
     
         23 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 22  wherein the pivot axle is eccentric. 
     
     
         24 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 19  wherein one of the inner and outer rocker arms defines a passage that extends to a corresponding bore that receives the pivot axle. 
     
     
         25 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising a securing member disposed through the passage that fixes the pivot axle relative to the one of the inner and outer rocker arms subsequent to setting lash. 
     
     
         26 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 25  wherein the securing member comprises flowable plastic that is configured to solidify. 
     
     
         27 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 26  wherein the pivot axle defines an annular groove around one of the first and second axle end bodies, wherein the securing member locates within the annular groove. 
     
     
         28 . A switching rocker arm assembly comprising:
 an outer arm having a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm, the outer arm defining outer bores;   an inner arm having a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm, the inner arm disposed between the first and second outer side arms, the inner arm defining inner bores;   a bearing axle that supports a bearing; and   a pivot axle cooperating with the outer and inner arms;   wherein the bearing axle comprises (i) a central axle body having a central centerline, (ii) a first axle end body having a first centerline and (iii) a second axle end body having a second centerline, wherein the central centerline is offset from at least one of the first and second centerlines, wherein the bearing is configured to engage a cam lobe and wherein rotation of the bearing axle causes the bearing to move relative to the cam lobe to adjust mechanical lash.   
     
     
         29 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 28  wherein the bearing axle is supported on opposite ends by torsion spring ends. 
     
     
         30 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 28  wherein one of the inner and outer rocker arms defines a passage, the switching rocker arm further comprising:
 a securing member disposed through the passage that fixes the bearing axle relative to the one of the inner and outer rocker arms subsequent to setting lash. 
 
     
     
         31 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 30  wherein the securing member comprises flowable plastic that is configured to solidify. 
     
     
         32 . The switching rocker arm assembly of  claim 31  wherein the bearing axle defines an annular groove around one of the first and second axle end bodies, wherein the securing member locates within the annular groove.