Rocker arm assembly and components therefor

Abstract

A method of precision manufacture of an outer arm of a rocker arm assembly is performed by determining structures of a rough outer arm that would require precision processing and locations to support the structures as they are processed. Starting with at least one structure requiring precision processing, locations on the outer arm close to the structure to hold the outer arm during processing are determined that would cause minimal distortion of the outer arm during processing. The outer arm is then provided with clamping lobes at these locations. The clamping lobes of the outer arm are clamping into a fixture for manufacturing. The slider pad may now be precision ground while the outer arm is clamped in the fixture with minimal risk of distortion of the outer arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rocker arm assembly for engaging a valve of an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:
 an outer arm comprising first and second outer side arms;   an inner arm comprising a cam contacting member, the inner arm disposed between the first and the second outer side arms;   a pivot axle configured to pivotally couple the inner arm to the outer arm, the pivot axle configured to permit pivoting movement of the inner arm relative to the outer arm about the pivot axle;   a dual feed hydraulic lift adjuster (DFHLA) engaging the rocker arm assembly at a first end of the rocker arm assembly, wherein the DFHLA is configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the rocker arm assembly;   a latch configured to selectively operate in one of a latched or an unlatched position, wherein the latch in the latched position rotatively couples the outer arm to the inner arm at a second end of the rocker arm assembly, and wherein the latch moves between the latched and the unlatched position in response to the hydraulic fluid pressure; and   at least one biasing spring secured to the outer arm, the at least one biasing spring in biasing contact with the cam-contacting member.   
     
     
         2 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axle pivotally couples the inner arm to the outer arm at the first end of the rocker arm assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cam contacting member comprises a slider pad. 
     
     
         4 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one roller. 
     
     
         5 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one slider pad. 
     
     
         6 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cam contacting member comprises a roller. 
     
     
         7 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one roller. 
     
     
         8 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one slider pad. 
     
     
         9 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker arm assembly is configured to operate the valve according to a first lift profile in response to the latch in the latched position, and to operate the valve according to a second lift profile in response to the latch in the unlatched position. 
     
     
         10 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first lift profile comprises a high lift profile. 
     
     
         11 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the second lift profile comprises a low lift profile. 
     
     
         12 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the low lift profile comprises a zero lift of the valve. 
     
     
         13 . A rocker arm assembly for engaging a valve of an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:
 an outer arm comprising first and second outer side arms;   an inner arm comprising a cam contacting member, the inner arm disposed between the first and the second outer side arms;   a pivot axle configured to pivotally couple the inner arm to the outer arm, the pivot axle configured to permit pivoting movement of the inner arm relative to the outer arm about the pivot axle;   a dual feed hydraulic lift adjuster (DFHLA) engaging the rocker arm assembly at a first end of the rocker arm assembly, wherein the DFHLA is configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the rocker arm assembly;   a latch for selectively securing the inner arm relative to the outer arm in response to the hydraulic fluid pressure, thereby selectively permitting lost motion movement of the inner arm relative to the outer arm about the pivot axle; and   at least one biasing spring secured to the outer arm, the at least one biasing spring in biasing contact with the cam-contacting member.   
     
     
         14 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the latch is configured to move to a latched position, securing the inner arm relative to the outer arm, in response to an increased hydraulic fluid pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the latch is configured to move to an unlatched position, permitting lost motion movement of the inner arm relative to the outer arm, in response to a nominal hydraulic fluid pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pivot axle pivotally couples the inner arm to the outer arm at the first end of the rocker arm assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the cam contacting member comprises a slider pad. 
     
     
         18 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one roller. 
     
     
         19 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the cam contacting member comprises a roller. 
     
     
         20 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one roller. 
     
     
         21 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the outer arm further comprises a second cam contacting member, and wherein the second cam contacting member comprises at least one slider pad.