Rocker arm assembly with rotation-locking mechanism

Abstract

A rocker arm assembly can comprise a rocker arm. A rocker shaft comprises a channel and an oil path enclosed in the rocker shaft. The oil path is configured to supply hydraulic pressure within the rocker shaft to the channel. Rotation-locking mechanism comprises a locking pin or pressure pin configured to slide in the channel. The oil path is configured to supply oil pressure to the locking pin or pressure pin within the rocker shaft. The locking pin can be configured to slide in the channel between a locked position, where the locking pin abuts a groove, and an unlocked position, where the locking pin is withdrawn into the channel. Or, a locking pin can be configured to slide in the rocker arm between a locked position abutting the locking groove and an unlocked position where the locking pin is withdrawn into the rocker arm.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A rocker arm assembly comprising:
 a rocker arm comprising:
 a body defining a rocker shaft bore having a rocker shaft bore axis, the body further defining a locking groove formed along the rocker shaft bore; 
 a valve end extending from the body; and 
 a force-receiving portion; 
   a rocker shaft disposed within the rocker shaft bore, the rocker shaft defining a channel extending along a channel axis that is perpendicular to the rocker shaft bore axis, the rocker shaft further defining an oil path enclosed in the rocker shaft, the oil path configured to supply hydraulic pressure within the rocker shaft to the channel; and   a rotation-locking mechanism comprising a locking pin configured to slide in the channel of the rocker shaft, wherein the locking pin is biased to engage the locking groove,   wherein the entire oil path is configured to supply oil pressure to the locking pin within the rocker shaft.   
     
     
         17 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the channel and the oil path overlap within the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the channel is stepped, and wherein the locking pin comprises a shoulder within the oil path. 
     
     
         19 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a plug and a spring, wherein the spring is biased against the plug and the locking pin to push at least a portion of the locking pin out of the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a spring biasing at least a portion of the locking pin out of the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the locking pin is configured to slide in the channel between a locked position, where the locking pin abuts the locking groove, and an unlocked position, where the locking pin is withdrawn into the channel. 
     
     
         22 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking groove comprises a ramped portion configured to press on the locking pin when the rocker arm rotates on the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 22 , wherein an end of the locking pin includes a rounded surface, wherein the ramped portion of the locking groove engages with the rounded surface of the locking pin to force the locking pin into the channel. 
     
     
         24 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the locking groove further comprises a limiting end opposite from the ramped portion. 
     
     
         25 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking groove comprises a limiting end configured to abut the locking pin to prevent the rocker arm from rotating on the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         26 . A rocker arm assembly, comprising:
 a rocker arm comprising a body defining a rocker shaft bore;   a rocker shaft disposed within the rocker shaft bore, the rocker shaft defining a channel;   a locking groove defined by the body of the rocker arm or the rocker shaft;   a pin disposed within the channel of the rocker shaft, wherein the pin is movable within the channel; and   an oil path defined by and enclosed in the rocker shaft, the oil path being in fluid communication with the channel entirely within the rocker shaft, wherein the oil path is configured to deliver pressurized oil to the pin to move the pin to a disengaged position, wherein, when the pin is in the disengaged position, the rocker arm is free to rotate about the rocker shaft.   
     
     
         27 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the locking groove is defined by the body of the rocker arm and formed along the rocker shaft bore, and the pin is a locking pin comprising a shoulder within the oil path. 
     
     
         28 . the rocker arm assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the locking pin is moveable by the pressurized oil from the oil path away from the locking groove to the disengaged position within the channel of the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         29 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the locking pin is biased, via a spring, towards the locking groove to an engaged position, wherein, when the locking pin is in the engaged position, the locking pin engages with the locking groove to prevent free rotation of the rocker arm about the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         30 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the locking groove is defined by the rocker shaft, and the pin is a pressure pin comprising an oil pressure end within the oil path. 
     
     
         31 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the pressure pin is moveable by the pressurized oil from the oil path in a substantially radially outward direction relative to a rocker shaft axis of the rocker shaft to the disengaged position. 
     
     
         32 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising a locking pin disposed within the body of the rocker arm, the locking pin being engageable with the locking groove and the pressure pin, wherein, when the pressure pin is in the disengaged position, the pressure pin forces the locking pin to disengage from the locking groove. 
     
     
         33 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the locking pin is biased to engage with the locking groove, wherein, when the pressure pin is in an engaged position that is radially inward from the disengaged position, the locking pin is disposed within the locking groove to prevent free rotation of the rocker arm about the rocker shaft.