Switching roller finger follower latch pin anti-rotation device

Abstract

A switching rocker arm according to one example of the present disclosure includes an outer arm, an inner arm, a latch and a sleeve. The inner arm can be pivotally secured to the outer arm and have a latch bore. The latch can have a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion can include a latch flat. The sleeve can be one-piece and have a sleeve body that defines a sleeve bore having a sleeve flat. The latch can be received by the sleeve body. The latch flat can be keyed to the sleeve flat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A switching rocker arm comprising:
 an outer arm;   an inner arm pivotally secured to the outer arm and having a latch bore;   a latch having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a latch flat; and   a one-piece sleeve having a sleeve body that defines a sleeve bore having a sleeve flat, wherein the latch is received by the sleeve body and the latch flat is keyed to the sleeve flat.   
     
     
         2 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve bore is D-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 2  wherein the latch flat and the sleeve flat cooperate to inhibit rotation of the latch relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 3  wherein the latch and sleeve are received by the latch bore of the inner arm. 
     
     
         5 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1  wherein the distal end portion further includes an arm engaging surface. 
     
     
         6 . A switching rocker arm comprising:
 an outer arm;   an inner arm pivotally secured to the outer arm and having a latch bore;   a latch having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a latch slot; and   a sleeve having a sleeve body that extends from a first end to a second end and defines an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the inner diameter of the sleeve body having an integrally formed key thereon, wherein the latch is received by the sleeve body and the key of the sleeve body is keyed to the latch slot.   
     
     
         7 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the key extends an axial length of the sleeve from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the key extends a distance less than an entire axial length of the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 8  wherein the key is positioned closer to the first end than the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 8  wherein the key extends from the first end toward the second end and terminates at an intermediate location on the inner diameter between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         11 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the key has a square cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         12 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the key has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the latch slot and the key cooperate to inhibit rotation of the latch relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the latch and sleeve are received by the latch bore of the inner arm. 
     
     
         15 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6  wherein the distal end portion further includes an arm engaging surface. 
     
     
         16 . A switching rocker arm comprising:
 an outer arm;   an inner arm pivotally secured to the outer arm and having a latch bore;   a latch having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a latch slot; and   an integrally formed sleeve having a sleeve body that extends from a first end to a second end and defines an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the inner diameter having a key formed thereon, wherein the key extends from the first end toward the second end and terminates at an intermediate location on the inner diameter between the first and second ends;   wherein the latch is received by the sleeve body and the key of the sleeve body is keyed to the latch slot.   
     
     
         17 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 16  wherein the key has a square cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         18 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 16  wherein the latch slot and the key cooperate to inhibit rotation of the latch relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 16  wherein the latch and sleeve are received by the latch bore of the inner arm. 
     
     
         20 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 16  wherein the distal end portion further includes an arm engaging surface.