Switching roller finger follower eccentric latch

Abstract

A switching rocker arm includes an inner arm, an outer arm pivotably secured to the inner arm and having a latch bore, and a latch pin configured for insertion into the latch bore. The latch pin includes a first portion having a first diameter, and a second portion having a second diameter. The second portion is eccentric to the first portion. The latch pin is selectively movable between a first position where the latch pin does not contact the inner arm, and a second position wherein the latch pin contacts the inner arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A switching rocker arm comprising:
 an inner arm;   an outer arm pivotably secured to the inner arm and having a latch bore; and   a latch pin configured for insertion into the latch bore, the latch pin having a first portion having a first diameter, and a second portion having a second diameter, wherein the second portion is eccentric to the first portion,   wherein the latch pin is selectively movable between a first position where the latch pin does not contact the inner arm, and a second position wherein the latch pin contacts the inner arm.   
     
     
         2 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion defines a latch shelf configured to be engaged by the inner arm. 
     
     
         4 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 3 , wherein the latch shelf is crowned. 
     
     
         5 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1 , wherein the latch bore includes a first bore sized to receive the latch pin first diameter portion. 
     
     
         6 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 5 , wherein the latch bore includes a second bore sized to receive the latch pin second diameter portion. 
     
     
         7 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6 , wherein a diameter of the second bore is smaller than a diameter of the first bore. 
     
     
         8 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a first end and a second end, and wherein the second portion is cylindrical from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 6 , further comprising a cage disposed within the latch bore. 
     
     
         10 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 9 , further comprising a biasing mechanism disposed between the cage and the latch pin. 
     
     
         11 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 10 , wherein the biasing mechanism includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed within a cage bore formed in the cage. 
     
     
         12 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing mechanism second end is disposed within a latch pin bore formed in the latch pin. 
     
     
         13 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 12 , wherein the latch pin bore is formed in the latch pin first portion. 
     
     
         14 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 5 , further comprising a hydraulic port fluidly coupled to the latch bore. 
     
     
         15 . The switching rocker arm of  claim 14 , wherein the hydraulic port is directly coupled to the first bore. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a switching rocker arm, the method comprising:
 providing an inner arm;   providing an outer arm having a latch bore;   pivotally securing the outer arm to the inner arm;   providing a latch pin having a first portion with a first diameter, and a second portion with a second diameter, wherein the second portion is eccentric to the first portion; and   inserting the latch pin into the latch bore such that the latch pin is selectively movable between a first position where the latch pin does not contact the inner arm, and a second position where the latch pin contacts the inner arm.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing the latch pin where the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming the latch pin second end with a latch shelf configured to be engaged by the inner arm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming the latch shelf with a crown. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming the latch pin second portion as a cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end of the second portion.