Cam follower assembly

Abstract

An improved cam follower includes a lifter body, a spring seat, a tower, a spring and an anti-rotation member defining at least one interference rib. The lifter body may engage with a cam via a rolling member. The lifter body defines a longitudinal axis, a first open end, and a second end. The spring seat which defines a spring seat opening may be disposed at the first open end of the lifter body. The tower which includes an upper flange may be couples a pushrod to the lifter body. The spring may be disposed between the spring seat and the upper flange of the tower. The anti-rotation member may be disposed proximate to the first open end of the lifter body and includes an outer surface and an inner surface with an interference rib integral to the inner surface which engages with an upper region of the lifter body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved cam follower for a vehicle engine comprising:
 a lifter body operatively configured to engage with a cam via a rolling member, the lifter body defining a longitudinal axis, a lifter body diameter, a first open end, and a second end;   a spring seat disposed at the first open end of the lifter body, the spring seat defining a spring seat opening;   a tower operatively configured to couple a pushrod to the lifter body, the tower being disposed in a pin housing through the spring seat opening at the first open end of the lifter body, the tower having an upper flange;   a spring disposed between the spring seat and the upper flange of the tower; and   an anti-rotation member disposed proximate to the first open end of the lifter body, the anti-rotation member having an outer surface and an inner surface with an interference rib integral to the inner surface which engages with an upper region of the lifter body.   
     
     
         2 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 1  wherein the interference rib is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lifter body. 
     
     
         3 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 1  wherein the interference rib is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lifter body. 
     
     
         4 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 2  wherein the rolling member is affixed to the lifter body at the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 3  wherein the rolling member is affixed to the lifter body at the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 4  wherein a planar surface is defined on the interior surface of the anti-rotation member proximate to a lower end of the anti-rotation member. 
     
     
         7 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 5  wherein a planar surface is defined on the interior surface of the anti-rotation member proximate to a lower end of the anti-rotation member. 
     
     
         8 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 6  wherein the interference rib is over-molded onto the planar surface. 
     
     
         9 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 7  wherein the interference rib is over-molded onto planar surface. 
     
     
         10 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 6  wherein the lifter body defines a compatible planar surface being configured to engage with the planar surface of the anti-rotation member. 
     
     
         11 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 7  wherein the lifter body defines a compatible planar surface being configured to engage with the planar surface of the anti-rotation member. 
     
     
         12 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 10  wherein the interference rib deforms upon actuation of lifter body and roller onto the cam during an initial operation of the vehicle engine. 
     
     
         13 . The improved cam follower as defined in  claim 11  wherein the interference rib deforms upon actuation of lifter body and roller onto the cam during an initial operation of the vehicle engine. 
     
     
         14 . An anti-rotation member for guiding a cam follower in a vehicle engine, the anti-rotation member comprising:
 an outer surface;   an inner surface; and   an interference rib integral to the inner surface, the interference rib being configured to deform and retain a first open end of a lifter body when the first open end of the lifter body engages with the interference rib.   
     
     
         15 . The anti-rotation member as defined in  claim 14  wherein the interference rib is over-molded onto the inner surface. 
     
     
         16 . The anti-rotation member as defined in  claim 14  wherein the interference rib is injection molded simultaneously with the inner surface and the outer surface.