System for Synchronizing Switching Between Two Rockers

Abstract

A synchronizing system in a valvetrain assembly. A first rocker arm comprises a deactivating roller, the deactivating roller configured to be selectively switchable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A second rocker arm comprises an engine brake capsule, the engine brake capsule configured to be selectively translatable between a retracted position and an extended position. A first switching mechanism is arranged in the first rocker arm and configured to move between a first position and a second position to controllably switch the deactivating roller between the latched position and the unlatched position. A second switching mechanism is arranged in the second rocker arm and configured to move between a third position and a fourth position to controllably translate the engine brake capsule between the retracted position and the extended position. A single actuation source is configured to synchronously control (a) movement of the first switching mechanism from the first position to the second position and (b) movement of the second switching mechanism from the third position to the fourth position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A synchronizing system in a valvetrain assembly, the synchronizing system comprising:
 a first rocker arm comprising a deactivating roller, the deactivating roller configured to be selectively switchable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a second rocker arm comprising an engine brake capsule, the engine brake capsule configured to be selectively translatable between a retracted position and an extended position;   a first switching mechanism arranged in the first rocker arm and configured to move between a first position and a second position to controllably switch the deactivating roller between the latched position and the unlatched position;   a second switching mechanism arranged in the second rocker arm and configured to move between a third position and a fourth position to controllably translate the engine brake capsule between the retracted position and the extended position; and   a single actuation source configured to synchronously control (a) movement of the first switching mechanism from the first position to the second position and (b) movement of the second switching mechanism from the third position to the fourth position.   
     
     
         2 . The synchronizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first switching mechanism comprises a piston, a first pin, and a second pin coupled in series such that actuation motion applied by the single actuation source to the piston pushes the first pin and the second pin. 
     
     
         3 . The synchronizing system of  claim 2 , wherein the piston has a surface structure configured for receiving pressurized fluid in a manner that allows an increase of hydraulic pressure in a chamber to be able to actuate the piston. 
     
     
         4 . The synchronizing system of  claim 2 , wherein the piston is configured to be actuated mechanically or electrically by the single actuation source. 
     
     
         5 . The synchronizing system of  claim 2 , wherein the first pin has a first end that is movably coupled to the piston and at least partially accommodated by the deactivating roller such that when the piston is actuated, movement of the piston pushes the first pin to translate along a certain distance through an inner volume formed in the deactivating roller. 
     
     
         6 . The synchronizing system of  claim 2 , wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the second position, the first pin is received entirely within an outer boundary of the deactivating roller so as to allow the first pin to travel with the deactivating roller while avoiding interference with relative motion of the deactivating roller with respect to the first rocker arm. 
     
     
         7 . The synchronizing system of  claim 6 , wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the second position, the second pin is driven to exit the deactivating roller, thereby allowing relative motion of the deactivating roller with respect to the first rocker arm. 
     
     
         8 . The synchronizing system of  claim 2 , wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the first position, one end of the first pin associated with the piston extends out of the deactivating roller and further engages with a side wall of the first rocker arm in a way to lock the deactivating roller into secure fixation with the first rocker arm. 
     
     
         9 . The synchronizing system of  claim 8 , wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the first position, the second pin extends into the deactivating roller, thereby latching the deactivating roller with the first rocker arm. 
     
     
         10 . The synchronizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second switching mechanism comprises a spool valve arranged in physical contact with the first switching mechanism, and the synchronizing system further comprises a return spring configured to bias (a) the second switching mechanism toward the third position and (b) the first switching mechanism toward the first position. 
     
     
         11 . The synchronizing system of  claim 10 , wherein the second rocker arm comprises a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit, and the spool valve is configured to move between the third position and the fourth position to selectively enable or disable fluid communication between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit to controllably translate the engine brake capsule between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         12 . A synchronizing system in a valvetrain assembly, the synchronizing system comprising:
 a first rocker arm comprising a first deactivating roller, the first deactivating roller configured to be selectively switchable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a second rocker arm comprising a second deactivating roller, the second deactivating roller configured to be selectively switchable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a first switching mechanism disposed in the first rocker arm, the first switching mechanism configured to controllably latch or unlatch the first deactivating roller relative to the first rocker arm, the first switching mechanism being movable between a first position and a second position and comprising a piston, a first pin, and a spool valve coupled in series;   a second switching mechanism disposed in the second rocker arm, the second switching mechanism configured to controllably latch or unlatch the second deactivating roller relative to the second rocker arm, the second switching mechanism being movable between a third position and a fourth position and comprising a valve structure and a second pin; and   a single actuation source configured to synchronously control (a) movement of the first switching mechanism from the first position to the second position and (b) movement of the second switching mechanism from the third position to the fourth position;   wherein the spool valve of the first switching mechanism controls fluid communication to the valve structure of the second switching mechanism.   
     
     
         13 . The synchronizing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first rocker arm comprises a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit that both open into a first chamber in which the spool valve is located, wherein the first fluid circuit is connected to a fluid source. 
     
     
         14 . The synchronizing system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the first position, the spool valve allows fluid communication between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit;   wherein when the first switching mechanism is in the second position, the spool valve disrupts fluid communication between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit.   
     
     
         15 . The synchronizing system of  claim 14 , wherein the second rocker arm comprises a third fluid circuit comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to hydraulicly interface with the second fluid circuit of the first rocker arm via an interface formed between the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm, and the second end being connected to a second chamber that houses portions of the second switching mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The synchronizing system of  claim 15 , wherein movement of the second switching mechanism is actuated by fluid supplied into the second chamber through the first fluid circuit, the second fluid circuit, and the third fluid circuit, wherein fluid pressure in the second chamber causes the second switching mechanism to move from the third position to the fourth position. 
     
     
         17 . The synchronizing system of  claim 16 , wherein the valve structure of the second switching mechanism comprises a through passage that fluidly connects the second end of the third fluid circuit with interior space of the second chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The synchronizing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a first return spring coupled to the first switching mechanism and configured to bias the first switching mechanism toward the first position. 
     
     
         19 . The synchronizing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second return spring coupled to the second switching mechanism and configured to bias the second switching mechanism to the third position. 
     
     
         20 . The synchronizing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are pressed against each other in a substantially liquid sealed manner.