A switching rocker arm for engaging a cam includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a first and a second side arm; a second arm disposed between the first and second side arms, having a first end and a second end, where the second arm is an inner arm. The second arm is pivotably secured adjacent its first end to the first arm adjacent the first end of the first arm. The rocker arm includes an over-travel limiter that limits pivoting motion of the first arm relative to the second arm, where the over-travel limiter is pivotally coupled to the outer arm and interacts with the inner arm.

A method of using a through axle switching rocker arm according to one example of the present disclosure is provided. The switching rocker arm comprises an outer and inner arm and a roller axle. The inner arm is pivotally coupled to the outer arm about a pivot axle and has an inner bushing that supports an inner roller. The inner bushing defines an inner diameter. The roller axle extends through the inner bushing and defines an outer diameter. The inner diameter of the inner bushing engages the outer diameter of the roller axle thereby inhibiting further pivoting of the inner arm relative to the outer arm defining a rocker arm travel constraint. The method includes designing first and second cam profiles based on the through axle switching rocker arm such that a difference in lift between the first and second cam profiles is held within the rocker arm travel constraint.

A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.

A variable valve drive for a lifting valve, such as a charge-exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, that is periodically movable between closed and open positions indirectly by way of a cam via a rocker lever. The variable valve drive includes a switchable rocker lever arrangement for the actuation of the lifting valve, having a transmission rocker lever and a valve rocker lever which are mounted pivotably on different rocker lever axles parallel to the camshaft axis. The valve rocker lever, is in operative contact with the lifting valve at a first end, and has a roller, at a second end. The transmission rocker lever, is in engagement with a cam of the camshaft and, is operatively connected to the roller of the valve rocker lever.

A method of using a through axle switching rocker arm according to one example of the present disclosure is provided. The switching rocker arm comprises an outer and inner arm and a roller axle. The inner arm is pivotally coupled to the outer arm about a pivot axle and has an inner bushing that supports an inner roller. The inner bushing defines an inner diameter. The roller axle extends through the inner bushing and defines an outer diameter. The inner diameter of the inner bushing engages the outer diameter of the roller axle thereby inhibiting further pivoting of the inner arm relative to the outer arm defining a rocker arm travel constraint. The method includes designing first and second cam profiles based on the through axle switching rocker arm such that a difference in lift between the first and second cam profiles is held within the rocker arm travel constraint.

A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.

An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head and a valvetrain including a poppet valve, a cam shaft on which is mounted a cam, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes a rocker arm and a cam follower configured to engage the cam as the cam shaft rotates. The rocker arm assembly is operative to transmit force from the cam to actuate the valve and includes an electrical device mounted to the rocker arm. A first electrical circuit includes the electrical device and a first conductor mounted to the rocker arm and a second electrical circuit includes a second conductor mounted off the rocker arm. The first and second conductors are inductively coupled to an extent that enables effective power transfer or communication between them. Inductive power transfer avoids the use of wires that could become caught, clipped, or fatigued and consequently short out.

A rocker arm assembly can comprise a main rocker, an auxiliary rocker, and a lost motion spring mounted to press on the main rocker and the auxiliary rocker. The main rocker can comprise a main body surrounding a main rocker bore, a valve end, a main cam end, and a main latch bore between the valve end and the main cam end. The auxiliary rocker can comprise an auxiliary body that is forked. A first auxiliary rocker bore and a second auxiliary rocker bore can flank the main rocker bore. A first auxiliary cam end and a second auxiliary cam end can flank the main cam end. A first auxiliary latch bore and a second auxiliary latch bore can flank the main latch bore. The lost motion spring can span over the main latch bore.

A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.

A variable valve duration/variable valve lift system may include a camshaft, a first cam portion including a first cam, into which the camshaft is inserted and of which a relative phase angle of the first cam with respect to the camshaft is variable, an inner bracket transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first cam portion, a slider housing into which the inner bracket is rotatably inserted, a first rocker arm having a first end contacting the first cam, a rocker shaft to which the first rocker arm is rotatably connected, a solenoid valve configured to selectively supply hydraulic pressure, a position controller configured to selectively change a position of the slider housing, a first bridge connected to a second end of the first rocker arm and to which a first valve is connected, and a valve lift disposed within the first bridge.