A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.

A method for assembling a camshaft from a support shaft and components to be connected to the support shaft, the components having through-openings for receiving the support shaft. In this method, a support shaft is provided, having first diametrical enlargements in first regions, in which the components are to be secured, and second diametrical enlargements in second regions, in which the components are to be pre-positioned. A diameter (D2) in the second regions is smaller than a diameter (D1) in the first regions The support shaft is cooled and/or the components are heated up, so that the support shaft can be pushed with its first and second diametrical enlargements through the through-openings of the components.

A method for obtaining a camshaft for an internal-combustion engine having a structure made of a single piece includes obtaining the camshaft by starting from a metal tubular element. The cams are obtained by expanding the tubular element within a die using high-pressure fluid. The tubular element can have an enlarged thickness in portions that are to form the cams. Forming with high-pressure fluid can be obtained using gas or liquid (for example, water or oil) at high pressure, at room temperature or at a higher temperature. The piece obtained is subjected to thermal treatment and to a grinding operation.

A cam follower is constituted by an outer ring which has an outer track surface in its inner circumference; a stud which has an inner track surface opposed to the outer track surface, a flange portion abutting on one side of the inner track surface, a side plate fitting portion and a mounting shaft portion abutting on another side of the inner track surface in this order, and a fiber flow formed continuously from the flange portion to the inner track surface along their outer circumferences; rolling elements which are arranged between the outer track surface and inner track surface; and an inner side plate which is pressed into the side plate fitting portion to work with the flange portion for limiting axial movement of the outer ring and the rolling elements.

A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.

A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.

An apparatus includes a ball plunger post and a valve stem post extending upward from a base, the ball plunger post having a size and a shape of a hydraulic lift adjuster (HLA) of a predefined engine, and the valve stem post having a size and a shape of a valve stem of the predefined engine. The apparatus includes a fixture sized and shaped to receive a switching rocker arm assembly, the switching rocker arm assembly having a first end for pivoting and a second end for latching, and a latch with a latch pin fitting into a latch bore and a latch seat. The apparatus includes a latch rod for positioning within the latch bore to rest upon the latch seat, the latch rod having a hardness higher than that of the latch seat and a same diameter as the latch pin, and adapted for coining the latch seat.

A mechanical system, comprising a tappet including a body, a support element defining two bores centered on a first axis, a pin comprising two opposite ends each adapted to be fitted in one of the two bores, and a roller element positioned between the two bores along the first axis and movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The support element is distinct from the body and fixed thereto, and the support element also comprises at least one antirotation device integrally formed thereto. The mechanical system can be integrated into an injection pump and/or a valve actuator.

A mechanical system comprising: a tappet, including a body; an insert mounted in the body; a pin extending along a first axis; and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The insert supports the pin, while the body supports the insert, along at least one first direction parallel to a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. The mechanical system can be integrated into an injection pump and/or a valve actuator.

A cam phaser (10) dynamically adjusts a rotational relationship of a camshaft (24) of an internal combustion engine with respect to an engine crankshaft (34). A cam sprocket (20) can be driven by an endless loop power transmission member connected to a drive sprocket (36) mounted for rotation with the engine 5 crankshaft (34). The cam phaser (10) can include a planetary gear drive train (12) having a centrally located sun gear (14) connected for rotation with the cam sprocket (20), a ring gear (18) connected for rotation with the camshaft (24), and a plurality of planet gears (16a, 16b) supported by a carrier (22) in meshing engagement between the sun gear (14) and the ring gear (18). A phase adjustment gear (26) can be 10 connected for rotation with the carrier (22). The sun gear (14) can drive the planet gears (16a, 16b) in rotation thereby causing the ring gear (18) to be driven in rotation. Rotational movement the phase adjustment gear (26) can adjustably vary a cam phase position of the camshaft (24) relative to the crankshaft (34).