VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEM COMPRISING FINGER FOLLOWER FOR LOBE SWITCHING AND SINGLE SOURCE LOST MOTION

Abstract

A switching finger follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The finger follower may be configured as a lost motion device and may include a biasing assembly and a travel limiter. The latch may support the lever in at least one precise position and may support the lever in a second position for partial lost motion, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.

Claims

1. A valve actuation system for use in an internal combustion engine valvetrain, the valve actuation system comprising: a first valve actuation motion source; and a finger follower assembly, comprising: a follower body having a pivot end and a motion transmitting end; a lever adapted to pivot relative to the follower body; a motion receiving component having a motion receiving surface disposed between the pivot end and the motion transmitting end, wherein the motion receiving surface is operatively connected to the first valve actuation motion source; and an adjustable support assembly including a movable latch configured to provide selective support to the lever, the adjustable support assembly adapted to alternately maintain the latch in a first latch position and a second latch position relative to the follower body wherein the adjustable support assembly further includes an actuating piston extending within a piston receiving bore in the latch and cooperating with the latch so as to define the first latch position and the second latch position, wherein the first valve actuation motion source is configured to provide main event valve actuation motions, auxiliary valve actuation motions, zero-lift valve actuation motions or a combination thereof.

2. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the actuating piston includes a transition surface which enables the lever to move the latch to the first latch position when the transition surface is engaged by the latch.

3. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support assembly is further adapted to provide engagement between the lever and the latch when the latch is in the first latch position.

4. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support assembly is further adapted to permit the lever to pivot to a lever position in which the lever is not engaged with the latch.

5. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support assembly is further adapted to provide engagement between the lever and the latch when the latch is in the second position.

6. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the actuating piston is adapted to provide a reactive supporting force on the latch when the latch is in the first latch position and when the latch is in the second latch position, and wherein the actuating piston includes a transition surface that is adapted to permit the latch and actuating piston to move when the latch is between the first latch position and the second latch position.

7. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the follower body further includes a guide bore, and wherein the latch is arranged to move within the guide bore.

8. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the follower body further includes a working fluid passage in fluid communication with the actuating piston.

9. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the actuating piston includes a first actuating piston surface adapted to support the latch in the first latch position, and a second actuating piston surface adapted to support the latch in the second latch position.

10. The valve actuation system of claim 9, wherein the first actuating piston surface extends at a first distance from an axis of the actuating piston, and wherein the second actuating piston surface extends at a second distance from the axis of the actuating piston.

11. The valve actuation system of claim 9, wherein the second actuating piston surface corresponds to the piston receiving bore.

12. The valve actuation system of claim 9, wherein the actuating piston further includes a transition surface between the first actuating piston surface and the second actuating piston surface, the transition surface adapted to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position when the actuating piston is actuated.

13. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the lever includes a lever surface adapted to engage a latch surface of the latch, wherein at least one of the latch surface and the lever surface includes an arcuate surface.

14. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the lever includes a lever surface adapted to engage a latch surface of the latch, wherein the latch surface and the lever surface are adapted to maintain a substantially similar contact geometry when the latch surface and the lever surface are engaged in all positions of the lever.

15. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the latch is adapted to move relative to the follower body in a latch motion direction and wherein the latch includes a substantially planar latch surface extending at a latch surface angle relative to the latch motion direction.

16. The valve actuation system of claim 15, wherein the latch is adapted to move relative to a guide surface on the follower body and wherein the latch surface angle is such that a majority of a loading force exerted by the lever on the latch is applied to the guide surface.

17. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the motion receiving component is a cam follower roller cooperating with the lever.

18. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the motion receiving surface is formed integrally on the lever.

19. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the lever is coupled to the follower body via an eccentric mounting element, which permits a position of a pivoting end of the lever to be adjusted relative to the follower body.

20. The valve actuation system of claim 1, further comprising a lever biasing assembly for biasing the lever towards the first valve actuation motion source.

21. The valve actuation system of claim 20, further comprising a travel limiter for limiting travel of the lever relative to the follower body.

22. The valve actuation system of claim 20, further comprising a hydraulic lash adjuster in the valvetrain, the hydraulic lash adjuster having a lash adjustment force, wherein the lever biasing assembly provides a biasing force on the lever that is greater than the lash adjustment force.

23. The valve actuation system of claim 20, wherein the lever biasing assembly comprises at least one resilient element disposed between the lever and the follower body.

24. The valve actuation system of claim 20, further comprising at least one follower body spring support disposed on the follower body and at least one lever spring support disposed on the lever, the lever biasing assembly including at least one respective resilient element disposed between the follower body spring support and the lever spring support.

25. The valve actuation system of claim 21, wherein a position of the travel limiter relative to the follower body is adapted to provide for adjustment of an upper limit of the travel of the lever relative to the follower body.

26. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source comprise at least one additive auxiliary valve actuation motions.

27. The valve actuation system of claim 26, wherein the at least one additive auxiliary valve actuation motion include at least one of an engine braking valve actuation motion or an internal exhaust gas recirculation valve actuation motion.

28. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source comprise at least one main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motion.

29. The valve actuation system of claim 28, wherein the at least one main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motion include at least one of a late intake valve closing valve actuation motion, an early exhaust valve opening valve actuation motion or an early intake valve closing valve actuation motion.

30. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the first valve actuation motion source is a dedicated cam assembly.

31. The valve actuation system of claim 1, wherein the first valve actuation motion source is a lost motion cam.

32. The valve actuation system of claim 1, further comprising: a second valve actuation motion source, wherein the follower body comprises a pair of arms having the lever disposed between the pair of arms and a pair of lateral motion receiving components disposed on respective ones of the pair of arms, wherein the motion receiving surface is operatively connected to the first valve actuation motion source and wherein the second valve actuation motion source is configured to provide main event valve actuation motions or auxiliary valve actuation motions to the lateral motion receiving components.

33. The valve actuation system of claim 32, wherein the auxiliary valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source comprise at least one additive auxiliary valve actuation motions.

34. The valve actuation system of claim 33, wherein the at least one additive auxiliary valve actuation motion include at least one of an engine braking valve actuation motion or an internal exhaust gas recirculation valve actuation motion.

35. The valve actuation system of claim 32, wherein the auxiliary valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source comprise at least one main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motion.

36. The valve actuation system of claim 35, wherein the at least one main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motion include at least one of a late intake valve closing valve actuation motion, an early exhaust valve opening valve actuation motion or an early intake valve closing valve actuation motion.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and other attendant advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. It will be understood that the description and embodiments are intended as illustrative examples according to aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of invention, which is set forth in the claims appended hereto. In the following descriptions of the figures, all illustrations pertain to features that are examples according to aspects of the instant disclosure, unless otherwise noted.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective of an example prior art switching finger follower and an engine valve train environment, which environment may be suitable for implementing aspects of the instant disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the finger follower system of FIG. 1 in an “on” state.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the finger follower system of FIG. 1 in an “off” state.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective, assembled view of an example finger follower assembly.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the example finger follower assembly of FIG. 4.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective exploded view of a finger follower adjustable support assembly.

[0029] FIG. 7 is cross-section in a lateral plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 4 in a first state, which may be an “off” or “unlocked” state.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross section in a transverse plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 4, in a first state.

[0031] FIG. 9 is cross-section in a lateral plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 4 in a second state, which may be “on” or “locked” state.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross section in a transverse plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 4 in a second state.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective, assembled view of a finger follower assembly according to a second embodiment, with application as a lost motion device.

[0034] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the lost motion finger follower assembly of FIG. 11.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a cross-section in a lateral plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 11 in a first state, which may be a state where some or all of the valve train motion is lost.

[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross-section in a lateral plane of the finger follower assembly of FIG. 11 in a second state, which may be a state where some or all of the valve train motion is conveyed. FIG. 15 is a cross-section in a lateral plane of another embodiment of a finger follower assembly which permits the lever to pivot free of a support assembly to facilitate full motion loss.

[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an eccentric pivot mount.

[0038] FIG. 17 is a cross section of the pivot mount of FIG. 16.

[0039] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of examples of first and second valve actuation motion sources in the form of a dedicated cam assembly.

[0040] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of examples of first and second valve actuation motion sources in the form of a lost motion cam.

[0041] FIG. 20 is a schematic, top view of a first example of a valve actuation system based on the finger follower assembly of FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 21 is a schematic, top view of a first example of a valve actuation system based on the finger follower assembly of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] As used herein, phrases substantially similar to “at least one of A, B or C” are intended to be interpreted in the disjunctive, i.e., to require A or B or C or any combination thereof unless stated or implied by context otherwise.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example assembled switching finger follower system 100 in accordance with the instant disclosure. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same system. In particular, the switching finger follower may comprise a body or housing 400, arranged to support or house various other system components. Body 400 may extend in a longitudinal direction from a motion transmitting end or valve engaging end 410, adapted to interface with or engage one or more engine valves, to a pivot end 420, adapted to interface with or engage a pivot, which may include an HLA. Body 400 may further comprise a pair of lateral, longitudinally extending arms 402 and 404, defining a lever recess or pocket 406 therebetween. Arms 402 and 404 may include respective pivot pin receiving bores 403 and 405 at the valve engaging end 410 for securing a lever pivot pin 412 therein. A pair of lateral roller followers 430 and 434 may be secured to arms 402 and 404 via shafts 432 and 436, respectively. The lateral roller followers 430, 434 are configured to receive valve actuation motions from complementarily configured valve actuation motion sources, for example, motion sources similar to the lateral cam lobes 9 illustrated in FIG. 1. Although the lateral followers are illustrated in roller form, it is appreciated that the instant disclosure need not be limited in this regard as the lateral followers could be implemented, for example, as flat follower contact areas extending from the body 400.

[0045] Body 400 may further support a lever 450 having a fastened end 452, that may be mounted to pivotably cooperate with the follower body 400, and extending in the longitudinal direction to a free end 460. The fastened end of lever 450 may be fastened to the lever pivot pin 412 secured to arms 402, 404 of the body 400.

[0046] Lever 450 may have a shape that is complementary to the recess or pocket 406 in the body 400, thereby providing for a nested positioning within the body 400 and an overall compact finger follower configuration. Lever 450 may be formed as a precision, unitary stamped metal (i.e., steel) component having a generally concave shape with a bottom wall 454 and an integral outer wall 456 extending from the bottom wall 454. A central portion of lever 450 may support and house a motion receiving component, cooperatively associated with the lever. The motion receiving component may be a central roller follower 440 supported on a shaft 442 affixed to the lever 450. Alternatively, the motion receiving component cooperatively associated with the lever may be a contact surface directly on or attached to the lever and adapted to directly engage the motion source or a valve train component cooperating with the motion source. A recess or cutout 458 may be formed in bottom wall 454 to accommodate the central roller follower 440. Free end 460 of the lever may have an arcuate or otherwise curved lever end wall 461 having an arcuate or otherwise curved end surface 462, for selectively engaging an adjustable support assembly 500 integrated into the body 400, as will be described. End wall 461 may extend to and be contoured to have a smooth transition with the bottom wall 454. Lever end wall 461 may extend between a reduced lateral dimension between the opposing portions of outer wall 456, which may provide added stability and strength as well as reduce the potential for deformation of the end wall 461 during operation.

[0047] As will be recognized, central roller follower 440 may be configured to selectively receive valve actuation motions from a complementarily configured valve actuation motion source. Referring, for example, to the engine environment described above with respect to FIG. 1, the central roller follower 440 may receive valve actuation motions from a central cam lobe, similar to cam lobe 8 in FIG. 1. As will be recognized, according to aspects of the disclosure, the finger follower configurations described herein have the advantage of permitting wider lateral and central follower dimensions compared to prior art systems such as the system described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. This, in turn, permits wider cam surfaces and may thus provide reduced contact stresses and wear between cams and followers, for example.

[0048] Referring additionally to FIGS. 6-10, the pivot end 420 of the finger follower body 400 may include a longitudinal bore 422 and a transverse bore 424 formed therein for housing components of an adjustable support assembly 500. Pivot end 420 may also include a concave recess or pocket 426 for interfacing with a suitable pivot assembly, such as a hydraulic lash adjuster having a post adapted to fit within the recess or pocket 426, and including a hydraulic passage 428 (FIG. 8) for delivering a pressurized hydraulic working fluid (oil) to the finger follower, as will be further described.

[0049] Adjustable support assembly 500 may include lever engaging member or latch 510 and an actuating piston 530 cooperatively associated therewith. Lever engaging member or latch 510 may be disposed in longitudinal bore 422, which includes a cylindrical guiding surface 423 for supporting and facilitating sliding movement of the lever engaging member or latch 510. Lever engaging member or latch 510 may have a generally cylindrical shape including an outer cylindrical surface 512 and a substantially planar lever engaging surface 514, which may extend at an angle to the axis of lever engaging member or latch 510. A transverse actuating piston receiving bore 516 may extend through the lever engaging member or latch 510 for receiving and cooperating with the actuating piston 530. Moreover, lever engaging member or latch 510 may be provided with chamfered surfaces 518 (FIG. 5) on each side, which transition from the outer surface of lever engaging member or latch 510 to the piston receiving bore 516 to provide for smooth interaction with the surfaces of piston 530. It will also be recognized that chamfered surfaces 518 provide for a reduction in the width of transverse piston receiving bore 516 and thereby eliminate the need for precise alignment of the transverse bore 516 with the piston 530 in order for the transverse bore 516 to engage the reduced diameter piston surface 532.

[0050] Actuating piston 530 may include a first support surface 532 adapted to engage and support the lever engaging member or latch 510 in a first position within longitudinal bore 422, which first position may correspond to an unlocked, or lower or retracted position of the lever 450 and central follower 440 relative to body 400. First support surface 532 may be a cylindrical surface having a first diameter. Actuating piston 530 may also include a second support surface 534 adapted to engage and support the lever engaging member or latch 510 in a second position within longitudinal bore 422, which second position may correspond to a locked, or raised, or deployed position of the lever 450 and central follower 440 relative to body 400. Second support surface may be a cylindrical surface having a second diameter, greater than the first diameter of first support surface and substantially corresponding to the diameter of the transverse bore 424 of body 400 and substantially corresponding to the diameter of transverse actuating piston receiving bore 516. Disposed between the first support surface 532 and second support surface 534 may be a transition surface 536 on the actuating piston 530, which transition surface 536 may have a generally tapered or conical shape adapted to provide for smooth transition of the lever engaging member from the first support position to the second position during a locking movement of the actuating piston. Transition surface 536 may also facilitate the reversion of the actuating piston to an unlocked position if actuating piston may be in an intermediate position between a fully retracted or fully deployed position within transverse bore 424, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] Operation of the adjustable support assembly 500 will now be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the example switching finger follower in an “unlocked” or off state, in which the lever 450 is in a lower position relative to the body 400. Piston 530 is retracted fully within transverse bore 424, bottoming against an end wall 425 of transverse bore 424. A biasing device, such as a coil spring 533, may be disposed in the transverse bore 424 to engage a spring seat 539 and bias the piston towards the retracted position. This position aligns the first support surface 532 of the actuating piston 530 with the transverse piston receiving bore 516 of lever engaging member or latch 510. Lever engaging member or latch 510 is retracted within the longitudinal bore such that contact surface 514 is positioned to contact the lever end surface 462 along a first line of contact, which may be at a lower position on the surface 514 of (i.e., below the axis of) lever engaging member or latch 510. A spring retaining cap 535 may be affixed to body 400 (i.e., by press fit or threads) to retain the spring 533 and piston 530 within the transverse bore 424.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the pivot receiving pocket 426 of body 400 may be hydraulically connected, via a hydraulic passage 428, to the transverse bore 424. When pressurized hydraulic fluid is not supplied to the first transverse bore via the passage 428, the biasing element (not shown) may bias the piston 530 leftward as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this state, the reduced diameter surface 532 of the piston 530 is aligned with the lever engaging member or latch 510. Because the lever 450 is thus maintained in a lower position relatively to the body 400, the central roller follower 440 is likewise maintained in a lower position, thereby establishing lash between the central roller follower 440 and its corresponding valve actuation motion source. This lash space causes any valve actuation motions that would otherwise be applied to the central roller follower 440 to be lost.

[0053] With additional reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, according to aspects of the disclosure, adjustable support assembly 500 may be actuated to cause the lever 450 to be supported at a second position relative to body 400. When pressurized hydraulic fluid is provided, for example, from a passage in the supporting HLA (not shown) via the passage 428 to the transverse bore 424, the leftward bias applied to the piston 530 may be overcome such that the piston 530 displaces to a point where the second support surface 536 is aligned with and supports the lever engaging member or latch 510. It will be recognized from the instant disclosure that other actuation techniques may be utilized instead of or in addition to the hydraulic fluid actuation system described by example herein. For example, pneumatic, electromagnetic or purely mechanically interacting components may be utilized to provide the motive force for actuation of elements, such as the actuating piston or pin 530 described. Transition surface 536 may cause the lever engaging member 510 to move (to the right in FIG. 9), from a first latch position to a second latch position, as the piston 530 moves. Consequently, as best shown in FIG. 9, the lever end surface 462 may contact the sliding member surface 514, in this case, at a comparatively high point of the sliding member contact surface 506. Lever 450 and central roller follower 440 are thus supported in a second position, in this case, higher than the position corresponding to the first (retracted) position of the lever support member 510 and central roller follower 440 may take up any lash between the central roller follower 440 and its corresponding valve actuation motion source. In this manner, valve actuation motions are applied to the central roller follower 440 and thereafter conveyed to the body 400 by virtue of the contact between the lever 450 and sliding member 510, and the further contact between the sliding member 510 and the body 400. As will be recognized from the instant disclosure, and as will be described in more detail in the context of a lost-motion, cylinder deactivation application below, the first and second positions of the latch may define alternative states of the lever. More particularly, in a lost-motion cylinder deactivation context, the first position of the latch may be a “normal” operating state facilitating a higher elevation of the lever relative to the follower body and the second position of the latch may be a (retracted) “lost-motion activated” operating state, wherein the lever does not engage the latch at all but instead may lower to a resting position relative to the follower body (i.e., facilitated by a stop defining a lower limit of travel of the lever). In this state, the lever is in a lower position such that all valve motion that would otherwise be conveyed by the motion source may be “lost” or absorbed by the finger follower system.

[0054] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the adjustable support assembly 500 provides advantages in distributing the load applied by the lever 450 (illustrated by the heavy black arrow in FIG. 9). More particularly, a vertical component of the load is distributed to the body 400 (illustrated by the vertical dashed arrow) via the engagement of outer surface 512 of lever engaging member, also referred to herein as a latch, 510 with interior surface of longitudinal bore 422. A horizontal component (illustrated by the horizontal dashed arrow) of the load is distributed through the lever engaging member or latch 510 to the piston 530. As will be recognized, the angle of lever engaging member surface 514 may be selected to provide for a majority of the load to distributed across a larger area of the guide surface of longitudinal bore 422, with a smaller component of the load being born by the actuating piston 530. It will be further recognized that, this load distribution will result regardless of the position of the lever engaging member or latch 510 within the longitudinal bore 422. Moreover, owing to the unique interaction of the lever end surface 462 with the surface 514 of the lever engaging member or latch 510, the potential for partial engagement between these elements is effectively eliminated. Additionally, by providing the lever end surface 462 with a substantially arcuate shape as shown, the contact stress between the lever engaging member 530 and lever end surface 462 may be controlled, that is, the size and geometry of the contact area between elements can be kept substantially consistent, in all operating states and positions of the lever relative to the body, i.e., regardless of the position at which the lever engaging member 530 engages the lever end surface 462. The lever engaging member surface 514 and lever end surface 462 may be adapted to maintain a substantially similar contact geometry in all positions of the lever in which it contacts the lever engaging member surface 514. This leads to improved durability and performance.

[0055] Still further, the unique interaction between the support surfaces of piston 530 and the lever engaging member or latch 510 provide for two positively defined switched support positions for the lever 450, which positions, and thus the corresponding motions of the actuated valves, may be very precisely controlled. Moreover, because the forces involved in the interaction of the piston 530 with the lever engaging member 530 are reduced, durability and consistency in performance are enhanced. A further related advantage of the example adjustable support assemblies according to aspects of the disclosure eliminate the potential for excessive contact stresses during intermediate engagement positions between the lever engaging member 530 and lever 450. Such intermediate positions would be positions that are not either the first or second engagement positions as described above. As will be recognized, when the piston 530 is in the retracted position, there is only one position in which the lever engaging member 530 can possibly be supported. If the lever engaging member is not in the first retracted position, no reactive force from the piston surface 532 is provided. Thus, in the event the lever engaging member 530 might remain in the second position or fail retract fully into the longitudinal bore 422 after piston 530 retracts, no reactive force will be provided when the load of the motion source is transmitted to the lever 450 until the lever engaging member 530 is in the first position. In this manner, the system avoids the application of load forces when the actuating components are not in either the first or second positions. Stated another way, the lever support assembly 500 is adapted to provide supporting force to the lever only in a first position or a second position. That is, if the piston 1530 is in the first position and the lever engaging member 1510 is in a position where it is not engaging the piston, the system permits the lever engaging member 1510 to “float” within the longitudinal bore 422 and no reactive force is provided by the piston on the lever engaging member until it properly seats against the piston 1530. The adjustable support assembly is thus adapted to allow the lever to move to the first position when the lever is not in the first position or the second position. This arrangement eliminates damage to the supporting components and provides for dependable and durable operation of the switching finger follower.

[0056] FIGS. 11-13 illustrates a second implementation, which embodies additional aspects according to the instant disclosure. This implementation may be useful as a lost-motion device in engine environments that employ a single motion source, such as a cam, for providing one or more lower lift events, such as auxiliary events, where some lift may be lost, and one or more higher lift events, such as combustion main events, where more (or all) lift from the cam lobe is conveyed to the engine valves. An example lost-motion engine environment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,347,383, for example, and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As will be recognized, in such applications, a single cam profile having multiple lobes thereon would be used in place of the combination of the central 8 and lateral cam lobes 9 in the environment described above with regard to FIGS. 1-3.

[0057] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example assembled lost-motion finger follower system 1000 according to an aspect of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of the same example system. The switching finger follower may have a general construction similar to the embodiment described above with respect to FIGS. 4-10. The structure and operation of the adjustable support assembly 1500, including piston 1530, lever engaging member 1510 and the interaction thereof with end surface 1462 are similar to the implementation described above, which will be understood to apply to this embodiment and need not be repeated. However, as will be recognized, the structure of the body 1400 and lever 1450 may be modified, as described below, to facilitate functioning of the system in lost-motion applications.

[0058] One modification may include the addition of a biasing assembly cooperating with the body 1400 and lever 1450 and adapted to bias the lever 1450 towards a raised or deployed position away from the body 1400. The body 1400 may include a pair of laterally extending spring retaining flanges 1402 and 1404. Respective resilient elements (e.g., coil springs) 1422 and 1424 are retained between the flanges and thus bias the lever 1450 and central roller follower 1440 in a direction towards the motion source (i.e., upward in FIGS. 11 and 12).

[0059] Another modification is that a travel limiter 1425 may be disposed on a pivot end 1430 of the body 1400 and be formed integrally therewith to limit rotation of the lever 1450 away from the body 1400 by engaging an upper surface 1463 of the lever end wall 1461. While the travel stop 1425 is illustrated as an integral component of the body 1400, it will be appreciated that the travel stop 1425 could be implemented as a separate component attached to the body 1400 or coupled thereto via another component. Moreover, travel stop 1425 may be provided with adjustable features, such as an adjustment screw threaded through the illustrated limiter and secured with a retaining nut to allow adjustment of the upper limit of travel of the lever 1450.

[0060] As known in the art, when a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) is incorporated into a single-source lost motion valve train, it is necessary to prevent expansion of the HLA during those operating states in which valve actuation motion is being lost, i.e., to prevent the HLA from taking up lash space purposely provided to selective lose valve actuation motions. In the illustrated embodiments, this is achieved by operation of the resilient elements 1422 and 1424 that are chosen such that the force exerted by these elements on the lever 1450 will be greater than force exhibited by an associated HLA when it attempts to expand to take up any available lash. In this manner, the resilient elements 1422, 1424 cause a sufficient load to be applied to the HLA to prevent undesired expansion thereof. On the other hand, uncontrolled application of the force provided by the resilient elements 1422 and 1424 to the HLA could cause undue compression or bleed-down of the HLA. Thus, the travel limiter stop 1425 may limit travel of the lever 1450 and, consequently, the force applied by the resilient elements 1422, 1424 to any accompanying HLA. The distance of travel of the lever 1450 permitted by the travel stop 1425 is preferably controlled so that when the HLA is operating to take up lash space in the valvetrain when the lever 1450 is against the travel stop 1425, the travel of the lost motion is equal to the valve lift events that are lost. For example, if the travel stop 1425 allows excessive stroke of the lever 1450, the lost motion operating state will lose excessive motion and the comparatively high-lift valve events (e.g., main events) will have excessive lash, resulting in undesirable lower valve lift and higher valve seating velocities. Conversely, if the travel stop 1425 allows inadequate stroke of the lever 1450, an insufficient amount of lash space will be established during lost motion operation and some of the valve actuation motion intended to be lost will nevertheless be conveyed by the finger follower to the engine valve. This can lead to undesirable consequences such as changed valve lifts and durations, or possibly add unwanted lift events when they are not desired. In embodiments in which the travel stop 1425 is attached to the body 1400 (rather than formed integrally therewith), the travel stop 1425 may be adjustable such the stroke of the lever 1450 can be precisely controlled.

[0061] Yet another modification, compared to the embodiment described above relative to FIGS. 4-10, may include the elimination of the lateral roller followers, as such elements may not be necessary in a single motion source environment where the finger follower system 1000 functions as a lost motion device.

[0062] In lost motion applications, the adjustable support assembly 1500, in similar fashion to the operations described above with regard to FIGS. 4-10, may provide at least two very precisely controlled positions of the lever 1450 relative to the finger follower body 1400. These two controlled positions may provide for two levels of conveyed motion from the motion source to the actuated valves. The first position may correspond to a partial motion conveyance, and the second position may correspond to full motion conveyance, for example. As will be recognized from the instant disclosure, the described embodiments may be adapted for lost-motion applications where all valve motion that would otherwise be conveyed from the motion source (cam) can be “lost” or absorbed by the finger follower system. In such a case, the lever may have only one precisely defined engagement position with the latch 510 and the lever may assume a second position in which the latch has no engagement with the lever, or where the latch engages the lever and supports it at a low enough position that no valve lift is conveyed from the motion source. The non-engagement configuration of the lever may eliminate the need for precision in manufacturing at least to define the second, disengaged position of the lever.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 13, in a state where the lever engaging member 1510 is in a retracted position and supported on the smaller diameter of piston 1530, the lever surface 1462 contacts the lever engaging member surface 1514 at a comparatively low point thereof. Lever 1450 and roller follower 1440 are maintained in a lower position relative to the body 1400, thereby establishing lash between the roller follower 1440 and its corresponding valve actuation motion source. This lash space causes any comparatively low-lift valve actuation motions that would otherwise be applied to the central roller follower 1440 to be lost, whereas any comparatively high-lift valve actuation motions are still received by the roller follower 1440 and conveyed to the finger follower body 1400 and ultimate to the engaged valves.

[0064] Referring additionally to FIG. 14, in a state where the piston 1530 may be hydraulically actuated to overcome the spring biasing force, piston may move to a point where the full diameter portion thereof fully occupies the transverse bore in the lever engaging member 1510. Lever engaging member 1510 is thus in a fully deployed position and the lever 1450 and follower 1440 are maintained in a comparatively high position to take up any lash between the follower 1440 and the valve actuation motion source. In this state, any comparatively low-lift valve actuation motions, as well as comparatively high lift valve actuation motions are applied to the roller follower 1440 and conveyed to the finger follower body 1400 and ultimately to the valve engaged thereby.

[0065] In addition to the precisely controlled positions of the lever 1450 relative to the finger follower body 1400 described above, and the resultant precise control of lost motion capabilities provided by the finger follower system, the configuration describe above also provides the advantage of eliminating intermediate positioning of the lever 1450 and thus intermediate conveyance of valve motion. As described above in detail with regard to the operation of the adjustable support assembly 500 in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-10, the adjustable support assembly 1500 may be adapted to provide support in two defined positions, owing to the interaction of piston 1530 and lever engaging member 1510.

[0066] FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment according to aspects of the disclosure, which may be useful in applications, such as cylinder deactivation applications, where complete loss of valve motion may be facilitated. In this embodiment, lower lever positioning is facilitated by an adjustable support assembly 2500 that permits the lever to pivot free of the latch 2510 and thus to a (second) lever position that is a lower position relative to the follower body than provided with the previously described embodiments. FIG. 15 illustrates the latch 2510 in a first position in which the larger diameter surface 2534 engages the transverse bore of latch 2510, supporting it in the extended position shown, where latch surface 2514 engages lever surface 2462, thereby retaining lever 2450 in the (first) position shown. This position may correspond to a “de-energized” state of the actuator piston 2530 (i.e., a “normally latched” lever position) where the lever 2450 is positioned to convey normal valve motion. According to aspects of this embodiment, when the piston 2530 is energized, the smaller diameter surface 2532 aligns with the latch transverse bore, permitting the latch 2510 to retract (i.e., move up and to the left in FIG. 15). This position of latch 2510 permits the lever 2450 to pivot to a lower position in which it is entirely free and not engaging the latch 2510. This configuration may thus be useful in applications, such as cylinder deactivation applications, where such a low lever position is required for full loss of valve motion.

[0067] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate details of a pivot pin 1412 that may be used in either of the aforementioned implementations. As shown, the pivot member 1412 comprises an eccentric shaft 920 formed therein. In particular, an axis of the shaft 920 is not aligned with an axis of the pivot member 912. Additionally, a threaded mounting hole 922 is provided in the eccentric shaft 920. As best shown in FIG. 17, the pivot member 912 may be supported by the body 400 with the lever 408 mounted for rotation on the eccentric shaft 920. A suitable fastener 1002 may be used to secure the assembly of the pivot member 912, lever 408 and body 400. By selectively rotating the pivot member 912, the position of the eccentric shaft 922 may be moved relative to the body 1400 such that the pivoting end of the lever 408 is likewise shifted upward or downward relative to the body 1400. In this manner, the pivot member 912 can be used to adjust or control the position of the lever 1450 to work with different cam profiles, establish varying lash settings or allow for less precise and costly manufacturing processes.

[0068] As will be recognized, various geometrical variations in the shapes of interacting surfaces of the lever engaging member or latch 510, actuating piston 530, lever end surface 462 and other surfaces described herein may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, lever engaging member or latch 510 may be provided with a curved or arcuate surface and lever 450 provided with a flat surface. Moreover, while described as cylindrical shaped elements, piston and lever engaging member may be provided with square or rectangular or other cross-sectional shapes.

[0069] For further example, while the lever engaging member 530 has been illustrated ad described as operating under the control of mechanical interaction with the piston 530, which is in turn hydraulically controlled, it is appreciated that other configurations for controlling the lever engaging member may be employed. For example, the lever engaging member 530 may be biased into its unlocked or off state by a resilient element, and a hydraulic passage may be connected to the bore in which the lever engaging member 530 resides such that application of hydraulic fluid to the passage causes extension of the lever engaging member 530 into its locked or on state while a locked volume of hydraulic fluid within the sliding member's bore maintains the lever engaging member 530 in its extended position. As another example, while the lever contact surface 462 has been illustrated as having an arcuate shape, this is not a requirement and other surface configurations, e.g., angled, semicircular, etc., may be equally employed. Further still, it will be appreciated that the configuration of the body 400 and lever 450 could be reversed, i.e., that a central body is provided with an outer, movable arm, which movable arm can be placed in an unlocked/off or locked/on state using one or more similarly configured sliding members as described above.

[0070] Examples of embodiments of valve actuation systems incorporating finger follower assemblies as described herein are further illustrated with reference to FIGS. 18-23. In particular, a valve actuation system in accordance with the instant disclosure may comprise a first valve actuation motion source in conjunction with a finger follower assembly as described herein, where the first valve actuation motion source is configured to provide main event valve actuation motions, auxiliary valve actuation motions, zero-lift valve actuation motions or combinations thereof.

[0071] As described above, main event valve actuation motions are valve actuations typically applied to intake and/or exhaust valves during the combustion of fuel for generation of positive power output by one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine. As further described above, auxiliary valve actuation motions are valve actuation motions that that allow one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine to operate in other, non-positive power generation modes of operation, or in variations of positive power generation mode. Auxiliary valve actuation motions my be further categorized as additive auxiliary valve actuation motions or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions. Additive auxiliary valve actuation motions are valve actuation motions that are made in addition to main event valve actuation motions and that do not otherwise modify a lift profile of such main event valve actuation motions. Non-limiting examples of such additive auxiliary valve actuation motions include engine braking (e.g., compression-release) valve actuation motions or internal exhaust gas recirculation (IEGR) valve actuation motions. On the other hand, main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions are valve actuation motions that result in some modification of a lift profile that would otherwise occur during a main event valve actuation motion. Non-limiting examples of such main event modifying valve actuation motions include late intake valve closing (LIVC) valve actuation motions, early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) valve actuation motions or early intake valve closing (EIVC) valve actuation motions. In the case of LIVC and EEVO, such auxiliary motions may be included with a standard main event valve actuation motions only on demand, i.e., where the main event valve actuation motions are the default valve actuation motions. On the other hand, EIVC operation may be achieved where the main event valve actuation motion is a narrowed (i.e., early closing) version of a standard main event valve actuation motion, such that incorporation of the EIVC auxiliary valve actuation motions modify the narrowed main event by extending its closing timing.

[0072] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, valve actuation motion sources may be implemented in a variety of forms provided that they provide the required valve actuation motions. FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate various embodiments of first and second valve actuation motion sources in the form of cams. In particular, FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a dedicated cam assembly 1800 comprising, in one embodiment, a first valve actuation motion source 1804 and a second valve actuation motion source 1806. That is, a dedicated cam assembly comprises more than one cam to provide main and auxiliary valve actuation motions or combinations thereof. Through the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1804, 1806, the dedicated cam assembly 1800 is capable of providing additive and/or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions in conjunction with main event valve actuation motions. Consequently, as described in further detail below, when combined with the finger follower assembly described in FIG. 4, the dedicated cam assembly 1800 may provide a valve actuation assembly in which additive and/or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions can be provided along with main event valve actuation motions.

[0073] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a lost motion cam 1900 in which a first valve actuation motion source 1904 is combined with a second valve actuation motion source 1906 in a single cam. As known in the art, such lost motion cams 1900 are defined by a base circle 1908 and a sub-base circle 1910. During a mode of operation in which only valve actuation motions from the first valve actuation motion source 1904 are conveyed (typically, a main event-only mode of operation), a valve train component is operated in a retracted/lost motion fashion such that only valve actuation profiles greater than or equal to the base circle 1908 are provided by a valve train to a corresponding engine valve, i.e., any valve actuation profiles below the base circle 1908 are lost. On the other hand, during a mode of operation in which valve actuation motions from both the first and second valve actuation motion source 1904 are conveyed (typically, an auxiliary mode of operation), a valve train component is operated in an extended/non-lost motion fashion such that all valve actuation profiles greater than or equal to the sub-base circle 1908 are provided by a valve train to a corresponding engine valve, i.e., no valve actuation profiles are lost. Once again, through the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1904, 1906, the lost motion cam 1900 is capable of providing only additive and/or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions in conjunction with main event valve actuation motions. Consequently, as described in further detail below, when combined with the finger follower assembly described in FIG. 11, the lost motion cam 1900 may provide a valve actuation assembly in which additive and/or auxiliary valve actuation motions can be provided along with main event valve actuation motions.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 20, a valve actuation system 2000 is illustrated comprising a dedicated cam assembly 1800 in combination with a finger follower assembly 2002 in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4 described above. In this embodiment, the first valve actuation motion source 1804 is operatively connected to lateral motion receiving components, i.e., the pair of lateral roller followers 430, 434, whereas the secondary valve actuation motion source 1806 is operatively connected to the motion receiving component or central roller follower 440. In this embodiment, the first valve actuation motion source 1804 may be configured to provide main event valve actuation motions, whereas the second valve actuation motion source 1806 may be configured to provide additive and/or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions as described above. In this manner, the latch 510 may be controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1806 are lost, thereby permitting only the valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source 1804 to be conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2002 to corresponding engine valves (not shown). On the other hand, the latch 510 may be controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1806 are not lost, thereby permitting the valve actuation motions provided by both the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1804, 1806 to be conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2002 to corresponding engine valves.

[0075] In a variation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the configuration of the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1804, 1806 may be modified to support cylinder deactivation operation using the finger follower assembly 2002 of FIG. 4. In this variation, the first valve actuation motion source 1804 is configured to provide degenerate or zero-lift valve actuation motions. For example, in the context of a cam, such zero-lift valve actuation motions would result when the cam implementing the first valve actuation motion source does not include any lobes extending above a base circle of the cam, i.e., only a base circle is provided. Additionally in this variation, the second valve actuation motion source is configured to provide main event valve actuation motions. In this configuration, when the latch 510 is controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1806 are lost, only the valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source 1804 are conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2002 to corresponding engine valves. However, because the first valve actuation source 1804 is configured to only provide zero-lift valve actuation motions, the corresponding engine valves are not opened, thereby effectuating a cylinder deactivation mode of operation. On the other hand, when the latch 510 is controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1806 are not lost, the valve actuation motions provided by both the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1804, 1806 to be conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2002 to corresponding engine valves. In this case, the main event valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1806 are combined with the zero-lift valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source 1804, with the net effect that only main event valve actuation motions are conveyed to the engine valves.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 21, a valve actuation system 2100 is illustrated comprising a lost motion cam 1900 in combination with a finger follower assembly 2102 in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 11 described above. In this embodiment, both the first and second valve actuation motion source 1904, 1906 are operatively connected to the motion receiving component, i.e., central roller follower 440. In this embodiment, the first valve actuation motion source 1904 may be configured to provide main event valve actuation motions, whereas the second valve actuation motion source 1906 may be configured to provide additive and/or main event modifying auxiliary valve actuation motions as described above. In this manner, the latch 510 may be controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1906 are lost, thereby permitting only the valve actuation motions provided by the first valve actuation motion source 1904 to be conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2102 to corresponding engine valves (not shown). On the other hand, the latch 510 may be controlled as described above such that valve actuation motions provided by the second valve actuation motion source 1906 are not lost, thereby permitting the valve actuation motions provided by both the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1904, 1906 to be conveyed by the finger follower assembly 2102 to corresponding engine valves.

[0077] As before, it is understood that the finger follower assembly 2102 may also be operated such that all valve actuation motions (from both the first and second valve actuation motion sources 1904, 1906) are lost thereby facilitating, for example, cylinder deactivation operation of a given cylinder.

[0078] Although the present implementations have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.