Rocker arm assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6484682
  • Patent Number
    6,484,682
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, January 25, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 26, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
There is provided a rocker arm assembly for mounting on a carrier in an internal combustion engine that can be pre-assembled and installed on the rocker carrier decreasing manufacturing time and cost. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker arm, a fulcrum plate, a retaining clip, and a pivot ball that in cooperation with the retaining clip cooperatively connects the fulcrum plate and the rocker arm such that the pivot ball provides a pivot point for the rocker arm to pivot and thereby actuate at least one valve or valve bridge. The rocker arm further comprises a push rod cup, an aperture, pivot ball cup, and a pivot foot. The fulcrum plate can be a dual fulcrum plate, which holds two rocker arms, or an end fulcrum plate, which holds one rocker arm. The rocker arms can be either intake or exhaust rocker arms.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to valve trains in internal combustion engines. More particularly, this invention relates to valve trains using rocker arms to actuate intake and exhaust valves in a diesel engine.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Internal combustion engines have rocker arms to actuate intake and exhaust valves, which permit air to enter and exhaust to leave each cylinder. There are separate rocker arms for each valve. Push rods cause the rocker arms to rotate or pivot and thereby actuate the valves. The push rods extend through the engine to connect to a camshaft. As the camshaft rotates, the push rods move the rocker arms to open and close the valves. The camshaft is designed to open and close the valves in conjunction with the cycling of the piston in the cylinder.




Some rocker arm designs are made from castings. To reduce the weight and bulkiness associated with castings, recent rocker arm designs are made of plate material. However, the plate designs require pre-assembly into a rocker arm assembly for ease of installation in the engine. A clip is used to pre-assemble the rocker arm assembly. The clips are difficult to install and often do not keep the rocker arm assembly together before installation. In addition, the contact point between the rocker arm and the valve in these designs does not remain level as the rocker arm rotates which causes wear on the surface of the valve assembly.




Accordingly, there is a need for a rocker arm assembly having pre-assembly capability and reduced wear on the valve assembly during operation.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides a rocker arm assembly for mounting on a carrier in an internal combustion engine which can be pre-assembled and installed on the rocker carrier to thereby decreased engine manufacturing time and cost. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker arm, a fulcrum plate, a retaining clip, and a pivot ball that in cooperation with the retaining clip cooperatively connects the fulcrum plate and the rocker arm such that the pivot ball provides a pivot point for the rocker arm to pivot about and actuate at least one valve or valve bridge. The rocker arm further comprises a push rod cup, an aperture, a pivot ball cup, and a pivot foot. The fulcrum plate in the rocker arm assembly can be a dual fulcrum plate, which would hold two rocker arms, or an end fulcrum plate, which would hold a single rocker arm. Further, the rocker arms can be either an intake rocker arm or an exhaust rocker arm.











The following drawings and description set forth additional advantages and benefits of the invention. More advantages and benefits are obvious from the description and may be learned by practice of the invention.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention may be better understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:





FIG. 1

shows a top view of a rocker arm assembly on a rocker carrier according to the present invention;





FIG. 2



a


shows a top view of a dual rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

according to the present invention;





FIG. 2



b


shows a perspective section view along the line H—H of the dual rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 2



a;







FIG. 3



a


shows a top view of a first end rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

according to the present invention;





FIG. 3



b


shows a perspective section view along the line G—G of the first end rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 3



a;







FIG. 4



a


shows a top view of a second end rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

according to the present invention;





FIG. 4



b


shows a perspective section view along the line J—J of the second end rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 4



a;







FIG. 5

shows a cross-sectional view along the section line A—A of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 6

shows a cross-sectional end view along the section line C—C of an exhaust rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 7

shows a cross-sectional end view along section B—B of an intake rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 8

shows a cross-sectional interior view along the section line D—D of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 9

shows a cross-sectional interior view along the section line E—E of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIGS. 10



a


and


10




b


show a perspective and bottom view of the dual rocker fulcrum plate for the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b


show a perspective and bottom view of an end intake rocker fulcrum plate of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIGS. 12



a


and


12




b


show a perspective and bottom view of the end exhaust rocker fulcrum plate of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 13

shows a side view of a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


show a front and side view of a retaining clip of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

;





FIG. 15

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assembly on a second embodiment of the rocker carrier according to the present invention;





FIG. 16

show a perspective front view of the retaining clip of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b;







FIG. 17

shows a side view of the rocker arms for the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 18

show a top perspective view of the dual rocker arm assembly shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


, and


15


;





FIG. 19

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assembly on the rocker carrier shown in

FIG. 1

; and





FIG. 20

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier of

FIGS. 1 and 19

installed on a cylinder head.











DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIG. 1

shows a top view of a rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


on a rocker carrier


1


according to the present invention. The rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


is preferably mounted on a rocker carrier


1


that is adapted for mounting on top of a cylinder head (shown in

FIG. 20

) in an internal combustion engine, e.g., a gasoline or diesel engine. The rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


depicted in

FIG. 1

is mounted on the cylinder head of a six-cylinder engine with V-type configuration. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


and corresponding rocker carrier


1


can be easily modified to cooperatively mount on an eight cylinder V-type engine (as shown in FIG.


15


). The rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


and carrier


1


could also be adapted for use in in-line cylinder engines or other engine types. Moreover, the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


can be interchangeably mounted on a rocker carrier


1


that is mountable on either cylinder head bank or side of an engine.





FIG. 1

shows the rocker arm assembly or assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


cooperatively mounted on the rocker carrier


1


on corresponding rocker arm pedestals


35


,


30


and


40


. The rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


are cooperatively attached to the rocker carrier rocker arm pedestals


35


,


30


and


40


by hold down bolts


36


,


31


and


41


. Additionally, the hold down bolts


36


,


31


and


41


shown in

FIG. 1

also improve the stiffness of the fulcrum plates


128


,


138


and


148


by tying the plates to the rocker carrier


1


. The hold down bolts


36


,


31


and


41


allow the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


to be pre-installed on the rocker carrier


1


before the head bolts


2036


,


2031


and


2041


(shown in

FIG. 20

) are installed. As a result, the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


can be pre-assembled and installed on the rocker carrier


1


thereby decreasing engine manufacturing time and costs.




The rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


comprise rocker arms


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


which are used to actuate corresponding valve bridges (not shown) when actuated by push rods (not shown) at appropriate times. The location of the rocker arm pedestals


35


,


30


and


40


is important because the rocker arm pedestals


35


,


30


and


40


locate and position the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


. Correct location of the rocker arm pedestals


30


,


35


and


40


will lead to equally distributed loads on the valve bridges (not shown) which actuate the valves. Uneven loading of the valve bridges can result in uneven loading of the valves and edge loading of the stems which leads to premature wear and reduced life of valve stems. The rocker arm assembly can be any of three preferred types of rocker arm assemblies used with the rocker carrier


1


, i.e., a first end rocker arm assembly


120


, a dual rocker arm assembly


130


, or a second end rocker arm assembly


140


. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that other rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


configurations are possible and may be used as well.





FIG. 1

shows two dual rocker arm assemblies


130


mounted on respective rocker carrier dual rocker arm end pedestals


30


. The dual rocker arm assemblies


130


are preferably mounted in a central part of the rocker carrier


1


between the first and second rocker carrier end walls


15


and


20


. The dual rocker arm assemblies


130


have dual rocker arm fulcrum plates


138


which are cooperatively mounted and attached to the dual rocker arm pedestals


30


via hold down bolts


31


, e.g., an M-8 type bolt.




The dual rocker arm assembly


130


preferably comprises a dual rocker arm fulcrum plate


138


and two rocker arms


125


and


135


. Further, a pivot foot member


1353


, a pivot foot clip or fastener


1363


(shown in FIG.


13


), a retaining clip


205


and


210


(shown in

FIG. 2



a


) and a gage or pivot ball


215


and


220


(shown in

FIG. 2



b


) correspond to each rocker arm


125


and


135


. The rocker arms


125


and


135


each further preferably comprise a push rod cup


127


and


137


, a gage or pivot ball cup


250


and


255


(shown in

FIG. 2



b


), a rocker arm aperture


270


and


275


(shown in

FIG. 2



b


), and a front or pivot foot


123


and


133


having a pivot foot cup


213


and


233


(shown

FIG. 2



b


). The dual rocker arm fulcrum plate


138


preferably provides cooperative support for and holds two rocker arms


125


and


135


. The two rocker arms


125


and


135


are preferably an intake rocker arm


125


and an exhaust rocker arm


135


. However, the two rocker arms


125


and


135


could be the same in other engine configurations or applications.




Further, the dual fulcrum plate


138


is preferably configured to have to a pair of hold down bolt passages


225


and


230


(shown in

FIG. 2



b


) to accept hold down bolts


31


which will tie the dual fulcrum plate


138


to the dual rocker arm pedestal


30


. The dual fulcrum plate


138


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


235


(shown in

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




b


) to accept a long head bolt


2031


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crank case. The head bolts


2031


,


2036


,


2041


and


2050


provide the clamp load on the head gasket between the cylinder head and the crank case (not shown) which will result in a more uniform cylinder head to crank case joint.




During an intake cycle, an intake push rod (not shown) in the intake push rod passage


55


will actuate the intake rocker arm


125


via the push rod cup


127


. The intake rocker arm


125


will pivot via the gage or pivot ball


220


which will in turn move or swing the intake rocker arm


125


pivot foot


123


downward. The intake pivot foot


123


will in turn actuate intake valves (not shown) via a corresponding intake valve bridge (not shown). During an exhaust cycle, an exhaust push rod (not shown) in the exhaust push rod passage


56


will actuate the exhaust rocker arm


135


via the push rod cup


137


. The exhaust rocker arm


135


will pivot via the gage or pivot ball


215


which will in turn move or swing the exhaust rocker arm


135


pivot foot


133


downward. The exhaust pivot foot


133


will in turn actuate exhaust valves (not shown) via a corresponding exhaust valve bridge (not shown). In the preferred embodiment of

FIG. 1

, the intake and exhaust rocker arms


125


and


135


mounted on the dual fulcrum plate


138


will each operate a valve bridge or valves on different or adjacent engine cylinders or combustion chambers.





FIG. 1

, also shows a first end rocker arm assembly


120


mounted on a respective rocker carrier first rocker arm end pedestal


35


. The first end rocker arm assembly


120


is preferably mounted adjacent to the first rocker carrier end wall


15


. The first end rocker arm assembly


120


has a first rocker arm end fulcrum plate


128


which is cooperatively mounted and attached to the first rocker arm end pedestal


35


via a hold down bolt


36


, e.g., an M-8 type bolt.




The first end rocker arm assembly


120


preferably comprises a first rocker arm end fulcrum plate


128


and a rocker arm


115


. Further, a pivot foot member


1353


, a pivot foot clip or fastener


1363


(shown in FIG.


13


), a retaining clip


305


(shown in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


) and a gage or pivot ball


315


(shown in

FIG. 3



b


) correspond to the rocker arm


115


. The rocker arm


115


further preferably comprises a push rod cup


117


, a gage or pivot ball cup


350


(shown in

FIG. 3



b


), a rocker arm aperture


370


(shown in

FIG. 3



b


), and a front or pivot foot


113


having a pivot foot cup


323


(shown

FIG. 3



a


). The first rocker arm end fulcrum plate


128


provides cooperative support for and holds one rocker arm


115


which is preferably an intake rocker arm


115


. The rocker arm


115


could be an exhaust rocker arm in other engine configurations or applications.




Further, the first end fulcrum plate


128


is preferably configured to have to a hold down bolt passage


325


(shown in

FIG. 3



b


) to accept a hold down bolt


36


which will tie the first end fulcrum plate


128


to the first rocker arm end pedestal


35


. The first end fulcrum plate


128


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


335


(shown in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


) to accept a long head bolt


2036


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crankcase.




During an intake cycle, an intake push rod (not shown) in the intake push rod passage


55


will actuate the intake rocker arm


115


via the push rod cup


117


. The intake rocker arm


115


will pivot via the gage or pivot ball


315


which will in turn move or swing the intake rocker arm


115


pivot foot


113


downward. The intake pivot foot


113


will in turn actuate intake valves (not shown) via a corresponding intake valve bridge (not shown).





FIG. 1

also shows a second end rocker arm assembly


140


mounted on a respective rocker carrier second rocker arm end pedestal


40


. The second end rocker arm assembly


140


is preferably mounted adjacent to the second rocker carrier end wall


20


. The second end rocker arm assembly


140


has a second rocker arm end fulcrum plate


148


which is cooperatively mounted and attached to the second rocker arm end pedestal


40


via a hold down bolt


41


, e.g., an M-8 type bolt.




The second end rocker arm assembly


140


preferably comprises a second rocker arm end fulcrum plate


148


and a rocker arm


145


. Further, a pivot foot member


1353


, a pivot foot clip or fastener


1363


(shown in FIG.


13


), a retaining clip


405


(shown in

FIGS. 4



a


and


4




b


) and a gage or pivot ball


415


(shown in

FIG. 4



b


) correspond to the rocker arm


145


. The rocker arm


145


further preferably comprises a push rod cup


147


, a gage or pivot ball cup


455


(shown in

FIG. 4



b


), a rocker arm aperture


475


(shown in

FIG. 4



b


), and a front or pivot foot


143


having a pivot foot cup


433


(shown

FIG. 4



a


). The second rocker arm end fulcrum plate


148


provides cooperative support for and holds one rocker arm


145


which is preferably an exhaust rocker arm


145


. The rocker arm


145


could be an intake rocker arm in other engine configurations or applications.




Further, the second end fulcrum plate


148


is preferably configured to have to a hold down bolt passage


425


(shown in

FIG. 4



b


) to accept a hold down bolt


41


which will tie the second end fulcrum plate


148


to the second rocker arm end pedestal


40


. The second end fulcrum plate


148


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


435


(shown in

FIGS. 4



a


and


4




b


) to accept a long head bolt


2041


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crank case.




During an exhaust cycle, an exhaust push rod (not shown) in the exhaust push rod passage


56


will actuate the exhaust rocker arm


145


via the push rod cup


147


. The exhaust rocker arm


145


will pivot via the gage or pivot ball


415


which will in turn move or swing the exhaust rocker arm


145


pivot foot


143


downward. The exhaust pivot foot


143


will in turn actuate exhaust valves (not shown) via a corresponding exhaust valve bridge (not shown).





FIG. 2



a


shows a top view of a dual rocker arm assembly


130


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 2



a


shows a dual rocker arm fulcrum plate


138


with an intake


125


and exhaust


135


rocker arm. The intake and exhaust rocker arms


125


and


135


have push rod cups


127


and


137


on one end


227


and


237


and pivot foots


123


and


133


on opposing front end


203


and


213


. The rocker arms


125


and


135


are shown cooperatively attached to the dual fulcrum plate


138


by corresponding rocker arm retaining clips


205


and


210


.




Also partially shown are pivot foot retaining clips or fasteners


1363


(shown in

FIG. 13

) secured to the pivot foot cup


223


and


233


on the front end


203


and


213


of the rocker arms


125


and


135


. The pivot foot clips


1363


preferably secure a pivot foot member


1353


(shown in

FIG. 13

) in the pivot foot cups


223


and


233


which correspond to the pivot foot


123


and


133


of the rocker arms


125


and


135


. Securing prongs


1365


(shown in

FIG. 13

) of the pivot foot clip


1363


are preferably wrapped around the outside of the pivot foot cups


223


and


233


to secure the pivot foot member


1353


therein. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the pivot foot retaining clip


1363


can be configured differently and secured to the rocker arm differently. For example, the pivot foot clip


1363


could instead wrap the securing prongs


1365


completely around the front end


203


and


213


of the rocker arm


125


and


135


, or insert the securing prongs


1365


in the front end


203


and


213


, to secure the pivot foot member


1353


therein.





FIG. 2



b


shows a perspective section view along the line H—H of the dual rocker arm assembly


130


shown in

FIG. 2



a


.

FIG. 2



b


shows that the dual fulcrum plate


138


preferably comprises a pair of hold down bolt passages


225


and


230


to accept hold down bolts


31


which will tie down the dual fulcrum plate


138


to the dual rocker arm pedestal


30


(shown in FIG.


1


). The dual fulcrum plate


138


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


235


to accept a long head bolt


2031


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crank case.





FIG. 2



b


also shows the preferred dual rocker arm assembly


130


. In the dual rocker arm assembly


130


, the rocker arm retaining clips


205


&


210


(also shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) and the gage or pivot ball


215


and


220


have a preferred configuration or preferred positioning such that the rocker arms


125


and


135


can be cooperatively mounted or attached to the dual fulcrum plate


138


.




The rocker arm clip


205


and


210


mounts onto the ends


207


and


212


of the dual fulcrum plate, preferably via a compression fit. The rocker arm


125


and


135


is placed on the retainer clip top portion


1405


(shown in

FIG. 14



a


) via the rocker arm aperture


270


and


275


(shown in FIG.


13


). The rocker arm aperture


270


and


275


preferably has the gage or pivot ball cup


250


and


255


at the bottom


1375


(shown in

FIG. 13

) of the rocker arm aperture


270


and


275


. The rocker arm


125


and


135


could also have another appropriate configuration that will hold the pivot ball


215


and


220


. The gage or pivot ball


215


and


220


is placed in the pivot ball cup


250


and


255


. The retainer clip top portion


1405


is then compressed, by pushing on the rocker arm


125


and


135


and moving or swinging the rocker arm


125


and


135


towards the dual fulcrum plate


138


until the pivot ball


215


and


220


“snaps” into an indent portion or pivot ball area


260


and


265


in the underside of the dual fulcrum plate


138


.




The dual rocker arm assembly


130


is now preferably assembled and operational. The gage or pivot ball


215


and


220


allows the rocker arm


125


and


135


to pivot. The retainer clip


205


arid


210


and the pivot ball


215


and


220


also maintain the rocker arms


125


and


135


cooperatively coupled or attached to the dual fulcrum plate


138


. The rocker arms


125


and


135


can be disassembled by again compressing the rocker arm


125


and


135


against the retainer clip top portion


1405


and swinging the rocker arms


125


and


135


out away from the dual fulcrum plate


138


.





FIG. 3



a


shows a top view of a first end rocker arm assembly


120


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 3



a


shows a first rocker arm end fulcrum plate


128


with an intake rocker arm


115


. The intake rocker arm


115


has a push rod cup


117


on a rear end


317


and a pivot foot


113


on an opposing front end


303


. The rocker arm


115


is shown cooperatively attached to the first end fulcrum plate


128


by a rocker arm retaining clip


305


.




Also partially shown is a pivot foot retaining clip or fastener


1363


(shown in

FIG. 13

) secured to the pivot foot cup


323


on the front end


303


of the rocker arm


115


. The pivot foot clip


1363


is preferably secured to pivot foot member


1353


(shown in

FIG. 13

) in the pivot foot cup


323


which corresponds to the pivot foot


113


of the rocker arm


115


. The pivot foot clip


1363


preferably secures the pivot foot member


1353


(shown in

FIG. 13

) to the pivot foot cup


323


in the same manner as described for the dual rocker arm fulcrum assembly


130


of

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




a.







FIG. 3



b


shows a perspective section view along the line G—G of the first end rocker arm assembly


120


shown in

FIG. 3



a


.

FIG. 3



b


shows that the first end fulcrum plate


128


preferably comprises a hold down bolt passage


325


to accept a hold down bolt


36


which will tie down the first end fulcrum plate


128


to the first rocker arm end pedestal


35


(shown in FIG.


1


). The first end fulcrum plate


128


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


335


to accept a long head bolt


2036


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crank case.





FIG. 3



b


also shows the preferred first end rocker arm assembly


120


. In the first end rocker arm assembly


120


, the rocker arm retaining clip


305


(also shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) and the gage or pivot ball


315


have a preferred configuration or preferred positioning such that the rocker arm


115


can be cooperatively mounted or attached to the first end fulcrum plate


128


.




The rocker arm retainer clip


305


mounts onto an end


312


of the first end fulcrum plate


128


, preferably via a compression fit. The rocker arm


115


is placed on the retainer clip top portion


1405


(shown in

FIG. 14



a


) via the rocker arm aperture


370


(similar to one shown in FIG.


13


). The rocker arm aperture


370


preferably has the gage or pivot ball cup


350


at the bottom


1375


(shown in

FIG. 13

) of the rocker arm aperture


370


. The rocker arm


115


could also have another appropriate configuration that will hold the pivot ball


315


. The gage or pivot ball


315


is placed in the pivot ball cup


350


. The retainer clip top portion


1405


is then compressed, by pushing on the rocker arm


115


and moving or swinging the rocker arm


115


towards the first end fulcrum plate


128


until the pivot ball


315


“snaps” into an indent portion or pivot ball area


360


in the underside of the first end fulcrum plate


138


.




The first end rocker arm assembly


120


is now preferably assembled and operational. The gage or pivot ball


315


allows the rocker arm


115


to pivot. The retainer clip


305


and the pivot ball


315


also maintain the rocker arm


115


cooperatively coupled or attached to the first end fulcrum plate


128


. The rocker arm


115


can be disassembled by again compressing the rocker arm


115


against the retainer clip top portion


1405


and swinging the rocker arm


115


out away from the first end fulcrum plate


128


.





FIG. 4



a


shows a top view of a second end rocker arm assembly


140


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 4



a


shows a second rocker arm end fulcrum plate


148


with an exhaust rocker arm


145


. The exhaust rocker arm


145


has a push rod cup


147


on a rear end


447


and a pivot foot


143


on an opposing front end


413


. The rocker arm


145


is shown cooperatively attached to the second end fulcrum plate


148


by a rocker arm retaining clip


405


.




Also partially shown is a pivot foot retaining clip or fastener


1363


(shown in

FIG. 13

) secured to the pivot foot cup


433


on the front end


413


of the rocker arm


145


. The pivot foot clip


1363


is preferably secured to pivot foot member


1353


(shown in

FIG. 13

) in the pivot foot cup


433


which corresponds to the pivot foot


143


of the rocker arm


145


. The pivot foot clip


1363


preferably secures the pivot foot member


1353


(shown in

FIG. 13

) to the pivot foot cup


433


in the same manner as described for the dual rocker arm fulcrum assembly


130


of

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




a.







FIG. 4



b


shows a perspective section view along the line J—J of the second end rocker arm assembly


140


shown in

FIG. 4



a


.

FIG. 4



b


shows that the second end fulcrum plate


148


preferably comprises a hold down bolt passage


425


to accept a hold down bolt


41


which will tie down the second end fulcrum plate


148


to the second rocker arm end pedestal


40


(shown in FIG.


1


). The second end fulcrum plate


148


also preferably comprises a head bolt passage


435


to accept a long head bolt


2041


(shown in

FIG. 20

) which will assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


(shown in

FIG. 20

) to the crank case.





FIG. 4



b


also shows the preferred second end rocker arm assembly


140


. In the second end rocker arm assembly


140


, the rocker arm retaining clip


405


(also shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) and the gage or pivot ball


415


have a preferred configuration or preferred positioning such that the rocker arm


145


can be cooperatively mounted or attached to the second end fulcrum plate


148


.




The rocker arm retainer clip


405


mounts onto an end


407


of the second end fulcrum plate


148


, preferably via a compression fit. The rocker arm


145


is placed on the retainer clip top portion


1405


(shown in

FIG. 14



a


) via the rocker arm aperture


475


(similar to one shown in FIG.


13


). The rocker arm aperture


475


preferably has the gage or pivot ball cup


455


at the bottom


1375


(shown in

FIG. 13

) of the rocker arm aperture


475


. The rocker arm


145


could also have another appropriate configuration that will hold the pivot ball


415


. The gage or pivot ball


415


is placed in the pivot ball cup


455


. The retainer clip top portion


1405


is then compressed, by pushing on the rocker arm


145


and moving or swinging the rocker arm


145


towards the first end fulcrum plate


148


until the pivot ball


415


“snaps” into an indent potion or pivot ball area


465


in the underside of the second end fulcrum plate


148


.




The second end rocker arm assembly


140


is now preferably assembled and operational. The gage or pivot ball


415


allows the rocker arm


145


to pivot. The retainer clip


405


and the pivot ball


415


also maintain the rocker arm


145


cooperatively coupled or attached to the second end fulcrum plate


148


. The rocker arm


145


can be disassembled by again compressing the rocker arm


145


against the retainer clip top portion


1405


and swinging the rocker arm


145


out away from the second end fulcrum plate


148


.





FIG. 5

shows a cross-sectional view along the section line A—A of the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


and rocker carrier


1


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 5

shows the preferred rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


along with their respective rocker arm


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


fulcrum plates


128


,


138


and


148


. The fulcrum plates


128


,


138


and


148


are shown attached to the rocker carrier


1


by the appropriate hold down bolts


36


,


31


and


41


.

FIG. 5

also shows a clearer view of the rocker arm retainer clips


205


,


210


,


305


and


405


, the rocker arm pivot foot cups


223


,


233


,


323


and


433


, and the rocker arm pivot ball cups


250


,


255


,


350


and


455


.





FIG. 6

shows a cross-sectional end view along the section line C—C of the second end rocker arm assembly


140


and rocker carrier


1


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 6

preferably shows the exhaust rocker arm


145


of the second end rocker arm assembly


140


.

FIG. 6

shows the rocker arm aperture


475


, the push rod cup


147


on the rear end


447


and the pivot foot


143


on an opposing front end


413


of the exhaust rocker arm


145


. The rocker arm assembly


140


is shown secured by the second end fulcrum plate


148


to the rocker carrier


1


. Also shown is the rocker arm pivot foot


143


which is preferably comprised of pivot foot retaining clip or fastener


1363


securing the pivot foot member


1353


to the pivot foot cup


433


on the front end


413


of the rocker arm


145


. The exhaust rocker arm is preferably configured the same for each rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


.





FIG. 7

shows a cross-sectional end view along section B—B of the dual rocker arm assembly


130


and rocker carrier


1


shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 7

preferably shows the exhaust intake rocker arm


125


of the dual rocker arm assembly


130


.

FIG. 7

shows the rocker arm aperture


270


, the push rod cup


127


on the rear end


227


and the pivot foot


123


on an opposing front end


203


of the intake rocker arm


125


. The rocker arm assembly


130


is shown secured by the dual fulcrum plate


138


to the rocker carrier


1


. Also shown is the rocker arm pivot foot


123


which is preferably comprised of pivot foot retaining clip or fastener


1363


securing the pivot foot member


1353


to the pivot foot cup


223


on the front end


203


of the rocker arm


125


. The intake rocker arm is preferably configured the same for each rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


.





FIG. 8

shows a cross-sectional view along the section line D—D of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 8

shows the preferred positioning of the rocker arm retaining clip


210


and the pivot ball


220


relative to the rocker arm


125


and the dual fulcrum plate


138


(also shown and discussed in

FIG. 2



b


).

FIG. 8

also shows that the dual fulcrum plate


138


is attached to the rocker carrier


1


by a hold down bolt


31


. This preferred positioning of the rocker arm retaining clip and the pivot ball is typical for the intake rocker arms


115


and


125


of the first end rocker arm assembly


120


and the dual rocker arm assembly


130


.





FIG. 9

shows a cross-sectional interior view along the section line E—E of the rocker arm assembly and rocker carrier shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 9

shows the preferred positioning of the rocker arm retaining clip


405


and the pivot ball


415


relative to the rocker arm


145


and the dual fulcrum plate


148


(also shown and discussed in

FIG. 4



b


).

FIG. 9

also shows that the dual fulcrum plate


148


is attached to the rocker carrier


1


by a hold down bolt


41


. This preferred positioning of the rocker arm retaining clip and the pivot ball is typical for the exhaust rocker arms


135


and


145


of the dual rocker arm assembly


130


and the second end rocker arm assembly


140


.





FIGS. 10



a


and


10




b


show a perspective and bottom view of the preferred dual rocker fulcrum plate


138


for the rocker arm assembly


130


shown in FIG.


1


. The dual fulcrum plate


138


preferably comprises a pair of hold down bolt passages


225


and


230


which will accept hold down bolts


31


to tie the dual fulcrum plate


138


to the rocker carrier


1


. The dual fulcrum plate


138


also comprises a head bolt passage


235


to accept a long head bolt


2031


to assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


to the crankcase. The dual fulcrum plate


138


can be made of machined out steel, or cast out of steel or powdered metal, e.g., 4140 steel. The dual fulcrum plate has a thickness that is in the range of about 10 mm, and preferably 10 millimeters (mm).




The dual fulcrum plate


138


will preferably accept two rocker arm clips


205


and


210


(shown in

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




b


) on two opposing ends


207


and


212


. More particularly, the clamp section


1410


(shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) of the retaining clips


205


and


210


will be positioned on opposing fulcrum necks


1007


and


1012


, preferably via a compression fit. There is also shown the indent portion or pivot ball area


260


and


265


on the underside of the dual fulcrum plate


138


which will accept the pivot ball


215


and


220


. The indent portion


260


and


265


is preferably cup shaped to coincide with the pivot ball


215


and


220


. However, the indent portion


260


and


265


can have other appropriate configurations that will accept the pivot ball


215


and


220


.

FIG. 10



b


further shows a divot or dimple


1060


and


1065


in the indent portion


260


and


265


of the dual fulcrum plate


138


. The dimples


1060


and


1065


will preferably hold oil for lubrication of parts and will allow for clearance between parts.





FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b


show a perspective and bottom view of the first end intake rocker fulcrum plate


128


of the rocker arm assembly


120


shown in FIG.


1


. The first end fulcrum plate


128


preferably comprises a hold down bolt passage


325


which will accept a hold down bolt


36


to tie the first end fulcrum plate


128


to the rocker carrier


1


. The first end fulcrum plate


128


also comprises a head bolt passage


335


to accept a long head bolt


2036


to assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


to the crank case. The first end fulcrum plate


128


can be made of machined out steel, or cast out of steel or powdered metal, e.g., 4140 steel. The first end fulcrum plate has a thickness that is in the range of about 10 mm, and preferably 10 millimeters (mm). The first end fulcrum plate


128


will preferably accept a rocker arm clip


305


(shown in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


) on a plate end


312


. More particularly, the clamp section


1410


(shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) of the retaining clip


305


will be positioned on a fulcrum neck


1112


, preferably via a compression fit. There is also shown the indent portion or pivot ball area


360


on the underside of the first end fulcrum plate


128


which will accept the pivot ball


315


. The indent portion


360


is preferably cup shaped to coincide with the pivot ball


315


. However, the indent portion


360


can have other appropriate configurations that will accept the pivot ball


315


.

FIG. 11



b


further shows a divot or dimple


1160


in the indent portion


360


of the first end fulcrum plate


128


and will preferably hold oil for lubrication of parts and will allow for clearance between parts.





FIGS. 12



a


and


12




b


show a perspective and bottom view of the second end exhaust rocker fulcrum plate


148


of the rocker arm assembly


140


shown in FIG.


1


. The second end fulcrum plate


148


preferably comprises a hold down bolt passage


425


which will accept a hold down bolt


41


to tie the second end fulcrum plate


148


to the rocker carrier


1


. The second end fulcrum plate


148


also comprises a head bolt passage


435


to accept a long head bolt


2041


to assist in fastening the cylinder head


2005


to the crank case. The second end fulcrum plate


148


can be made of machined out steel, or cast out of steel or powdered metal, e.g., 4140 steel. The second end fulcrum plate has a thickness that is in the range of about 10 mm, and preferably 10 millimeters (mm).




The second end fulcrum plate


148


will preferably accept a rocker arm clip


405


(shown in

FIGS. 4



a


and


4




b


) on a plate end


407


. More particularly, the clamp section


1410


(shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


) of the retaining clip


405


will be positioned on a fulcrum neck


1207


, preferably via a compression fit. There is also shown the indent portion or pivot ball area


465


on the underside of the first end fulcrum plate


148


which will accept the pivot ball


415


. The indent portion


465


is preferably cup shaped to coincide with the pivot ball


415


. However, the indent portion


465


can have other appropriate configurations that will accept the pivot ball


415


.

FIG. 12



b


further shows a divot or dimple


1265


in the indent portion


465


of the second end fulcrum plate


148


and will preferably hold oil for lubrication of parts and will allow for clearance between parts.





FIG. 13

shows a side view of a rocker arm


1300


of the rocker arm assembly shown in FIG.


1


. The rocker arm


1300


shown is preferably the exhaust rocker arm


135


and


145


shown in FIG.


1


. In a preferred embodiment, the intake rocker arms


115


and


125


will have the same configuration as the rocker arm


1300


shown in here, albeit smaller as shown in FIG.


17


. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the length and size of the rocker arms


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


will be determined by the location of the intake and exhaust valves in relation to the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


,


140


. If the location of the valves changes, the lengths of the rocker arms


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


will change accordingly. The rocker arms could be the same or different sizes depending on a particular engine application.





FIG. 13

shows the rocker arm


1300


assembled with a pivot foot


1305


, a pivot foot member


1353


and a pivot foot clip


1363


with securing prongs


1365


. The pivot foot member


153


shown generally has a “mushroom” shape with a curved top


1354


and flat bottom


1355


. The pivot foot clip


1363


holds the curved top surface


1354


of the pivot foot member


1353


against a corresponding indent surface in the pivot foot cup


213


of the rocker arm


1300


. When the rocker arm


1300


is actuated, the curved top surface


1354


moves along the indent surface of the pivot foot cup


213


while the flat surface


1355


maintains level contact with the valve or valve bridge (not shown). The generally “mushroom” shape tends to reduces wear of the valve assembly.




The rocker arm


1300


preferably comprises a pivot foot


1305


, a push rod cup


1310


, and a rocker arm aperture


275


with a pivot ball cup


255


in a bottom portion


1375


of the aperture


275


. The pivot ball cup


255


preferably has a cup or bowl-like configuration to accept the pivot ball (not shown). The pivot ball cup


255


could also have other appropriate configurations that will hold the pivot ball. Further, the pivot foot is preferably comprised of a the pivot foot retaining clip or fastener


1363


which secures the pivot foot member


1353


to the pivot foot cup


213


. The pivot foot clip


1363


preferably secures the pivot foot member


1353


by having its securing prongs


1365


wrapped or crimped around the outside of the pivot foot cup


213


. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the pivot foot retaining clip


1363


can be configured differently and secured to the rocker arm differently. For example, the pivot foot clip


1363


could instead wrap the securing prongs


1365


completely around the front end


213


of the rocker arm


1300


, or insert the securing prongs


1365


in the front end


213


, to secure the pivot foot member


1353


.




Furthermore, like the fulcrum plate divots or dimples


1060


and


1065


(shown in

FIGS. 10



b


,


11




b


and


12




b


) there are also divots or dimples (not shown) in the rocker arm push rod cups


117


,


127


,


137


,


147


and


1310


, pivot ball cups


250


,


255


,


350


and


455


, and pivot foot cups


223


,


233


,


323


and


423


. The dimples or divots will also preferably hold oil for lubrication of parts and will allow for clearance between parts.





FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


show a side and front and bottom view of a rocker arm retaining clip


1400


of the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIGS. 2



b


,


3




b


,


4




b


,


8


and


9


. The retaining clip


1400


is comprised of bottom clamp portion


1410


and a top curved spring portion


1405


. The bottom clamp section


1410


of the retaining clip


1400


will be preferably positioned on fulcrum neck portions


1007


,


1012


,


1112


and


1207


on fulcrum plate ends


207


,


212


,


312


and


407


preferably via a compression fit. The top spring portion


1405


of the retainer clip


1400


will preferably be inserted into a rocker arm aperture


270


,


275


,


370


and


475


(shown in

FIGS. 2



b


,


3




b


and


4




b


). The rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


40


will be assembled by compressing the top spring portion


1405


the rocker arms


115


,


125




135


and


1455


and moving or swinging the rocker arm


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


towards the appropriate fulcrum plate


128


,


138


and


148


until the pivot ball


215


,


220


,


315


, and


220


“snaps” into the indent portion or pivot ball area


260


,


265


,


360


and


465


in the underside of the fulcrum plate


128


,


138


and


148


(shown in

FIGS. 2



b


,


3




b


and


4




b


).





FIG. 15

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


,


140


and


1530


on an expanded rocker carrier


2


used on one side of a V-8 engine. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the rocker arm assembly shown in

FIG. 15

is essentially the same as that shown in FIG.


1


. While

FIG. 1

shows a rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


mounted on a cylinder head of a six-cylinder engine with a V-type configuration.

FIG. 15

instead shows the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


,


140


and


1530


mounted on a cylinder head of an eight-cylinder engine with a V-type configuration. Thus,

FIG. 15

shows an additional dual rocker arm assembly


1530


which is the same as the dual rocker arm assembly


130


described and discussed with reference to FIG.


1


.





FIG. 16

show a perspective view of the rocker arm retaining clip for the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


shown in

FIGS. 14



a


and


14




b


.

FIG. 17

shows a side view of the rocker arms for the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


shown in

FIGS. 1-6

,


15


and


18


-


20


.

FIG. 17

shows that the rocker arms


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


is preferably determined by the location of the intake and exhaust valves in relation to the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


. If the location of the intake and exhaust valves changes, the lengths of the rocker arms


115


,


125


,


135


and


145


will change accordingly.





FIG. 18

shows a top perspective view of the dual rocker arm assembly


130


where the intake and exhaust rocker arms


125


and


135


are preferably assembled on the dual fulcrum plate


138


(also shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


, and


15


).

FIG. 19

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


preferably installed on the rocker carrier


1


(also show in FIGS.


1


and


15


).





FIG. 20

shows a top perspective view of the rocker arm assembly


120


,


130


and


140


and the rocker carrier


1


(shown in

FIGS. 1 and 19

) positioned and installed on a cylinder head


2005


. There is shown the rocker arm assemblies


120


,


130


and


140


preferably attached to the rocker carrier


1


by the hold down bolts


36


,


31


and


41


. A plurality of interior head bolts


2036


,


2031


and


2041


and exterior head bolts


2050


further attach the cylinder head


2005


, with the rocker carrier


1


, to the crankcase to complete the engine assembly. The invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain preferred embodiments by way of example only. Those skilled in that art will recognize that the preferred embodiments may be altered or amended without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrated examples in this description. The present invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. A rocker arm assembly for mounting on a rocker carrier in an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:a rocker arm comprising a push rod cup, an aperture, a pivot ball cup, a pivot foot cup, and a pivot foot member being cooperatively fastened by a pivot foot clip to the pivot foot cup; a fulcrum plate; a retaining clip; a pivot ball able to, in cooperation with the retaining clip, cooperatively connect the fulcrum plate and the rocker arm; whereby the pivot ball provides a pivot point for the rocker arm to pivot about and thereby actuate a valve.
  • 2. The rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum plate is an end fulcrum plate.
  • 3. The rocker arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the rocker arm is an intake rocker arm or an exhaust rocker arm.
  • 4. The rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the rocker arm actuates the valve via the pivot foot acting on a valve bridge.
  • 5. The rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum plate is a dual fulcrum plate or an end fulcrum plate.
  • 6. The rocker arm assembly of claim 5, wherein the rocker arm is an intake rocker arm or an exhaust rocker arm.
  • 7. The rocker arm assembly of claim 6, wherein the fulcrum plate is 10 millimeters thick.
  • 8. The rocker arm assembly of claim 7, wherein the fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 9. The rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum plate is a dual fulcrum plate.
  • 10. The rocker arm assembly of claim 9, further comprising an intake rocker arm and an exhaust rocker arm.
  • 11. The rocker arm assembly of claim 10, wherein the intake rocker arm and exhaust rocker arms actuate valves on different engine cylinders.
  • 12. The rocker arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the dual rocker arm fulcrum plate is 10 millimeters thick.
  • 13. The rocker arm assembly of claim 12, wherein the dual rocker arm fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 14. The rocker arm assembly of claim 3, wherein the end rocker arm fulcrum plate is 10 millimeters thick.
  • 15. The rocker arm assembly of claim 14, wherein the end rocker arm fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 16. A rocker arm assembly for mounting on a rocker carrier in an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:a rocker arm comprising a push rod cup, an aperture, a pivot ball cup, a pivot foot cup, and a pivot foot; an end fulcrum plate; a retaining clip; a pivot ball able to, in cooperation with the retaining clip, cooperatively connect the end fulcrum plate and the rocker arm; whereby the rocker arm pivots via the pivot ball to appropriately actuate a valve bridge.
  • 17. The rocker arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the dual fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 18. A rocker arm assembly for mounting on a rocker carrier in an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:a rocker arm having a push rod cup, an aperture, a pivot ball cup, a pivot foot cup, and a pivot foot; a fulcrum plate; a retaining clip; a pivot ball able to, in cooperation with the retaining clip, cooperatively connect the fulcrum plate and the rocker arm; whereby the pivot ball provides a pivot point for the rocker arm to pivot about and thereby actuate a valve bridge via the pivot foot.
  • 19. The rocker arm assembly of claim 18, wherein the fulcrum plate is a dual fulcrum plate or an end fulcrum plate.
  • 20. The rocker arm assembly of claim 19, wherein the rocker arm is an intake rocker arm or an exhaust rocker arm.
  • 21. The rocker arm assembly of claim 20, wherein the fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 22. A rocker arm assembly for mounting on a rocker carrier in an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm assembly comprising:an exhaust rocker arm; an intake rocker arm; a dual fulcrum plate; at least one retaining clip; at least one pivot ball able to, in cooperation with the at least one retaining clip, cooperatively connect the dual fulcrum plate and the exhaust and intake rocker arms; whereby the exhaust and intake rocker arms each pivot via a corresponding pivot ball to appropriately actuate a corresponding valve bridge on different engine cylinders.
  • 23. The rocker arm assembly of claim 22, wherein the exhaust and intake rocker arms each comprise:a push rod cup; an aperture; a pivot ball cup; and a pivot foot.
  • 24. The rocker arm assembly of claim 23, wherein the dual fulcrum plate comprises a hold down bolt passage and a head bolt passage.
  • 25. The rocker arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the rocker arm is an intake rocker arm or an exhaust rocker arm.
Parent Case Info

This patent application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent application Serial No. 60/178,164 filed on Jan. 26, 2000.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/178164 Jan 2000 US