Latch pin assembly; rocker arm arrangement using latch pin assembly; and assembling methods

A rocker arm for engaging a cam in a valve actuation arrangement;

• the rocker arm comprising:
• (a) an outer arm having spaced first and second outer side arms;
• (b) an inner arm having first and second inner side arms between the first and second outer side arms;
• (c) a pivot axle securing the outer arm and the inner arm;
• (d) a cam contacting member configured to transfer motion from a cam to the rocker arm;
• and
• (e) a latch pin assembly held by the outer arm and being moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
• the engaged position securing the outer arm and inner arm together causing the outer arm and inner arm to move together in response to the cam, and the disengaged position permitting the inner arm to pivot relative to the outer arm about the pivot axle in response to the cam;
• the latch pin assembly including,
• (i) a latch pin having a pin body with first and second opposite ends;
• a head at the first end selectively engaging the inner arm;
• and a tail at the second end;
• the pin body defining an open volume;
• the retainer engaging tail having an open mouth in communication with the open volume of the pin body;
• the open volume having a non-circular cross-section, the non-circular cross-section including at least first and second opposite sides with rounded corners;
• (ii) a retainer having a male engagement portion and an outer portion;
• the male engagement portion being within the open volume of the pin body through the open mouth;
• the male engagement portion having a non-circular cross-section;
• the outer portion being non-removably secured to the outer arm;
• and
• (iii) a spring oriented in the open volume of the pin body and being between and against the latch pin and the retainer.

A method of assembling a latch pin assembly to a rocker arm;

• the method comprising:
• (a) providing a rocker arm having an outer arm and an inner arm;
• and a pivot axle securing the outer arm and the inner arm;
• the outer arm having a bore;
• (b) inserting a latching pin having a pin body with a head and tail into the bore until the head is in engagement with the inner arm;
• the pin body having an open volume with a non-circular cross-section, the non-circular cross-section including at least first and second opposite sides with rounded corners;
• (c) inserting a spring in the open volume;
• (d) inserting a retainer into the open volume of the pin body;
• the retainer having a male engagement portion with a non-circular cross-section;
• and
• (e) nonremovably securing the retainer to the outer arm.

A rocker arm for engaging a cam in a valve actuation arrangement;

• the rocker arm comprising:
• (a) an outer arm having spaced first and second outer side arms;
• the outer arm including a pin-holding bore;
• (b) an inner arm having first and second inner side arms between the first and second outer side arms;
• (c) a pivot axle securing the outer arm and the inner arm;
• (d) a cam contacting member configured to transfer motion from a cam to the rocker arm;
• and
• (e) a latch pin assembly held by the outer arm and being moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
• the engaged position securing the outer arm and inner arm together causing the outer arm and inner arm to move together in response to the cam, and the disengaged position permitting the inner arm to pivot relative to the outer arm about the pivot axle in response to the cam;
• the latch pin assembly including,
• (i) a latch pin having a pin body with first and second opposite ends;
• a head defining a shelf at the first end selectively engaging the inner arm;
• a tail at the second end;
• the pin body defining an open volume;
• the retainer engaging tail having an open mouth in communication with the open volume of the pin body;
• the pin body including a first section having a first outer diameter adjacent to the head, and a second section having a second outer diameter defining the tail;
• (A) the first section being between the head and the second section;
• (B) the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter;
• (C) the first section of the latch pin being contained within the pin-holding bore and not extending out of the pin-holding bore when the latch pin assembly is in both the engaged and disengaged positions;
• (ii) a retainer having a male engagement portion and an outer portion;
• the male engagement portion being within the open volume of the pin body through the open mouth;
• the outer portion being non-removably secured to the outer arm;
• and
• (iii) a spring oriented in the open volume of the pin body and being between and against the latch pin and the retainer.