# US 10,871,089 B2 · Self-contained e-foot

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,871,089 B2
- Document ID: US10871089B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/340,251
- Filed: 2017-10-09
- Published: 2020-02-20
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-07
- Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
- Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
- Inventors: Matthew A. Vance
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871089B2

## CPC

- F01L 1/18: Rocking arms or levers
- F01L 1/04: by means of cams, camshafts, cam discs, eccentrics or the like (F01L1/10 takes precedence)
- F01L 1/146: {Push-rods}
- F01L 1/185: {Overhead end-pivot rocking arms}
- F01L 1/20: Adjusting or compensating clearance
- F01L 1/2405: {by means of a hydraulic adjusting device located between the cylinder head and rocker arm}
- F01L 1/46: Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in preceding subgroups
- F01L 3/00: Lift-valve, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces; Parts or accessories thereof
- F01L 13/0036: {the valves being driven by two or more cams with different shape, size or timing or a single cam profiled in axial and radial direction}
- F01L 2001/186: {Split rocking arms, e.g. rocker arms having two articulated parts and means for varying the relative position of these parts or for selectively connecting the parts to move in unison}
- F01L 2001/467: {Lost motion springs}
- F01L 2003/11: {Connecting valve members to rocker arm or tappet}
- F01L 2013/001: {Deactivating cylinders}
- F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES

## Abstract

A rocker arm, comprises a first outer arm and a second outer. A pivot body is joined between the first end of the first outer arm and the third end of the second outer arm. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. An inner arm assembly comprises a latch arm pivotable adjacent the pivot body. An axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm. An outer arm connector spans between the second end of the first outer arm and the fourth end of the second outer arm. A valve seat insert is constrained within the inner arm assembly between the outer arm connector and the axle. Alternatively, a valve seat insert hangs from the axle and is constrained within the inner arm assembly, the valve seat insert comprising a front and a rear cusp.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rocker arm, comprising:
an outer arm assembly, comprising:
a first outer arm comprising a first inner side, a first outer side, a first end, and a second end;
a second outer arm comprising a second inner side, a second outer side, a third end, and a fourth end;
a pivot body joined between the first end of the first outer arm and the third end of the second outer arm;
an outer arm connector spanning between the second end of the first outer arm and the fourth end of the second outer arm so that the outer arm connector is at an opposite end of the outer arm assembly than the pivot body; and
an actuatable latch mechanism within the pivot body;
an inner arm assembly within the outer arm assembly, the inner arm assembly comprising a latch arm pivotable adjacent the pivot body;
a pivot axle joining the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm; and
a valve seat insert constrained within the inner arm assembly between the outer arm connector and the pivot axle, the outer arm connector forming a travel limit for the valve seat insert as the valve seat insert pivots around the pivot axle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein inner arm assembly comprises:
a first inner arm comprising a first inside surface and a first outside surface;
a second inner arm comprising a second inside surface and a second outside surface; and
the latch arm between the first inner arm and the second inner arm,
wherein the first outside surface adjoins the first inner side and wherein the second outside surface adjoins the second inner side.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The rocker arm of claim 2, wherein the valve seat insert is constrained within the inner arm assembly between the first inside surface, the second inside surface, the outer arm connector, and the pivot axle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein the valve seat insert comprises an “L” shape.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The rocker arm of claim 3, wherein the first inside surface and the second inside surface of the inner arm assembly apply a clamp force to the valve seat insert.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein the valve seat insert comprises a crowned valve seat.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein the valve seat insert comprises an outer leg and an inner leg, and wherein the outer leg comprises an upper lip configured to catch against the outer arm connector when the latch arm is pivoted to a first position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The rocker arm of claim 7, wherein the valve seat insert comprises a lower lip configured to catch against the outer arm connector when the latch arm is pivoted to a second position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The rocker arm of claim 7, wherein the inner leg comprises an inner knob configured to curl around a portion of the pivot axle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein the valve seat insert comprises an axle groove for seating the valve seat insert flush against the pivot axle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm of claim 1, wherein the first outer side comprises a first cantilevered post, wherein the second outer side comprises a second cantilevered post, and wherein the rocker arm further comprises a first roller mounted to the first cantilevered post; and a second roller mounted to the second cantilevered post.

### Claim 12

A rocker arm for a valvetrain, comprising:
a first outer arm comprising a first inner side and a first outer side;
a second outer arm comprising a second inner side and a second outer side;
a pivot body joined between the first inner side and the second inner side;
a pivot axle between the first outer arm and the second outer arm; and
a valve seat insert comprising a front cusp configured to encircle a portion of the pivot axle and a rear cusp configured to encircle a second portion of the pivot axle, wherein the valve seat insert hangs from the pivot axle via the front cusp and the rear cusp.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, further comprising:
an actuatable latch mechanism within the pivot body;
an inner arm assembly comprising a latch arm pivotable adjacent the pivot body;
wherein the pivot axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The rocker arm of claim 13, wherein inner arm assembly comprises:
a first inner arm comprising a first inside surface and a first outside surface;
a second inner arm comprising a second inside surface and a second outside surface; and
the latch arm between the first inner arm and the second inner arm,
wherein the first outside surface adjoins the first inner side and wherein the second outside surface adjoins the second inner side.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The rocker arm of claim 14, wherein the valve seat insert is constrained within the inner arm assembly between the first inside surface, the second inside surface, and the pivot axle.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The rocker arm of claim 13, wherein the latch arm is adjacent the pivot body, and wherein the pivot axle is distal from the latch arm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The rocker arm of claim 14, wherein the first inner arm and the second inner arm are joined to the first outer arm and to the second outer arm only by the pivot axle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The rocker arm of claim 14, wherein the valve seat insert is clamped in the inner arm assembly between the first inside surface and the second inside surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, wherein the valve seat insert further comprises a valve seat body joined to the front cusp and to the rear cusp.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The rocker arm of claim 19, wherein the valve seat body comprises a crowned valve surface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The rocker arm of claim 19, wherein the valve seat body comprises an axle groove for seating the valve seat flush against the pivot axle.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The rocker arm of claim 19, wherein the valve seat insert further comprises a first valve guide and a second valve guide extending away from the valve seat body, the first valve guide and the second valve guide configured to constrain a valve stem.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The rocker arm of claim 19, wherein the valve seat body is cuboidal.

### Claim 24 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, further comprising a spring coiled around the pivot axle, the spring biased against one of the first outer arm and the second outer arm and further biased against a spring prop on one of the first inner arm and the second inner arm.

### Claim 25 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, wherein the first inner arm comprises a first spring prop, wherein the second inner arm comprises a second spring prop, and wherein the rocker arm further comprises a spring coiled around opposed ends of the pivot axle, the spring biased against the first outer arm and against the second outer arm and further biased against the first spring prop on the first inner arm and the second spring prop on the second inner arm.

### Claim 26 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, wherein the actuatable latch mechanism reciprocates within the pivot body between a first position adjoining the latch arm and a second position withdrawn from the latch arm.

### Claim 27 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, further comprising a second axle mounted between the first inner arm and the second inner arm; and a rotatable bearing mounted on the second axle.

### Claim 28 (depends on 12)

The rocker arm of claim 12, wherein the first outer side comprises a first cantilevered post, wherein the second outer side comprises a second cantilevered post, and wherein the rocker arm further comprises a first roller mounted to the first cantilevered post; and a second roller mounted to the second cantilevered post.

### Claim 29

A type II valvetrain, comprising:
a rocker arm assembly, comprising:
a first outer arm comprising a first inner side and a first outer side;
a second outer arm comprising a second inner side and a second outer side;
a pivot body joined between the first inner side and the second inner side;
a pivot axle between the first outer arm and the second outer arm; and
a valve seat insert comprising a front cusp configured to encircle a portion of the pivot axle and a rear cusp configured to encircle a second portion of the pivot axle, wherein the valve seat insert hangs from the pivot axle via the front cusp and the rear cusp; and
first, second, and third rotating cam lobes, where the first cam lobe is configured to press upon the first outer arm, where the second cam lobe is configured to press upon the second outer arm, and, wherein the third cam lobe is configured to selectively push the inner arm assembly to rotate past the actuatable latch mechanism when the actuatable latch mechanism is in an unlatched position.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The type II valvetrain of claim 29, wherein the inner arm assembly is biased by a spring force towards the third cam lobe.