# US 2014/0190431 A1 · Custom vva rocker arms for left hand and right hand orientations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190431 A1 - Document ID: US20140190431A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/188,339 - Filed: 2014-02-24 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-18 - Assignees: Eaton Corporation - Applicants: Eaton Corporation - Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190431A1 ## CPC - F01L 13/0005: {Deactivating valves} - F01L 1/18: Rocking arms or levers - F01L 1/08: Shape of cams - F01L 1/185: {Overhead end-pivot rocking arms} - F01L 1/2405: {by means of a hydraulic adjusting device located between the cylinder head and rocker arm} - 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 2013/001: {Deactivating cylinders} - F01L 2201/00: Electronic control systems; Apparatus or methods therefor - F01L 2301/00: Using particular materials - F01L 2800/11: Fault detection, diagnosis - F01L 2820/01: Absolute values - F01L 2820/043: Pressure - F01L 2820/045: Valve lift - F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES ## Abstract A modified rocker assembly having an offset end is designed to be used in engine heads having an obstruction that would not allow a switching rocker arm to be used. The modified rocker assembly is described having an obstructed side and a non-obstructed side. The rocker assembly has an outer structure with a first end, and an inner rocker structure fitting within the outer structure, the inner structure also having a first end. The modified rocker assembly has an axle pivotally connecting the first ends of inner structure to the outer structure, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer structure around the axle. At least one torsion spring on one side of axle, rotationally biases the inner structure relative to the outer structure. The outer structure, on the obstructed side as it extends from the second end toward the first end, is offset toward the non-obstructed side creating the first offset portion to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. This design allows the modified rocker arm to fit into an engine head having an obstruction on its obstruction side. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modified rocker assembly having an obstructed side and a non-obstructed side, comprising: an outer structure having a first end; an inner structure fitting within the outer structure, the inner structure also having a first end; wherein the first end of the inner structure is pivotally connected to the first end of the outer structure such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer structure; at least one torsion spring on one side of the rocker assembly, rotationally biasing the inner structure relative to the outer structure; wherein, the outer structure is offset toward the non-obstructed side adjacent the second end creating a first offset portion to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modified rocker assembly of claim 1 wherein as the outer structure on the non-obstructed side extends from the second end toward the first end, the outer structure curves outwardly away from the modified rocker assembly to provide additional clearance for an additional torsion spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modified rocker assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two adjacent torsion springs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modified rocker assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one torsion spring exerts approximately twice the force of a standard torsion spring for a conventional VVL or CDA rocker assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modified rocker assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer structure of the first offset portion curves toward the non-obstructed side adjacent to its second end to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modified rocker assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two torsion springs, both on the same side of the rocker assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The modified rocker assembly of claim 6, wherein the torsion springs are wound in opposite directions. ### Claim 8 A modified rocker assembly having an obstructed side and a non-obstructed side, comprising: an outer structure having a first end; an inner structure fitting within the outer structure, the inner structure also having a first end; an axle pivotally connecting the first end of inner structure to the first end of the outer structure, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer structure around the axle; at least one torsion spring mounted on the non-obstructed side of the axle, rotationally biasing the inner structure relative to the outer structure; wherein, the outer structure is offset toward the non-obstructed side adjacent to its second end creating a first offset portion to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The modified rocker assembly of claim 8 wherein as the outer structure on the non-obstructed side extends from the second end toward the first end, the outer structure curves outwardly away from the modified rocker assembly to provide additional clearance for an additional torsion spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The modified rocker assembly of claim 8 wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two adjacent torsion springs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The modified rocker assembly of claim 8 wherein the at least one torsion spring exerts approximately twice the force of a standard torsion spring for a conventional VVL or CDA rocker assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The modified rocker assembly of claim 8 wherein the outer structure of the first offset portion curves toward the non-obstructed side adjacent the second end of the outer structure to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The modified rocker assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two torsion springs, both on the same side of the rocker assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The modified rocker assembly of claim 13, wherein the torsion springs are wound in opposite directions. ### Claim 15 A modified rocker assembly having an obstructed side and a non-obstructed side, comprising: an outer structure having a first end with an offset portion; an inner structure fitting within the outer structure, the inner structure also having a first end; an axle pivotally connecting the first ends of inner structure to the outer structure, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer structure around the axle; at least one torsion spring on the non-obstructed side of the axle, rotationally biasing the inner structure relative to the outer structure; wherein, the outer structure smoothly curves toward the non-obstructed side creating a first offset portion adjacent the second end of the outer structure to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The modified rocker assembly of claim 15 wherein as the outer structure on the non-obstructed side extends from the second end toward the first end, the outer structure curves outwardly away from the modified rocker assembly to provide additional clearance for an additional torsion spring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The modified rocker assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two adjacent torsion springs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The modified rocker assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least one torsion spring exerts approximately twice the force of a standard torsion spring for a conventional VVL or CDA rocker assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The modified rocker assembly of claim 15 wherein the outer structure of the first offset portion has a curved section with an extension toward the non-obstructed side of the outer structure to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The modified rocker assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one torsion spring comprises two torsion springs, both on the same side of the rocker assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The modified rocker assembly of claim 20, wherein the torsion springs are wound in opposite directions.