Latch interface for a valve actuating device

A manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

• a base;
• a ball plunger post extending upward from the base, the ball plunger post having a size and a shape of a hydraulic lift adjuster (HLA) of a predefined engine;
• a valve stem post extending upward from the base, the valve stem post having a size and a shape of a valve stem of the predefined engine, the valve stem post having a position, a height and an orientation relative to the ball plunger post of the valve stem with relation to the HLA of the predefined engine;
• and
• a support shelf,
• wherein the manufacturing apparatus comprises a fixture sized and shaped to receive a switching rocker arm assembly for use in the predefined engine, the switching rocker arm assembly comprising a first end for pivoting and a second end for latching.

An economical switching rocker arm assembly exhibiting a predetermined lash, constructed with parts having tolerances greater than prior art designs, the rocker arm assembly comprising:

• a first rocker arm manufactured with greater tolerances than prior art designs, the first rocker arm having a first end and a second end;
• a second rocker arm manufactured with greater tolerances than prior art designs and having a first end pivotally connected to the first end of the first rocker arm, the second rocker arm also having a second end;
• a roller bearing on the first rocker arm adapted to ride upon a cam and actuate the first rocker arm;
• a latch having a latch pin on the second end of one of the first and second arms and a latch seat on the second end of the other rocker arm, the latch operating to cause the arms to be fixed relative to each other when latched and to pivot independently of each other when not latched;
• wherein the latch seat has an indentation shaped to receive the latch pin and sized to compensate for at least a portion of an increase in lash caused by increased manufacturing tolerances, and resulting in a predefined lash.

A process for creating a latch for a switching rocker assembly, comprising:

• providing an inner arm having a latch bore;
• providing an outer arm;
• assembling the inner and outer arms into a switching rocker arm assembly;
• selecting a latch rod having dimensions of a desired latch;
• fitting the latch rod into the latch bore;
• mounting the switching rocker arm assembly into a manufacturing fixture that simulates installation of the switching rocker arm assembly into an engine;
• pressing the latch rod into the latch seat;
• measuring a lash of the switching rocker arm assembly;
• repeating the steps of pressing and measuring until the switching rocker arm assembly exhibits a desired lash.

A process for creating a latch for a switching rocker assembly, comprising:

• providing an outer arm having a latch bore;
• providing an inner arm;
• assembling the inner and outer arms into a switching rocker arm assembly;
• selecting a latch rod having desired dimensions of a latch;
• fitting the latch rod into the latch bore;
• mounting the switching rocker arm assembly into a manufacturing fixture simulating installation of the switching rocker arm assembly into an engine;
• pressing the latch rod into the latch seat;
• measuring a lash of the switching rocker arm assembly;
• repeating the steps of pressing and measuring until the switching rocker arm assembly has a desired lash.