# US 2017/0284232 A1 · Rocker arm and method of manufacturing the same

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- Number: US 2017/0284232 A1
- Document ID: US20170284232A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/453,181
- Filed: 2017-03-08
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29
- Assignees: Otics Corporation
- Applicants: Otics Corporation
- Inventors: Naoyuki YAMANE; Kiyoshi MASEGI; Kimihiko TODO
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284232A1

## CPC

- F01L 1/185: {Overhead end-pivot rocking arms}
- B21D 53/84: other parts for engines, e.g. connecting-rods
- F01L 1/053: overhead type
- F01L 1/181: {Centre 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 3/08: Valves guides; Sealing of valve stem, e.g. sealing by lubricant
- F01L 2303/00: Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements
- F01L 2303/01: Tools for producing, mounting or adjusting, e.g. some part of the distribution
- F01L 2305/00: Valve arrangements comprising rollers
- F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F)

## Abstract

A rocker arm includes a pair of sidewalk disposed along a heightwise direction so as to be opposed to each other. The sidewalk define a space to house a roller and have opposed portions extending in the heightwise direction relative to adjacent portions which are adjacent to the opposed portions. The opposed portions have thinner portions having smaller thicknesses than the adjacent portions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rocker arm comprising:
a pair of sidewalls disposed along a heightwise direction so as to be opposed to each other, the sidewalls defining a space to house a roller and having opposed portions extending in the heightwise direction relative to adjacent portions which are adjacent to the opposed portions,
wherein the opposed portions have thinner portions having smaller thicknesses than the adjacent portions,

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm according to claim 1, wherein the thinner portions are formed by crushing parts of the opposed portions, and one or both heightwise ends of each opposed portion are spread regions corresponding to crushing margins of the thinner portions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft member,
wherein the opposed portions have respective shaft holes;
wherein the shaft member is held in the shaft holes, the shaft member rotatably supporting the roller;
wherein the thinner portions are formed on outer surfaces of the opposed portions so as to have recessed shapes; and
wherein the opposed portions have respective inner surfaces, the inner surfaces being continuous overall without unevenness.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm according to claim 1, wherein the thinner portions are formed over entire heights of the opposed portions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm according to claim 1, wherein the thinner portions are formed on only one or both heightwise ends of the opposed portions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The rocker arm according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft member,
wherein the opposed portions have respective shaft holes;
wherein the shaft member is held in the shaft holes, the shaft member rotatably supporting the roller; and
wherein the thinner portions are formed on only circumferential edges of the shaft holes of the opposed portions

### Claim 7

A method of manufacturing a rocker arm, comprising:
stamping a plate material to form a developed body having a through hole;
applying pressure to parts of the developed body located at both sides of the through hole to stretch the parts of the developed body, thereby forming thinner portions; and
folding the developed body via a pair of folding portions parallel to each other thereby to raise portions with the thinner portions in a heightwise direction, so that a pair of sidewalls are formed which are opposed to each other with a space for housing a roller being interposed therebetween.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, further comprising forming shaft holes through the respective sidewalls to mount a shaft member rotatably supporting the roller in the shaft holes, wherein a part of or all the thinner portions are removed with the forming of the shaft holes.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein the through hole of the developed body has two side edges, the side edges being a pair of straight portions parallel to each other before the forming of the thinner portions, and wherein in the forming of the thinner portions, the straight portions are deformed to be curved to jut out in such a manner as to come close to each other inward of the through hole.