Two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly

A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft having a central lobe and first and second lateral lobes flanking the central lobe, the engine comprising a two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly for variably activating a gas valve therein, said assembly including

• a follower body having means for engaging said engine at a first end of said body and having means for engaging a stem of said gas valve at a second end of said body,
• central follower means disposed on said body for engaging said central lobe,
• first and second lateral follower means pivotably disposed outside said follower body on a shaft extending from said body and including means for engaging said first and second lateral cam lobes, and
• latching means disposed on said follower body for latching said first and second lateral follower means to said body, said latching means including a slider element slidingly disposed on a surface of said body between said first and second lateral follower means and including a latching head for selectively engaging said first and second lateral follower means to cause the motion of said lateral cam lobes to be translated to said body in a first rocker assembly mode having a first valve lift capability, and for unlatching said lateral follower means from said body to cause engagement of said central follower with said central camshaft lobe to provide a second rocker assembly mode having a second valve lift capability.

A two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly for variably activating a gas valve in an internal combustion engine, said assembly comprising:

• a) a follower body having means for engaging said engine at a first end of said body and having means for engaging a stem of said gas valve at a second end of said body;
• b) central follower means disposed on said body for engaging said central lobe;
• c) first and second lateral follower means pivotably disposed outside said follower body on a shaft extending from said body and including means for engaging said first and second lateral cam lobes;
• and
• d) latching means disposed on said follower body for latching said first and second lateral follower means to said body, said latching means including a slider element slidingly disposed on a surface of said body between said first and second lateral follower means and including a latching head for selectively engaging said first and second lateral follower means to cause the motion of said lateral cam lobes to be translated to said body in a first rocker assembly mode having a first valve lift capability, and for unlatching said lateral follower means from said body to cause engagement of said central follower with said central camshaft lobe to provide a second rocker assembly mode having a second valve lift capability.