Actuating system for mode-switching rocker arm device

An actuating system for use with at least one mode-switching rocker arm device of an internal combustion engine, said at least one rocker arm device having a locking pin, said engine having a camshaft with a camshaft central axis, said actuating system comprising:

• an elongate actuator shaft having a central axis, said central axis being substantially parallel relative to and spaced apart from the camshaft central axis;
• at least one actuator lever, said at least one actuator lever being pivotally coupled to said actuator shaft and extending therefrom in a generally radial direction, each said at least one actuator lever being one of in engagement with and disposed proximate to a corresponding said locking pin;
• a cam follower configured for being pivotally oscillated relative to said central axis of said actuator shaft by an actuator cam lobe of the engine camshaft;
• and
• a clutch/brake assembly associated with said actuator shaft and said cam follower, said clutch/brake assembly being operable to selectively transfer pivotal oscillation of said cam follower to pivotal movement of said actuator shaft and said at least one actuator lever to thereby translate each said locking pin.

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a camshaft having a camshaft central axis, at least one cam lobe and at least one actuator cam lobe;
• at least one mode-switching rocker arm device, each said at least one rocker arm device operably associated with a corresponding one of said at least one cam lobe, each mode-switching rocker arm device including a respective locking pin;
• an elongate actuator shaft having a central axis that is substantially parallel relative to and spaced apart from said camshaft central axis;
• at least one actuator lever, said at least one actuator lever being pivotally coupled to said actuator shaft and extending therefrom in a generally radial direction, each said actuator lever being one of in engagement with and disposed proximate to a corresponding said locking pin;
• a cam follower in engagement with said actuator cam lobe;
• and
• a clutch/brake assembly associated with said actuator shaft and said cam follower, said clutch/brake assembly being operable to selectively transfer pivotal oscillation of said cam follower to pivotal movement of said actuator shaft and said at least one actuator lever to thereby translate each said locking pin.

A method of actuating at least one mode-switching rocker arm device, each said at least one mode-switching rocker arm device having a respective locking pin, whereby translation of said locking pin causes said rocker arm device to switch operational modes, said method comprising:

• coupling a clutch/brake assembly to a first end of an actuator cam follower, a roller carried by a second end of said actuator cam follower engaging an actuator cam lobe, rotation of said actuator cam lobe causing pivotal oscillation of said actuator cam follower;
• further coupling said clutch brake assembly to an actuator shaft;
• and
• selectively energizing said clutch/brake assembly such that pivotal oscillation of said actuator cam follower is transferred to pivotal movement of said actuator shaft and to at least one actuator lever affixed thereto relative to a central axis of said actuator shaft to thereby translate said actuator lever from a default position to a pivoted position and said locking pin from a default position to a translated position.