Method and apparatus for automated valve spring assembly

A device for assembling valve springs to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, the device comprising:

• a head assembly including upper and lower ends and defining an axis extending between the upper and lower ends, wherein the lower end is configured to compress a valve spring on the cylinder head to permit assembly of a spring retainer cap and a pair of retainer keys to a valve of the cylinder head, the head assembly including:
• a support structure;
• a pair of elongated passageways configured to movably support the pair of retainer keys for movement of the pair of retainer keys from first ends of the passageways to second ends that are located adjacent the lower end of the head assembly wherein the pair of elongated passageways each receive an individual retainer key from the previously mentioned pair of retaining keys;
• a pair of control members movably interconnected to the support structure for movement between open and closed positions, wherein the control members are configured to selectively close off the passageways when in the closed positions to selectively prevent the pair of retainer keys from traveling from the first ends to the second ends of the passageways;
• a divider plate movably interconnected with the support structure for powered reciprocating movement between extended and retracted positions, the divider plate having a lower end defining oppositely facing guide surfaces that are configured to movably support the pair of retainer keys in spaced apart locations that permit an end of a valve to be positioned between the pair of retainer keys when the divider plate is in the extended position;
• pair of jaws movably connected to the support structure, the jaws having end portions that are selectively movable inwardly and outwardly relative the axis of the head assembly between inward and outward positions, wherein the end portions are biased towards the inward position, and wherein the end portions define inwardly-facing key-engagement surfaces configured to engage curved outer surfaces of the pair of retainer keys to push the pair of retainer keys towards one another onto a valve stem upon movement of the divider plate from the extended position to the retracted position;
• a powered actuator;
• a push member operably connected to the powered actuator for powered movement between extended and retracted positions, wherein the push member is configured to engage the pair of retainer keys and move the pair of retainer keys along portions of the passageways adjacent the second ends as the push member moves from the retracted position to the extended position;
• and wherein:
• the jaws include tapered surfaces adjacent the key-engaging surfaces whereby at least one of the retainer keys and the push member engage the tapered surfaces and shift the jaws outwardly as the push member moves to the extended position, such that retraction of the divider plate causes the pair of retainer keys to be shifted inwardly towards one another by the jaws onto the end of a valve stem.