Flexible coupling/linkage for an actuator

In a variable valve lift and timing assembly (10) for changing operating characteristics of at least one poppet-type valve (50) of an internal combustion engine (20) of a motor vehicle, an actuator (22) for driving a control shaft (12) of a rocker arm (42) in rotation through at least a predetermined arc (44), the actuator (22) including a housing (16) at least partially enclosing a rotor (18), an improvement of comprising:

• a flexible coupling linkage (14) restraining the housing (16) against rotation with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotor (18), while allowing free movement of the housing (16) in two other planes relative to the rotor (18) to match an angular rotational plane of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18) due to misalignment, wherein the flexible coupling linkage (14) is connected between the housing (16) and the internal combustion engine (20), the flexible coupling linkage (14) selected from a group of pivot joints including at least one of a pivot pin joint and a ball-and-socket joint, wherein the pivot pin joint and ball-and-socket joint define a restrained point (26a) associated with the housing (16) radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the rotor (18) preventing rotation of the housing (16) about the axis of rotation of the rotor (18), while allowing angular displacement of the housing (16) about the restrained point (26a) permitting the housing (16) to match the angular rotational plane of the rotor (18).