# US 9,752,670 B2 · Mechanical system forming a cam follower or a rocker arm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,670 B2 - Document ID: US9752670B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/867,011 - Filed: 2015-09-28 - Published: 2016-03-31 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-30 - Assignees: Aktiebolaget Skf - Applicants: Nicolas Berruet; François Champalou; Samuel Viault - Inventors: Nicolas Berruet; François Champalou; Samuel Viault - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752670B2 ## CPC - F16H 53/06: Cam-followers (F16H53/08 takes precedence) - F01L 1/143: {for use with overhead camshafts} - F01L 2305/00: Valve arrangements comprising rollers - F01L 2810/02: Lubrication - F16H: GEARING - F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES ## Abstract A mechanical system, forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, and comprising a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element, and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes at least a first part and a second separate part which, when fitted together, together delimit a lubricating groove on an external surface of the support element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mechanical system, forming one of a cam follower or a rocker arm, the mechanical system comprising: a support element centered on a longitudinal axis; a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element; and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam, wherein the support element comprises at least a first part and a second separate part which, when fitted together, together delimit a lubricating groove on an external surface of the support element, wherein the second separate part comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion has a hollow cylindrical shape comprising a first outer diameter, the upper portion has a hollow cylindrical shape comprising a second outer diameter wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter, the upper portion and the lower portion being connected by a connecting portion, the first part comprising a first part upper portion and a first part lower portion that each have a cylindrical shape, the first part upper portion comprises a first outer cylindrical surface having a third outer diameter and the first part lower portion comprises a second outer cylindrical surface having a fourth outer diameter and an inner cylindrical surface having an inner diameter, wherein the third outer diameter is greater than the fourth outer diameter, a shoulder connects the first outer cylindrical surface to the second outer cylindrical surface, the inner diameter of the inner cylindrical surface of the first part lower portion is substantially equal to the second outer diameter of the upper portion such that the upper portion of the second separate part engages the inner cylindrical surface of the first part lower portion to secure the second separate part to the first part such that the upper portion of the second separate part and the first part lower portion overlap each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support element, and wherein the lubricating groove is delimited by the connecting portion, the first part lower portion, and the shoulder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the first part is a bearing body adapted to receive the pin, on which the roller is mounted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the second separate part delimits a cavity inside the support element, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive one of a shaft or a plunger for moving the mechanical system along the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the first axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the second separate part is abutting against an internal shoulder of the first part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein a bottom of the lubricating groove is formed by the second outer cylindrical surface of the first part lower portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein lateral walls of the lubricating groove are formed by the connecting portion of the second separate part and the shoulder of the first part, respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the support element is provided with linear grooves, wherein the linear grooves are perpendicular to the first axis and opening into the lubricating groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the lubricating groove has an annular shape extending on 360° around the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the first axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the lubricating groove has a semi-annular shape extending on 180° around the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the first axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein first part and the second separate part are metallic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second separate part are made of steel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second separate part are fitted together by one of applying adhesive, bonding, and welding. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The mechanical system according to claim 1, further comprising a positional guiding element positioned at the interface between the pin and the roller element, wherein the positional guiding element is one of a rolling bearing, a sliding bearing or a bushing.