WO2024160470A1

WO2024160470A1 - Electro-mechanical actuation system for deactivating roller rockers

Info

Publication number: WO2024160470A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/025057
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emanuele RAIMONDI; Nicola Andrisani
Original assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
Priority date: 2023-01-31
Filing date: 2024-01-31
Publication date: 2024-08-08

Abstract

An actuation system (100) for selectively applying a force to a latch pin assembly (80) of a rocker arm assembly (10A, 10B, 10C). The actuation system includes a driving pin (150) for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin (142). The driven pin have an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly wherein movement of the driven pin toward the latch pin assembly selectively moves the latch pin from one of a latched position or an unlatched position to the other of the latched position or the unlatched position.

Description

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR DEACTIVATING ROLLER ROCKERS

Priority

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of provisional US patent application Ser. No. 63/482,311, filed January 31, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Field

[0002] The subject application relates to, in general, a rocker arm assembly for use in a combustion engine wherein the rocker arm assembly includes a lost motion mechanism for deactivating a roller. More particularly, this application relates to a rocker arm assembly having an electro-mechanical actuation system for deactivating a roller.

Background

[0003] An internal combustion engine may utilize a latch mechanism for deactivating a roller rocker. When the latch mechanism is in a latched position, a body of the rocker arm assembly and the roller rocker are coupled together. When the latch mechanism is in an unlatched position, the body arm and the roller rocker are decoupled from each other such that they may move relative to each other. Rocker arm assemblies known heretofore use mechanical systems to actuate the latch mechanism.

[0004] The present application discloses an electro-mechanical actuation system for deactivating a roller rocker.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] There is provided a rocker arm assembly for selectively transferring motion from a cam to a valve. The rocker arm assembly includes a body having a rocker bore shaft configured to receive a rocker shaft. A lost motion assembly is pivotably attached to the body and configured to selectively pivot relative to the body. The lost motion assembly includes a bracket pivotally connected to the body at a first end and having a roller attached to a second opposite end of the bracket. A latch pin assembly includes a latch pin for selectively latching the bracket to the body, and a spring for biasing the bracket to a first position wherein the latch pin aligns with a mating hole in the body. An actuation system is provided for selectively applying a force to the latch pin assembly. The actuation system includes a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin. The driven pin has an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly wherein movement of the driven pin toward the latch pin assembly selectively moves the latch pin from one of a latched position or an unlatched position to the other of the latched position or the unlatched position.

[0006] In the foregoing rocker arm assembly, the actuation system includes a torque motor configured for rotating a drive shaft. A cam is rotatably fixed to the drive shaft and positioned proximate the driving pin. The cam has a cam profile configured to selectively displace the driving pin as the cam rotates.

[0007] In the foregoing rocker arm assembly, distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction cause movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

[0008] In the foregoing rocker arm assembly, the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or contoured to define slanted surfaces.

[0009] In the rocker arm assembly, the driving pin includes a body having an inner cavity. A first end of the body is configured to engage the end of the driven pin. A slide is configured to slide within the inner cavity. A spring is positioned in the inner cavity and is captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

[00010] In the foregoing rocker arm assembly, the driven pin includes a body having an inner cavity. A first end of the body is configured to engage the end of the driving pin. A slide is configured to slide within the inner cavity. A spring is positioned in the inner cavity and is captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

[00011 ] There is further provided an actuation system for selectively applying a force to a latch pin assembly of a rocker arm assembly. The actuation system includes a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin. The driven pin have an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly wherein movement of the driven pin toward the latch pin assembly selectively moves the latch pin from one of a latched position or an unlatched position to the other of the latched position or the unlatched position. [00012] In the foregoing actuation system, the actuation system includes a torque motor configured for rotating a drive shaft. A cam is rotatably fixed to the drive shaft and positioned proximate the driving pin. The cam has a cam profile configured to selectively displace the driving pin as the cam rotates.

[00013] In the foregoing actuation system, distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction cause movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

[00014] In the foregoing actuation system, the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or are contoured to define slanted surfaces.

[00015] In the foregoing actuation system, the driving pin includes a body having an inner cavity. A first end of the body is configured to engage the end of the driven pin. A slide is configured to slide within the inner cavity. A spring is positioned in the inner cavity and is captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

[00016] In the foregoing actuation system, the driven pin includes a body having an inner cavity. A first end of the body is configured to engage the end of the driving pin. A slide is configured to slide within the inner cavity. A spring is positioned in the inner cavity and is captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

[00017] There is further provided a method for applying a force to a latch pin assembly of a rocker arm via an actuation system. The actuation system includes a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin. The driven pin has an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly. The method includes applying a force to the driving pin; and engaging an end of the driving pin with a mating end of the driven pin and transferring the force to an opposite end of the driven pin that engages a latch pin of the latch pin assembly. When the latch pin is free to move, the driving pin is displaced in a first direction, the driven pin is displaced in a second direction and the latch pin is displaced in the second direction. When the latch pin is obstructed from movement in the second direction, the driving pin includes a spring that is compressed so the driving pin is not displaced in the first direction, or the driving pin is displaced in the first direction and the driven pin includes a spring that is compressed so the driven pin is not displaced in the second direction. [00018] In the foregoing method, distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction causes movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

[00019] In the foregoing method, the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or are contoured to define slanted surfaces.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[00020] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a three rocker arm assemblies for an engine;

[00021] FIG. IB is a partial sectioned view taken along line IB- IB of FIG. 1 A;

[00022] FIG. 2 is a sectioned view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. IB, showing a latch mechanism of the rocker arm assembly in a latched position;

[00023] FIG. 3 is a sectioned view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. IB, showing a latch mechanism of the rocker arm assembly in an unlatched position;

[00024] FIG. 4 is a sectioned view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. IB, showing the latch mechanism in the unlatched position and a body displaced relative to rocker roller of the rocker arm assembly;

[00025] FIG. 5 is a sectioned view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1A of an electromechanical actuation system of the present application;

[00026] FIG. 6 is a sectioned view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[00027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the rocker arm assemblies of FIG. 1A with a housing removed for clarity to show sliding pins of the electro-mechanical actuation system of FIG. 5;

[00028] FIG. 8A is an enlarged sectioned view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1A;

[00029] FIG. 8B is an enlarged section view taken from FIG. 8A;

[00030] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a driving pin of the electro-mechanical actuation system;

[00031] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a driving pin and a driven pin during a driving operation;

[00032] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view, similar to FIG. 10, showing the driving pin and the driven pin in a retraction operation;

[00033] FIGS. 12 is a front perspective view a driving pin and a driven pin, according to a second embodiment;

[00034] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view a driving pin and a driven pin, according to a second embodiment;

[00035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an attachment system for an electric motor, according to a third embodiment; and

[00036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a driving pin and a driven pin in alternate positions, according to a fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description

[00037] The following presents a description of the disclosure; however, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Furthermore, the following examples may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples discussed herein. Directional references such as “left” and “right” are for ease of reference to the figures.

[00038] Referring to FIG. 1A, three a rocker arm assemblies 10A, 10B, 10C are shown. The rocker arm assemblies 10A, 10B, 10C are essentially identical to each other and only rocker arm assembly 10A will be described in detail. The description provided for rocker arm assembly 10A applies equally to rocker arm assemblies 10B, 10C.

[00039] The rocker arm assembly 10A, in general, includes a body 30 and a lost motion assembly 50. The rocker arm assembly 10A has a valve end 12 configured to engage a valve stem 22 (partially shown in FIG. 1A) and a cam end 14 configured to engage a cam 24 (FIG. IB).

[00040] Referring to FIG. IB, the body 30 includes a rocker bore 32 that is dimensioned to receive a main rocker shaft (not shown) for allowing the body 30 to pivot thereon via actuation by the cam 24. The cam 24 includes a cam profile that is configured to cause the body 30 to pivot about the rocker shaft (not shown) at predetermined intervals as the cam rotates.

[00041] The lost motion assembly 50 is pivotably attached to the body 30. The lost motion assembly 50 includes a bracket 52 having a roller 62 rotatably attached to a first end 52a thereof. The roller 62 is dimensioned and positioned to engage the cam 24, as described in detail below. A pivot is formed at an opposite second end 52b of the bracket 52 from the roller 62. In the embodiment illustrated, the bracket 52 is made from sheet metal that is bent to define a first leg 54a and a second parallel leg 54b. In this embodiment, the roller 62 is rotatably held between the first leg 54a and the second leg 54b. The pivot is defined by pivot holes 56a, 56b (pivot hole 56b is obstructed in FIG. IB) in the first leg 54a and the second leg 54b, respectively, that are dimensioned and positioned to align with each other to define a pivot axis A of the bracket 52. The bracket 52 is dimensioned to pivot about a pivot rod 64. In the embodiment illustrated, the pivot rod 64 extends from the first and second legs 54a, 54b into the body 30 such that the bracket 52 is pivotably attached to the body 30.

[00042] A spring 70 extends between the body 30 and the bracket 52. One end of the spring 70 is attached to the bracket 52 and an opposite end of the spring 70 is attached to the body 30. The spring 70 is configured to bias the bracket 52 in the clockwise direction relative to the pivot axis A, as viewed in FIG. IB.

[00043] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a latch pin assembly 80 is positioned in the body 30 and the roller 62. The latch pin assembly 80 includes an actuation piston 82, a latch pin 84, a latch piston 86, a spring 88 and a washer 92. The actuation piston 82, the latch pin 84, the latch piston 86, the spring 88 and the washer 92 are aligned along a longitudinal axis B of the latch pin assembly 80. Referring now to FIG. 2, the latch pin 84 is dimensioned and positioned to be partially received into the roller 62 and a leg 30a of the body 30. The spring 88 is compressed between the latch piston 86 and the washer 92 to bias the latch piston 86, the latch pin 84 and the actuation piston 82 in the direction “C” toward the leg 30a. When the latch pin 84 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, also referred to as a “latched position”, the bracket 52 and the body 30, when actuated by the cam 24 pivot about the rocker shaft (not shown) as a unitary body.

[00044] When a lost motion is desired, i.e., when it is desired that motion from the cam 24 is not translated to the valve end 12 of the rocker arm assembly 10A, the latch pin 84 and the latch piston 86 are forced in the direction “D” toward the washer 92 by a driven pin 142 of the electro-mechanical actuation system 100 (described in detail below), thereby compressing the spring 88 between the washer 92 and the latch piston 86. Once the latch pin 84 is completely within the roller (see, FIG. 3), the bracket 52 is unlatched from the body 30 such that movement from the cam 24 is applied only to the bracket 52 and the bracket 52 pivots about the pivot rod 64 (independent of the body 30) in the direction “E” (FIG. 4), i.e., away from the first position against the biasing force of the spring 70. This is referred to as a “lost motion” movement. See, FIG. 4.

[00045] Referring back to FIG. 1A, the present application provides an electromechanical actuation system 100 for actuation of the lost motion assembly 50. The actuation system 100 includes, in general, a torque motor 110, a drive shaft 112, a drive cam 114 and a sliding pin assembly 130A, 130B, 130C.

[00046] The torque motor 110 is coupled to the drive shaft 112 for providing rotation to the drive shaft 112. In the embodiment illustrated, the motor 110 is directly connected to the drive shaft 112. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, a connecting linkage 116 is providing for connecting the motor 110 to the drive shaft 112. The connecting linkage 116 may allow the motor 110 to be positioned at a location that is remote from the drive shaft 112. In the embodiment illustrated, the torque motor 110 is an electric motor.

[00047] Referring back to FIG. 1A, the cam 114 is attached to the drive shaft 112 and fixed thereto so that the cam 114 rotates as the motor 110 turns the drive shaft 112. A sliding pin assembly 130A, 130B, 130C is positioned proximate each cam 114. In the embodiment illustrated, each sliding pin assembly 130A, 130B, 130C is associated with a different rocker arm assembly 10A, 10B, 10C, respectively. The sliding pin assemblies 130A, 130B, 130C are essentially identical and only sliding pin assembly 130A will be described in detail here below. The description for the sliding pin assembly 130A applies equally to sliding pin assemblies 130B, 130C.

[00048] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding pin assembly 130A includes, in general, a body 134, a driven pin 142 and a driving pin 150. The body 134 includes a first bored hole 136 for receiving the driven pin 142. The first bored hole 136 aligns with a longitudinal axis B of the latch pin assembly 80 such that movement of the driven pin 142 in the first bored hole 136 is directed along the longitudinal axis B of the latch pin assembly 80. A second bored hole 138 extends through the body and intersects the first bored hole 136. In the embodiment illustrated, the first bored hole 136 and the second bored hole 138 intersect at a 90 degree angle. It is contemplated that the first bored hole 136 and the second bored hole 138 may intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees. The first bored hole 136 is dimensioned to receive the driven pin 142.

[00049] The driven pin 142 is a generally cylindrical shaped element having a contoured surface 144 formed on a first end of the driven pin 142. In the embodiment illustrated, a peripheral flange 148 extends radially outward from a second end of the driven pin 142. The driven pin 142 is dimensioned to slide axially within the first bored hole 136. The flange 148 may be dimensioned and positioned to limit the axial movement of the driven pin 142 into the first bored hole 136.

[00050] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the driving pin 150 is dimensioned to slide axially in the second bored hole 138. The driving pin 150 includes, in general, a body 152, a spring 162, a slide 164 and a plug 172. The body 152 is a generally tubular shaped element having a mating contoured surface 154 formed on a first end thereof. An opposite second end of the body 152 is open to an inner cavity 158 of the body 152. The inner cavity 158 is dimensioned to receive the spring 162, the slide 164 and the plug 172 to allow the same to axially move within the inner cavity 158.

[00051] The spring 162 is dimensioned to be received in the inner cavity 158 of the body 152. In the embodiment shown, the spring 162 is a compression spring that is dimensioned to be compressed between a bottom wall of the inner cavity 158 and the slide 164.

[00052] The slide 164 is a tubular element having an outer diameter that is dimensioned to allow the slide 164 to move axially within the inner cavity 158. The slide 164 has an annular inner ledge 166. The inner ledge 166 is dimensioned and positioned to engage an end of the spring 162, as described in detail below. A peripheral outer ledge 168 is formed on an outer wall of the slide 164. The outer ledge 168 is dimensioned and positioned as described in detail below.

[00053] The plug 172 is dimensioned be received into an open end of the slide 164 to close the same. The plug 172 includes a first end that is dimensioned to engage the respective cam 114.

[00054] The driving pin 150 is assembled by inserting the spring 156 into the inner cavity 158 of the body 152 so that one end of the spring 162 engages the bottom wall of the inner cavity 158. The slide 164 is then inserted and the spring 156 is captured therebetween. In particular, the spring 156 is captured between the bottom wall of the inner cavity 158 and the annular inner ledge 166 of the slide 164. The plug 172 is then inserted into the open end of the slide 164 and a retaining ring 174 is inserted into a groove in the inner cavity 158 of the body 152 to retain the slide 164 in the body 152.

[00055] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the driven pin 142 is inserted into the first bored hole 136 and the driving pin 150 is inserted into the second bored hole 138 such that the contoured surface 144 of the driven pin 142 and the mating contoured surface of the driving pin 150 engage each other. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 (wherein the body 134 has been removed for clarity), as the driving pin 150 moves axially into the second bored hole 138 (as caused by a force applied by the cam 1 14), the mating contoured surface 154 of the driving pin 150 engages and slides along the contoured surface 144 of the driven pin 142. The second bored hole 138 constrains the driving pin 150 to move only in the axial direction, represented by arrow Fl in FIG. 10. . The only possible motion for the driven pin 142 in the first bored hole 136 is axially (in the direction F2) toward the actuation piston 82. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the driven pin 142 aligns with the longitudinal axis B (FIG. 2) of the latch pin assembly 80 such that the latch pin 84 is forced to move from the latched position shown in FIG. 2 to the unlatched position, shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that the latch pin assembly 80 could alternatively be configured such that the latch pin 84 is normally in the unlatched position and the application of a force to the latch pin 84 moves it to a latched positioned.

[00056] As the cam 1 14 continues to turn (as driven by the torque motor 110), the cam profile no longer applies the force F to the driving pin 150. The spring 88 in the latch pin assembly 80 applies a resistance force indirectly to the driven pin 142 so that the driven pin 142 moves in the direction Rl, as illustrated in FIG. 11. This reaction force is then transferred via contact between the contoured surface 144 and the mating contoured surface 154 to the driving pin 150 to cause it to move in the direction R2, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

[00057] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-11 , the contoured surface 144 of the driven pin 142 and the mating contoured surface 154 of the driving pin 150 are frustoconical in shape. The surfaces 144, 154 may be dimensioned and designed to allow the driven pin 142 and the driving pin 150 to cause the relative motion described in detail above. Because the surfaces 144, 154 are frustoconical in shape, the rotational orientation of the driven pin 142 and the driving pin 150 within their respective bored holes 136, 138 is not critical to the operation the sliding pin assembly 130A.

[00058] In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12, a driven pin 242 includes a slanted surface 244 and a driving pin 250 includes a mating slanted surface 254. Similar to the surfaces 144, 154 described in detail above, the surfaces 244, 254 are dimensioned and designed to allow the driven pin 242 and the driving pin 250 to cause the relative motion described in detail above. The slanted surfaces 244, 254 may require that the driven pin 242 and the driving pin 250 stay in a predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other to ensure proper operation of the sliding pin assembly 130A. In this respect, the pins 242, 250 may be constrained in the respective bored holes 136, 138 to a predetermined rotational orientation.

[00059] The present application provides an electro-mechanical actuation system 100 that allows a torque motor 110 to selectively drive operation of the latch pin assembly 80. During normal operation, when a force is applied to the driving pin 150 by the drive cam 114, that force is transmitted by the slide 164 and the spring 162 to the body 152 of the driving pin 150. The body 152, in turn, applies a force via the mating contoured surface 154 to the contoured surface 144 of the driven pin 142. In this respect, the body 152 , the spring 162 and slide 164 act as a single unitary body. If the driven pin 142 is able to move, it will cause the actuation piston 82 and the latch pin 84 to move to the unlatched position.

[00060] If the driven pin 142 is unable to move (e.g., obstructed or stuck), the spring 162 will compress when the force is applied to the slide 164. In this respect, the spring 162 takes the applied force and uses it to compress the spring 162. This configuration helps to prevent breakage of the components when a force is applied to the driving pin 150 but the driven pin is not able to move. This configuration also allows the switching of the latch pin 84 to be automatically phased with the engine time. In other words, the spring 162 allows a constant pressure to be applied to the driven pin 142. The driven pin 142 is able to move only at predetermined positions of the rocker arm assembly 10A . When the rocker arm assembly 10A is not in one of the predetermined positions, the spring 162 is compressed but it continues to apply a force to the driven pin 142. The spring 162 is commonly referred to as a “compliance spring.”

[00061] In another alternative embodiment, not shown, the driving pin 150 may be actuated by a solenoid instead the cam 1 14. [00062] In the embodiment described above, the driving pin 150 includes the compliance spring 162. In alternative embodiment (FIG. 15), the position of the driving pin 150 and the driven pin 142 are switched such that the driving pin 150 aligns with the longitudinal axis B of the latch pin assembly 80 and functions as the “driven pin.” The driven pin 142 would then be positioned in the second bored hole 138 and function as the “driving pin.” In this embodiment, the sliding pin immediately adjacent the actuation piston 82 will collapse if the latch pin 84 is not able to move. The compliance spring 162 will allow for the continuous application of a force to the latch pin 84 during operation, if so desired.

[00063] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

Claims What we claim is:

1 . A rocker arm assembly for selectively transferring motion from a cam to a valve, the rocker arm assembly comprising: a body having a rocker bore shaft configured to receive a rocker shaft; a lost motion assembly pivotably attached to the body and configured to selectively pivot relative to the body, the lost motion assembly comprising: a bracket pivotally connected to the body at a first end and having a roller attached to a second opposite end of the bracket, a latch pin assembly including a latch pin for selectively latching the bracket to the body, and a spring for biasing the bracket to a first position wherein the latch pin aligns with a mating hole in the body; and an actuation system for selectively applying a force to the latch pin assembly, the actuation system comprising: a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin, the driven pin have an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly wherein movement of the driven pin toward the latch pin assembly selectively moves the latch pin from one of a latched position or an unlatched position to the other of the latched position or the unlatched position.

2. The rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises: a torque motor configured for rotating a drive shaft; and a cam rotatably fixed to the drive shaft and positioned proximate the driving pin, the cam having a cam profile configured to selectively displace the driving pin as the cam rotates.

3. The rocker arm assembly of one of claims 1 or 2, wherein distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction causes movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

4. The rocker arm assembly of claim 3, wherein the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or are contoured to define slanted surfaces.

5. The rocker arm assembly of one of claims 1-4, wherein the driving pin comprises: a body having an inner cavity, a first end of the body configured to engage the end of the driven pin; a slide configured to slide within the inner cavity; and a spring positioned in the inner cavity and captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

6. The rocker arm assembly of one of claims 1-4, wherein the driven pin comprises: a body having an inner cavity, a first end of the body configured to engage the end of the driving pin; a slide configured to slide within the inner cavity; and a spring positioned in the inner cavity and captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

7. An actuation system for selectively applying a force to a latch pin assembly of a rocker arm assembly, the actuation system comprising: a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin, the driven pin have an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly wherein movement of the driven pin toward the latch pin assembly selectively moves a latch pin of the latch pin assembly from one of a latched position or an unlatched position to the other of the latched position or the unlatched position.

8. The actuation system of claim 7, further comprising: a torque motor configured for rotating a drive shaft; and a cam rotatably fixed to the drive shaft and positioned proximate the driving pin, the cam having a cam profile configured to selectively displace the driving pin as the cam rotates.

9. The actuation system of claims 7 or 8, wherein distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction causes movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

10. The actuation system of claim 9, wherein the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or are contoured to define slanted surfaces.

11. The actuation system of one of claims 7-10, wherein the driven pin moves along an axis that is orientated perpendicular to an axis along which the driving pin moves.

12. The actuation system of one of claims 7-10, wherein the driving pin comprises: a body having an inner cavity, a first end of the body configured to engage the end of the driven pin; a slide configured to slide within the inner cavity; and a spring positioned in the inner cavity and captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

13. The actuation system of one of claims 7-10, wherein the driven pin comprises: a body having an inner cavity, a first end of the body configured to engage the end of the driving pin; a slide configured to slide within the inner cavity; and a spring positioned in the inner cavity and captured between the body and the slide for biasing the slide to a first position.

14. A method for applying a force to a latch pin assembly of a rocker arm via an actuation system, the actuation system comprising a driving pin for selectively imparting motion to a driven pin, the driven pin having an end configured to engage the latch pin assembly, the method comprising: applying a force to the driving pin; and engaging an end of the driving pin with a mating end of the driven pin and transferring the force to an opposite end of the driven pin that engages a latch pin of the latch pin assembly, wherein when the latch pin is free to move, the driving pin is displaced in a first direction, the driven pin is displaced in a second direction and the latch pin is displaced in the second direction, and when the latch pin is obstructed from movement in the second direction, the driving pin includes a spring that is compressed so the driving pin is not displaced in the first direction, or the driving pin is displaced in the first direction and the driven pin includes a spring that is compressed so the driven pin is not displaced in the second direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein distal ends of the driven pin and the driving pin are configured to engage and slide relative to each other, wherein movement of the driving pin in a first direction causes movement of the driven pin in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal ends are frustoconical shaped or are contoured to define slanted surfaces.