[001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202111029035, filed June 29, 2021 , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

[002] This application relates to hydraulic lash adjusters, deactivating hydraulic lash adjusters, and spring stop assemblies to be used in conjunction with hydraulic lash adjusters.

Background

[003] Lash adjusters can comprise an outer body that is conventionally machined from solid bar stock which increases cycle time, material wastage, and expense. New technology comprises hydraulic lash adjusters, and recently deactivating hydraulic lash adjusters. Now, spring compression becomes an issue.

SUMMARY

[001] Lash adjusters, including deactivating hydraulic lash adjusters, can comprise an outer body and an inner assembly which move relative to each other, as well as at least one lost motion spring positioned between the outer body and the inner assembly. In some operation modes, the inner assembly and the outer body can over compress the lost motion spring. But, disclosed herein are spring stop assemblies to control the travel of the inner assembly. Additionally, the lost motion spring can have its spring tension set via the disclosed spring stop assemblies. Or, the device height or lash can be set via the disclosed spring stop assemblies.

[002] Also, manufacturing techniques that facilitate low cost, ease, efficient material use, and customization can be used to form the hydraulic lash adjuster herein. Drop-in assembly and select-fitting is also facilitated.

[003] Alternative embodiments of bottom caps are shown. Alternative embodiments of latch receivers are shown. The alternatives can be exchanged such that the bottom caps of Figures 1-3A are interchangeable with the alternative latch receiver teachings of Figures 1-3B. [004] A hydraulic lash adjuster can comprise: a longitudinal axis; an inner assembly comprising: a check assembly; and a latch pin assembly; an outer body comprising: a body bore; and a first latch receiver formed in the outer body; a bottom cap seated in the outer body; and a lost motion spring biased against the bottom cap and the inner assembly, wherein the inner assembly is configured to travel within a length of the body bore along the longitudinal axis.

[005] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly comprising a pin, an inner latch spring, and an outer latch spring.

[006] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a cap bore with a cap bore diameter, wherein the cap bore diameter is smaller than an inner assembly diameter such that the bottom cap restricts an inner assembly from travel into the cap bore.

[007] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a body bore comprising a first latch receiver and a second latch receiver, and wherein a latch pin assembly is configured to selectively latch and unlatch in each of the first latch receiver and the second latch receiver.

[008] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a cap bore, wherein a lost motion spring is positioned below an inner assembly, and wherein the bottom cap with the cap bore forms a travel limit to restrict the travel of the inner assembly.

[009] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a travel limit, wherein the travel limit restricts the travel of an inner assembly.

[010] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap further comprising a plate.

[011] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an outer body comprising: a retainer groove; and a travel retainer in the retainer groove, wherein the travel retainer is configured to restrict an inner assembly from traveling along at least a portion of a body bore.

[012] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an outer body comprising a second latch receiver.

[013] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a second latch receiver comprising a travel limit configured to seat a latch pin assembly. [014] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a second latch receiver further comprising a receiver surface comprising a draft, wherein a latch pin comprises a taper, and wherein the draft and the taper are configured to facilitate the unlatching of the latch pin.

[015] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly comprising at least one tapered latch pin, an outer body comprising a second latch receiver comprising a latch groove, a travel limit, and a receiver surface comprising a draft, the latch pin assembly is configured to latch to and to unlatch from a first latch receiver and from the second latch receiver, the travel limit is configured to prevent an inner assembly from traveling between the second latch receiver and a bottom cap, the at least one tapered latch pin is configured to seat in the latch groove, and the draft of the receiver surface and the taper of the at least one tapered latch pin are configured to facilitate the unlatching of the latch pin assembly.

[016] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly further comprising at least one tapered latch pin, an outer body comprising a second latch receiver comprising a travel limit and a receiver surface comprising a draft, the latch pin assembly is configured to latch to and to unlatch from a first latch receiver and the second latch receiver, the travel limit is configured to prevent an inner assembly from traveling below the second latch receiver, the draft of the receiver surface and the taper of the at least one tapered latch pin facilitate the unlatching of the inner assembly, and a lost motion spring, when compressed, is positioned below the second latch receiver.

[017] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an inner assembly comprising a plunger tube connected to a plunger body, and a check assembly seated between the plunger tube and the plunger body.

[018] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a check assembly comprising a check sleeve movable in a plunger body, and wherein a plunger tube is configured to abut the check sleeve.

[019] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a plunger tube comprising a plunger tube oil feed, wherein a plunger body comprises a plunger body oil feed, and wherein an inner assembly comprises a plunger retainer seated to travel in the plunger tube oil feed and in the plunger body oil feed. [020] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an upper retainer securing an inner assembly in an outer body on a first end of the outer body, and comprising a bottom cap securing a lost motion spring against the inner assembly on a second end of the outer body.

[021] A method of manufacturing a hydraulic lash adjuster can include manufacturing an outer body from a hollow tube or by cold forming a substrate, the outer body comprising a body bore comprising a first end and a second end; manufacturing a bottom cap comprising deep drawing or cold forming; joining the bottom cap to the second end of the outer body by one or more of press fitting, crimping, welding, or joining to a retaining mechanism; inserting a lost motion spring into the body bore; inserting an inner assembly into the body bore; and joining an upper retainer to the first end of the outer body.

[022] Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the disclosure. The objects and advantages will also be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] Figures 1-3A are cross-section views of alternative hydraulic lash adjusters with alternative spring stop assemblies and alternative latching and unlatching configurations.

[024] Figure 3B is a detailed cross-section view of a portion of a hydraulic lash adjuster with a spring stop assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[025] Directional references such as “left,” “right,” “above,” “below,” “upper,” and “lower” are solely for ease of reference to the figures.

[026] FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away view of a hydraulic lash adjuster comprising a latch pin assembly 103 and a spring stop assembly 1. Spring stop assembly 1 can comprise an inner assembly 101 and an outer body 102 along longitudinal axis AA. [027] Inner assembly 101 comprises a latch pin assembly 103. As options, latch pin assembly 103 can comprise one or two pins 104, 105, one or more inner latch spring 106, one or more outer latch spring 107, and an optional latch travel limiter 108. Including a latch pin assembly 103 as drawn or substituting an option taught in the prior art enables the hydraulic lash adjuster (“HLA”) to function as a deactivating hydraulic lash adjuster (“DHLA”). Various lift height operations can be provided in the same package that takes up lash in a valvetrain. For example, a nominal lift height can be transferred to an affiliated rocker arm or valve. Then, a higher or lower lift height can be selected, such as a zero lift height (cylinder deactivation or lost motion) or an early or late intake or exhaust valve opening or closing of one or more valves (NVO, iEGR, EEVO, LEVO, LIVC, EIVC, engine braking, among others).

[028] Inner assembly 101 can comprise aspects to form a high pressure chamber 1015 and a low pressure chamber 1016. While a one-piece or other alternative inner assembly known in the prior art can be used with the spring stop assembly and latch receiver alternatives taught herein, the inner assembly 101 shown herein comprises two pieces of material that can be cold-formed, deep- drawn, or otherwise cost-effectively manufactured. A plunger tube 1011 can be connected to a plunger body 1012 via a plunger retainer 1013. At least one oil feed 1014 can be configured to supply hydraulic fluid such as oil to high pressure chamber 1015, low pressure chamber 1016, and check assembly 1020. Plunger body 1012 can comprise exterior features to cooperate with outer body 102 to form, for example, leak down paths, control oil pathways, lubrication paths, alignment features, among other options.

[029] Check assembly 1020 can comprise a check sleeve 1021 , check seat 1022, check 1023, lash spring 1024, an optional cage 1025, and check spring 1026. Check assembly 1020 can be drop-in assembled between the plunger tube 1011 and plunger body 1012. As an outstanding material savings, the check sleeve 1021 and one or both of the plunger tube 1011 and plunger body 1012 can be select-fit per customer specifications, reducing stock and material waste and encouraging part reuse.

[030] Check sleeve 1021 can be configured to rise up and expand high pressure chamber 1015, and check sleeve 1021 can be pressed down to collapse high pressure chamber 1015. Plunger retainer 1013 can be used to act as a travel limit for high pressure chamber 1015 and low pressure chamber 1016. Plunger tube 1011 can form a low pressure chamber where an optional jiggle pin can be inserted through controlled orifice 1028.

[031] Outer body 102 can comprise a body bore 109 to receive inner assembly 101 with a first end and a second end. Body bore 109 can be formed to comprise latch receiver 110. A bottom cap 111 with cap bore 112 can be pressed to the second end while upper retainer 113 can be pressed to first end. Exterior of outer body 102 can comprise features for alignment, rigidity, light weighting, oil flow, among other options.

[032] Body bore 109 can comprise multiple interior diameters. Body bore 109 can be said to be stepped. Body bore 109 defines at least one interior diameter, body bore diameter 114. Additional interior diameters can be formed for such purposes as alignment, rigidity, light weighting, oil flow, among other options. Body bore diameter 114 can serve as a guide for movement of inner assembly 101.

[033] Similarly, cap bore 112 defines an interior diameter, cap bore diameter 115. Body bore 109 and cap bore 112, as bounded by inner assembly 101 , define an expandable and collapsible volume, spring chamber 116, in which at least one lost motion spring 117 is seated.

[034] As options, outer body 102 can be manufactured from a hollow tube or by cold forming or by deep drawing, thus saving cost by reducing material wastage, cycle time, tool wear, as well as other advantages.

[035] Bottom cap 111 can be manufactured using deep drawing, cold forming, or other processes, and can be fixed to outer body 102 by press fitting, crimping, welding, or by use of a retaining mechanism, such as a clip. Press fitting, crimping, welding, or use of a retaining mechanism can assist in such functions as setting the height of spring stop assembly 1 or adjusting the spring tension of lost motion spring 117, among other functions.

[036] Inner assembly 101 has a diameter 118 that is larger than cap bore diameter 115, but smaller than body bore 109 such that inner assembly 101 is able to move freely within body bore 109 along axis AA, but cannot enter cap bore 112. This is because the cap bore diameter 115 of bottom cap 111 is smaller than body bore diameter 114 and inner assembly diameter 118. Cap bore diameter 115 is large enough to accommodate lost motion spring 117. Thus, bottom cap 111 creates a travel limit 119 which restricts downward motion of inner assembly 101. In the example, travel limit is an annular surface, but travel limit 119 can comprise other shapes that result from welding, crimping, pressing, threading, or otherwise retaining the bottom cap 111 to the second end of outer body 102. Bottom cap 111 can include features for purposes like locking in place, lightweighting, or leakdown, such as slits, holes, tabs, grips, threads, or the like.

[037] While latch pin assembly 103 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two latch pins 104, 105, it is possible to design latch pin assembly 103 to utilize only a single one of the latch pins 104, 105, or to design the latch pin assembly 103 to be biased unlatched. Such alternatives can be found in the prior art and incorporated into the teachings herein. Further, while latch pin assembly 103 with latch pins 104, 105 shown in FIG. 1 are in a latched positioned, latch pin assembly 103 with latch pins 104, 105 can be biased as latched or as unlatched as a starting position. Inner latch spring 106 can comprise a single, or more than one, biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to push a single or multiple latch pins 104, 105 into a latched mode or to engage with latch receiver 110. Inner latch spring 106 biases latch pin assembly 103 and its latch pins 104,

105 to a latched position such that latch pin assembly 103 and its latch pins 104,

105 are seated within latch receiver 110, preventing inner assembly 101 from moving along axis AA.

[038] If inner latch spring 106 comprises more than one biasing mechanism, or if latch pin assembly 103 comprises more than one latch pin, for example, travel limiter 108 can be placed between the biasing mechanisms of inner latch spring 106 or latch pins 104, 105 to prevent issues such as the misalignment of inner latch spring 106 or overtravel of one or both latch pin 104, 105. Travel limiter 108 can comprise a snap ring or a press fit bushing affixed to latch pin assembly 103. Alternatively, a blind bore could be formed, or a step or a wall can be formed in the plunger body to provide travel limiter 108 as a bias point for one or more latch spring 106. It is possible, as claimed, to use only one of the latch pins 104, 105 by including a travel limiter 108 against which the latch pin 104 or 105 can be biased. Alternatives known in the art, such as arrangements biasing the latch pin assembly 103 to be unlatched are options within the teachings herein. [039] Outer latch spring 107 can comprise a biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to pushing a single or multiple latch pins 104, 105 into an unlatched mode or to disengage with latch receiver 110. As shown in FIG. 1 , outer latch spring 107 spans the left and right side of latch pin assembly 103 and is configured to retract latch pins 104, 105 from latch receiver 110. For example, an o-ring can serve as outer latch spring 107. Latch pins 104, 105 of latch pin assembly 103 can be retracted from latch receiver 110, allowing inner assembly 101 to move within body bore 109 along axis AA.

[040] Upper retainer 113 ensures inner assembly 101 is positioned within body bore 109 and prevents inner assembly 101 from becoming lost or misaligned. Upper retainer 113 can serve as a travel limit to set the height of the lash adjuster. Upper retainer 113 can be pressed, crimped, welded, staked, or locked in place, as by comprising features like threading, locking tabs, mating surfaces, among options.

[041] When latch pin assembly 103 is in a latched configuration, inner assembly 101 can be seated within latch receiver 110 and held immobile relative to outer body 102. When latch pin assembly 103 is unlatched, and its latch pins 104, 105 are retracted from latch receiver 110, inner assembly 101 is free to travel within body bore 109 along axis AA, and inner assembly 101 can compress and decompress lost motion spring 117 positioned in spring chamber 116. It is possible to design oil ports or other pathways through or along the plunger body 1012 or through or along the outer body 102 or both to control the latch pin assembly 103. For example, hydraulic control can be used to latch or unlatch the one or more latch pin 104, 105 to or from the latch receiver 110.

[042] Travel limit 119, having a narrower inner diameter 115 than either body bore diameter 114 or inner assembly diameter 118, prevents inner assembly 101 from traveling along axis AA into cap bore 112 where lost motion spring 117 is seated, thereby preventing inner assembly 101 from over compressing lost motion spring 117. Spring stop assembly 1 also prevents the check assembly 1020 from pumping up. So, between two or more of the retainer 113, plunger retainer 1013, and spring stop assembly 1 , the lash adjustment is kept within a range.

[043] FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of another embodiment of a spring stop assembly 2 incorporated in a deactivating hydraulic lash adjuster. Spring stop assembly 2 can comprise an inner assembly 201 and an outer body 202 along longitudinal axis BB. Many aspects of the hydraulic lash adjuster correspond from FIG. 1 and are incorporated hereinbelow. For example, many aspects of lightweighting, oil flow, retention, height-setting, ease of manufacture, and the like can be incorporated from FIG. 1 hereinbelow.

[044] Inner assembly 201 comprises latch pin assembly 203 which further includes pins 204, 205, inner latch spring 206, outer latch spring 207, and latch travel limiter 208.

[045] Inner assembly 201 further comprises plunger tube 2011 , plunger body 2012, plunger retainer 2013, oil feed 2014, high pressure chamber 2015, low pressure chamber 2016, and check assembly 2020.

[046] The components and features of check assembly 2020 correspond to those of check assembly 1020.

[047] Outer body 202 comprises body bore 209 to receive inner assembly 201 , latch receiver 210, bottom cap 211, retainer clip 212, retainer clip groove 213, and upper retainer 214. Body bore 209 includes at least one interior diameter, first body bore diameter 215.

[048] Body bore 209, as bounded by the bottom of inner assembly 101 as shown in FIG. 2, and bottom cap 211 define an expandable and collapsible volume, spring chamber 216, in which at least one lost motion spring 217 is positioned. Retainer clip groove 213 has a diameter slightly larger than first body bore diameter 215, allowing retainer clip 212 to seat in retainer clip groove 213. Seated in retainer clip groove 213, retainer clip 212 forms an annular resting surface, with an inner retainer diameter 218 wide enough for lost motion spring 217 to pass through. In this way, retainer clip 212 acts as a travel limit and restricts the downward motion of inner assembly 201. Retainer clip 212 can be a circlip, washer, bushing, among options.

[049] As seen in FIG. 2, body bore 209 can include an optional second body bore diameter 219, of a different dimension than first body bore diameter 215. Second body bore diameter 219 can be larger than first body bore diameter 215 to, for example, facilitate manufacturing by providing a larger aperture to introduce retainer clip 212 into body bore 209. Second body bore diameter 219 can be smaller than first body bore diameter 215 to, for example, reduce the size and diameter of bottom cap 211. [050] Inner assembly 201 has an outer diameter 220 that is smaller than first body bore diameter 215 and larger than inner retainer diameter 218, such that inner assembly 101 is able to travel freely within body bore 209 along axis BB, but cannot move past retainer clip 212.

[051] Outer body 202 can be manufactured as a completely hollow body from a hollow tube by cold forming or by other processes, thus saving costs by reducing material wastage, cycle time, tool wear, as well as other advantages.

[052] Bottom cap 211 can be manufactured using low cost processes such as stamping, deep drawing, cold forming, or other processes, and can be fixed to outer body 202 by press fitting, crimping, welding, or by use of a retaining mechanism, such as a clip. Press fitting, crimping, welding, or the use of a retaining mechanism can assist in setting the height of spring stop assembly 2 as well as adjusting the spring tension of lost motion spring 217. While bottom cap 211 is in the shape of a flat plate as seen in FIG. 2, bottom cap 211 can adopt a cup-shape as seen in FIG. 1 , or outer body 202 can be manufactured with a closed end in lieu of a separate bottom cap 211.

[053] While latch pin assembly 203 shown in FIG. 2 comprises two latch pins 204, 205, only one latch pin is required. Further, while latch pin assembly 203 with latch pins 204, 205 shown in FIG. 2 are in a latched positioned, latch pin assembly 203 with latch pins 204, 205 can be biased as either latched or as unlatched as a starting position. Inner latch spring 206 can comprise a single, or more than one, biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to pushing a single or multiple latch pins 204, 205 into a latched mode or to engage with latch receiver 210. Inner latch spring 206 biases latch pin assembly 203 and latch pins 204, 205 to a latched position such that latch pin assembly 203 and latch pins 204, 205 are seated within latch receiver 210, preventing inner assembly 201 from moving along axis BB.

[054] If, for example, inner latch spring 206 comprises more than one biasing mechanism, or if latch pin assembly 203 comprises more than one latch pin, latch travel limiter 208 can be placed between the biasing mechanisms of inner latch spring 206 or latch pins 204, 205 of latch pin assembly 203 to prevent the misalignment of biasing mechanisms of inner latch spring 206 or latch pins 204, 205. Latch travel limiter 208 can comprise, as an example, a snap ring or a press fit bushing.

[055] Outer latch spring 207 can comprise a biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to push a single or multiple latch pins 204, 205 into an unlatched mode or to disengage with latch receiver 210. As seen in FIG. 2, outer latch spring 207 extends between the left and right sides of latch pin assembly 203 and is configured to retract latch pins 204, 205 from latch receiver 210. Latch receiver 210 can be placed into an unlatched mode such that inner assembly 201 can move within body bore 209 along axis BB.

[056] Upper retainer 214 can be used to ensure inner assembly 201 is positioned within body bore 209 and to prevent inner assembly 201 from exiting outer body 202.

[057] When latch pin assembly 203 is in a latched configuration, inner assembly 201 is seated within latch receiver 210 and immobile relative to outer body 202. When latch pin assembly 203 is unlatched, and its latch pins 204, 205 are retracted from latch receiver 210, inner assembly 201 is free to travel within body bore 209 along axis BB, which can compress and decompress lost motion spring 217 seated in spring chamber 216.

[058] However, retainer clip 212 prevents inner assembly 201 from traveling fully along axis AA and reaching bottom cap 211 where lost motion spring 217 is seated below inner assembly 201 , thereby preventing inner assembly 201 from over compressing lost motion spring 217.

[059] FIG. 3A illustrates a cut-away view of another embodiment of a spring stop assembly 3. Spring stop assembly 3 can comprise an inner assembly 301 and an outer body 302 along axis CC. Many aspects of the hydraulic lash adjuster correspond from FIG. 1 and are incorporated hereinbelow. For example, many aspects of lightweighting, oil flow, retention, height-setting, ease of manufacture, and the like can be incorporated from FIG. 1 hereinbelow.

[060] Inner assembly 301 comprises latch pin assembly 303 which further comprises pins 304, 305, inner latch spring 306, outer latch spring 307, and latch travel limiter 308. [061 ] Inner assembly 301 further comprises plunger tube 3011 , plunger body 3012, plunger retainer 3013, oil feed 3014, high pressure chamber 3015, low pressure chamber 3016, and check assembly 3020.

[062] The components and features of check assembly 3020 correspond to those of check assembly 1020.

[063] Outer body 302 comprises body bore 309 to receive inner assembly 303, upper latch receiver 310, lower latch receiver 311 , bottom cap 312, and upper retainer 313. Body bore 309 includes at least one interior diameter, body bore diameter 314. Inner assembly 301 has an inner assembly diameter 322 smaller than body bore diameter 314 such that inner assembly 301 can move through body bore 309 along axis CC.

[064] Body bore 309, as bounded by inner assembly 301 as shown in FIG. 3 and bottom cap 312, defines an expandable and collapsible volume, spring chamber 315, in which at least one lost motion spring 316 is seated. Bottom cap 312 can be a disc, button, washer, bushing or the like or one of the bottom cap 111 options of FIG. 1.

[065] As an option, outer body 302 can be manufactured as a hollow body, with a hollow body bore 309 having at least one body bore diameter 314, from a hollow tube, by cold forming, or by other processes, thus saving cost by reducing material wastage, cycle time, tool wear, as well as other advantages.

[066] Bottom cap 312 can be manufactured using low cost processes such as stamping, deep drawing, cold forming, or other processes, and can be fixed to outer body 302 by press fitting, crimping, welding, or by use of a retaining mechanism, such as a clip. Press fitting, crimping, welding, or the use of a retaining mechanism can assist in setting the height of spring stop assembly 3 as well as adjusting the spring tension of lost motion spring 317. While bottom cap 312 is in the shape of a flat plate as seen in FIG. 3, bottom cap 312 can adopt a cup-shape as seen in FIG. 1. Alternatively, outer body 302 can be manufactured with a closed end in lieu of a separate bottom cap 312.

[067] While latch pin assembly 303 shown in FIG. 3A comprises two latch pins 304, 305, only one latch pin is required. Further, while latch pin assembly 303 with latch pins 304, 305 shown in FIG. 3A are in a latched positioned, latch pin assembly 303 with latch pins 304, 305 can be biased as either latched or as unlatched as a starting position. Inner latch spring 306 can comprise a single, or more than one, biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to pushing a single or multiple latch pins 304, 305 into a latched mode or to engage with latch receiver 310. Inner latch spring 306 biases latch pin assembly 303 and its latch pins 304, 305 to a latched position such that latch pin assembly 303 and its latch pins 304, 305 are seated within upper latch receiver 310 or lower latch receiver 311 , preventing inner assembly 301 from moving along axis CC.

[068] Upper latch receiver 310 and lower latch receiver 311 are each configured to retain latch pin assembly 303 when latch pin assembly 303 is in latched mode. Including a first and a second latch receiver as shown in Fig. 3A permits control strategies that lock the hydraulic lash adjuster at different heights.

So, a lift height can be locked for a number of cycles by oil pressure control to the latch pin assembly 303. As above, biased latched or biased unlatched can be a matter of design choice.

[069] Lower latch receiver 311 can have similar dimensions to upper latch receiver 310. Or, as another option, lower latch receiver 311 can deviate in one or more dimension from upper latch receiver 310, discussed more in connection with Fig. 3B below.

[070] If inner latch spring 306 comprises more than one biasing mechanism, or if latch pin assembly 303 comprises more than one latch pin, latch travel limiter 308 can be placed between the biasing mechanisms of inner latch spring 306 or latch pins 304, 305 of latch pin assembly 303 to prevent the misalignment of biasing mechanisms of inner latch spring 306 or latch pins 304, 305. Travel limiter 308 can comprise a snap ring or a press fit bushing.

[071] Outer latch spring 307 can comprise a biasing mechanism such as a coil spring, wave spring, leaf spring or other device configured to pushing a single or multiple latch pins 304, 305 into an unlatched mode or to disengage with latch receiver 310. As shown in FIG. 3A, outer latch spring 307 extends between the left and right side of latch pin assembly 303 and is configured to retract latch pins 304, 305 from latch receiver 310. Latch pins 304, 305 of latch pin assembly 303 can be retracted from upper latch receiver 310 or lower latch receiver 311 , allowing inner assembly 301 to move within body bore 309 along axis CC. [072] Upper retainer 313 ensures inner assembly 301 is positioned within body bore 309 and prevents inner assembly 301 from becoming misaligned.

[073] FIG. 3B shows a detailed cut-away view on one side of latch pin assembly 303 and lower latch receiver 311 , with latch pin assembly 303 in latched mode, though both sides of lower latch receiver 311 and latch pin assembly 303 are similar. Lower latch receiver 311 includes an annular surface forming travel limit 317 capable of arresting and seating latch pin assembly 303 and its latch pins 304, 305 thereby limiting the downward movement of inner assembly 301. Travel limit 317 can have an inner travel limit diameter 318 narrower than the width 319 of the latch pin assembly in latched mode though, in the instance shown in FIG. 3A, inner travel limit diameter 318 is the same as body bore diameter 314. The comparative narrowness of inner travel limit diameter 318 relative to latch pin assembly width 319 in latched mode enables travel limit 317 to limit the travel of inner assembly 301 by preventing latch pin assembly 303 from moving through lower latch receiver 311.

[074] Lower latch receiver 311 further comprises latch groove 320 to receive, and facilitate retention of, latch pin assembly 303 when latch pin assembly 303 is in latched mode, as well as draft 321 which facilitates upward movement of latch pin assembly 303 and inner assembly 301 when latch pin assembly 303 is in unlatched mode. Pin 305 of latch pin assembly 303 comprises taper 322 corresponding to draft 321 on a receiver surface of lower latch groove 320.

[075] Draft 321 on receiver surface can extend around the circumference of body bore 309 and the inner circumference of outer body 302, such that draft 321 on the receiver surface can operate with one or more pin 304, 305 regardless of any rotation of inner assembly 301 or latch pin assembly 303.

[076] When latch pin assembly 303 is in latched configuration and inner assembly 301 is seated within upper latch receiver 310, inner assembly 301 is immobile relative to outer body 302. When latch pin assembly 303 is unlatched, and its latch pins 304, 305 are retracted, inner assembly 301 is free to travel within body bore 309 along axis CC, which can compress and decompress lost motion spring 316 seated in spring chamber 315. However, as inner assembly 301 moves downward into lower latch receiver 311, latch pins 304, 305 can move into latched position with latch groove 320, driven into latch groove 320 by inner latch spring 306. When inner assembly 301 , including latch pin assembly 303, contacts travel limit 317, travel limit 317 prevents further downward motion of inner assembly 301, preventing further compression - and over compression - of lost motion spring 316.

[077] When inner assembly 301 is to return to upper latch receiver 310, draft 321 of receiver surface on lower latch receiver 311 and a complementary taper 322 on latch pin 305 facilitates this return, assisting outer latch spring 307 in compressing inner latch spring 306 and driving latch pins 304, 305 out of latch groove 320 and into an unlatched position. The complementary taper can slide on the draft to aid in pushing the latches 304, 305 to an unlatched position. Straight-line slant shapes are shown for the draft and taper, but it can be possible to include other shapes, like ogee, round-over, bullnose, among other options.

[078] Other implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the examples disclosed herein.

[079] In view of the foregoing, it can be said that a hydraulic lash adjuster can include: a longitudinal axis; an inner assembly comprising: a check assembly; and a latch pin assembly; an outer body comprising: a body bore; and a first latch receiver formed in the outer body; a bottom cap seated in the outer body; and a lost motion spring biased against the bottom cap and the inner assembly, wherein the inner assembly is configured to travel within a length of the body bore along the longitudinal axis.

[080] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly comprising a pin, an inner latch spring, and an outer latch spring.

[081] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a cap bore with a cap bore diameter, wherein the cap bore diameter is smaller than an inner assembly diameter such that the bottom cap restricts an inner assembly from travel into the cap bore.

[082] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a body bore comprising a first latch receiver and a second latch receiver, and wherein a latch pin assembly is configured to selectively latch and unlatch in each of the first latch receiver and the second latch receiver.

[083] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a cap bore, wherein a lost motion spring is positioned below an inner assembly, and wherein the bottom cap with the cap bore forms a travel limit to restrict the travel of the inner assembly. [084] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap comprising a travel limit, wherein the travel limit restricts the travel of an inner assembly.

[085] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a bottom cap further comprising a plate.

[086] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an outer body comprising: a retainer groove; and a travel retainer in the retainer groove, wherein the travel retainer is configured to restrict an inner assembly from traveling along at least a portion of a body bore.

[087] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an outer body comprising a second latch receiver.

[088] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a second latch receiver comprising a travel limit configured to seat a latch pin assembly.

[089] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a second latch receiver further comprising a receiver surface comprising a draft, wherein a latch pin comprises a taper, and wherein the draft and the taper are configured to facilitate the unlatching of the latch pin.

[090] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly comprising at least one tapered latch pin, an outer body comprising a second latch receiver comprising a latch groove, a travel limit, and a receiver surface comprising a draft, the latch pin assembly is configured to latch to and to unlatch from a first latch receiver and from the second latch receiver, the travel limit is configured to prevent an inner assembly from traveling between the second latch receiver and a bottom cap, the at least one tapered latch pin is configured to seat in the latch groove, and the draft of the receiver surface and the taper of the at least one tapered latch pin are configured to facilitate the unlatching of the latch pin assembly.

[091] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a latch pin assembly further comprising at least one tapered latch pin, an outer body comprising a second latch receiver comprising a travel limit and a receiver surface comprising a draft, the latch pin assembly is configured to latch to and to unlatch from a first latch receiver and the second latch receiver, the travel limit is configured to prevent an inner assembly from traveling below the second latch receiver, the draft of the receiver surface and the taper of the at least one tapered latch pin facilitate the unlatching of the inner assembly, and a lost motion spring, when compressed, is positioned below the second latch receiver.

[092] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an inner assembly comprising a plunger tube connected to a plunger body, and a check assembly seated between the plunger tube and the plunger body.

[093] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a check assembly comprising a check sleeve movable in a plunger body, and wherein a plunger tube is configured to abut the check sleeve.

[094] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include a plunger tube comprising a plunger tube oil feed, wherein a plunger body comprises a plunger body oil feed, and wherein an inner assembly comprises a plunger retainer seated to travel in the plunger tube oil feed and in the plunger body oil feed.

[095] A hydraulic lash adjuster can include an upper retainer securing an inner assembly in an outer body on a first end of the outer body, and comprising a bottom cap securing a lost motion spring against the inner assembly on a second end of the outer body.

[096] A method of manufacturing a hydraulic lash adjuster can include manufacturing an outer body from a hollow tube or by cold forming a substrate, the outer body comprising a body bore comprising a first end and a second end; manufacturing a bottom cap comprising deep drawing or cold forming; joining the bottom cap to the second end of the outer body by one or more of press fitting, crimping, welding, or joining to a retaining mechanism; inserting a lost motion spring into the body bore; inserting an inner assembly into the body bore; and joining an upper retainer to the first end of the outer body.