EP1491728B1 - Variable valve timing control device - Google Patents
Variable valve timing control device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1491728B1 EP1491728B1 EP04014612A EP04014612A EP1491728B1 EP 1491728 B1 EP1491728 B1 EP 1491728B1 EP 04014612 A EP04014612 A EP 04014612A EP 04014612 A EP04014612 A EP 04014612A EP 1491728 B1 EP1491728 B1 EP 1491728B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- receiving hole
- rotor
- housing member
- lock
- relative rotation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 55
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34453—Locking means between driving and driven members
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
- F01L1/34—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
- F01L1/344—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
- F01L1/3442—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
- F01L2001/3445—Details relating to the hydraulic means for changing the angular relationship
- F01L2001/34483—Phaser return springs
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to a variable valve timing control device. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a variable valve timing control device for controlling an opening and closing timing of an intake valve and exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.
- US 2001/054405 A1 discloses a variable valve timing control device.
- the head portion of the lock member is tapered with its diameter decreasing towards the bottom of the receiving hole.
- the receiving hole is cylindrical with a constant diameter along its length.
- the receiving hole is formed with an inner tapered surface, the diameter of which decreases towards the bottom surface of the receiving hole.
- the lock member of both embodiments is formed with a step portion between its body portion, which is guided in an accommodating hole, and its head portion. The head portion contacts the receiving hole at its opening edge at a locus of points where the diameter of the receiving hole becomes identical to the diameter of the head portion.
- variable valve timing control device 1 includes a torsion spring 60 disposed between the inner rotor 20 and the front plate 40, four vanes 70 assembled to the inner rotor 20, and a lock plate 80 (lock member) (see Fig. 2 ) assembled to the outer rotor 30.
- the operation fluid (fluid pressure) is supplied to or discharged from the four advanced angle chambers R1, which are defined and divided by the vanes 70, via the advanced angle fluid passage 11 and the first fluid passage 23.
- the operation fluid is supplied to or discharged from three retarded angle chambers R2 out of four via the retarded angle fluid passage 12 and the second fluid passage 24.
- the operation fluid is supplied to the lock plate 80 from the lock fluid passage 25 formed on the bottom portion 22d of the receiving hole 22.
- the operation fluid is supplied to or discharged from the remaining (i.e. one out of four) retarded angle chamber R2 via the fluid groove 24a connecting the lock fluid passage 25 and that retarded angle chamber R2. Accordingly, for one retarded angle chamber R2 out of four, the second fluid passage 24 is not provided and the lock fluid passage 25 is shared to be used, which may achieve a simple structure of the fluid pressure circuit.
- Both side portions of the outer rotor 30 in the axial direction thereof are integrally fixed to the annular shaped front plate 40 and the rear plate 50 respectively via five connecting bolts 92.
- the timing sprocket 31 is integrally formed on an outer periphery of the outer rotor 30 and on an end side in the axial direction thereof to which the rear plate 50 is connected.
- five convex portions 33 are formed on the inner circumference of the outer rotor 30 in the circumferential direction thereof so as to project in the radially inward direction.
- Each inner circumferential face of each convex portion 33 is slidably in contact with an outer circumferential face of the inner rotor 20. That is, the outer rotor 30 is rotatably supported on the inner rotor 20.
- a head portion 80a of the lock plate 80 i.e. facing the bottom portion 22d of the receiving hole 22, has a trapezoidal shape in cross section formed by a convex taper portion extending in the radially inward direction of the outer rotor 30 and a top portion.
- An inner peripheral face 22b is formed by a concave taper portion 22c having a trapezoidal shape in cross section and gradually expanding towards an opening portion 22a, and the bottom portion 22d.
- An end portion 80b (contact portion) of the top portion of the lock plate 80 is in contact with the inner peripheral face 22b of the receiving hole 22 on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side between the opening portion 22a and the bottom portion 22d of the receiving hole 22.
- a contact width B in the circumferential direction of the contact portion 80b of the lock plate 80, with which the inner peripheral face 22b of the receiving hole 22 on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side is in contact is larger than a bottom width D in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 22d of the receiving hole 22.
- the torsion spring 60 is provided by engaging with the front plate 40 at one end and the inner rotor 20 at the other end.
- the torsion spring 60 biases the inner rotor 20 towards the advanced angle side (clockwise direction in Fig. 2 ) relative to the outer rotor 30, the front plate 40 and the rear plate 50.
- the operation response of the inner rotor 20 to the advanced angle side may be improved.
- the oil pump 205 when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the oil pump 205 is stopped and also the switching valve 200 is not energized. Thus, the operation fluid is not supplied to the fluid pressure chambers R0. At this time, the head portion 80a of the lock plate 80 is positioned within the receiving hole 22 of the inner rotor 20 and thus the relative rotation between the inner rotor 20 and the outer rotor 30 is restricted. Even when the internal combustion engine is started and the oil pump 205 is driven, the operation fluid supplied from the oil pump 205 is only virtually provided to the advanced angle chamber R1 via the connecting passage 16, the advanced angle fluid passage 11, and the first fluid passage 23 while the duty ratio is small for energizing the switching valve 200 (i.e. the ratio of energizing time relative to the de-energizing time per unit time is small). Therefore, the variable valve timing control device 1 is maintained in a locked state.
- the duty ratio for energizing the switching valve 200 is brought to be large and then the position of the spool 204 is switched.
- the operation fluid supplied from the oil pump 205 is provided to the retarded angle chamber R2 by passing through the connecting passage 15, the retarded angle fluid passage 12, and the second fluid passage 24, or by passing through the fluid groove 24a after supplied to the receiving hole 22 from the lock fluid passage 25.
- the operation fluid stored in the advanced angle chamber R1 is sent to the first fluid passage 23, the advanced angle fluid passage 11, and the connecting passage 16 to be discharged from the discharge port 207 of the switching valve 200. Therefore, the lock plate 80 is moved against the biasing force of the spring 81, thereby moving the head portion 80a from the receiving hole 22. Then, the locked state between the inner rotor 20 and the outer rotor 30 is released. At the same time, the inner rotor 20 integrally rotating with the camshaft 10 and each vane 70 rotate relative to the outer rotor 30, the front plate 40, and the rear plate 50 in the retarded angle direction (counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2 ). Due to the aforementioned relative rotation, the timing of the cam is brought in the advanced angle state.
- the relative rotation phase may be defined arbitrarily by controlling the duty ratio of the switching valve 200. For example, the relative rotation between the inner rotor 20 and the outer rotor 30 may be stopped at the intermediate phase.
- the lock plate 80 and the receiving hole 22 are prevented from being strongly constrained each other under the condition that the fluctuation torque by the camshaft 10 is applied to the contact portion 80b and the inner peripheral face 22b in the advanced angle direction and the retarded angle direction alternately since the gap C is formed between the side face 33a of the convex portion 33A and the side face 70a of the vane 70A.
- the lock plate 80 is moved from the receiving hole 22 by the operation fluid that is produced when the locked state of the relative rotation is released.
Description
- This invention generally relates to a variable valve timing control device. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a variable valve timing control device for controlling an opening and closing timing of an intake valve and exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.
- Known variable valve timing control devices are disclosed in
Japanese Patent Nos. 3266013 3146956 - According to the variable valve timing control device disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 3266013 - In addition, according to the variable valve timing control device disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 3146956 - According to the variable valve timing control device disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 3266013 - In addition, according to the variable valve timing control device disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 3146956 - Thus, a need exists for a variable valve timing control device which can prevent an occurrence of hitting sound due to a relative rotation between a lock member and a receiving hole in case of the relative rotation being locked.
- A need also exists for a variable valve timing control system in which the lock member is prevented from being constrained in the receiving hole when the locked state of the relative rotation is released.
-
US 2001/054405 A1 , from which preamble of appendedclaim 1 starts, discloses a variable valve timing control device. In a first embodiment the head portion of the lock member is tapered with its diameter decreasing towards the bottom of the receiving hole. The receiving hole is cylindrical with a constant diameter along its length. In a further embodiment the receiving hole is formed with an inner tapered surface, the diameter of which decreases towards the bottom surface of the receiving hole. The lock member of both embodiments is formed with a step portion between its body portion, which is guided in an accommodating hole, and its head portion. The head portion contacts the receiving hole at its opening edge at a locus of points where the diameter of the receiving hole becomes identical to the diameter of the head portion. -
EP-A-1008729 discloses a variable valve timing control device similar to that according to the preamble of appendedclaim 1. The lock mechanism includes a lock member with a head portion formed with a rectangular shape and a cylindrical outer surface with a constant diameter along its length and a receiving hole formed with a corresponding cylindrical inner face with a constant diameter along its length. Furthermore there is a gap between the stopper and the vane portion when the rotation between the housing member and the rotor member is restricted by the lock mechanism. - It is an object of the invention to provide a variable valve timing control device according to the preamble of appended
claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism, which restricts the relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member, performs a well defined and smooth lock operation which is not hindered by any dust or dirt, which is present in a operation oil of the device, and wherein further the effort to manufacture the lock mechanism is decreased. - A solution of this object is achieved with the variable valve timing control device according to appended
claim 1. - By forming the head portion of the lock member with the rectangular shape in cross section there is no tapered clearance between the head portion of the lock member and the accommodating hole for accommodating the lock member, even if the lock member is not formed with a step portion. As a result, any dust included in the operation oil is prevented from entering or being sandwiched between the head portion and the accommodating hole, so that a smooth operation of the lock member is ensured.
- Appended
subclaims 2 to 4 are directed towards advantageous embodiments of the inventive device. - The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variable valve timing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the ling A-A ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of E portion ofFig. 2 ; and -
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of F portion ofFig. 3 . - An embodiment of the present invention is explained referring to attached drawings. A variable valve
timing control device 1 shown inFigs. 1 to 3 includes arotor member 2 for opening/closing a valve, which includes acamshaft 10 rotatably supported on acylinder head 100 of an internal combustion engine and aninner rotor 20 integrally fixed to a tip end portion of thecamshaft 10. The variable valvetiming control device 1 also includes a housing member 3 having anouter rotor 30 being rotatable relative to theinner rotor 20 within a predetermined range, afront plate 40, and arear plate 50. Atiming sprocket 31 is integrally formed on an outer periphery of theouter rotor 30. Further, the variable valvetiming control device 1 includes atorsion spring 60 disposed between theinner rotor 20 and thefront plate 40, fourvanes 70 assembled to theinner rotor 20, and a lock plate 80 (lock member) (seeFig. 2 ) assembled to theouter rotor 30. - The
timing sprocket 31 receives the rotation force in the clockwise direction thereof, which is shown as a rotation direction of camshaft inFig. 2 . The rotation force is transmitted from a crankshaft (not shown) via a crank sprocket (not shown) and a timing chain (not shown). - The
camshaft 10 includes a known cam (not shown) for opening/closing an exhaust valve (not shown). An advanced angle fluid passage (fluid pressure circuit) 11 and a retarded angle fluid passage (fluid pressure circuit) 12 extending in an axial direction of thecamshaft 10 are provided inside of thecamshaft 10. The advancedangle fluid passage 11 is connected to a first connectingport 201 of aswitching valve 200 via apassage 71 provided on thecamshaft 10 in the radial direction thereof, anannular groove 14, and a connectingpassage 16 provided on thecylinder head 100. In addition, the retardedangle fluid passage 12 is connected to a second connectingport 202 of theswitching valve 200 via apassage 72 provided on thecamshaft 10 in the radial direction thereof, anannular groove 13, and a connectingpassage 15 provided on thecylinder head 100. - The
switching valve 200 is a known type in which aspool 204 is moved against a biasing force of a spring (not shown) by energizing asolenoid 203. When thesolenoid 203 is de-energized, asupply port 206 connected to anoil pump 205 that is driven by the internal combustion engine communicates with the first connectingport 201 as shown inFig. 1 . At the same time, the second connectingport 202 communicates with adischarge port 207. When thesolenoid 203 is energized, thesupply port 206 communicates with the second connectingport 202 and at the same time the first connectingport 201 communicates with thedischarge port 207. Therefore, in case that thesolenoid 203 of theswitching valve 200 is de-energized, the operation fluid (fluid pressure) is supplied to the advancedangle fluid passage 11. In case that thesolenoid 203 is energized, the operation fluid is supplied to the retardedangle fluid passage 12. Energization of thesolenoid 203 of the switchingvalve 200 is duty-controlled by which a ratio of energization/de-energization per unit time is changed. For example, when the switchingvalve 200 is duty-controlled at 50%, the first andsecond ports discharge ports - The
inner rotor 20 is integrally fixed to thecamshaft 10 via aninstallation bolt 91. As shown inFig. 2 , fourvane grooves 21 and a receivinghole 22 are formed on theinner rotor 20. In addition, four first fluid passages 23 (fluid pressure circuit), three second fluid passages 24 (fluid pressure circuit) extending in the radial direction of theinner rotor 20, afluid groove 24a (fluid pressure circuit), and alock fluid passage 25 for connecting abottom portion 22d of the receivinghole 22 to the advancedangle fluid passage 11. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , thevanes 70 are positioned in thevane grooves 21 respectively, being movable in the radial direction of theinner rotor 20. The fourvanes 70 are movable within four fluid pressure chambers R0 respectively, which are each defined between theouter rotor 30 and theinner rotor 20 and arranged, dividing each fluid pressure chamber R0 into an advanced angle chamber R1 and a retarded angle chamber R2. Eachvane 70 is biased in the radially outward direction by a vane spring 73 (seeFig. 1 ) disposed between the bottom portion of eachvane groove 21 and the bottom face of eachvane 70. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , the operation fluid (fluid pressure) is supplied to or discharged from the four advanced angle chambers R1, which are defined and divided by thevanes 70, via the advancedangle fluid passage 11 and the first fluid passage 23. In addition, the operation fluid is supplied to or discharged from three retarded angle chambers R2 out of four via the retardedangle fluid passage 12 and thesecond fluid passage 24. The operation fluid is supplied to thelock plate 80 from thelock fluid passage 25 formed on thebottom portion 22d of the receivinghole 22. When thelock plate 80 is moved, the operation fluid is supplied to or discharged from the remaining (i.e. one out of four) retarded angle chamber R2 via thefluid groove 24a connecting thelock fluid passage 25 and that retarded angle chamber R2. Accordingly, for one retarded angle chamber R2 out of four, thesecond fluid passage 24 is not provided and thelock fluid passage 25 is shared to be used, which may achieve a simple structure of the fluid pressure circuit. - Both side portions of the
outer rotor 30 in the axial direction thereof are integrally fixed to the annular shapedfront plate 40 and therear plate 50 respectively via five connectingbolts 92. Thetiming sprocket 31 is integrally formed on an outer periphery of theouter rotor 30 and on an end side in the axial direction thereof to which therear plate 50 is connected. In addition, fiveconvex portions 33 are formed on the inner circumference of theouter rotor 30 in the circumferential direction thereof so as to project in the radially inward direction. Each inner circumferential face of eachconvex portion 33 is slidably in contact with an outer circumferential face of theinner rotor 20. That is, theouter rotor 30 is rotatably supported on theinner rotor 20. A side face 33a (stopper) of oneconvex portion 33A out of the fiveconvex portions 33 is in contact with aside face 70a of avane 70A, thereby defining a relative rotational angle between theouter rotor 30 and theinner rotor 20 to the advanced angle side. In addition, aside face 33b (stopper) of oneconvex portion 33B is in contact with a side face 70b of a vane 70B, thereby defining the relative rotational angle between theouter rotor 30 and theinner rotor 20 to the retarded angle side. A retractinggroove portion 34 for accommodating thelock plate 80, and a receiving bore 35 connected to the retractinggroove portion 34 for accommodating acoil spring 81 that biases thelock plate 80 in the radially inward direction of theouter rotor 30 are formed between the twoconvex portions 33 out of five. The four fluid pressure chambers R0 mentioned above are formed between fiveconvex portions 33, respectively. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , a head portion 80a of thelock plate 80, i.e. facing thebottom portion 22d of the receivinghole 22, has a trapezoidal shape in cross section formed by a convex taper portion extending in the radially inward direction of theouter rotor 30 and a top portion. An innerperipheral face 22b is formed by aconcave taper portion 22c having a trapezoidal shape in cross section and gradually expanding towards an openingportion 22a, and thebottom portion 22d. When the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is restricted, thelock plate 80 is positioned in the receivinghole 22. Anend portion 80b (contact portion) of the top portion of thelock plate 80 is in contact with the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22 on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side between the openingportion 22a and thebottom portion 22d of the receivinghole 22. In addition, a contact width B in the circumferential direction of thecontact portion 80b of thelock plate 80, with which the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22 on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side is in contact, is larger than a bottom width D in the circumferential direction of thebottom portion 22d of the receivinghole 22. Therefore, when thelock plate 80 is positioned in the receivinghole 22, theend portion 80b of thelock plate 80 and thetaper portion 22c of the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22 are in contact with each other on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side, thereby restricting the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30. As a result, the occurrence of the hitting sound by the contact between theend portion 80b and thetaper portion 22c due to the fluctuation torque of the cam may be prevented. The head portion 80a of thelock plate 80 may have a substantially rectangular shape instead of the trapezoidal shape. Theend portion 80b of thelock plate 80 may be chamfered. - When the relative rotation between the
inner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is restricted, thelock plate 80 is positioned in the receivinghole 22. At the same time, a gap C is formed between the side face 33a of theconvex portion 33A and theside face 70a of thevane 70A. Therefore, when the fluctuation torque by thecamshaft 10 is applied to theend portion 80b and thetaper portion 22c in the advanced angle direction and the retarded angle direction alternately under the condition that the operation fluid is supplied to the receivinghole 22 and thus the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is permitted, i.e. the locked state thereof is released, thelock plate 80 and the receivinghole 22 are prevented from being strongly constrained each other. Then, thelock plate 80 and the receivinghole 22 rotate relative to each other, which brings theend portion 80b of thelock plate 80 to be pushed by thetaper portion 22c of the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22. Thelock plate 80 is thus biased to move from the receivinghole 22, thereby causing the locked state of the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 to be easily released. - A size of the gap C is defined such that when the
side face 70a of thevane 70A is in contact with the side face 33a of theconvex portion 33A to thereby restrict the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 at the most advanced angle phase, the head portion 80a of thelock plate 80 is guided in radially inward direction of the receivinghole 22 with being in contact with the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22. That is, when the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is restricted at the most advanced angle phase by theside face 70a of thevane 70A being in contact with the side face 33a of theconvex portion 33A, the head portion 80a of thelock plate 80 is guided in the radially inward direction of the receivinghole 22. Then, when thevane 70 is separated from theconvex portion 33 due to the fluctuation torque of the cam, the head portion 80a of thelock plate 80 is further inserted into the radially inward direction of the receivinghole 22. Theend portion 80b of thelock plate 80 and thetaper portion 22c of the innerperipheral face 22b of the receivinghole 22 are in contact with each other on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side, thereby restricting the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30. - The
torsion spring 60 is provided by engaging with thefront plate 40 at one end and theinner rotor 20 at the other end. Thetorsion spring 60 biases theinner rotor 20 towards the advanced angle side (clockwise direction inFig. 2 ) relative to theouter rotor 30, thefront plate 40 and therear plate 50. Thus, the operation response of theinner rotor 20 to the advanced angle side may be improved. - According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the
oil pump 205 is stopped and also the switchingvalve 200 is not energized. Thus, the operation fluid is not supplied to the fluid pressure chambers R0. At this time, the head portion 80a of thelock plate 80 is positioned within the receivinghole 22 of theinner rotor 20 and thus the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is restricted. Even when the internal combustion engine is started and theoil pump 205 is driven, the operation fluid supplied from theoil pump 205 is only virtually provided to the advanced angle chamber R1 via the connectingpassage 16, the advancedangle fluid passage 11, and the first fluid passage 23 while the duty ratio is small for energizing the switching valve 200 (i.e. the ratio of energizing time relative to the de-energizing time per unit time is small). Therefore, the variable valvetiming control device 1 is maintained in a locked state. - When the retarded angle phase is required for the valve timing depending on the operation condition of the internal combustion engine, the duty ratio for energizing the switching
valve 200 is brought to be large and then the position of thespool 204 is switched. The operation fluid supplied from theoil pump 205 is provided to the retarded angle chamber R2 by passing through the connectingpassage 15, the retardedangle fluid passage 12, and thesecond fluid passage 24, or by passing through thefluid groove 24a after supplied to the receivinghole 22 from thelock fluid passage 25. - Meanwhile, the operation fluid stored in the advanced angle chamber R1 is sent to the first fluid passage 23, the advanced
angle fluid passage 11, and the connectingpassage 16 to be discharged from thedischarge port 207 of the switchingvalve 200. Therefore, thelock plate 80 is moved against the biasing force of thespring 81, thereby moving the head portion 80a from the receivinghole 22. Then, the locked state between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 is released. At the same time, theinner rotor 20 integrally rotating with thecamshaft 10 and eachvane 70 rotate relative to theouter rotor 30, thefront plate 40, and therear plate 50 in the retarded angle direction (counterclockwise direction inFig. 2 ). Due to the aforementioned relative rotation, the timing of the cam is brought in the advanced angle state. The relative rotation phase may be defined arbitrarily by controlling the duty ratio of the switchingvalve 200. For example, the relative rotation between theinner rotor 20 and theouter rotor 30 may be stopped at the intermediate phase. - According to the aforementioned embodiment, when the relative rotation is restricted, the
lock plate 80 and the receivinghole 22 are prevented from being strongly constrained each other under the condition that the fluctuation torque by thecamshaft 10 is applied to thecontact portion 80b and the innerperipheral face 22b in the advanced angle direction and the retarded angle direction alternately since the gap C is formed between the side face 33a of theconvex portion 33A and theside face 70a of thevane 70A. Thus, thelock plate 80 is moved from the receivinghole 22 by the operation fluid that is produced when the locked state of the relative rotation is released. - The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the sprit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.
- It is explicitly stated that all features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed invention independent of the composition of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.
Claims (4)
- A variable valve timing control device (1) comprising a housing member (3) integrally rotating with one of a crankshaft and a camshaft (10) of an internal combustion engine, a rotor member (2) assembled to the housing member so as to be rotatable relative thereto and being slidable on a convex portion (33) formed on the housing member, the rotor member including vane portions (70) each forming an advanced angle chamber (R1) and a retarded angle chamber (R2) within the housing member, the rotor member integrally rotating with the other one of the crankshaft and the camshaft, a stopper (33a, 33b) formed on the convex portion and being in contact with at least one of the vane portions for defining a relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member to an advanced angle side or a retarded angle side, a lock mechanism (22, 80) for restricting the relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member by a lock member (80) disposed on the housing member to be inserted into a receiving hole (22) formed on the rotor member when a relative rotation phase between the housing member and the rotor member is positioned at a predetermined phase, and a fluid pressure circuit (23, 24, 25) for controlling an operation oil to be supplied to or discharged from the advanced angle chamber, the retarded angle chamber, and the lock mechanism, wherein the lock member (80) includes a head portion (80a) facing the bottom portion (22d) of the receiving hole, and the inner peripheral face (22b) of the receiving hole (22) includes a concave taper portion (22c) having a trapezoidal shape in cross section and gradually expanding towards the opening portion of the receiving hole so that when the relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member is restricted, the lock member is in contact with the receiving hole on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side of the receiving hole, characterized in that the head portion (80a) of the lock member (80) has a rectangular shape in cross section, so that when the relative rotation between the housing member (3) and the rotor member (2) is restricted the lock member is in contact with an inner peripheral face (22b) of the receiving hole (22) between an opening portion (22a) and a bottom portion (22d) of the receiving hole.
- A variable valve timing control device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, when the relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member is restricted, a contact width (B) in a circumferential direction of a contact portion (80b) of the lock member, with which an inner peripheral face (22b) of the receiving hole on the advanced angle side and the retarded angle side is in contact, is larger than a bottom width (D) in the circumferential direction of a bottom portion (22d) of the receiving hole.
- A variable valve timing control device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion (80b) is chamfered.
- A variable valve timing control device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the relative rotation between the housing member (3) and the rotor member (2) is restricted, a gap (C) is formed between the stopper (33a, 33b) and the vane portion (70).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003181475 | 2003-06-25 | ||
JP2003181475 | 2003-06-25 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1491728A2 EP1491728A2 (en) | 2004-12-29 |
EP1491728A3 EP1491728A3 (en) | 2005-11-30 |
EP1491728B1 true EP1491728B1 (en) | 2010-08-11 |
Family
ID=33411081
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04014612A Expired - Fee Related EP1491728B1 (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2004-06-22 | Variable valve timing control device |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050022763A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1491728B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004028552D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2755884C (en) | 2010-11-08 | 2013-12-17 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Control device for hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism |
JP5288061B2 (en) | 2011-04-07 | 2013-09-11 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Valve timing variable device |
JP6063267B2 (en) * | 2013-01-18 | 2017-01-18 | 株式会社ミクニ | Valve timing changing device and assembling method thereof |
DE102014214610B4 (en) * | 2014-07-25 | 2017-05-18 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000230511A (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2000-08-22 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Vane type hydraulic actuator |
JP3983457B2 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2007-09-26 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Valve timing changing device for internal combustion engine |
-
2004
- 2004-06-22 EP EP04014612A patent/EP1491728B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-06-22 DE DE602004028552T patent/DE602004028552D1/en active Active
- 2004-06-25 US US10/875,736 patent/US20050022763A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20050022763A1 (en) | 2005-02-03 |
EP1491728A2 (en) | 2004-12-29 |
DE602004028552D1 (en) | 2010-09-23 |
EP1491728A3 (en) | 2005-11-30 |
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