JP2007247509A - Valve timing controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve timing controlling device for an internal combustion engine satisfactorily operating a lock mechanism even when foreign matters such as minute meal pieces are mixed in operating oil. <P>SOLUTION: The valve timing controlling device comprises a first rotor 1 rotating in synchronization with a crank shaft, a second rotor 2 rotating together with a cam shaft, a means for varying a relative rotation phase of both rotators and the lock mechanism for holding the relative rotation phase to an intermediate lock phase, wherein the lock mechanism has an engagement groove 62 formed in one of the rotators, a lock piece 60 supported on the other rotor in a displaceable manner and a lock piece operating oil chamber 62R receiving the operating oil for disengaging the lock piece 60 from the engagement groove. The outer rotor 1 is provided with foreign matter receiving spaces V1, V2 which are in communication with the lock piece operating oil chamber 62R within a range of at least predetermined relative rotation phases and include a boundary portion between the first rotor 1 and the second rotor 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a first rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a second rotating body that rotates integrally with a camshaft of the internal combustion engine and that can rotate relative to the first rotating body, Phase control means for changing the relative rotational phase between the two rotating bodies within a control region between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle, and the relative rotational phase between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle. A locking mechanism that can be constrained to the intermediate locking phase that is positioned, and the locking mechanism includes a locking groove formed in one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and the other rotation. A lock piece supported on the body so as to be displaceable and displaceable between a locking posture locked in the locking groove and a unlocking posture released from the locking groove, and the lock in the locking posture A valve opening having a lock piece hydraulic oil chamber for releasing the piece from the locking groove. On timing control device.

  As this type of valve opening / closing timing control device, there is Patent Document 1 shown below as prior art document information related to the present invention. The valve opening / closing timing control device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a lock mechanism capable of restraining the relative rotation phase to an intermediate lock phase suitable for starting an internal combustion engine. That is, when the relative rotation phase is set to the intermediate lock phase by locking the lock piece of the lock mechanism in the locking groove during the stop process of the internal combustion engine, the camshaft is operated to open and close the intake / exhaust valve. The periodic cam fluctuation torque generated on the rotating body prevents the vane provided between the two rotating bodies from vibrating, and the adjustment range of the relative rotational phase of both rotating bodies is set to the advance side and the retard side. Therefore, the next start can be made smoother.

JP 2003-172109 A (paragraph number 0003, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, in the valve opening / closing timing control device described in Patent Document 1, when hydraulic oil is supplied from an oil pan or the like to the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber in order to release the lock piece in the locked posture from the locking groove, If foreign matter such as a minute metal piece is mixed in the hydraulic oil, this foreign matter may be caught between the lock piece and the locking groove to prevent the lock piece from being displaced, affecting the operability of the lock mechanism. There was a risk of occurrence.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art valve opening / closing timing control device exemplified above, the object of the present invention is to operate the lock mechanism even if foreign matter such as a minute metal piece is mixed in the hydraulic oil. An object of the present invention is to provide a valve opening / closing timing control device that is easily maintained with good performance.

A first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a first rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a camshaft of the internal combustion engine that rotates integrally with the first rotating body, and a relative rotation with the first rotating body. A second rotation body, phase control means for changing a relative rotation phase between the two rotation bodies in a control region located between a most advanced angle and a most retarded angle, and the relative rotation phase is changed to the most advanced angle and the most advanced angle. A locking mechanism that can be constrained to an intermediate locking phase located in the middle of the retard angle, and the locking mechanism is a latch formed on one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body. A locking piece that is supported on the other rotating body in a projecting and displaceable manner and is displaceable between a locking posture locked in the locking groove and an unlocking posture released from the locking groove; Lock piece hydraulic oil for releasing the lock piece in the locking posture from the locking groove A valve timing control apparatus having the bets,
Contain foreign matter formed so as to communicate with the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber and to include a boundary portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body within at least a predetermined range of the relative rotational phase. There is a space provided in the outer rotating body of the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

  Therefore, in the valve opening / closing timing control device according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, foreign matter such as metal pieces is mixed into the hydraulic oil sent to the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber in order to release the lock piece from the locking groove. However, since these foreign substances generally have a higher specific gravity than hydraulic oil, they are introduced into the foreign substance containing space provided in the outer rotating body by the centrifugal force acting on the foreign objects as both rotating bodies rotate. As a result, it stays in the same space. As a result, the influence of foreign matter on the lock portion (such as biting between the lock piece and the locking groove) is suppressed, so that an effect of ensuring a smooth operation of the lock mechanism is obtained. In addition, since the foreign matter storage space is formed so as to include the boundary portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body, the foreign matter in the hydraulic oil is performed after the lock piece is detached from the locking groove. Along with the relative rotation of the two rotating bodies, it is easily guided to the foreign substance accommodating space by the flow phenomenon generated in the hydraulic oil in the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber.

  According to another characteristic configuration of the present invention, the foreign substance containing space is provided at a position facing a portion of the inner rotating body that can slide with respect to a part of the outer rotating body in accordance with the relative rotation. There is in point.

  In this configuration, when the two rotary bodies are rotated relative to each other after the lock piece is separated from the locking groove, the inner rotary body part positively applies a flow phenomenon to the hydraulic oil in the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber. As a result, the foreign matter is more easily guided into the foreign matter accommodation space, and a smoother operation of the lock mechanism is ensured.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the foreign substance accommodation space is provided at a position facing the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber.

  In this configuration, the foreign substance containing space always maintains the communication state with the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber regardless of whether the lock piece is in the locked posture or the unlocked posture. Not only when the unlocked position is reached, but also when the lock piece is still in the locked position, the opportunity for foreign matter in the hydraulic fluid to be guided into the foreign matter storage space is ensured, ensuring a smoother operation of the lock mechanism. Is done.

  According to another characteristic configuration of the present invention, the foreign-material housing space is a housing space main body that is positioned on the outermost radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and is narrower than the housing space main body. And a foreign substance introduction path that allows the housing space body and the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber to communicate with each other.

  In this configuration, since the foreign matter once accommodated in the foreign matter accommodation space is easily held in the accommodation space main body by the action of the foreign matter introduction path formed narrower than the accommodation space main body, the lock mechanism can be smoothly operated. It is definitely obtained.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that a funnel-shaped inclined guide portion that gradually increases in cross-sectional area toward the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber is formed at an inlet portion of the foreign substance introduction path.

  If it is this structure, since the foreign material contained in hydraulic fluid will enter more easily into a foreign material accommodation space by a funnel-shaped inclination guide part, the smooth operation | movement of a locking mechanism is obtained more reliably.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the inner surface of the foreign object storage space extends gradually away from the axis of the foreign object storage space toward the radially inner side of the first rotating body and the second rotating body. An auxiliary trap space having an inclined surface is provided.

  That is, the foreign matter once accommodated in the foreign matter accommodation space by the action of centrifugal force or the like is stored by the action of gravity or the like depending on the angle phase of the foreign matter accommodation space when the rotating body stops with the stop of the internal combustion engine. There is a possibility that the space sinks downward and escapes out of the foreign substance containing space, and thereafter affects the operation of the lock mechanism. However, according to this configuration, the foreign trapping material that sinks downward in the foreign matter storage space by the action of gravity or the like extends along the inner side of the foreign matter storage space and extends toward the inner side in the radial direction. Since it enters and is confined there, the smooth operation of the locking mechanism can be reliably obtained without coming out of the foreign-object accommodation space.

  Another feature of the present invention lies in that the foreign substance storage space is provided from one end face of the rotating body to the other end face.

  With this configuration, the foreign substance containing space is provided as large as possible from one end face of the rotating body to the other end face, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the communication path from the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber to the foreign substance containing space. As a result, there are more opportunities for foreign matter in the hydraulic oil to be introduced into the foreign matter storage space, and a smoother operation of the lock mechanism is ensured.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of the valve timing control apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation configuration of a fluid control valve (OCV) provided in the valve opening / closing timing control device shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are sectional views taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 in each operating state of the valve timing control apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the valve timing control apparatus according to the present embodiment is an external rotor 1 as a drive side rotating member that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft (not shown) of an engine (internal combustion engine). (First rotating body) and an inner rotor 2 (second rotating body) as a driven side rotating member that is coaxially disposed so as to be rotatable relative to the outer rotor 1 and rotates integrally with the cam shaft 3 for opening and closing the valve. It is configured with. The outer rotor 1 and the inner rotor 2 have a common relative rotational axis X. A fluid pressure chamber 40 is formed between the outer rotor 1 and the inner rotor 2, and the fluid pressure chamber 40 is partitioned into a retard chamber 42 and an advance chamber 43 by a vane 5 disposed inside. It has been. When the volume of the retard chamber 42 is increased by supplying hydraulic oil, the relative rotational phase of the inner rotor 2 with respect to the outer rotor 1 is displaced to the retard side, and when the volume of the advance chamber 43 is increased, The relative rotational phase is displaced to the advance side.

The outer rotor 1 includes a front plate 22 and a rear plate 23 that are externally rotatably mounted within a range of a predetermined relative rotational phase with respect to the inner rotor 2, and are connected to each other by screws or the like. A timing sprocket 20 is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the motor.
A power transmission member 24 such as a timing belt is installed between the timing sprocket 20 and a gear attached to the crankshaft of the engine.

When the crankshaft of the engine is rotationally driven, rotational power is transmitted to the timing sprocket 20 via the power transmission member 24, so that the external rotor 1 provided with the timing sprocket 20 follows the rotational direction S shown in FIG. Further, the internal rotor 2 is rotationally driven along the rotational direction S to rotate the camshaft 3, and the cam provided on the camshaft 3 pushes down the intake valve or exhaust valve of the engine to open the valve. Let
Further, the valve timing control device is provided with a lock mechanism 6 that restricts the relative rotation phase to an intermediate lock phase suitable for starting the internal combustion engine. The intermediate lock phase is located between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle.

The engine is provided with a sensor for detecting the current crank angle and a sensor for detecting the angle phase of the camshaft, and an ECU 9 (electronic control unit) for controlling the valve opening / closing timing control device according to the present invention is provided. The relative phase between the external rotor 1 and the internal rotor 2 is detected from the detection results of these sensors, and it is determined whether the relative rotational phase is on the advance side or the retard side with respect to the intermediate lock phase. A phase determination mechanism for determination is configured.
Further, the ECU 9 stores and stores the optimum relative rotation phase corresponding to the operating state of the engine in its memory, and is optimal for the operating state (engine speed, cooling water temperature, etc.) detected separately. The relative rotational phase can be recognized. Therefore, the ECU 9 generates and outputs a control command for controlling the relative rotation phase so as to obtain an optimum relative rotation phase suitable for the engine operating state at that time. Further, the ECU 9 is configured to incorporate ON / OFF information of the ignition key, information from an oil temperature sensor that detects the engine oil temperature, and the like.
Hereinafter, the structure of the valve timing control apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

(Fluid pressure chamber 40)
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer rotor 1 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 4 functioning as shoes protruding in the radially inward direction and spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction. The fluid pressure chamber 40 described above is formed between the adjacent protrusions 4 of the outer rotor 1.
A vane groove 41 is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the inner rotor 2 facing each fluid pressure chamber 40, and the inside of the fluid pressure chamber 40 is moved in the relative rotation direction (the arrow in FIG. 3). A vane 5 that divides into an advance chamber 43 and a retard chamber 42 that are adjacent to each other along the S1 and S2 directions) is slidably supported along the radial direction.
The advance chamber 43 communicates with the advance passage 11 formed in the inner rotor 2, and the retard chamber 42 communicates with the retard passage 10 formed in the inner rotor 2. The retard passage 10 and the advance passage 11 are connected to a hydraulic circuit 7 connected to an oil pan 75 of the engine.

(Hydraulic circuit)
The hydraulic circuit 7 supplies / discharges engine oil as hydraulic oil to / from one or both of the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42 via the advance passage 11 and the retard passage 10, thereby By changing the position in the fluid pressure chamber 40, the relative rotation phase of the internal rotor 2 with respect to the external rotor 1 is set to the most advanced angle phase (relative rotation phase when the volume of the advance chamber 43 is maximized) and the most retarded phase. It functions as a phase control means capable of adjusting the displacement with respect to (the relative rotation phase when the volume of the retarding chamber 42 is maximized).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic circuit 7 is provided with a pump 70 that is driven by the driving force of the engine and supplies engine oil serving as hydraulic oil or hydraulic oil described later to the OCV 76 and OSV 77 side. The operation and non-operation of the pump 70 are controlled in accordance with a control command from the ECU 9.

The OCV 76 is provided downstream of the pump 70 of the hydraulic circuit 7 and upstream of the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42. On the other hand, the OSV 77 is provided on the downstream side of the pump 70 and on the upstream side of the lock piece hydraulic fluid passage 63 communicating with the lock recess 62.
In the hydraulic circuit 7, the advance passage 11 and the retard passage 10 are connected to a predetermined port of the OCV 76, and the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 is connected to a predetermined port of the OSV 77.

  The hydraulic oil is supplied to and discharged from the fluid pressure chamber 40 (advanced angle chamber 43 and retarded angle chamber 42) via a pump 70 and a spool-type OCV (fluid control valve) 76 provided in the hydraulic circuit 7. Done. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the OCV 76 operates to the advance chamber 43 in the first state W <b> 1 that can supply the hydraulic oil to the advance chamber 43 and discharge the hydraulic oil from the retard chamber 42. The second state W2 in which oil can be supplied and the retard passage is closed, and the hydraulic oil is supplied to both the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42 by closing both the advance passage and the retard passage. The third state W3 for stopping the operation, the fourth state W4 in which the advance passage is closed and the hydraulic oil can be supplied to the retard chamber 42, and the hydraulic oil can be discharged from the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42. The supply amount and the discharge amount of the hydraulic oil to the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42 can be adjusted by switching and controlling the spool position with the fifth state W5 in which the hydraulic oil can be supplied.

  Specifically, the ECU 9 controls the energization amount to a linear solenoid (not shown) provided in the OCV 76, so that the position of the spool slidably supported in the housing of the OCV 76 is illustrated by the linear solenoid. It is adjusted in the left / right direction. However, in FIG. 2, the opening to the advance passage gradually decreases as the spool position shifts from Duty 0% to Duty 50%. Similarly, as the spool position shifts from Duty 100% to Duty 75%, the opening to the retarded passage gradually decreases.

  By the way, supply and discharge of the hydraulic oil to and from the lock mechanism 6 are performed using an OSV (fluid switching valve) 77 different from the OCV 76. The OSV 77 supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the lock mechanism 6 to perform locking and unlocking in the intermediate phase state of the relative rotation phase. That is, the engagement operation of the lock pieces 60A and 60B, which will be described later, into the lock recess 62 is performed by the OSV 77 independent of the hydraulic control of the advance hydraulic pressure path and the retard hydraulic pressure path by the OCV 76. Even in an unstable state, the lock pieces 60A and 60B can be easily engaged with the lock recess 62 reliably.

  In this embodiment, the lock recess 62 and the lock piece hydraulic fluid passage 63 are not in communication with the advance chamber 43, the retard chamber 42, the advance passage 11, and the retard passage 10. Therefore, for example, even if the OCV 76 is in the first state W1 or the fifth state W5 and the hydraulic oil is discharged from the advance chamber 43 or the retard chamber 42, the OCV 76 operates from the lock recess 62 and the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63. Oil is not discharged.

(Biasing mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 1, a torsion spring 8 is provided between the inner rotor 2 and the outer rotor 1 as a biasing mechanism that biases the relative rotational phase of the rotors 1 and 2 toward the advance side. .
The torsion spring 8 biases the inner rotor 2 in the direction indicated by S2 (advance side) with respect to the outer rotor 1 in FIG. As a result, the relative phase of the internal rotor 2 that rotates integrally with the camshaft 3 serves to eliminate the tendency for the camshaft 3 to be delayed from the rotation of the external rotor 1 due to the resistance that the camshaft 3 receives from the valve spring. .

(Lock mechanism 6 and hydraulic oil chamber)
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 6 is formed on a part of the slidable contact outer peripheral surface 2 </ b> A of the internal rotor 2 and the retard lock 6 </ b> A and the advance lock 6 </ b> B provided on the external rotor 1. A locking recess 62 (an example of a locking groove). The retard lock portion 6A and the advance lock portion 6B are provided on the outer rotor 1 so that the lock pieces 60A and 60B, which are slidably displaceable in the radial direction, and the lock pieces 60A and 60B in the radial direction. It has a spring 61 that projects and biases in the direction. As the shape of the lock pieces 60A and 60B, a pin shape or the like can be appropriately employed in addition to the plate shape shown in the present embodiment.

  The retard angle lock portion 6A places the retard angle lock piece 60A in the lock position in which the retard angle lock piece 60A is engaged in the lock recess 62, so that the inner rotor 2 is retarded from the intermediate lock phase with respect to the outer rotor 1 (FIG. 3). In the direction indicated by S1). On the other hand, the advance angle lock portion 6B moves the advance angle lock piece 60B to the lock position in which the advance angle lock piece 60B is engaged in the lock recess 62, so that the internal rotor 2 is advanced from the intermediate lock phase to the external rotor 1 ( The relative rotation in the direction indicated by S2 in FIG. 3 is prevented. That is, when either one of the retard lock 6A or the advance lock 6B is engaged in the lock recess 62, the retard lock 6A is moved to either the retard side or the advance side. Phase change is regulated and phase change to the other is allowed.

  The width of the lock recess 62 is substantially the same as the distance between the side surfaces of the retard lock piece 60A and the advance lock piece 60B that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner rotor 2. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by engaging both the retard lock piece 60A and the advance lock piece 60B into the lock recess 62 at the same time, the relative rotational phases of the rotors 1 and 2 are A so-called locked state can be obtained in which an intermediate lock phase having substantially no width is constrained.

  The lock recess 62 also serves as a lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R for receiving hydraulic oil supplied from the OSV 77 of the hydraulic circuit 7. The lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R communicates with a lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 formed in the internal rotor 2, and the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 is connected to a predetermined port in the OSV 77 of the hydraulic circuit 7. In addition, a notch such as a rectangular shape is formed at the center of the bottom of the retard lock piece 60A and the advance lock piece 60B, and the surface of the notch facing the relative rotation axis X is operated. The surface 60F is configured. The hydraulic fluid supplied from the OSV 77 of the hydraulic circuit 7 can push up the retard lock piece 60A and the advance lock piece 60B against the biasing force of the spring 61 via the operated surface 60F.

  Accordingly, the hydraulic circuit 7 can supply / discharge engine oil as hydraulic oil to / from the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R via the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63. When the hydraulic oil is press-fitted into the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R from the OSV 77, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of lock pieces 60A and 60B engaged with the lock recess 62 are retracted to the external rotor 1 side by hydraulic pressure. To do. That is, when the lock pieces 60A and 60B come out of the lock recess 62, the locked state of the rotors 1 and 2 is released, and a relative rotation is possible.

  Further, in the lock mechanism 6 of the present embodiment, the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 is formed independently of the advance passage 11 or the retard passage 10 as described above. Further, even if the supply of hydraulic pressure to the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 is stopped by the OSV 77 (even if the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 and the oil pan 75 communicate with each other), the hydraulic pressure of the lock piece hydraulic oil passage 63 is released. Therefore, the hydraulic oil from the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) is not discharged to the oil pan 75. This is because, for example, the hydraulic oil in the advance chamber 43 and the retard chamber 42 is pushed by the vane 5 and forcedly discharged by the relative rotation of the external rotor 1 and the internal rotor 2. This is because there is no mechanism for forcibly discharging hydraulic oil. Therefore, if foreign matter is mixed in the lock recess 62, the foreign matter tends to stay in the lock recess 62 together with the hydraulic oil.

(Foreign matter storage space V)
The greatest feature of the valve timing control apparatus according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 4, formed to communicate with the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R and include a boundary portion between the outer rotor 1 and the inner rotor 2. The foreign substance containing space V is provided in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotor 1 separately from the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R. The foreign substance accommodation space shown in the present embodiment includes the first accommodation space V1 adjacent to the advance side (arrow S2 direction) of the retard lock piece 60A in the circumferential direction and the retard side (arrow) of the advance lock piece 60B. And a second accommodation space V2 adjacent in the (S1 direction). The foreign matter storage spaces V1 and V2 are in contact with the side surfaces of the lock pieces 60A and 60B and communicate with the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R. And a storage space body Vb having a bag path shape extending radially outward with respect to the relative rotation axis X of the container. The foreign matter introduction path Va is a means for guiding the foreign matter contained in the hydraulic oil pumped to the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber 62R to the accommodation space main body Vb, and the foreign matter that has once entered the accommodation space main body Vb having a semicircular cross section. In order to suppress the escape from the accommodation space main body Vb, it is narrower than the accommodation space main body Vb.

  Here, the foreign matter accommodation space V is formed so that both the foreign matter introduction path Va and the accommodation space main body Vb include the boundary portion between the outer rotor 1 and the inner rotor 2, and according to relative rotation. It is provided at a position facing the sliding contact outer peripheral surface 2 </ b> A of the inner rotor 2 that slides against a part of the outer rotor 1. Further, the foreign substance containing spaces V1, V2 are configured to extend from one end face of the outer rotor 1 to the other end face along the relative rotational axis of the rotors 1, 2. Note that the communication state between the foreign matter storage space V and the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R is not obtained when the lock pieces 60A and 60B are in the locked position, but is obtained in a state of being displaced to the unlocked position.

  Thus, the following effects are show | played by providing the foreign material accommodation space V in the external rotor 1. FIG. That is, even if foreign objects such as metal pieces are mixed in the hydraulic oil, the lock pieces 60A and 60B are slightly displaced from the locked position toward the unlocked position by the action of the hydraulic oil. First, it is guided into the foreign substance introduction path Va by the action of centrifugal force based on the high-speed rotation of the rotors 1 and 2. And since it is further guided to the accommodation space main body Vb by the action of the centrifugal force and held there, the foreign matter is sandwiched between the lock pieces 60A, 60B and the end of the lock recess 62, etc. It is difficult to cause a situation in which the displacement operation of the pieces 60A and 60B is hindered.

[Another embodiment]
<1> In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the first storage space V3 adjacent to the retard lock piece 60A and the second storage space V4 adjacent to the advance lock piece 60B include the lock pieces 60A and 60B. An L-shaped foreign matter introduction passage Vc that is in contact with the side surface of the lock piece and communicates with the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R, and a bag passage-like accommodation space main body Vd extending radially outward with respect to the relative rotation axis X from the foreign matter introduction passage Vc. It consists of. The foreign matter introduction path Vc is a means for guiding the foreign matter contained in the hydraulic oil pumped to the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber 62R to the accommodation space main body Vd, and the foreign matter that has once entered the accommodation space main body Vd from the accommodation space main body Vd. It is narrower than the accommodation space main body Vd in order to suppress the escape.
Here, only the foreign material introduction path Vc in the foreign material storage space V is formed so as to include the boundary portion between the external rotor 1 and the internal rotor 2, and a part of the external rotor 1 according to the relative rotation. The inner rotor 2 is slidable with respect to the sliding contact outer peripheral surface.

<2> The foreign substance storage space V5 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 is provided at a position facing the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R in the intermediate lock phase. The foreign matter accommodation space V5 includes a foreign matter introduction path Ve communicating with the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber 62R, and a bag-path-like accommodation space main body Vf extending radially outward with respect to the relative rotation axis X from the foreign matter introduction path Ve. The foreign matter introduction path Ve is a means for guiding the foreign matter contained in the hydraulic oil pumped to the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber 62R to the accommodation space main body Vf, and the foreign matter that has once entered the accommodation space main body Vf from the accommodation space main body Vf. It is narrower than the accommodation space main body Vf in order to suppress the escape.
A funnel-shaped inclined guide portion Vg that gradually increases in cross-sectional area toward the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R is formed at the inner diameter side end portion of the foreign matter introduction path Ve. In addition, if a symmetry plane Y of the foreign substance introduction path Ve extending along the radial direction of both the rotors 1 and 2 is defined, the inner end of the accommodation space body Vf faces the inner side in the radial direction of both the rotors 1 and 2. An auxiliary trap space Vt having an inclined surface extending so as to be gradually separated from the symmetry plane Y is provided.

<3> Sand blasting is provided on each inner surface of the housing space body Vb shown in FIG. 4, the housing space body Vd shown in FIG. 7, and the housing space body Vf shown in FIG. It can be applied by etching or the like.

<4> In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the foreign material introduction space Va is removed from the foreign material storage spaces V <b> 1 and V <b> 2 illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, the foreign substance accommodation space V6 is formed a predetermined distance away from the retard lock piece 60A toward the advance side (S2 direction). Here, the predetermined distance means that when at least the advance angle lock piece 60B is in the unlocked position, the foreign object is moved when the inner rotor 2 moves from the intermediate lock phase toward the advance side by the predetermined distance with respect to the outer rotor 1. The distance is such that the accommodation space V6 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) obtain a communication state. That is, when the internal rotor 2 rotates with respect to the external rotor 1 by a predetermined phase from the intermediate lock phase to the advance angle side, the foreign substance storage space V6 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) communicate with each other. It has become. More preferably, it is possible to exemplify a form in which the foreign substance accommodation space V6 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) communicate with each other at least when the relative rotational phase is the most advanced angle side.

  On the other hand, the foreign substance storage space V7 is formed at a predetermined distance from the advance lock piece 60B on the retard side (S1 direction). Here, the predetermined distance means that when at least the retardation locking piece 60A is in the unlocked position, the foreign object is moved when the internal rotor 2 moves the predetermined distance from the intermediate lock phase to the retardation side with respect to the outer rotor 1. The distance is such that the accommodation space V7 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) are in communication. That is, when the internal rotor 2 rotates with respect to the external rotor 1 by a predetermined phase from the intermediate lock phase to the retard angle side, the foreign matter accommodation space V7 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) communicate with each other. It has become. More preferably, it is possible to exemplify a form in which the foreign substance accommodation space V7 and the lock recess 62 (lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62R) communicate with each other at least when the relative rotational phase is the most retarded angle side.

  Even in such a form, both rotating bodies are rotated in a state where the inner rotor 2 and the outer rotor 1 are rotating relative to each other or in a state where the relative rotation phase is fixed at the most advanced angle side or the most retarded angle side. If this is the case, the foreign matter is guided to the foreign matter accommodation space by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation and remains in the same space.

  The present invention provides a first rotating body that rotates synchronously with respect to a crankshaft, a first rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft, an integral rotation with the camshaft, A second rotating body capable of rotating relative to one rotating body, phase control means for changing a relative rotating phase between the rotating bodies, and an intermediate lock phase in which the relative rotating phase is positioned between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle. The locking mechanism is supported by the locking groove formed on one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and on the other rotating body so as to be able to project and displace. And a lock piece that is displaceable between a lock posture locked in the lock groove and a lock release posture released from the lock groove, and a hydraulic oil for releasing the lock piece in the lock posture from the lock groove Can be received and the lock piece can enter. The valve timing control device having a single hydraulic oil chamber, foreign matter contained in the hydraulic oil can be utilized as a technique for improving such difficult to affect the operation of the lock piece.

Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the valve timing control apparatus by this invention Schematic showing the operating configuration of the fluid control valve (OCV) III-III sectional view of FIG. 1 in one operating state of the valve timing control device The elements on larger scale which show the lock mechanism vicinity of the valve timing control apparatus shown by FIG. III-III sectional view in an operating state different from FIG. III-III sectional view in an operating state further different from FIG. The elements on larger scale which show the lock mechanism vicinity of the valve timing control apparatus by another embodiment Furthermore, the elements on larger scale which show the lock mechanism vicinity of the valve timing control apparatus by another embodiment The elements on larger scale which show the lock mechanism vicinity of the valve timing control apparatus by the modification of embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

S1 retard side S2 advance side V1 first accommodation space (foreign matter accommodation space)
V2 Second storage space (foreign material storage space)
Va Foreign substance introduction path Vb Housing space main body 1 External rotor (first rotating body)
2 Internal rotor (second rotating body)
3 Camshaft 5 Vane 6 Locking Mechanism 6A Delay Angle Locking Section 6B Advancement Locking Section 7 Hydraulic Circuit 9 ECU (Phase Control Mechanism)
10 retard passage 11 advance passage 20 timing sprocket 40 fluid pressure chamber (phase control mechanism)
42 retard chamber 43 advance chamber 60A retard lock piece 60B advance lock piece 62 lock recess 62R lock piece hydraulic oil chamber 62M locking groove 63 lock piece hydraulic oil passage 70 pump 76 OCV (phase control mechanism)
77 OSV

Claims (7)

A first rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, a second rotating body that rotates integrally with the camshaft of the internal combustion engine and that can rotate relative to the first rotating body, and both rotating bodies A phase control means for changing the relative rotational phase of the relative rotational phase within a control region between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle, and an intermediate lock that positions the relative rotational phase between the most advanced angle and the most retarded angle. A locking mechanism that can be constrained to a phase, and the locking mechanism protrudes on a locking groove formed in one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and on the other rotating body. A lock piece supported so as to be displaceable and displaceable between a lock posture locked in the lock groove and a lock release posture released from the lock groove, and the lock piece in the lock posture are It is possible to receive hydraulic oil for separating from the stop groove, and Click pieces a valve timing control apparatus having a possible lock piece operating oil chamber entrance,
Contain foreign matter formed so as to communicate with the lock piece hydraulic fluid chamber and to include a boundary portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body within at least a predetermined range of the relative rotational phase. A valve opening / closing timing control device in which a space is provided in an outer rotating body of the first rotating body and the second rotating body.   The valve opening and closing according to claim 1, wherein the foreign substance accommodating space is provided at a position facing a portion of the inner rotating body that is slidable with respect to a part of the outer rotating body in accordance with the relative rotation. Timing control device.   The valve opening / closing timing control device according to claim 1, wherein the foreign substance accommodating space is provided at a position facing the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber.   The foreign substance containing space is located on the outermost radial direction with respect to the relative rotational axis of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and is narrower than the containing space main body. The valve opening / closing timing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a foreign substance introduction path for communicating with the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber.   The valve opening / closing timing control device according to claim 4, wherein a funnel-shaped inclined guide portion that gradually increases in cross-sectional area toward the lock piece hydraulic oil chamber is formed at an inlet portion of the foreign matter introduction path.   An auxiliary trap space is provided on the inner surface of the foreign object storage space. The auxiliary trap space includes an inclined surface that gradually extends away from the axis of the foreign object storage space toward the radially inner side of the first rotary body and the second rotary body. The valve opening / closing timing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   The foreign object accommodation space is provided from one end face of the outer rotating body to the other end face along a relative rotational axis of the first rotating body and the second rotating body. The valve timing control apparatus according to any one of the above.

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