JP2015124620A - Control valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control valve for ensuring the transfer to a lock state, in the case where an internal combustion engine is stopped, and the transfer to the lock state, in the case where the lock mechanism is not in the lock state at the starting time of the internal combustion engine.SOLUTION: The spool 50 of a control valve CV is so constituted that it can be freely operated to: a phase control position, at which the supply and discharge of a fluid to an advance angle port 40A and a delay angle port 40B are controlled in the state to supply the fluid to a lock release port 40L; and a lock transfer position PA1 for controlling the supply and discharge of the fluid to the advance angle port 40A and the delay angle port 40B in the state to discharge the fluid from the lock release port 40L. There is formed a communication passage W for discharging a portion of the fluid from a pump port 40P to drain ports 40DB and 40DA, in the case where the spool 50 is operated to the lock transfer position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control valve of a valve opening / closing timing control device including a driving side rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft and a driven side rotating body connected to a camshaft. The present invention relates to a control valve for controlling a fluid supplied to one of a chamber and a retard chamber and controlling a fluid supplied to and discharged from a lock mechanism.

  As a control valve configured as described above, Patent Document 1 discloses a phase control valve that sets a relative rotation phase by selectively supplying a fluid to one of an advance chamber and a retard chamber (relative rotation in the literature). OCV) and a lock release valve that releases the restricted state by supplying a fluid to the restricting member (in the literature, the restrictor OCV).

  In this Patent Document 1, a spool constituting a relative rotation control valve and a spool constituting a lock control valve are accommodated in a single valve body, and a part of this valve body is rotated on the driven side of the valve opening / closing timing control device. It is provided in a form that fits relative to the body.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a control valve in which a spool (in the document, a spool valve body) is slidably accommodated inside a valve body. This control valve is configured to be operable in six positions, and by selecting one of the six positions, the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device (the valve timing control device in the literature) is set to the advance direction or It is configured to be able to control the lock mechanism by displacing in the retard direction.

JP 2011-1852 A JP 2013-19282 A

  As described in Patent Document 1, in the configuration including the phase control valve and the lock release valve, two spools are required, so the number of parts is large, which not only increases the size but also increases the cost. there were.

  The configuration described in Patent Document 2 is a configuration that controls the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device and the lock mechanism by using a single spool, so that the number of parts can be reduced. .

  As shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, in a vehicle that supplies fluid from a fluid pressure pump driven by an internal combustion engine from a control valve to a valve opening / closing timing control device, a lock mechanism is provided when the internal combustion engine is stopped. Control to shift to the locked state is performed. By shifting to the locked state in this way, when starting the internal combustion engine thereafter, the relative rotation phase of the valve timing control device is set to a predetermined phase (even if the fluid pressure supplied from the fluid pressure pump is low) The startability of the internal combustion engine is improved by maintaining the lock phase.

  However, in a valve opening / closing timing control device having a lock mechanism configured to maintain the relative rotation phase for engaging the lock member with the lock recess in the lock phase, when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the valve opening / closing timing control device Even if the rotational phase is controlled, the locked state may not be entered. As the cause, it is considered that the displacement of the relative rotational phase is high speed. In other words, when the relative rotational phase is displaced at a high speed, even if the lock member reaches a relative rotational phase at which the lock member can be engaged with the lock recess, it is considered that the lock member cannot engage with the lock recess. is there.

  Further, when the internal combustion engine is stopped in a situation where the lock mechanism is not in a locked state, such as an engine stall, and the internal combustion engine is started thereafter, the relative rotational phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device is caused by the reaction force acting from the camshaft. Inconveniences that fluctuate in a short time. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, it is necessary to quickly shift to the locked state when starting the internal combustion engine. However, as described above, when the displacement of the relative rotational phase is high, the shift to the locked state is required. There is room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to make sure that the shift to the locked state is performed when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and to make sure the shift to the locked state is performed when the lock mechanism is not in the locked state when the internal combustion engine is started. It is in the point which constitutes a control valve rationally.

A feature of the present invention is that it has a driving side rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and a driven side rotating body that rotates integrally with the camshaft of the internal combustion engine and rotates relative to the driving side rotating body. When the fluid is supplied to the advance chamber, the relative rotational phase of the drive side rotor and the driven side rotor is displaced in the advance direction, and when the fluid is supplied to the retard chamber, the relative rotation is performed. When the phase is displaced in the retarding direction and the engaging member formed on one of the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body is engaged with the lock member supported on the other side, the relative rotational phase is Is a control valve used in a valve opening / closing timing control device provided with a lock mechanism that holds a predetermined lock phase, the control valve,
A valve case, a spool accommodated in the valve case, and an electromagnetic solenoid that drives the spool so that the spool moves along the axis of the spool;
The valve case includes a pump port to which a fluid is supplied, an advance port communicating with the advance chamber, a retard port communicating with the retard chamber, and an unlock release communicating with the lock release space of the lock member. A port and a drain port that allows fluid to drain;
A plurality of phase control positions set for controlling supply and discharge of fluid to and from the advance port and the retard port when fluid is supplied to the unlock port; and from the unlock port When fluid is discharged, the advance port and the retard port are movable between a lock transition position set to control fluid supply and discharge, and the spool is moved to the lock transition position. When the position is set, a communication path that allows a part of the fluid supplied to the pump port to flow into the drain port is formed.

In this configuration, when the spool is set to the lock transition position, a part of the fluid from the pump port is discharged from the communication path to the drain port. As a specific configuration, in the case where the lock transition position supplies the fluid from the pump port to the advance port, at this position, a part of the fluid supplied to the advance port is discharged from the communication path to the drain port. As a result, the amount of fluid supplied to the advance chamber per unit time is reduced, the relative rotational phase between the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body is reduced, and the displacement speed in the advance direction is reduced. The lock member is easily engaged with the engagement portion.
In other words, when the spool is operated to the lock transition position in order to shift the lock mechanism to the lock state by the control to stop the internal combustion engine, the shift to the lock state is surely performed by reducing the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase. . In addition, even when the internal combustion engine is started in a state where the lock mechanism is not in the locked state, the lock mechanism is reliably shifted to the locked state by reducing the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase even when the internal combustion engine is operated. To do.
Note that this reduction in the relative rotational phase displacement speed is performed in the same manner even when the lock transition position is configured to supply fluid to the retard port, and the transition of the lock mechanism to the locked state is ensured. To do.
Therefore, a control valve is provided that reliably shifts to the locked state when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and reliably shifts to the locked state when the lock mechanism is not locked when the internal combustion engine is started. It was done.

  Further, when the spool is set to the lock transition position, one of the advance chamber and the retard chamber communicates with the drain port, and the other communicates with the drain port via the communication path. Therefore, when the cell motor is driven to start an internal combustion engine whose lock mechanism is not locked, the spool is set to the lock transition position, so that the advance chamber and the retard chamber are caused by the fluctuation torque from the camshaft. It is also possible to quickly discharge the fluid and quickly shift the lock mechanism to the locked state. As a specific operation mode, when the volume of one of the advance chamber and the retard chamber is increased due to the action of the variable torque, the operation in which the other volume decreases is repeatedly performed so as to breathe. It is possible to reliably discharge the fluid remaining in the chamber and the retarded chamber by applying pressure to the fluid. As a result, for example, when the fluid remains in the advance chamber or the retard chamber, the relative rotation phase is quickly shifted to the lock phase with the fluid resistance removed, compared to the case where the relative rotation phase is displaced to the lock phase. It is possible to shift to a locked state.

  In the present invention, the lock transition position where the fluid is supplied to the advance port is arranged at a position adjacent to the phase control position where the fluid is supplied to the advance port, and the fluid is supplied to the retard port. The lock transition position in which fluid is supplied to the retardation port is disposed at a position adjacent to the phase control position, and the communication path is closed in a region of the lock transition position adjacent to the phase control position. Also good.

  When changing the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device, the spool is operated at the phase control position, so that it is not operated at the lock transition position. For example, when the spool is set to the lock transfer position, a communication path that discharges a part of the fluid from the pump port to the drain port is taken as an example. When the spool is operated, even if the spool overshoots and reaches a part of the lock transition position, the fluid supplied to the advance port or retard port is not discharged to the communication path, and the relative rotational phase is displaced. There is no reduction in speed.

  In the present invention, a phase control flow path that allows fluid to be supplied from the pump port to the advance port and the retard port is formed in the spool, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the communication path is the phase It may be smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the control channel.

  According to this, when the spool is set to the lock transition position, a part of the fluid from the pump port is discharged to the drain port through the communication path. The amount of the fluid thus discharged is the advance angle. It is less than the amount of fluid supplied to the port or the retard port, and the disadvantage that the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase is greatly reduced is suppressed. Therefore, the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device can be gently displaced to ensure the transition to the locked state.

  According to the present invention, the drain port includes an unlocking drain port that allows fluid from the unlocking port to be discharged to the outside of the valve case, and fluid from the communication path to the outside of the valve case. There may be provided a phase control drain port which allows discharge.

  According to this, when fluid is discharged from the unlocking drain port to the outside of the valve case in the situation where the fluid is discharged from the flow passage, the phase control drain port is moved to the outside of the valve case. Sent out. For this reason, each discharge does not affect each other, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the communication path is not reduced. Furthermore, the shift state of the lock mechanism can be favorably performed without increasing the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase.

  In the present invention, the phase control drain port has a function of allowing fluid from the advance port to be discharged to the outside of the valve case, and fluid from the retard port to the outside of the valve case. You may combine with the function which accept | permits discharging.

  According to this, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the fluid discharged from the lock release port without forming a dedicated drain port for discharging the fluid from the communication path.

It is sectional drawing of a valve opening / closing timing control apparatus and a control valve. It is sectional drawing of the valve timing control apparatus of the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the valve opening / closing timing control apparatus of a lock release state. It is sectional drawing of the valve timing control apparatus of the most retarded angle lock phase. It is a figure which shows the position of a control valve, and the supply / discharge pattern of hydraulic fluid. It is sectional drawing of the 1st advance angle position of a control valve. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd advance angle position of a control valve. It is sectional drawing of the lock release position of a control valve. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd retard position of a control valve. It is sectional drawing of the 1st retard position of a control valve. It is a chart which shows the hydraulic pressure etc. when operating from a lock release position to the 1st advance position or the 2nd advance position. It is a figure which shows the position of a control valve, and the supply / discharge pattern of hydraulic fluid in another embodiment (b).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a valve opening / closing timing control device A that sets an opening / closing timing (opening / closing timing) of the intake valve Va is provided for an engine E as an internal combustion engine. The valve opening / closing timing control device A is configured to supply / discharge hydraulic fluid as a fluid by an electromagnetically operated control valve CV, and to set the opening / closing timing of the intake valve Va by this supply / discharge.

  The engine E (an example of an internal combustion engine) is provided in a vehicle such as a passenger car. The engine E is configured as a four-cycle type in which a piston 4 is housed in a cylinder bore formed in the cylinder block 2 and the piston 4 and the crankshaft 1 are connected by a connecting rod 5.

  The valve opening / closing timing control device A includes an external rotor 20 as a driving side rotating body that rotates synchronously with the crankshaft 1 of the engine E, and a driven side rotating body that rotates integrally with the intake camshaft 7 that controls the intake valve Va of the engine E. As an internal rotor 30. An advance chamber Ca and a retard chamber Cb are formed between the external rotor 20 (an example of a driving side rotating body) and the internal rotor 30 (an example of a driven side rotating body). Further, a lock mechanism L that locks (fixes) the relative rotation phase between the outer rotor 20 and the inner rotor 30 to the intermediate lock phase is provided.

  The engine E includes a hydraulic pump P that is driven by the driving force of the crankshaft 1. The hydraulic pump P supplies lubricating oil stored in an oil pan of the engine E from the supply oil path 8 to the control valve CV as hydraulic oil (an example of fluid). The control valve CV is supported by the engine E in such a manner that a shaft-like portion 41 formed integrally with the valve case 40 is inserted into the internal rotor 30. The control valve CV supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the valve opening / closing timing control device A through a flow path formed inside the shaft-like portion 41. A check valve 9 is provided in the supply oil passage 8 to prevent the backflow of the hydraulic oil.

  From this configuration, the control valve CV selects one of the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb and supplies hydraulic oil to supply a relative rotational phase between the external rotor 20 and the internal rotor 30 (hereinafter referred to as a relative rotational phase). And the opening / closing timing of the intake valve Va is set. Furthermore, the control valve CV releases the lock state by the lock mechanism L by supplying hydraulic oil.

  The control valve CV is not limited to being supported at the position shown in FIG. 1, and may be supported by a member separated from the valve opening / closing timing control device A. In the case of such a configuration, a flow path is formed between the control valve CV and the valve opening / closing timing control device A.

  In this embodiment, a configuration in which the valve opening / closing timing control device A is provided for the intake camshaft 7 is shown, but the exhaust camshaft 7 and the exhaust cam may be provided with the valve opening / closing timing control device A. A valve opening / closing timing control device A may be provided on both the shaft and the shaft.

[Specific configuration of valve timing control device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the valve opening / closing timing control device A includes an internal rotor 30 with respect to the external rotor 20, and these can rotate relative to each other on a coaxial axis with the rotational axis X of the intake camshaft 7. Is arranged. The timing chain 6 is wound around the drive sprocket 22S formed on the external rotor 20 and the sprocket 1S driven by the crankshaft 1. The inner rotor 30 is connected to the intake camshaft 7 by a connecting bolt 33.

  The outer rotor 20 has a cylindrical rotor body 21, a rear block 22 disposed at one end of the rotor body 21 in the direction along the rotation axis X, and a rotor in the direction along the rotation axis X. A front plate 23 disposed at the other end of the main body 21 is fastened by a plurality of fastening bolts 24. On the outer periphery of the rear block 22, a drive sprocket 22 </ b> S to which rotational force is transmitted from the crankshaft 1 is formed. The rotor body 21 has a cylindrical inner wall surface and a direction close to the rotation axis X (radially inside). A plurality of projecting portions 21T projecting in the same manner are integrally formed.

  A pair of guide grooves are formed in a radial attitude from the rotation axis X with respect to one of the plurality of protrusions 21T. A plate-like lock member 25 is removably inserted into these guide grooves, and a lock spring 26 is provided to urge the lock member 25 in a direction approaching the rotation axis X (lock direction). Thus, the lock mechanism L is comprised by the lock member 25 and the lock spring 26 which urges them in the protruding direction. The shape of the lock member 25 is not limited to a plate shape, and may be a rod shape, for example. Further, the lock mechanism L may be configured by including a single lock member 25.

  The inner rotor 30 is formed with an inner peripheral surface 30 </ b> S that is coaxial with the rotation axis X and has a cylindrical inner surface, and a columnar outer surface that is centered on the rotation axis X is formed. A flange-shaped portion 32 is formed at one end of the internal rotor 30 in the direction along the rotation axis X, and the internal rotor is connected by a connecting bolt 33 that is inserted into a hole at the inner peripheral position of the flange-shaped portion 32. 30 is connected to the intake camshaft 7.

  A plurality of vanes 31 projecting outward are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotor 30. With this configuration, the inner rotor 30 is fitted (included) in the outer rotor 20, thereby being surrounded by the inner surface (cylindrical inner wall surface and the plurality of protruding portions 21 </ b> T) of the rotor body 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotor 30. A fluid pressure chamber C is formed in the region. Further, the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb are formed by dividing the fluid pressure chamber C by the vane 31. The internal rotor 30 is formed with an advance passage 34 that communicates with the advance chamber Ca, a retard passage 35 that communicates with the retard chamber Cb, and a lock release passage 36.

  An intermediate lock recess 37 (an example of an engaging portion / unlocking space) in which a pair of lock members 25 can be engaged / removed is formed on the outer periphery of the inner rotor 30. Further, one lock member 25 is engaged with the outer periphery of the inner rotor 30 in the most retarded lock phase in which the pair of lock members 25 are displaced in the retard direction Sb from the intermediate lock phase in which the pair of lock members 25 are simultaneously engaged with the intermediate lock recess 37. The most retarded angle locking recess 38 is formed. An unlock channel 36 communicates with the intermediate lock recess 37, and an advance channel 34 communicates with the most retarded lock recess 38.

  In the intermediate lock phase, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of lock members 25 are fitted into the intermediate lock recesses 37, and the respective lock members 25 come into contact with the circumferential end surfaces of the intermediate lock recesses 37. When hydraulic oil is supplied to the unlocking flow path 36 in this intermediate locking phase, the direction in which the two locking members 25 are separated from the rotational axis X against the urging force of the lock spring 26 as shown in FIG. And the engagement is released (the locked state is released). In the most retarded angle lock phase, as shown in FIG. 4, when one of the lock members 25 is engaged with the most retarded angle lock recess 38, the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the advance angle flow path 34, thereby The lock member 25 is moved away from the rotation axis against the urging force of the spring 26 to release the engagement (the lock state is released), and the relative rotation phase is advanced after the lock state is released. Displacement in the direction Sa.

  In addition, the relative rotation phase in a state where the vane 31 has reached the moving end in the advance direction Sa (the rotation limit about the rotation axis X) is referred to as the most advanced phase, and the vane 31 moves on the retard side. The relative rotation phase in the state where the end (the rotation limit about the rotation axis X) is reached is called the most retarded phase.

  The intermediate lock phase is a phase in which the valve opening / closing timing is optimally maintained when the engine E in the cold state is started, and when the engine E is stopped, the relative rotation phase is displaced to the intermediate lock phase to lock the lock mechanism L. Then, the control state is shifted to the locked state, and then the engine E is stopped. The most retarded angle lock phase is a phase that reduces the starting load of the engine E. For example, when there is a high possibility of restarting the engine E that is in a warm-up state such as an idle stop, the relative rotation phase is set to the latest phase. Control is performed to shift to the angular lock phase and shift to the locked state by the lock mechanism L, and then stop the engine E.

  A torsion spring 27 is provided across the rear block 22 of the outer rotor 20 and the inner rotor 30. The torsion spring 27 applies an urging force for displacing the relative rotation phase to the vicinity of the intermediate lock phase from the state in the most retarded lock phase.

  In the valve opening / closing timing control device A, the external rotor 20 rotates in the driving rotation direction S by the driving force transmitted from the timing chain 6. Further, when the working oil is supplied to the advance chamber Ca, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa, and when the hydraulic oil is supplied to the retard chamber Cb, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retard direction Sb. Let

  A direction in which the inner rotor 30 rotates in the same direction as the drive rotation direction S with respect to the outer rotor 20 is referred to as an advance angle direction Sa, and a rotation direction in the opposite direction is referred to as a retard angle direction Sb. In this valve opening / closing timing control device A, the intake timing is advanced as the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa, and the intake timing is delayed as the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retard direction Sb.

(Control valve)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the control valve CV includes a valve case 40, a spool 50, an electromagnetic solenoid 60, and a spool spring 61. The spool 50 is accommodated in the spool accommodation space of the valve case 40 so as to be movable along the spool axis Y (specific example of the axis of the spool). The electromagnetic solenoid 60 applies an operating force to the spool 50 in a direction that resists the biasing force of the spool spring 61. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the control valve CV is disposed at the upper position of the valve case 40.

  The valve case 40 is supported with respect to the engine E via a bracket or the like in a state where the shaft-like portion 41 formed in the valve case 40 is inserted into the internal rotor 30. As described above, the shaft-like portion 41 is formed with a plurality of flow paths that are formed in a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the rotation axis X and that can supply and discharge fluid. Further, in order to enable supply and discharge of hydraulic oil even when the valve timing control device A rotates about the rotation axis X, the outer periphery of the shaft-like portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface 30S of the inner rotor 30 are provided. A plurality of ring-shaped seals 42 are provided between the two.

  The valve case 40 includes a pump port 40P, an advance port 40A, a retard port 40B, an unlock port 40L, a first drain port 40DA (an example of a phase control drain port), and a second drain port 40DB. (An example of a phase control drain port) and a third drain port 40DC (an example of an unlocking drain port) are formed. In this embodiment, the first drain port 40DA is disposed at a position closest to the electromagnetic solenoid 60 in the direction along the spool axis Y, followed by the advance port 40A, the pump port 40P, and the retard port 40B. The second drain port 40DB, the lock release port 40L, and the third drain port 40DC are arranged in a direction away from the electromagnetic solenoid 60 in this order. The third drain port 40DC is disposed at the lower end of the valve case 40.

  The pump port 40 </ b> P communicates with the hydraulic pump P through the supply oil passage 8. The advance port 40A communicates with the advance chamber Ca via the advance channel 34. The retard port 40B communicates with the retard chamber Cb via the retard channel 35. The lock release port 40L communicates with an intermediate lock recess 37 as a lock release space of the lock member 25 via the lock release flow path 36.

  The spool 50 is formed with a small-diameter pump-side groove portion 51P at the center position in the direction of the spool axis Y, and a small-diameter first groove portion 51A for draining is formed on the upper side (electromagnetic solenoid side). A second groove portion 51B for draining with a small diameter is formed below the pump side groove portion 51P.

  A first land portion 52A is formed above the pump side groove portion 51P, and a second land portion 52B is formed below the pump side groove portion 51P. A third land portion 52C is formed below the second groove portion 51B. The outer diameters of the first land portion 52A, the second land portion 52B, and the third land portion 52C are set to values close to the spool housing space of the valve case 40.

  A single phase control flow path 53 is formed in the pump side groove portion 51 </ b> P in a posture orthogonal to the spool axis Y, and branches in a direction along the spool axis Y from an intermediate position of the phase control flow path 53. A lock control flow path 54 is formed inside the spool 50. The phase control flow path 53 allows supply of hydraulic oil to the advance port 40A and the retard port 40B. Further, the lock control channel 54 allows supply of hydraulic oil to the lock release port 40L.

  A lock operation channel 56 is formed in a posture orthogonal to the spool axis Y so as to communicate with the outer peripheral portion of the third land portion 52 </ b> C, and the lock operation channel 56 communicates with the lock control channel 54.

[Communication passage]
In particular, in the control valve CV, when the spool 50 is operated to the first advance position PA1 (an example of the lock transition position), and the spool 50 is operated to the first retard position PB1 (an example of the lock transition position). In this case, the communication passage W is formed to surely shift the lock mechanism L to the locked state by reducing the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase by discharging a part of the hydraulic oil.

  The valve case 40 is processed to enlarge the inner periphery of a region opposite to the advance port 40A across the spool shaft core Y. Further, the first reduced diameter portion 52Aw is formed by a process of reducing the diameter of a part of the outer periphery of the first land portion 52A. In the same manner, a process for enlarging the inner periphery of a region opposite to the retard port 40B across the spool shaft Y is performed. Further, the second reduced diameter portion 52Bw is formed by a process of reducing the diameter of a part of the outer periphery of the second land portion 52B. The first reduced diameter portion 52Aw and the second reduced diameter portion 52Bw constitute the communication path W of the present invention.

  When the spool 50 is operated to the first advance angle position PA1, the second reduced diameter portion 52Bw is in the position shown in FIG. 6, and a part of the hydraulic oil supplied from the pump port 40P to the advance angle port 40A is supplied. The second diameter reducing portion 52Bw as the communication path W can be discharged to the second drain port 40DB.

  Further, when the spool 50 is operated to the first retard position PB1, the first diameter reducing portion 52Aw is in the position shown in FIG. 10, and one of the hydraulic oils supplied from the pump port 40P to the retard port 40B. The portion can be discharged from the first reduced diameter portion 52Aw as the communication path W to the first drain port 40DA. That is, the first drain port 40DA is also used as a drain port for discharging the hydraulic oil from the retard port 40B.

  The flow path cross-sectional area of the communication path W is set smaller than any of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the phase control flow path 53, the advance port 40A, and the retard port 40B.

[Overview of control valve operation]
As specific operation positions (positions) of the spool 50 of the control valve CV of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, a first advance angle position PA1, a second advance angle position PA2, and an unlock position. It is configured so that it can be operated in five positions including PL, the second retard position PB2, and the first retard position PB1. In addition, FIG. 5 shows supply / discharge patterns at these positions.

  In this configuration, the second advance angle position PA2, the unlock position PL, and the second retard position PB2 operate with respect to the advance port 40A and the retard port 40B while supplying fluid to the unlock port 40L. This is a phase control position that controls oil supply and discharge. In addition, the first advance position PA1 and the first retard position PB1 control the supply of hydraulic oil to one of the advance port 40A and the retard port 40B in a state where the hydraulic oil is discharged from the lock release port 40L. This is the lock transition position.

  In this control valve CV, the spool 50 is in the first advance angle position PA1 in a state in which no electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60. By increasing the electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60 by a predetermined value, the second advance angle position PA2, The lock release position PL, the second retardation position PB2, and the first retardation position PB1 are switched in this order.

  In particular, when the opening / closing timing of the intake valve Va is adjusted while the engine E is operating, the spool 50 is set between the unlock position PL, the second retard position PB2, and the second advance position PA2. Control to operate is performed, and the first advance angle position PA1 and the first retard angle position PB1 are not operated.

[First advance angle position]
In a state where electric power is not supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60, the spool 50 is in the first advance angle position PA1 shown in FIG. In this position, due to the positional relationship between the first land portion 52A and the advance port 40A, the hydraulic oil supplied to the pump port 40P passes through the phase control flow path 53 and the pump side groove portion 51P to advance the port 40A. To be supplied. Further, due to the positional relationship between the second land portion 52B and the retard port 40B, the hydraulic oil from the retard port 40B is discharged to the second drain port 40DB through the second groove portion 51B.

  At the first advance angle position PA1, a part of the hydraulic fluid flowing from the pump port 40P to the phase control flow path 53 is discharged to the second drain port 40DB through the communication path W (second diameter reducing portion 52Bw). When hydraulic fluid is discharged from the communication path W, the relative rotational phase is displaced at a low speed in the advance direction Sa, so that the lock mechanism L is reliably shifted to the locked state.

  That is, since the relative rotational phase is displaced at a low speed in the advance direction Sa, when the intermediate lock phase is reached, the pair of lock members 25 are engaged with the intermediate lock recess 37 by the urging force of the lock spring 26, and the intermediate lock phase is reached. Can be locked.

[Second advance angle position]
In the second advance angle position PA2 shown in FIG. 7, the hydraulic oil supplied to the pump port 40P is phased from the positional relationship between the first land portion 52A and the advance angle port 40A, as in the first advance angle position PA1. It is supplied to the advance port 40A via the control flow path 53 and the pump side groove 51P. Further, due to the positional relationship between the second land portion 52B and the retard port 40B, the hydraulic oil from the retard port 40B is discharged to the second drain port 40DB through the second groove portion 51B.

  Further, at the second advance angle position PA2, the lock operation flow path 56 is in a positional relationship communicating with the lock release port 40L, so that the hydraulic pressure acts on the lock control flow path 54 branched from the phase control flow path 53, The hydraulic oil is supplied to the lock release port 40L.

  As a result, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa. Further, when the relative rotation phase is in the intermediate lock phase, the hydraulic pressure from the lock release port 40L acts on the pair of lock members 25 from the lock operation flow path 56, so that the lock member 25 resists the lock spring 26. Is shifted to release the locked state of the lock mechanism L, and the unlocked state is maintained.

(Unlock position)
In the unlock position PL shown in FIG. 8, the first land portion 52A closes the advance port 40A, and the second land portion 52B closes the retard port 40B. At the same time, the lock operation channel 56 is in a positional relationship to communicate with the lock release port 40L. That is, the hydraulic oil is blocked by the advance port 40A and the retard port 40B, the hydraulic pressure is applied to the lock control flow path 54 branched from the phase control flow path 53, and the hydraulic oil is supplied to the lock release port 40L. .

  Thereby, when the relative rotation phase is in the intermediate lock phase, the lock member 25 is shifted against the lock spring 26 and the lock mechanism L is unlocked.

[Second retard position]
In the second retard angle position PB2 shown in FIG. 9, the hydraulic oil supplied to the pump port 40P passes through the phase control flow path 53 due to the positional relationship between the second land portion 52B and the retard port 40B. 40B. Further, due to the positional relationship between the first land portion 52A and the advance port 40A, the hydraulic oil from the advance port 40A is discharged to the first drain port 40DA through the first groove portion 51A.

  Further, at the second retard angle position PB2, since the lock operation channel 56 is in a positional relationship communicating with the lock release port 40L, the hydraulic pressure acts on the lock control channel 54 branched from the phase control channel 53, The hydraulic oil is supplied to the lock release port 40L.

  Thereby, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb. Further, when the relative rotational phase is in the intermediate lock phase, the hydraulic oil from the lock release port 40L acts on the pair of lock members 25 from the lock operation flow path 56 and resists the lock spring 26 so that the lock member 25 is moved. The locked state of the lock mechanism L is released by shifting, and the unlocked state is maintained.

[First retard position]
In the first retard position PB1 shown in FIG. 10, the hydraulic oil supplied to the pump port 40P is phased from the positional relationship between the second land portion 52B and the retard port 40B, as in the first retard position PB1. It is supplied to the retard port 40B via the control flow path 53 and the pump side groove 51P. Further, due to the positional relationship between the first land portion 52A and the advance port 40A, the hydraulic oil from the advance port 40A is discharged to the first drain port 40DA through the first groove portion 51A. Further, the hydraulic oil from the lock release port 40L is discharged to the second drain port 40DB.

  At the first retard position PB1, part of the hydraulic oil flowing from the pump port 40P to the phase control flow path 53 is discharged to the first drain port 40DA via the communication path W (first diameter reducing portion 52Aw). When hydraulic oil is discharged from the communication path W, the relative rotational phase is displaced at a low speed in the retarding direction Sb, and the transition of the lock mechanism L to the locked state is ensured.

  That is, since the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb at a low speed, when the intermediate lock phase is reached, the pair of lock members 25 are engaged with the intermediate lock recess 37 by the urging force of the lock spring 26, and the latest When the angle lock phase is reached, one lock member 25 can engage with the most retarded angle lock recess 38 and shift to the locked state.

(Lock operation)
When the engine E is stopped, the control for shifting the relative rotation phase to the intermediate lock phase and shifting the lock mechanism L to the locked state is executed.

[Transition from retarded side to intermediate lock phase]
When the spool 50 is in the unlock position PL and the relative rotation phase is on the retard side of the lock phase, the control valve CV is moved to the unlock position PL when the relative rotation phase is shifted to the intermediate lock phase by control. To the first advance position PA1. With this operation, the hydraulic pressure and the relative rotational phase of the valve timing control device A are displaced as shown in the left chart of FIG.

  In the same figure, the “advance hydraulic pressure” is the pressure in the region extending from the advance port 40A to the advance chamber Ca, and will be described as the pressure of the advance port 40A. The “retarding hydraulic pressure” refers to the pressure in the region extending from the retarding port 40B to the retarding chamber Cb, and will be described as the pressure of the retarding port 40B. The “unlocking pressure” is the pressure in the region extending from the unlocking port 40L to the intermediate locking recess 37, and will be described as the pressure of the unlocking port 40L.

  That is, since the hydraulic oil is sealed in the advance chamber Ca at the initial stage of this operation, the pressure of the advance port 40A is at a high value. Further, when the control valve CV is operated to the first advance angle position PA1 and the displacement of the relative rotation phase starts, the pressure of the advance port 40A once decreases with the volume expansion of the advance chamber Ca. Since part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the advance port 40A is discharged from the communication passage W (second diameter reducing portion 52Bw) when the pressure is reduced, the pressure of the advance port 40A is maintained at a low value. In the configuration in which the communication path W is not formed, the pressure of the advance port 40A is maintained at a relatively high value indicated by a virtual line.

  When the control valve CV is operated to the first advance angle position PA1, the hydraulic oil in the retard chamber Cb is discharged to the second drain port 40DB. In this case, in the configuration in which the communication passage W is not formed, the pressure decreases to zero pressure as shown by the phantom line. However, since a part of the fluid from the pump port 40P is discharged to the second drain port 40DB through the communication path W, the pressure of the retarding port 40B does not become zero pressure, but slightly less than zero pressure. Maintained at a high value.

  When the control valve CV is operated to the first advance position PA1, the hydraulic oil in the intermediate lock recess 37 is discharged from the lock release port 40L to the third drain port 40DC, and the flow path resistance acts upon this discharge. Therefore, the pressure of the lock release port 40L decreases with the characteristics shown in FIG.

  When the control valve CV is operated in this way, the relative rotation phase starts to be displaced from the retard side toward the intermediate lock phase. As described above, a part of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the advance port 40A to the advance chamber Ca is discharged from the communication path W to the second drain port 40DB, so that the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase is reduced. In the configuration in which the communication path W is not formed, the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase increases with a gradient indicated by a virtual line in the figure. Further, when the relative rotation phase reaches the intermediate lock phase, the lock release hydraulic pressure is reduced to zero pressure.

  In this configuration, since the pressure of the retard port 40B is higher than zero pressure, the resistance when the hydraulic oil is discharged from the retard port 40B increases. This also reduces the displacement speed when the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa.

  Thus, in a state where the displacement of the relative rotational phase is decelerated, first, one lock member 25 is engaged with the intermediate lock recess 37 by the urging force of the lock spring 26. After this, when the relative rotational phase reaches the intermediate lock phase, the unlocking hydraulic pressure is reduced to zero pressure, and the other lock member 25 is connected to the lock spring 26 with respect to the intermediate lock recess 37 in the zero pressure state. Engage with the urging force and move to the intermediate lock state reliably.

[Transition from advance side to intermediate lock phase]
When the spool 50 is in the unlock position PL and the relative rotation phase is advanced from the lock phase, the control valve CV is moved from the unlock position PL when the relative rotation phase is shifted to the intermediate lock phase by control. The first retard position PB1 is operated. With this operation, the hydraulic pressure and the relative rotational phase of the valve timing control device A are displaced as shown in the right chart of FIG.

  In this control, the direction of displacement of the relative rotational phase is opposite to that of the shift from the retard side to the intermediate lock phase described above. Hydraulic pressure is displaced.

  That is, since the hydraulic oil is sealed in the retard chamber Cb at the initial stage of this operation, the pressure in the retard port 40B is at a high value. Further, when the control valve CV is operated to the first retardation position PB1 and the displacement of the relative rotational phase is started, the pressure of the retardation port 40B is temporarily reduced with the volume expansion of the retardation chamber Cb. Since part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the retard port 40B is discharged from the communication passage W (first diameter reducing portion 52Aw) when the pressure is reduced, the pressure of the retard port 40B is maintained at a low value. In the configuration in which the communication path W is not formed, the pressure of the retard port 40B is maintained at a relatively high value indicated by a virtual line.

  When the control valve CV is operated to the first retard position PB1, the hydraulic oil in the advance chamber Ca is discharged to the first drain port 40DA. In this case, in the configuration in which the communication passage W is not formed, the pressure decreases to zero pressure as shown by the phantom line. However, since a part of the fluid from the pump port 40P is discharged to the first drain port 40DA via the communication path W, the pressure of the advance port 40A does not become zero pressure but is higher than zero pressure. Maintained at the value.

  When the control valve CV is operated to the first retard position PB1, the hydraulic oil in the intermediate lock recess 37 is discharged from the lock release port 40L to the second drain port 40DB, and the flow path resistance acts upon this discharge. Therefore, the pressure of the lock release port 40L decreases with the characteristics shown in FIG.

  When the control valve CV is operated in this way, the relative rotation phase starts to be displaced from the advance side toward the intermediate lock phase. As described above, since a part of the hydraulic oil supplied from the retard port 40B to the retard chamber Cb is discharged from the communication path W to the first drain port 40DA, the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase is decelerated and locked. Ensure the transition to In the configuration in which the communication path W is not formed, the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase increases with a gradient indicated by a virtual line in the figure. Further, when the relative rotation phase reaches the intermediate lock phase, the lock release hydraulic pressure is reduced to zero pressure.

  In this configuration, since the pressure at the advance port 40A is higher than zero pressure, the resistance when the hydraulic oil is discharged from the advance port 40A increases. This also reduces the displacement speed when the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb.

  Thus, in a state where the displacement of the relative rotational phase is decelerated, first, one lock member 25 is engaged with the intermediate lock recess 37 by the urging force of the lock spring 26. After this, when the relative rotational phase reaches the intermediate lock phase, the unlocking hydraulic pressure is reduced to zero pressure, and the other lock member 25 is connected to the lock spring 26 with respect to the intermediate lock recess 37 in the zero pressure state. Engage with the urging force and move to the intermediate lock state reliably.

[Transition to locked state at engine start]
The engine E may stall due to an overload, and when the engine E is stopped as described above, even when the relative rotation phase is displaced to the intermediate lock phase, the control to shift to the locked state by the lock mechanism L is properly performed. In some cases, it is not possible Thus, when the engine E is stopped in a situation where the valve opening / closing timing control device A is not in the locked state and the engine E is started thereafter, the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control device A is shifted to the intermediate lock phase. Then, control for shifting the lock mechanism L to the locked state is performed.

  Also in this control, since the spool 50 is operated to the first advance angle position PA1 or the first retard angle position PB1, the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase is reduced by the communication path W to realize the reliable transition to the locked state. .

  In particular, when the engine E is stopped, power is not supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60, so the spool 50 of the control valve CV is in the first advance position PA1. Further, the retard port 40B communicates with the second drain port 40DB, and the pump port 40P and the advance port 40A communicate with each other via the phase control flow path 53.

  Accordingly, the hydraulic oil in the retard chamber Cb is discharged to the second drain port 40DB through the communication path W, and the hydraulic oil in the advance chamber Ca is discharged to the second drain port 40DB. As a result of the hydraulic oil in the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb being discharged in this way, no hydraulic oil remains in either the advance chamber Ca or the retard chamber Cb.

  Further, when the spool 50 is set to the first advance position PA1 or the first retard position PB1, the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb are in communication with each other. Accordingly, when the cell motor is driven to start the engine E in which the lock mechanism L is not locked, the intake camshaft is set by setting the spool 50 to the first advance angle position PA1 or the first retard angle position PB1. It is also possible to quickly discharge the hydraulic oil from the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb by the fluctuating torque applied from 7, and to quickly shift the lock mechanism L to the locked state.

  As a specific operation mode, a variable torque acts from the intake camshaft 7 when the cell motor is driven, so that the volume of one of the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb decreases so that the other volume breathes. The operation is repeated, and the hydraulic oil is discharged. As a result, it becomes possible to apply pressure to the hydraulic oil remaining in the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb to reliably discharge the hydraulic oil. For example, as compared with the case where the relative rotation phase is displaced to the intermediate lock phase in a state where the hydraulic oil remains in the advance chamber Ca or the retard chamber Cb, in this configuration, the relative rotation phase is eliminated in a state where the resistance of the hydraulic oil is eliminated. Can be quickly displaced up to the lock phase to shift to the locked state.

  In particular, in this configuration, even when the viscosity of the hydraulic oil increases due to a temperature drop, when the engine E starts, the hydraulic oil is forcibly sent out to shorten the displacement time of the relative rotation phase and shift to the locked state. Can be done quickly.

[Modification of control valve]
In this embodiment, the advance port 40A is disposed on the upper side and the retard port 40B is disposed on the lower side. Instead, the retard port is disposed on the upper side without changing the configuration of the control valve CV. The port 40B may be disposed, and the advance port 40A may be disposed below the port 40B.

  That is, the spool 50 is in the first retard position PB1 in a state where no electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60. By increasing the power, the second retard position PB2, the unlock position PL, the second advance position PA2, The control valve CV is configured so that the positions are switched in the order of the first advance angle position PA1.

  Also in this modified example, part of the hydraulic oil supplied from the pump port 40P can be discharged from the communication path W to the drain port (for example, the second drain port 40DB), and the lock mechanism is reduced by reducing the relative rotational phase. The transition to the locked state of L can be performed reliably.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) In the present invention, when the spool 50 is operated to the first advance position PA1, a part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the advance port 40A is discharged to the communication path W, and the spool 50 is the first. Only one of the configurations of discharging a part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the retard port 40B to the communication path W when operated to the retard position PB1 may be provided.

  The configuration of this another embodiment (a) is configured such that the spool 50 is in the first retard position PB1 in the state where power is not supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 60 as described as [Modification of control valve]. It is also possible to apply to the control valve CV.

(B) As shown in FIG. 12, the spool 50 is moved in the first advance position PA1, the second advance position PA2, the unlock position PL, the second retard position PB2, and the first retard position PB1. The hydraulic oil supply / discharge pattern may be set when operated in the five positions.

  In this supply / discharge pattern, when the spool 50 is displaced in the direction from the first advance angle position PA1 to the second advance angle position PA2, the communication path W is closed before reaching the second advance angle position PA2. ing. Further, when the spool 50 is displaced in the direction from the first retard position PB1 to the second retard position PB2, the communication path W is closed before reaching the second retard position PB2.

  That is, the first advance angle position PA1 (lock transition position) for supplying hydraulic oil to the advance port 40A is adjacent to the second advance position PA2 (phase control position) for supplying hydraulic oil to the advance port 40A. A first retardation position PB1 (lock transition position) that is disposed and supplies hydraulic oil to the retardation port 40B at a position adjacent to the second retardation position PB2 (phase control position) that supplies hydraulic oil to the retardation port 40B. Is arranged. The communication path W is configured to be closed in a region adjacent to the phase control position in the lock transition position.

  Thereby, for example, even when the spool 50 overshoots and reaches the end of the first advance angle position PA1 when operating the spool from the second retard position PB2 to the second advance position PA2, the phase control flow Part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the passage 53 is not discharged to the communication passage W, and the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase is not reduced. Similarly, even when the spool from the second advance position PA2 to the second retard position PB2 is operated, the spool 50 overshoots and reaches the end of the first retard position PB1. Part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the control flow path 53 is not discharged to the communication path W, and the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase is not reduced.

(C) In the control valve CV in which the first drain port 40DA and the second drain port 40DB are formed as in the embodiment, for example, when the spool 50 is operated to the first advance position PA1, the first drain A communication passage W is formed so as to discharge a part of the hydraulic oil from the pump port 40P to the port 40DA. Similarly, when the spool 50 is operated to the first retard position PB1, the communication passage W is formed so as to discharge a part of the hydraulic oil from the pump port 40P to the second drain port 40DB. .

  By comprising in this way, it becomes possible to discharge | emit hydraulic fluid from the communicating path W with respect to the drain port in the state where hydraulic fluid is not discharged | emitted. In this configuration, for example, when compared with the configuration in which the communication path W is connected to the drain port in a state where the hydraulic oil is discharged, the pressure of the hydraulic oil flowing through the drain port is not affected and the value of the relative rotational speed is set. It becomes possible to decelerate to a desired value.

(D) When the spool 50 is operated to the first advance angle position PA1 or the first retard angle position PB1, a part of the hydraulic oil from the pump port 40P is directly discharged to the outside of the control valve CV. The communication path W is constituted by the flow path. In this configuration, the hydraulic oil can be discharged from the communication path W without being affected by the hydraulic oil flowing through the drain port as compared with the configuration in which the hydraulic oil is discharged from the communication path W to the drain port. It becomes possible to decelerate the speed value to a desired value.

  The present invention can be used for a control valve that performs displacement in the advance direction, displacement in the retard direction, and unlocking of the valve opening / closing timing control device A by operating a single spool.

1 Crankshaft 7 Camshaft (Intake camshaft)
20 Drive rotator (external rotor)
25 Locking member 30 Followed rotating body (internal rotor)
37 Engagement / Lock release space (intermediate lock recess)
40 Valve case 40A Advance port 40B Delay port 40DA Drain port / Drain port for phase control (first drain port)
40DB drain port / phase control drain port (second drain port)
40DC Drain port / Drain port for unlocking (3rd drain port)
40P Pump port 40L Unlock port 50 Spool 53 Phase control flow path 60 Electromagnetic solenoid A Valve opening / closing timing control device E Internal combustion engine Ca Advance chamber Cb Delay chamber L Lock mechanism Y Spool shaft (spool shaft)
W Communication path PL Unlock position

Claims (5)

A driving-side rotating body that rotates synchronously with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; and a driven-side rotating body that rotates integrally with the camshaft of the internal combustion engine and rotates relative to the driving-side rotating body; Is supplied, the relative rotational phase of the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body is displaced in the advance direction, and the fluid is supplied to the retarded angle chamber, whereby the relative rotational phase is set in the retarded direction. The relative rotation phase is changed to a predetermined lock phase by the displacement of the engagement portion formed on one of the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body and the locking member supported on the other side engaging with each other. A control valve used in a valve opening / closing timing control device having a lock mechanism for holding the control valve,
A valve case, a spool accommodated in the valve case, and an electromagnetic solenoid that drives the spool so that the spool moves along the axis of the spool;
The valve case includes a pump port to which a fluid is supplied, an advance port communicating with the advance chamber, a retard port communicating with the retard chamber, and an unlock release communicating with the lock release space of the lock member. A port and a drain port that allows fluid to drain;
The spool is
When fluid is supplied to the unlocking port, a plurality of phase control positions set to control fluid supply / discharge of the advance port and the retard port, and the fluid is discharged from the unlock port. Is movable between a lock transition position set to control supply / discharge of fluid with respect to the advance port and the retard port,
A control valve formed with a communication passage that allows a part of fluid supplied to the pump port to flow into the drain port when the spool is set to the lock transition position. The lock control position in which fluid is supplied to the advance port is disposed at a position adjacent to the phase control position in which fluid is supplied to the advance port, and the phase control in which fluid is supplied to the retard port The lock transition position where fluid is supplied to the retard port at a position adjacent to the position is disposed,
The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the communication path is closed in a region adjacent to the phase control position in the lock transition position. A phase control flow path that allows fluid to be supplied from the pump port to the advance port and the retard port is formed in the spool,
The control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow path cross-sectional area of the communication path is smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of the phase control flow path.   The drain port allows the fluid from the unlock port to be discharged to the outside of the valve case, and the fluid from the communication path is discharged to the outside of the valve case. The control valve according to claim 1, further comprising a phase control drain port that permits   The phase control drain port has a function of allowing the fluid from the advance port to be discharged to the outside of the valve case, and the fluid from the retard port is discharged to the outside of the valve case. The control valve according to claim 4, which also has a function of allowing

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