JP2017206990A - Phase change unit and valve timing change device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a structure of a phase change unit, reduce the number of its components and downsize a device.SOLUTION: A phase change unit comprises: a first face gear 20 integrally rotated with one of a first rotor and a second rotor; a thin-plate-like second face gear 40 integrally rotated with the other of the first rotor and the second rotor and at the same time having a different number of teeth differing from that of the first gear and elastically deformable; and a rotation adjustment member 50 elastically deforming the second face gear to cause a part of its tooth row 43 to be engaged with the first face gear and adjusted in its rotation around axis line S by an external force to cause an engagement region of the second face gear to be moved. With this arranged as above, it is possible to accomplish simplification of a structure, reduction in the number of component elements, a small-sized formation of the device and facilitating a phase changing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a phase changing unit that changes the rotational phase of two rotating bodies, and more particularly to a phase changing unit that is applied when changing the opening / closing timing (valve timing) of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. The present invention relates to a valve timing changing device used.

  Conventional valve timing changing devices include a sprocket and an internal gear that rotate around the central axis of the camshaft, an eccentric shaft that is eccentric with respect to the central axis, and is supported rotatably around the eccentric shaft and meshes with the internal gear. The planetary gear is connected to the camshaft and engaged with the planetary gear to rotate the planetary gear as the planetary gear rotates. An apparatus provided with an electromagnetic part to be applied is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The valve timing changing device employs an inscribed planetary gear mechanism that is a cyclo reduction mechanism as a phase changing unit that changes the relative rotational phase of the sprocket and the camshaft.
However, in such an inscribed planetary gear mechanism, since the planetary gear is disposed radially inside the internal gear, there is a limit in reducing the size in the radial direction, and there is a demand for a high reduction ratio and a small size. It is difficult to satisfy the demands of making it compatible.

Japanese Patent No. 3937164

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to easily change the phase while simplifying the structure, reducing the number of parts, downsizing the apparatus, and the like. For example, a phase change unit and a valve timing change device using the phase change unit that can increase the reduction ratio when used as a speed reducer and can easily change the rotation phase of two rotating bodies using an external force such as a small output electric motor. It is to provide.

  The phase change unit of the present invention is a phase change unit that changes the relative rotation phases of the first rotating body and the second rotating body that rotate around a predetermined axis, and the first rotating body and the second rotating body. A first face gear that rotates integrally with one of the first rotating body and the other of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and has a number of teeth that is different from the number of teeth of the first face gear and is elastic. A deformable thin plate-like second face gear and an external force that elastically deforms the second face gear so that a part of the tooth row meshes with the first face gear and moves the meshing region of the second face gear. The configuration includes a rotation adjusting member that is rotated and adjusted around the axis.

According to this configuration, when the phase is not changed, no external force is applied to the rotation adjusting member, and the first rotating body and the second rotating body are locked in a state where the first face gear and the second face gear are engaged with each other and locked. The rotating body rotates integrally around a predetermined axis.
On the other hand, when changing the phase, for example, by applying an external force to the rotation adjusting member by a driving source such as an electric motor and rotating the rotation adjusting member in one direction or the other direction around the axis as appropriate, the second face gear As the elastic deformation position moves, the meshing region of the second face gear with respect to the first face gear rotates in one direction or the other direction around the axis.
In this case, since the number of teeth is different between the second face gear and the first face gear, a rotational phase difference is generated between the second face gear and the first face gear. As a result, the relative rotation phase between the first rotating body and the second rotating body is changed.

As described above, since the meshing structure of the face gears is adopted as the phase changing unit, the phase can be easily changed while achieving simplification of the structure, reduction in the number of parts, miniaturization of the apparatus, and the like. .
In particular, as the one face gear that forms the meshing structure of the face gears, a thin plate-like second face gear that can be elastically deformed so that the meshing area with the first face gear can be continuously changed is adopted. The size at can be reduced.
Moreover, according to this phase change unit, since the reduction ratio can be increased, the relative rotational phase of the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be easily changed using an external force such as a small output electric motor.

Here, in a state where the first rotating body and the second rotating body rotate in the same direction, the rotation adjusting member is appropriately rotated in one direction or the other direction, so that the rotational phase of the second rotating body is changed to the first rotating body. It can be advanced or delayed.
That is, it can function as a transmission that changes the speed of the other rotating body with respect to one rotating body, and in particular, can function as a speed reducer that decelerates the other rotating body with respect to one rotating body. it can.
Further, since the meshing between the face gears is mirror-symmetric with the center of meshing as the symmetry plane, backlash can be suppressed.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, a configuration may be adopted in which one of the teeth of the first face gear and the teeth of the second face gear is formed in a conical shape centering on the axis.
According to this configuration, when the second face gear is partially elastically deformed by the rotation adjusting member and a part of the tooth row of the second face gear meshes with the tooth row of the first face gear, The whole area along can be meshed. Therefore, a reliable meshing relationship is obtained, a phenomenon such as tooth skipping can be prevented, and reliable torque transmission can be obtained.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the rotation adjusting member may include a plurality of pressing portions that press and elastically deform the second face gear at a plurality of locations.
According to this configuration, the second face gear can be elastically deformed at a plurality of locations by the plurality of pressing portions, and the meshing area with the first face gear can be set at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction around the axis. For example, by setting a plurality of meshing regions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, it is possible to secure a balance around the axis and obtain a smooth rotation operation.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the pressing portion may include a rolling element that rolls while being in contact with the second face gear.
According to this configuration, the rolling element of the pressing portion elastically deforms the second face gear while rolling with the rotation of the rotation adjusting member, so that the meshing region is smoothly moved while suppressing frictional resistance and the like. be able to.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the first rotating body includes a first face gear, a second face gear, and a housing rotor that houses a rotation adjusting member, and the first face gear rotates integrally with the housing rotor. The second face gear is connected so as to rotate integrally with the second rotating body, and the rotation adjusting member is rotatably supported with respect to the housing rotor. May be.
According to this configuration, the first rotating body includes the first face gear, the second face gear, and the housing rotor that houses the rotation adjusting member, and the housing rotor rotatably supports the rotation adjusting member. Therefore, the dimension of the housing rotor in the axial direction can be shortened, and the width of the phase change unit can be reduced.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the second face gear is connected to the second rotating body via a spacer member, and the spacer member has a bearing portion that rotatably supports the housing rotor. May be.
According to this configuration, since the spacer member can be freely attached to and detached from the second rotating body, the phase changing unit can be changed to various second rotating bodies only by making the spacer member correspond to each second rotating body. Can be applied to. Further, the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be aligned with respect to the spacer member.

In the phase change unit configured as described above, the spacer member has a restricting portion that restricts a relative rotation range between the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and the housing rotor is a restricted portion with which the restricting portion abuts. You may employ | adopt the structure which has these.
According to this configuration, the restricted portion of the housing rotor contacts the restricting portion of the spacer member, thereby restricting the range of change in the rotational phase in one direction and the other direction of the first rotating body relative to the second rotating body. be able to.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the housing rotor includes a first housing rotor in which a first face gear is disposed, and a second housing rotor connected to the first housing rotor, and the second housing rotor is configured to adjust rotation. You may employ | adopt the structure which has a bearing part which supports a member rotatably about the said axis line.
According to this configuration, since the housing rotor includes the first housing rotor and the second housing rotor, the first housing gear is assembled by incorporating the first face gear, the second face gear, the rotation adjusting member, and the like. By connecting to the phase change unit, the phase change unit can be easily assembled.

Further, in the phase change unit configured as described above, the first rotating body includes a first face gear, a second face gear, and a housing rotor that houses a rotation adjusting member, and the first face gear includes the second rotating body and The second face gear is connected to rotate integrally with the first rotating body, and the rotation adjusting member is rotatably supported with respect to the housing rotor. A configuration may be adopted.
According to this configuration, the first rotating body includes the first face gear, the second face gear, and the housing rotor that houses the rotation adjusting member, and the housing rotor rotatably supports the rotation adjusting member. Therefore, the dimension of the housing rotor in the axial direction can be shortened, and the width of the phase change unit can be reduced.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the first face gear may be configured to include a bearing portion that rotatably supports the housing rotor.
According to this configuration, since the first face gear can be attached to and detached from the second rotating body, the phase changing unit can be installed in various ways only by making the first face gear correspond to each second rotating body. It can be applied to the second rotating body. Further, the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be aligned with respect to the first face gear.

In the phase change unit configured as described above, the second face gear has a latching piece in the outer edge region, and the housing rotor has a latching recess that latches the latching piece on the inner peripheral wall. May be.
According to this configuration, the second face gear can be easily rotated so that the second face gear rotates integrally with the housing rotor simply by fitting the latching piece of the second face gear into the latching recess of the housing rotor. Can be assembled.

In the phase changing unit configured as described above, the housing rotor includes a first housing rotor that is coupled to rotate the second face gear integrally, and a second housing rotor that is coupled to the first housing rotor. The housing rotor may have a configuration including a bearing portion that supports the rotation adjusting member so as to be rotatable about the axis.
According to this configuration, since the housing rotor includes the first housing rotor and the second housing rotor, the first housing gear is assembled by incorporating the first face gear, the second face gear, the rotation adjusting member, and the like. By connecting to the phase change unit, the phase change unit can be easily assembled.

  A valve timing changing device according to the present invention includes a phase changing unit that changes a relative rotational phase of a housing rotor forming a first rotating body and a camshaft forming a second rotating body, and an intake valve driven by the camshaft or This is a valve timing changing device that changes the opening / closing timing of the exhaust valve, and employs any one of the phase changing units configured as described above as the phase changing unit.

According to this configuration, when the phase is not changed, the phase changing unit is locked, and when the housing rotor rotates in one direction in conjunction with the crankshaft, the camshaft rotates integrally with the housing rotor. . The intake valve or the exhaust valve is driven to open and close at a predetermined valve timing by the rotation of the camshaft.
On the other hand, when changing the phase, the rotation adjusting member of the phase changing unit is appropriately rotated in one direction or the other direction around the axis by a driving source such as an electric motor. Thereby, the rotation of the camshaft with respect to the rotation of the housing rotor is changed to the retard side or the advance side, and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve or exhaust valve is changed.

  According to the phase changing unit configured as described above, the phase can be easily changed while achieving simplification of the structure, reduction in the number of parts, miniaturization of the apparatus, and the like. For example, the reduction ratio can be increased when used as a reduction gear. Therefore, the rotational phases of the two rotating bodies can be easily changed using an external force such as a small output electric motor. For example, by applying the present invention to an engine valve timing changing device, the valve timing can be easily changed while achieving downsizing and thinning of the device.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the valve timing change apparatus which employ | adopted one Embodiment of the phase change unit which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view in which the electric motor and the camshaft are omitted in the valve timing changing device shown in FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective view of the valve timing change apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the valve timing change apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a first face gear and a second face gear constituting a phase change unit included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the phase change unit shown in FIG. 5 from back diagonally. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a relationship among a first face gear, a second face gear, and a pressing portion (rolling element) of a rotation adjusting member included in the phase change unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a relationship among a first face gear, a second face gear, and a pressing portion (rolling element) of a rotation adjusting member included in the phase change unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a relationship among a first face gear, a second face gear, and a pressing portion (rolling element) of a rotation adjusting member included in the phase change unit shown in FIG. 2. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the valve timing change apparatus which employ | adopted other embodiment of the phase change unit which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the valve timing change apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a first face gear and a second face gear constituting a phase change unit included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the phase change unit shown in FIG. 12 from back diagonally.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the valve timing changing device according to this embodiment includes a phase changing unit U that changes the relative rotational phase of the camshaft CS and the sprocket 11a.
Here, the sprocket 11a forms a part of the first rotating body that rotates in one direction around the axis S (the CR direction in FIG. 1), and interlocks with the rotation of the crankshaft via the chain.
The camshaft CS forms a second rotating body that rotates in one direction around the axis S (the CR direction in FIG. 1).

  The phase change unit U is appropriately driven and controlled by the electric motor DM, so that the opening / closing timing (valve timing) of the intake valve or the exhaust valve driven by the camshaft CS is changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the phase change unit U includes a housing rotor 10 as a first rotating body, a first face gear 20 that rotates integrally with the housing rotor 10, and a camshaft CS as a second rotating body. A spacer member 30 connected to the camshaft CS, a second face gear 40 that rotates integrally with the camshaft CS via the spacer member 30, a rotation adjusting member 50, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the housing rotor 10 includes a first housing rotor 11 that is rotatably supported about the axis S, and a second housing rotor that is connected to the first housing rotor 11 by a bolt b <b> 1. 12 etc.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first housing rotor 11 includes a sprocket 11 a, an annular inner peripheral portion 11 b into which the bearing portion 32 of the spacer member 30 is fitted, and a fixing portion 11 c that fixes the back surface of the first face gear 20. 11d, cylindrical portion 11e, and a plurality of screw holes 11f into which bolts b1 are screwed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11e.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral portion 11 b is formed to have an inner diameter dimension that allows the bearing portion 32 of the spacer member 30 to be slidably fitted.
The fixing part 11 c is formed so as to fix the fixing part 23 of the first face gear 20. As the fixing part 11c, for example, when the fixing part 23 has a concave part, it may be formed as a convex part fitted into the concave part, or may be a screwing structure or the like.
As shown in FIG. 3, the regulated portion 11 d is formed as a stepped portion in which the inner wall is fanned out so that the regulating portion 36 of the spacer member 30 is detachably contacted in the rotational direction around the axis S. Yes.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second housing rotor 12 includes an annular portion 12 a joined to the cylindrical portion 11 e of the first housing rotor 11, an annular inner peripheral portion 12 b into which the bearing RB is fitted, and a rotation adjusting member 50. An opening 12c that exposes the end of each of them, and a plurality of circular holes 12d through which the bolt b1 passes.
The opening 12c is formed in a circular shape so as to expose the connecting portion 54 of the rotation adjusting member 50.
The inner peripheral portion 12b functions as a bearing portion that supports the rotation adjusting member 50 so as to be rotatable around the axis S via the bearing RB.

The first housing rotor 11 is supported by the spacer member 30 so as to be rotatable around the axis S of the camshaft CS, and accommodates the first face gear 20, the second face gear 40, the rotation adjusting member 50 and the like. Thus, the second housing rotor 12 is connected to the first housing rotor 11 to constitute the housing rotor 10 as the first rotating body that rotates around the axis S.
As described above, since the housing rotor 10 includes the first housing rotor 11 and the second housing rotor 12, the first face gear 20, the second face gear 40, the rotation adjusting member 50, and the like are incorporated into the second housing rotor 12. By connecting to the first housing rotor 11, the phase change unit U can be easily assembled.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 to 9, the first face gear 20 includes an annular flat plate portion 21, a tooth row 22 formed on the annular flat plate portion 21, a fixing portion 23, and the like.
The tooth row 22 has a number of teeth Z1 and is formed in an annular arrangement on the surface facing the front F in the axis S direction.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the tooth row 22 is formed in a conical shape centered on the axis S and having a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the axis S. In other words, the first face gear 20 is formed to have a tooth row shape similar to a bevel gear.

The inclination angle θ is formed so as to coincide with the inclination angle of the tooth row 43 of the second face gear 40 elastically deformed by the pressing portion 53 of the rotation adjusting member 50.
As a result, when a part of the tooth row 43 of the second face gear 40 meshes with the tooth row 22 of the first face gear 20, the entire region along the tooth trace can be meshed as shown in FIG. .
Therefore, a reliable meshing relationship is obtained, a phenomenon such as tooth skipping can be prevented, and reliable torque transmission can be obtained.

  In the present invention, the face gear is a gear having teeth arranged in an annular shape in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (axis S), and a conical surface having a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the rotation axis as described above. It is a concept including a gear having teeth arranged in a ring shape.

The fixing portion 23 is formed to fix the first face gear 20 to the fixing portion 11 c of the first housing rotor 11. As the fixing portion 23, for example, when the fixing portion 11c has a convex portion, it may be formed as a concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted, or may be a screwing structure or the like.
That is, the first face gear 20 is fixed to the first housing rotor 11 via the fixing portion 23 and is rotated integrally with the housing rotor 10 around the axis S.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spacer member 30 includes a center hole 31, a bearing portion 32, a joint surface 33, an end surface 34, an annular flange 35, and two restricting portions 36 that project radially from the annular flange 35. Etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the center hole 31 is formed to have an inner diameter through which the fastening bolt B is passed.
The bearing portion 32 is fitted into the inner peripheral portion 11b of the first housing rotor 11 and is formed as a cylindrical surface so as to support the housing rotor 10 so as to be rotatable about the axis S.
As shown in FIG. 4, the joining surface 33 is formed so as to be joined to the end surface of the camshaft CS. The joint surface 33 may be provided with a fitting hole (not shown) for fitting a positioning pin (not shown) of the camshaft CS.

As shown in FIG. 4, the end surface 34 has an annular shape so that the central region of the disc portion 42 of the second face gear 40 abuts and the second face gear 40 is clamped in cooperation with the fastening bolt B. Protrusively formed.
As shown in FIG. 4, the annular flange 35 is formed so as to restrict the movement of the first housing rotor 11 in the axis S direction in cooperation with the end surface of the camshaft CS.

The restricting portion 36 is formed so as to come into contact with the restricted portion 11 d of the first housing rotor 11 so as to be detachable in the rotational direction around the axis S.
That is, the regulated portion 11d of the housing rotor 10 abuts on the regulating portion 36 of the spacer member 30 in the rotational direction around the axis S, so that the rotational phase of the housing rotor 10 in one direction and the other direction with respect to the camshaft CS is increased. The scope of change is regulated.

Thus, by providing the spacer member 30, the second face gear 40 can be connected to the camshaft CS via the spacer member 30, and the housing rotor 10 is rotated about the axis S via the spacer member 30. It can be rotatably supported.
That is, since the spacer member 30 can be freely attached to and detached from the camshaft CS, the phase change unit U can be used for various engine valve timings only by making the spacer member 30 correspond to individual camshafts CS having different specifications. It can be applied to a change device. Further, the positioning of the housing rotor 10 and the camshaft CS can be performed with the spacer member 30 as a reference.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the second face gear 40 is a thin plate-like material that can be elastically deformed as a whole, such as a spring steel plate or other elastic material having a thickness of 1 millimeter or less or several millimeters. It is formed by.
The second face gear 40 includes a center hole 41 through which the fastening bolt B is passed, a disk part 42 forming the front surface 42a and the back surface 42b, a tooth row 43 formed on the back surface 42b of the disk part 42, and the like.
The tooth row 43 has a number of teeth Z2 different from the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear 20, and is formed in an annular arrangement in the outer edge region of the back surface 42b facing the rear R in the axis S direction. The tooth row 43 is formed by press molding or cutting the disc portion 42.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second face gear 40 has a central region of the back surface 42 b of the disk portion 42 abutted against the end surface 34 of the spacer member 30, and passes the fastening bolt B through the center holes 41 and 31. By being screwed into the screw hole CS1 of the camshaft CS, the camshaft CS is assembled so as to rotate integrally.

  Further, in the assembled state as described above, the second face gear 40 has two rotation adjusting members 50 in the outer edge region of the front surface 42a of the disc portion 42 as shown in FIGS. The two pressing portions 53 are pressed and are pressed and elastically deformed at two places arranged on a straight line orthogonal to the axis S, and a part of the tooth row 43 in these regions meshes with the tooth row 22 of the first face gear 20. It is supposed to be made.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 to 9, the rotation adjusting member 50 includes a cylindrical part 51 centered on the axis S, two arm parts 52 extending radially from the cylindrical part 51, and arm parts 52. Two pressing portions 53 provided on the front end side, a slit-like connecting portion 54 formed in the cylindrical portion 51, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 51 is formed to have an inner diameter dimension through which the fastening bolt B can be inserted. Moreover, the outer peripheral surface 51a of the cylindrical part 51 is formed so as to be rotatably supported by the second housing rotor 12 via a bearing RB.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, each arm portion 52 is inclined with respect to the axis S so that the pressing portion 53 elastically deforms the second face gear 40 by an angle θ in the assembled state. It is formed so as to extend in the direction of the straight line L forming θ.

Each pressing portion 53 includes a rolling element 53 a attached to an attachment hole 52 a formed on the distal end side of the arm portion 52.
The rolling element 53 a rolls while pressing and elastically deforming the front face 42 a of the second face gear 40.
Here, as the rolling element 53a, a ball bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring, a roller rotatably supported by a support shaft in the mounting hole 52a, a sphere that is rotatably fitted in the mounting hole 52a, and other various forms. The eggplant can be adopted.
The connecting portion 54 is formed in a slit shape in which the cylindrical portion 51 is cut out so that a drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor DM exerting a rotational driving force as an external force is detachably connected.

Therefore, in the state where the rotation adjusting member 50 is assembled as shown in FIG. 4, the two pressing portions 53 press and elastically deform the two portions of the second face gear 40, and the tooth row 43 in those regions. Is engaged with the tooth row 22 of the first face gear 20.
The rotation adjusting member 50 is continuously moved in the meshing region of the second face gear 40 by being rotated in one direction or the other direction around the axis S by the driving force of the electric motor DM. .

Here, the second face gear 40 is pressed and elastically deformed at two locations by the two pressing portions 53, and the meshing area with the first face gear 20 is two locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis S. Therefore, a balance around the axis S is secured, and a smooth rotation operation is obtained.
In addition, since the roller 53a of the pressing portion 53 elastically deforms the second face gear 40 while rolling with the rotation of the rotation adjusting member 50, the meshing region can be smoothly moved while suppressing frictional resistance and the like. Can do.
Further, the meshing of the face gears of the first face gear 20 and the second face gear 40 having the above configuration is mirror-symmetric with the center of meshing as a symmetry plane, and therefore backlash can be suppressed.

  In addition, the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear 20 and the number of teeth Z2 of the second face gear 40 are appropriately selected, so that the second rotating body (camshaft CS) with respect to the first rotating body (housing rotor 10). ) Can be decelerated or increased. In this apparatus, the phase change unit U functions as a speed reducer.

Here, in the phase changing unit U configured as described above, the relationship between the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear 20 and the number of teeth Z2 of the second face gear 40 is that the number of meshing locations of the second face gear 40 is N, Is set so that the relationship of Z2 = Z1 ± n · N is established.
In this embodiment, N = 2 and n = 1, and Z1 = 102 and Z2 = Z1-2 = 100 are set.

When the rotation of the rotation adjusting member 50 is input and the rotation of the second face gear 40 is output, the reduction ratio i = (Z1−Z2) / Z2 = (102−100) / 100 = 1/50.
According to this, the rotation of the second face gear 40 can be reduced to 1/50 with respect to one rotation of the rotation adjusting member 50.
Therefore, a large reduction ratio can be obtained and the reduction ratio can be easily set only by appropriately setting the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear 20 and the number of teeth Z2 of the second face gear 40.
Thereby, when using the electric motor DM as an external force, the electric motor DM can be reduced in size.

Next, the operation of the phase change unit U will be described.
First, when the phase is not changed, that is, when the valve timing is not changed, no rotation driving force is exerted on the rotation adjusting member 50.
Therefore, the first face gear 20 and the second face gear 40 are locked at a position where they are engaged with each other.
As a result, the camshaft CS and the housing rotor 10 rotate integrally in one direction (the CR direction in FIG. 1, that is, the CW direction) around the axis S.

On the other hand, when the phase is changed, that is, when the valve timing is changed, a rotation driving force is exerted on the rotation adjusting member 50 by the electric motor DM.
For example, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is rotated in one direction around the axis S (CW direction in FIG. 1), the second face gear 40 and the camshaft CS are moved relative to the first face gear 20 and the housing rotor 10. , Relatively rotate in the other direction (CCW direction in FIG. 1).
Accordingly, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is continuously rotated in one direction (CW direction) a plurality of times, the rotational phase of the camshaft CS is delayed with respect to the housing rotor 10, and the intake valve or the exhaust valve The opening / closing timing of is changed to the retard side.

On the other hand, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is rotated in the other direction around the axis S (CCW direction in FIG. 1), the second face gear 40 and the camshaft CS are moved relative to the first face gear 20 and the housing rotor 10. , Relatively rotate in one direction (CW direction in FIG. 1).
Therefore, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is continuously rotated in the other direction (CCW direction) a plurality of times, the rotational phase of the camshaft CS is advanced with respect to the housing rotor 10, and the intake valve or the exhaust valve The opening / closing timing of is changed to the advance side.
That is, when the rotation adjustment member 50 is rotated in one direction (CW direction in FIG. 1), a retarding operation is performed, and when the rotation adjustment member 50 is rotated in the other direction (CCW direction in FIG. 1), an advance operation is performed. Is done.

As described above, according to the phase change unit U configured as described above, since the meshing structure of the face gears is adopted, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the apparatus is downsized, and the like. The phase can be easily changed.
In particular, as one face gear forming the meshing structure between the face gears, a thin plate-like second face gear 40 that can be elastically deformed so that the meshing area with the first face gear 20 can be continuously changed is adopted. The dimension in the axis S direction can be reduced.
Further, according to the phase changing unit U, the reduction ratio can be increased, and therefore the relative rotational phase between the housing rotor 10 and the camshaft CS can be easily changed by using an external force such as a small output electric motor DM.

In the above embodiment, the first face gear 20 is formed separately from the first housing rotor 11 and then fixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first face gear is the first face gear. It may be integrally formed with the housing rotor.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the bearing portion 32 of the spacer member 30 is directly fitted into the inner peripheral portion 11b of the first housing rotor 11 and rotatably supported is shown, but is not limited thereto. A bearing similar to the bearing RB may be interposed between the two.

10 to 13 show a valve timing changing apparatus including a phase changing unit U ′ according to another embodiment.
In this embodiment, the spacer member 30 described above is eliminated, the first face gear 20 ′ is connected to the camshaft CS, and the elastically deformable second face gear 40 ′ is connected to the housing rotor 10 ′. This is the same as the previous embodiment. Therefore, about the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the phase changing unit U ′ includes a housing rotor 10 ′ as a first rotating body, a first face gear 20 ′ that rotates integrally with a camshaft CS as a second rotating body, A second face gear 40 ′ that rotates integrally with the housing rotor 10 ′, a rotation adjusting member 50, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the housing rotor 10 ′ includes a first housing rotor 11 ′, a second housing rotor 12 connected to the first housing rotor 11 ′ by a bolt b1, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first housing rotor 11 ′ includes a sprocket 11a, an annular inner peripheral portion 11b ′ into which the bearing portion 24 ′ of the first face gear 20 ′ is fitted, and a second face gear 40 ′. A plurality of latching recesses 11c 'for latching the latching piece 44', a cylindrical portion 11e, a plurality of screw holes 11f into which the bolt b1 is screwed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11e, and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 11, the inner peripheral portion 11 b ′ is formed to have an inner diameter dimension for fitting the bearing RB ′ fitted to the bearing portion 24 ′ of the first face gear 20 ′.
A plurality of latching recesses 11c ′ are formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 11e.
The plurality of latching recesses 11c ′ receive and latch the plurality of latching pieces 44 ′ of the second face gear 40 ′, thereby rotating the second face gear 40 ′ integrally with the housing rotor 10 ′. It is formed to let you.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the first face gear 20 ′ includes an annular flat plate portion 21, a tooth row 22 formed on the annular flat plate portion 21, a fitting concave portion 23 ′ into which the camshaft CS is fitted, and a cylinder. And a central hole 25 ′ through which the fastening bolt B is passed.

The tooth row 22 has a number of teeth Z1 and is formed in an annular arrangement on the surface facing the front F in the axis S direction.
Here, the tooth row 22 is formed in a conical shape centered on the axis S and having a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the axis S, as in the above-described embodiment. That is, the first face gear 20 'is formed to have a tooth row shape similar to a bevel gear.

As shown in FIG. 11, the fitting recess 23 ′ is formed to have an inner diameter dimension for fitting the end of the camshaft CS.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a fitting hole 23 a ′ for fitting a positioning pin (not shown) of the camshaft CS is provided on the bottom surface of the fitting recess 23 ′.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the bearing portion 24 ′ is formed to have an outer diameter that fits the bearing RB ′.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the second face gear 40 ′ is a thin plate material that can be elastically deformed as a whole, for example, a spring steel plate or other elastic material having a thickness of 1 mm or less or several millimeters. Etc. to form an annular flat plate.
The second face gear 40 'includes a center hole 41', an annular disk portion 42 'forming a front surface 42a' and a back surface 42b ', a tooth row 43 formed on the back surface 42b' of the annular disk portion 42 ', an annular shape In the outer edge region of the disc portion 42 ′, a plurality of retaining pieces 44 ′ projecting radially outward are provided.

The tooth row 43 has a number of teeth Z2 different from the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear 20 ', and is formed in an annular arrangement in the outer edge region of the back surface 42b' facing the rear R in the axis S direction.
The tooth row 43 is formed by press-molding or cutting the annular disk portion 42 ′.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second face gear 40 ′ is disposed in the first housing rotor 11 ′, and the plurality of latching pieces 44 ′ are latched by the plurality of latching recesses 11 c ′. Thus, it is incorporated so as to rotate integrally with the housing rotor 10 ′.
In addition, the second face gear 40 ′ is pressed and elastically pressed at two places aligned on a straight line perpendicular to the axis S with the two pressing portions 53 of the rotation adjusting member 50 being pressed in the state of being incorporated as described above. It is deformed, and a part of the tooth row 43 in those regions is meshed with the tooth row 22 of the first face gear 20 ′.
The second face gear 40 ′ is held in a non-contact state with the pressing portion 53 and the first face gear 20 ′ in the other areas of the pressing area by the pressing section 53 and the meshing area.

  According to the above configuration, the first face gear 20 'is detachably attached to the camshaft CS and rotatably supports the housing rotor 10'. Therefore, the first face gear 20 'is supported by each camshaft CS. It is possible to apply the phase changing unit U ′ to various camshafts CS simply by making it correspond. Further, the housing rotor 10 ′ and the camshaft CS can be aligned with the first face gear 20 ′ as a reference.

  Further, since the second face gear 40 'has a plurality of latching pieces 44' in the outer edge region and the housing rotor 10 'has a plurality of latching recesses 11c' on the inner peripheral wall thereof, the second face gear 40 ' By simply fitting the latching piece 44 'into the latching recess 11c' of the housing rotor 10 'and latching it, the second face gear 40' can be rotated integrally with the housing rotor 10 '. Can be assembled.

According to the phase change unit U ′ having the above-described configuration, the face gear meshing structure is adopted as in the above-described embodiment, so that the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, and the apparatus is downsized. However, the phase can be easily changed.
In particular, a thin plate-like second face gear 40 ′ that is elastically deformable so that the meshing area with the first face gear 20 ′ can be continuously changed is adopted as one face gear that forms a meshing structure between the face gears. Therefore, the dimension in the axis S direction can be reduced.
Further, according to this phase change unit U ′, the reduction ratio can be increased, so that the relative rotational phase between the housing rotor 10 ′ and the camshaft CS can be easily changed using an external force such as a small output electric motor DM. it can.

Next, the operation of the phase change unit U ′ will be described.
First, when the phase is not changed, that is, when the valve timing is not changed, no rotation driving force is exerted on the rotation adjusting member 50.
Accordingly, the first face gear 20 'and the second face gear 40' are locked at the positions where they are engaged with each other.
Thereby, the camshaft CS and the housing rotor 10 ′ are integrally rotated around the axis S in one direction (the CR direction in FIG. 1, that is, the CW direction).

On the other hand, when the phase is changed, that is, when the valve timing is changed, a rotation driving force is exerted on the rotation adjusting member 50 by the electric motor DM.
For example, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is rotated in one direction around the axis S (CW direction in FIG. 1), the second face gear 40 'and the housing rotor 10' are moved to the first face gear 20 'and the camshaft CS. On the other hand, it rotates in the other direction (CCW direction in FIG. 1) relatively.
Therefore, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is continuously rotated in one direction (CW direction) a plurality of times, the rotational phase of the camshaft CS is advanced with respect to the housing rotor 10 ', and the intake valve or the exhaust gas is exhausted. The opening / closing timing of the valve is changed to the advance side.

On the other hand, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is rotated in the other direction around the axis S (CCW direction in FIG. 1), the second face gear 40 'and the housing rotor 10' are moved to the first face gear 20 'and the camshaft CS. Rotate relatively in one direction (CW direction in FIG. 1).
Accordingly, when the rotation adjusting member 50 is continuously rotated in the other direction (CCW direction) a plurality of times, the rotational phase of the camshaft CS is delayed with respect to the housing rotor 10 ', and the intake valve or the exhaust gas is exhausted. The opening / closing timing of the valve is changed to the retard side.
That is, when the rotation adjustment member 50 is rotated in one direction (CW direction in FIG. 1), an advance operation is performed, and when the rotation adjustment member 50 is rotated in the other direction (CCW direction in FIG. 1), a retard operation is performed. Is done.

As described above, according to the phase change unit U ′ configured as described above, since the meshing structure of the face gears is adopted, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, and the apparatus is downsized. The phase can be easily changed.
In particular, a thin plate-like second face gear 40 ′ that is elastically deformable so that the meshing area with the first face gear 20 ′ can be continuously changed is adopted as one face gear that forms a meshing structure between the face gears. Therefore, the dimension in the axis S direction can be reduced.
Further, according to this phase change unit U ′, the reduction ratio can be increased, so that the relative rotational phase between the housing rotor 10 ′ and the camshaft CS can be easily changed using an external force such as a small output electric motor DM. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the plurality of latching pieces 44 ′ are provided on the second face gear 40 ′ and the plurality of latching recesses 11 c ′ are provided on the first housing rotor 11 ′ is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, as long as the relative rotation can be regulated, one latching piece and one latching recess may be employed, or another regulating means may be employed.

In the above two embodiments, the case where the two pressing portions 53 are employed as the pressing portions of the rotation adjusting member 50 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one pressing portion or three pressing portions are used. You may employ | adopt a press part beyond it.
In this case, the relationship between the number of teeth Z1 of the first face gear and the number of teeth Z2 of the second face gear is such that the number of meshing locations corresponding to the number of pressing portions of the second face gear is N, and a positive integer is n. Is set so that the relationship Z2 = Z1 ± n · N is established.
In the above two embodiments, the number of teeth Z1 = 102 of the first face gears 20 and 20 ′ and the number of teeth Z2 = 100 of the second face gears 40 and 40 ′ are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing and can be suitably selected in the range which satisfies the above formula.

  In the above two embodiments, the case where the tooth rows 22 of the first face gears 20 and 20 ′ are formed in a conical shape with the axis S as the center is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the tooth row of the first face gear may be formed on a surface perpendicular to the axis S, and the tooth row of the second face gear may be formed in a conical shape with the axis as the center.

  In the above-described two embodiments, the phase change units U and U ′ as speed reducers applied to the valve timing change device are shown as the phase change unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied as a speed reducer or a transmission in a mechanism or device that needs to change the relative rotational phase of the motor.

CS camshaft (second rotating body)
DM Electric motor S Axes RB, RB 'Bearing (radial bearing)
b1 bolt B fastening bolt 10, 10 'housing rotor (first rotating body)
11, 11 '1st housing rotor 11a Sprocket 11b, 11b' Inner peripheral part 11c Fixing part 11c 'Locking recessed part 11d Regulated part 11e Cylindrical part 11f Screw hole 12 2nd housing rotor 12a Annular part 12b Inner peripheral part 12c Opening part 12 d Circular holes 20, 20 ′ First face gear 21 Annular flat plate portion 22 Teeth row θ Inclination angle 23 Fixed portion 23 ′ Fitting recess 23 a ′ Fitting hole 24 ′ Bearing portion 25 ′ Center hole 30 Spacer member 31 Center hole 32 Bearing Part 33 joint surface 34 end face 35 annular flange 36 restricting part 40, 40 'second face gear 41, 41' central hole 42 disc part 42 'annular disc part 42a, 42a' front face 42b, 42b 'rear face 43 tooth row 44 'latching piece 50 rotation adjustment member 51 cylindrical part 51a outer peripheral surface 52 arm part 52a attachment hole 53 pressing part 53a rolling element 54 connecting part

Claims (13)

A phase changing unit for changing a relative rotational phase of the first rotating body and the second rotating body rotating around a predetermined axis,
A first face gear that rotates integrally with one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body;
A thin plate-like second face gear that rotates integrally with the other of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, has a number of teeth different from the number of teeth of the first face gear, and is elastically deformable;
The second face gear is elastically deformed so that a part of the tooth row is meshed with the first face gear and the meshing area of the second face gear is moved, and the rotation is adjusted around the axis by an external force. An adjustment member,
A phase change unit characterized by that. One of the tooth row of the first face gear and the tooth row of the second face gear is formed in a conical shape centering on the axis.
The phase changing unit according to claim 1. The rotation adjusting member includes a plurality of pressing portions that press and elastically deform the second face gear at a plurality of locations.
The phase change unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The pressing portion includes a rolling element that rolls in contact with the second face gear.
The phase changing unit according to claim 3. The first rotating body includes a housing rotor that houses the first face gear, the second face gear, and the rotation adjusting member,
The first face gear is coupled to rotate integrally with the housing rotor;
The second face gear is coupled to rotate integrally with the second rotating body,
The rotation adjusting member is rotatably supported with respect to the housing rotor.
The phase changing unit according to claim 1, wherein the phase changing unit is provided. The second face gear is connected to the second rotating body via a spacer member,
The spacer member has a bearing portion that rotatably supports the housing rotor.
The phase changing unit according to claim 5, wherein: The spacer member has a restricting portion that restricts a relative rotation range of the first rotating body and the second rotating body,
The housing rotor has a regulated portion with which the regulating portion abuts.
The phase changing unit according to claim 6. The housing rotor includes a first housing rotor in which the first face gear is disposed, and a second housing rotor connected to the first housing rotor,
The second housing rotor has a bearing portion that rotatably supports the rotation adjusting member around the axis.
The phase changing unit according to claim 5, wherein the phase changing unit is a unit. The first rotating body includes a housing rotor that houses the first face gear, the second face gear, and the rotation adjusting member,
The first face gear is coupled to rotate integrally with the second rotating body,
The second face gear is connected to rotate integrally with the first rotating body,
The rotation adjusting member is rotatably supported with respect to the housing rotor.
The phase changing unit according to claim 1, wherein the phase changing unit is provided. The first face gear has a bearing portion that rotatably supports the housing rotor.
The phase changing unit according to claim 9. The second face gear has a latching piece at an outer edge region thereof,
The housing rotor has a latching recess for latching the latching piece on the inner peripheral wall thereof.
The phase changing unit according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The housing rotor includes a first housing rotor that connects the second face gear so as to rotate integrally, and a second housing rotor that is connected to the first housing rotor,
The second housing rotor has a bearing portion that rotatably supports the rotation adjusting member around the axis.
The phase changing unit according to claim 9, wherein the phase changing unit is a unit. A phase changing unit for changing the relative rotation phase of the housing rotor forming the first rotating body and the camshaft forming the second rotating body is provided, and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve or the exhaust valve driven by the camshaft is changed. A valve timing changing device,
The phase change unit is the phase change unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A valve timing changing device characterized by that.

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