JP5370531B2 - Valve timing adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve timing adjusting device that secures startability of an internal combustion engine. <P>SOLUTION: The valve timing adjusting device 1 is accommodated in a vane rotor 14 so as to be reciprocated, regulates a rotation phase in a regulated phase between the most advanced angle phase and the most delayed angle phase by moving in a direction X of entering a recess 134 formed in a housing 11, and has a regulation member 150 that moves in a direction Y for escaping from the recess 134 and releases the regulation for the rotation phase. The housing 11 forms an open hole 137 that is open to the atmosphere. The vane rotor 14 forms a communication hole 147 communicating with an advance chamber 52, and connects the open hole 137 with the communication hole 147 by moving a predetermined member 152 from a position for shutting off the open hole 137 from the communication hole 147. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve timing adjusting device that adjusts the valve timing of a valve that opens and closes a camshaft by torque transmission from a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a valve that includes a housing that rotates in conjunction with a crankshaft and a vane rotor that rotates in conjunction with a camshaft, and adjusts valve timing with hydraulic fluid supplied from a supply source such as a pump as the internal combustion engine rotates. Timing adjustment devices are known. For example, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the rotational phase of the vane rotor relative to the housing is advanced by introducing hydraulic fluid from the supply source into the advance chamber or retard chamber in which the vane of the vane rotor is partitioned in the rotation direction inside the housing. The valve timing is adjusted by changing to the side or retard side.

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the rotation phase is regulated in the regulation phase between the most advanced angle phase and the most retarded angle phase. This is because when the internal combustion engine is cranked and started, the restriction pin accommodated in the vane rotor is inserted into the recess recessed from the inner surface of the housing to restrict the rotation phase to the restriction phase, thereby ensuring the startability. It is to do. Therefore, it is important that the restriction pin is inserted into the recess before the internal combustion engine is stopped, and that the rotational phase restriction action is reliably obtained at the next start-up.

JP 2002-357105 A

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the internal combustion engine stops instantaneously due to the occurrence of an abnormality, the internal combustion engine stops before the rotation phase is regulated to the regulation phase by the entry of the regulation pin into the recess. There is concern about the situation. In such a stopped state of the internal combustion engine, if cranking of the internal combustion engine is started at a rotational phase different from the regulation phase, it may be difficult to ensure startability. Therefore, the fluctuation torque generated during the cranking is reduced. It is considered to use the restriction pin to enter the recess.

  Here, in the device of Patent Document 1, the restriction pin is urged in the direction of entering the recess by the spring, while receiving pressure in the escape direction from the recess by the working fluid introduced into the working chamber formed by the vane rotor. It has become. Therefore, when hydraulic fluid remains in the working chamber before the internal combustion engine is started, in order to cause the restriction pin to enter the recess during cranking of the internal combustion engine, the restriction pin urged by the elastic member It is necessary to push out the remaining working fluid from the working chamber by the movement. However, particularly in a low temperature environment where the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid increases, the pressure loss when pushing out the residual hydraulic fluid from the working chamber increases. There was a risk that it would be difficult to enter the recess and thus to ensure startability. Further, when the rotation phase is changed to the restriction phase and the restriction pin is inserted into the recess, it is necessary to cause the rotation phase change to occur quickly in order to ensure startability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a valve timing adjusting device that ensures startability of an internal combustion engine.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the valve timing of the valve that opens and closes the camshaft by torque transmission from the crankshaft in the internal combustion engine is adjusted by the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply source as the internal combustion engine rotates. A valve timing adjusting device, comprising a housing that rotates in conjunction with a crankshaft, a vane that rotates in conjunction with a camshaft, and divides an advance chamber and a retard chamber in the rotational direction inside the housing, The hydraulic fluid is introduced into the advance chamber or retard chamber, and the vane rotor that changes the rotational phase relative to the housing to the advance side or retard side is accommodated in one of the vane rotor or the housing so as to be able to reciprocate, and formed on the other The rotational phase is regulated in the regulation phase between the most advanced angle phase and the most retarded angle phase by moving in the entry direction to enter the recessed portion. Comprising a regulating member for releasing the restriction of movement to the rotational phase in the retract direction et escape, the housing forms an opening hole which is opened to the atmosphere, the vane rotor is in one of the advance chamber or retard chamber forming a communication hole communicating, by the movement of a predetermined member from the blocking position for blocking between the open hole and the communication hole communicates between the opening hole and the communication hole, the main of a regulating member in one of the vane rotor or housing A pressure receiving portion that is accommodated in a reciprocating manner in the same direction as the restricting member, receives pressure in the escape direction from the working fluid introduced into the working chamber formed by one of the vane rotor or the housing, and is engaged in the escape direction with respect to the main restricting member. It has an engaging part that is spaced apart in the entry direction, and moves between the opening hole and the communication hole by moving in the entry direction as the pressure of the hydraulic fluid introduced into the working chamber decreases. As the predetermined member, the sub regulation member having a narrowed portion, further comprising.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the internal combustion engine stops before the rotation phase is regulated to the regulation phase due to the entry of the regulation member into the recess, the gap between the open hole and the communication hole is blocked. The movement of the predetermined member from the blocking position enables communication between the holes. At the start of cranking of the internal combustion engine under such a communication state, the advance angle chamber or the retard angle chamber communicating with the communication hole is opened to the atmosphere through the opening hole. Therefore, when the rotation phase is changed to the restriction phase and the restriction member is plunged into the recess, negative pressure is generated in the advance chamber or the retard chamber due to the fluctuating torque during cranking, so that the rotation phase is reduced. A situation in which the rate of change is reduced can be suppressed. As described above, the rotational phase change necessary for causing the restricting member to enter the concave portion can be quickly generated to ensure startability.
In the invention according to claim 1, when the regulating member is withdrawn from the recess, the predetermined member is moved to the blocking position in the escape direction from the communicating position between the opening hole and the communicating hole, thereby opening the opening hole. In addition, communication between the communication holes can be cut off. Therefore, when the valve timing is adjusted by introducing hydraulic fluid into one of the advance chamber or the retard chamber under such a shut-off state, the situation where the hydraulic fluid leaks from the communication hole connected to the one through the open hole is suppressed. Thus, the responsiveness of the valve timing adjustment can be improved.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply source as the internal combustion engine rotates is introduced into a working chamber formed by one of the vane rotor and the housing. Therefore, if the internal combustion engine stops before the main restricting member enters the recess formed on the other of the vane rotor or the housing and the rotational phase is restricted to the restricting phase between the most advanced angle phase and the most retarded angle phase, The pressure of the working fluid introduced into the working chamber will decrease. As a result, the sub-regulating member that receives pressure in the direction of escape from the hydraulic fluid in the working chamber in the pressure receiving portion moves in the entry direction in accordance with the decrease in the pressure, and at this time, the engaging portion of the sub-regulating member escapes. The main restricting member engaged in the direction moves in accordance with the sub restricting member, so that the main restricting member comes into contact with a portion other than the recess in the vane rotor or the other of the housing, particularly in a rotational phase different from the restricting phase. Even after the main restricting member cannot move due to the contact with the other, the sub restricting member pushes the remaining working fluid in the working chamber by the pressure receiving portion, and the engaging portion with respect to the main restricting member. It can move so as to be separated in the entry direction. As a result, when starting the engine by cranking the internal combustion engine, the main regulating member is moved away when the main regulating member enters the recess by changing the rotation phase to the regulating phase by the fluctuation torque generated during the cranking. It is possible to move at a high speed in the entry direction on the engaged portion side. Therefore, even in a low temperature environment, the main restricting member can be quickly and surely entered into the recess to restrict the rotational phase to the restricting phase, so that startability can be ensured.
  In the first aspect of the invention, the sub-regulating member as the predetermined member is engaged by receiving the pressure of the hydraulic fluid introduced into the working chamber as the internal combustion engine rotates in the escape direction by the pressure receiving portion. It is possible to escape from the recess while moving the main regulating member engaged in the escape direction by the portion. Therefore, after the main restricting member enters the recess and the internal combustion engine is started, the restriction of the rotational phase can be released by the escape of the main restricting member from the recess to realize free valve timing adjustment. It becomes possible.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the throttle portion that restricts the flow area of the fluid is provided in the communication path formed by the movement of the predetermined member from the blocking position and extending from the open hole to the communication hole. According to this, in the communication path that is formed by the movement of the predetermined member from the blocking position and extends from the open hole to the communication hole, the atmospheric flow resistance is higher than the flow resistance of the hydraulic fluid in the throttle portion that restricts the flow area of the fluid. Get smaller. Therefore, at the start of cranking of the internal combustion engine under the communication state between the open hole and the communication hole, it is difficult for the hydraulic fluid to leak from one of the advance chamber and the retard chamber communicating with the communication hole. On the other hand, the atmosphere can be easily introduced. Therefore, when the rotation phase is changed to the restriction phase and the restriction member is rushed into the recess, the action of suppressing the situation in which the change speed of the rotation phase is reduced can be enhanced to contribute to securing startability.

It is a block diagram which shows the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is II sectional drawing of FIG. It is II-II sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the fluctuation | variation torque which the drive part shown in FIG. 1 receives. It is the IV-IV arrow line view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a top view which shows the cover member of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a schematic diagram equivalent to the XX cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIGS. It is a figure which shows the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. 22, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. 24, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 3rd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. 26, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG. FIG. 21 is a view showing a valve timing adjusting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 20. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. 28, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation state of the valve timing adjustment apparatus in 4th embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 1st control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of each 2nd control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of each 1st control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of each 2nd control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 1st control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 2nd control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of each first regulating member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 42. FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of each second regulating member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 42. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 1st control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 2nd control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of each 1st control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating state of each 2nd control member corresponding to the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the working hydraulic pressure in a working chamber, and the operating state of each control member. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from the state shown to FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state different from the state shown in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the modification about 1st embodiment-4th embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a valve timing adjusting device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine 2 of a vehicle. The valve timing adjusting device 1 adjusts the valve timing of an intake valve as a “valve valve” that opens and closes the camshaft 3 with hydraulic oil as “hydraulic fluid” supplied from a pump 4 as a “supply source”.

(Basic configuration)
Hereinafter, a basic configuration of the valve timing adjusting device 1 will be described. The valve timing adjusting device 1 includes a drive unit 10 installed in a transmission system that transmits engine torque from a crankshaft (not shown) of the internal combustion engine 2 to the camshaft 3, and a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the drive unit 10. It has.

(Drive part)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the drive unit 10, the housing 11 includes a shoe member 12, a sprocket member 18, a cover member 13, and the like.

  The shoe member 12 is made of metal and has a cylindrical tube portion 12a and a plurality of shoes 12b, 12c, and 12d. Each of the shoes 12b to 12d protrudes radially inward from a portion that is substantially equidistant in the rotation direction in the cylindrical portion 12a. The protruding side end surfaces of the shoes 12b to 12d have an arcuate shape, and are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion 14a of the vane rotor 14. A storage chamber 50 is formed between the shoes 12b to 12d adjacent to each other in the rotation direction.

  The sprocket member 18 and the cover member 13 are each formed in an annular plate shape from metal and are coaxially fixed to both ends of the shoe member 12. The sprocket member 18 is linked to the crankshaft by passing a timing chain (not shown) between the sprocket member 18 and the crankshaft. As a result, while the internal combustion engine 2 is rotating, engine torque is transmitted from the crankshaft to the sprocket member 18 so that the housing 11 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 in conjunction with the crankshaft.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vane rotor 14 is made of metal and is concentrically accommodated in the housing 11, and both end portions in the axial direction are in sliding contact with the sprocket member 18 and the cover member 13. The vane rotor 14 includes a cylindrical boss portion 14a and a plurality of vanes 14b, 14c, and 14d.

  The boss portion 14 a is coaxially fixed to the cam shaft 3. As a result, the vane rotor 14 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 in conjunction with the camshaft 3 and can rotate relative to the housing 11. Each of the vanes 14b to 14d protrudes radially outward from a portion that is substantially equidistant in the rotation direction in the boss portion 14a, and is accommodated in the corresponding accommodating chamber 50. The projecting side end surfaces of the vanes 14b to 14d are formed in a circular arc shape and are in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12a.

  Each of the vanes 14b to 14d divides the corresponding storage chamber 50 into two in the rotation direction, thereby defining the advance chambers 52, 53, 54 and the retard chambers 56, 57, 58 inside the housing 11. Specifically, an advance chamber 52 is formed between the shoe 12b and the vane 14b, an advance chamber 53 is formed between the shoe 12c and the vane 14c, and an advance chamber 54 is formed between the shoe 12d and the vane 14d. Further, a retard chamber 56 is formed between the shoe 12c and the vane 14b, a retard chamber 57 is formed between the shoe 12d and the vane 14c, and a retard chamber 58 is formed between the shoe 12b and the vane 14d.

  In the drive unit 10 having such a configuration, the rotation phase of the vane rotor 14 with respect to the housing 11 is changed to the advance side by introducing the hydraulic oil into the advance chambers 52 to 54 and discharging the hydraulic oil from the retard chambers 56 to 58. Therefore, at this time, the valve timing is advanced. On the other hand, the rotational phase changes to the retarded angle side by introducing hydraulic oil into the retard chambers 56 to 58 and discharging hydraulic fluid from the advance chambers 52 to 54. Therefore, at this time, the valve timing is retarded.

(Control part)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the control unit 30, the advance passage 72 provided through the cam shaft 3 and its bearing (not shown) is always in communication with the advance chambers 52 to 54 regardless of the change in the rotation phase. Further, the retard passage 74 provided through the cam shaft 3 and its bearing always communicates with the retard chambers 56 to 58 regardless of the change of the rotational phase.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the supply passage 76 communicates with the discharge port of the pump 4, and hydraulic oil sucked into the suction port of the pump 4 from the oil pan 5 is discharged and supplied from the discharge port. Yes. Here, the pump 4 of this embodiment is a mechanical pump that discharges and supplies hydraulic oil to the supply passage 76 by being driven by the crankshaft as the internal combustion engine 2 rotates. Discharge supply is stopped. Further, the drain passage 78 is provided in the oil pan 5 so that the hydraulic oil can be discharged.

  The phase control valve 80 is mechanically connected to the advance passage 72, the retard passage 74, the supply passage 76 and the drain passage 78. The phase control valve 80 operates in accordance with the energization of the solenoid 82, thereby switching the passage communicating with the advance passage 72 and the retard passage 74 between the supply passage 76 and the drain passage 78.

  The control circuit 90 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and is electrically connected to the solenoid 82 of the phase control valve 80. The control circuit 90 has a function of controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine 2 as well as a function of controlling energization to the solenoid 82.

  In the control unit 30 configured as described above, the phase control valve 80 is operated in accordance with the energization of the solenoid 82 controlled by the control circuit 90, so that the supply passage 76 and the drain passage 78 communicate with the advance passage 72 and the retard passage 74. The state is switched. Here, when the phase control valve 80 causes the supply passage 76 and the drain passage 78 to communicate with the advance passage 72 and the retard passage 74, respectively, hydraulic oil from the pump 4 enters the advance chambers 52 to 54 through the passages 76 and 72. While being introduced, the hydraulic oil in the retard chambers 56 to 58 is discharged to the oil pan 5 through the passages 74 and 78. Therefore, at this time, the valve timing is advanced. On the other hand, when the phase control valve 80 causes the supply passage 76 and the drain passage 78 to communicate with the retard passage 74 and the advance passage 72, respectively, the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 enters the retard chambers 56 to 58 through the passages 76 and 74. While being introduced, the hydraulic oil in the advance chambers 52 to 54 is discharged to the oil pan 5 through the passages 72 and 78. Therefore, at this time, the valve timing is retarded.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the valve timing adjusting device 1 will be described in detail.

(Action structure of variable torque)
In the drive unit 10 in which the camshaft 3 is coaxially fixed to the vane rotor 14, during the rotation of the internal combustion engine 2, fluctuating torque caused by a spring reaction force or the like from an intake valve driven to open and close the camshaft 3 acts on the vane rotor 14. To do. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the fluctuating torque includes a negative torque that biases the vane rotor 14 toward the advance side of the rotational phase relative to the housing 11, and a positive torque that biases the vane rotor 14 toward the retard side of the rotational phase. It is something that alternates between. In particular, the fluctuation torque of the present embodiment shows a tendency that the peak torque T + of the positive torque is larger than the peak torque T− of the negative torque due to the friction between the camshaft 3 and the bearing. The vane rotor 14 is biased with an average bias toward the positive torque side, that is, the retard side of the rotational phase, by the average torque Tave of the variable torque.

(Biasing structure)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a flange wall 101 of a housing bush 100 formed in a cylindrical hat shape with metal is coaxially fixed to the cover member 13 in the housing 11. A housing groove 102 penetrating in the radial direction is provided at the end of the housing bush 100 opposite to the flange wall 101.

  In the vane rotor 14, a bottom wall 111 of a rotor bush 110 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with metal is coaxially fixed to the boss portion 14a. The rotor bush 110 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the housing bush 100 and is concentrically disposed on the inner peripheral side of the housing bush 100 so as to be relatively rotatable. A rotor groove 112 penetrating in the radial direction is provided at the end of the rotor bush 110 opposite to the bottom wall 111.

  A biasing member 120 made of a metallic helical torsion spring is concentrically disposed on the outer peripheral side of the housing bush 100. One end 120 a of the biasing member 120 is always locked to a locking pin 121 fixed to the cover member 13. The other end 120b of the urging member 120 penetrates the housing groove 102 and the rotor groove 112 from the radially outer side to the inner side in a loosely inserted state.

  In this embodiment, when the rotational phase is between the most retarded phase shown in FIG. 5 and the predetermined lock phase shown in FIG. 4, the end 120 b of the biasing member 120 is engaged from the advance side by the rotor groove 112. Stopped. At this time, the end 120b of the urging member 120 is not locked in the housing groove 102, so that the restoring force generated by the torsional deformation of the urging member 120 is the average of the fluctuation torque during the rotation of the internal combustion engine 2. It acts on the rotor groove 112 against the torque Tave. Thereby, the vane rotor 14 is urged together with the rotor bush 110 toward the advance side of the rotational phase.

  On the other hand, when the rotational phase is between the lock phase shown in FIG. 4 and the most advanced angle phase shown in FIG. 6, the end 120 b of the biasing member 120 is locked from the advanced side by the housing groove 102. . At this time, the end 120 b of the urging member 120 is not locked to the rotor groove 112, so that the restoring force of the urging member 120 acts only on the housing bush 100. As described above, in this embodiment, the urging of the vane rotor 14 toward the advance side is realized on the retard side with respect to the lock phase, but is not realized on the advance side with respect to the lock phase.

  In the internal combustion engine 2 of the present embodiment to which the valve timing adjusting device 1 is applied, the region between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase is defined as a restriction phase region to be regulated at the start in order to ensure the startability. The region from the intermediate phase to the most advanced angle phase is set. In particular, in the present embodiment, the lock phase is set as a regulation phase that can ensure optimum startability regardless of the environmental temperature. According to these settings, during cranking for starting the internal combustion engine 2, it is possible to prevent the intake air amount to the cylinder from being excessively reduced due to the delay in closing the intake valve.

(First regulation / lock structure)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover member 13 of the housing 11 forms a first restriction recess 131 and a lock recess 134. The first restriction recess 131 is open on the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 and extends in the rotation direction of the housing 11, and has a pair of restriction stoppers 131 a and 131 b provided at both closed ends. The lock recess 134 has a bottomed cylindrical hole shape that is parallel to the camshaft 3, and is open to the bottom surface of the restriction recess 131 at the advance side end of the first restriction recess 131.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the housing bush 100 that forms the bottom surface of the lock recess 134 forms an air hole 136. The air hole 136 of the housing bush 100 has a cylindrical hole shape that is parallel to the cam shaft 3 and smaller in diameter than the width of the lock recess 134, and is always open to the atmosphere by passing through the flange wall 101. As shown in FIG. 8, the sprocket member 18 of the housing 11 forms another air hole 137 at a location facing the air hole 136 with the vane rotor 14 interposed therebetween. The air hole 137 of the sprocket member 18 has a cylindrical hole shape that is parallel to the camshaft 3 and smaller in diameter than the large-diameter support portion 142 of the first accommodation hole 140 described later, and penetrates the sprocket member 18. Always open to the atmosphere.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the vane 14 b of the vane rotor 14 forms a first accommodation hole 140 and a first through hole 149. The first accommodation hole 140 has a bottomed cylindrical hole shape that is parallel to the camshaft 3, and opens on the sliding contact end surface of the vane rotor 14 with respect to the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13. The first accommodation hole 140 has a small-diameter support portion 141 on the opening side that is the cover member 13 side where the recesses 131 and 134 are formed. The small-diameter support portion 141 is formed so as to face the first restricting recess 131 and the lock recess 134 at a predetermined rotational phase. The small-diameter support portion 141 of the present embodiment is formed by the inner peripheral surface of a sleeve 141a that is fitted and fixed to the base material of the vane rotor 14.

  The first accommodation hole 140 has a large-diameter support portion 142 having a larger diameter than the small-diameter support portion 141 on the bottom surface side opposite to the cover member 13 side where the recesses 131 and 134 are formed. The end of the large-diameter support 142 on the cover member 13 side always communicates with a first restriction passage 145 that is formed through the vane rotor 14, thereby forming a working chamber 146 in which hydraulic oil can enter and exit. Further, the end of the large-diameter support portion 142 opposite to the cover member 13 side always communicates with the advance chamber 52 through a first advance communication hole 147 penetratingly formed in the vane rotor 14. A chamber 148 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first through hole 149 has a long hole shape extending in the rotation direction with a width smaller than that of the large-diameter support portion 142 of the first accommodation hole 140 and parallel to the camshaft 3. 18 through the sliding contact end surface of the vane rotor 14 with respect to the inner surface of 18 and the bottom surface of the large-diameter support portion 142 in the first accommodation hole 140. Accordingly, the first through hole 149 communicates with the air hole 137 of the sprocket member 18 in a predetermined region of the rotational phase including the lock phase, and always communicates with the communication chamber 148 formed in the large-diameter support portion 142. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, cylindrical regulating members 150 and 152 made of metal are accommodated concentrically in the first accommodation hole 140. As shown in FIG. 8, the first main regulating member 150 is reciprocally movable in the axial direction by being supported on the outer peripheral surface by the small-diameter support portion 141. The first main regulating member 150 is formed with an annular plate-shaped projecting portion 151 projecting to the outer peripheral side at the end opposite to the cover member 13 side. In addition, the first main regulating member 150 has a through hole 159 that always communicates between the cover member 13 side and the opposite side by an inner peripheral hole.

  Here, the first main restricting member 150 enters the first restricting recess 131 of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. 9 by moving in the entry direction X in the restriction phase region including the lock phase. The first main restricting member 150 that has entered the first restricting recess 131 is locked by the restricting stopper 131a at the end portion on the retard side of the restricting recess 131 as shown in FIG. The change in the retard side of the rotational phase is regulated at the first regulation phase at the retard side limit. On the other hand, the first main restricting member 150 that has entered the first restricting recess 131 is rotated by the lock phase by being locked by the restricting stopper 131b of the advance side end of the restricting recess 131 as shown in FIG. Regulates the phase advance side change.

  Further, the first main restricting member 150 enters the lock recess 134 of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. 8 by moving in the entry direction X from the first restriction recess 131 side in the lock phase. Thus, the first main regulating member 150 that has entered the lock recess 134 regulates the rotation phase to the lock phase by regulating the rotation phase to both the advance side and the retard side by fitting with the lock recess 134. Lock it.

  Further, the first main restricting member 150 moves out of both the lock recess 134 and the first restricting recess 131 of the housing 11 by moving in the exit direction Y as shown in FIGS. . Thus, when the first main regulating member 150 escapes from the recesses 134 and 131, the regulation of the rotational phase is released, so that an arbitrary rotational phase change can be allowed as shown in FIGS. It becomes possible.

  In contrast to the first main restricting member 150 described above, the first sub restricting member 152 shown in FIG. 8 is closer to the large diameter support portion 142 than the small diameter support portion 141 of the first accommodation hole 140. The outer peripheral surface is supported by the large-diameter support portion 142. With such a fitting and supporting form, the first sub-regulating member 152 can reciprocate in the axial direction that is the same as that of the first main regulating member 150 and can move relative to the first main regulating member 150. It has become. In this relatively movable state, the first main restricting member 150 and the first sub restricting member 152 are in a relationship of sliding with each other.

  The first sub-regulating member 152 has a pressure receiving portion 154 exposed to the working chamber 146 and facing an end surface 143 formed on the sleeve 141a on the opposite side to the cover member 13 side. The pressure receiving portion 154 is an annular end surface facing the cover member 13 side. When the pressure receiving portion 154 receives pressure in the escape direction Y from the hydraulic oil in the working chamber 146, a first driving force for driving the first sub regulating member 152 in the escape direction Y is generated.

  The first sub-regulating member 152 has an engaging step 156 exposed to the communication chamber 148 and facing the bottom surface of the large-diameter support portion 142 by an annular step surface facing the side opposite to the cover member 13 side. Forming. In a state where the engaging portion 156 is engaged with the protruding portion 151 so as to push in the escape direction Y as shown in FIG. 13, the first driving force generated in the first sub regulating member 152 is applied to the first main regulating member 150. Accordingly, the restriction members 150 and 152 can be integrally driven in the escape direction Y.

  Furthermore, the first sub-regulating member 152 of the present embodiment forms a circumferential groove portion 157 that is recessed from the outer peripheral surface and opens on the end surface opposite to the cover member 13 side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the first sub-regulating member 152 moves in the entry direction X from the blocking position where the circumferential groove portion 157 and the first advance communication hole 147 are disconnected from each other. 12, the first through hole 149 can communicate with the first advance communication hole 147 through the communication chamber 148 and the circumferential groove 157. Therefore, in the rotational phase where the first through hole 149 communicates with the atmospheric hole 137, the communication between the circumferential groove portion 157 and the first advance communication hole 147 causes the first through hole 149, the communication chamber 148, and the circumferential groove portion to communicate with each other. A first communication path 158 that reaches the first advance communication hole 147 through 157 is formed. In the first continuous passage 158 formed in this way, the radial depth of the circumferential groove 157 is adjusted so as to reduce the flow area of the fluid in the circumferential groove 157.

  Elastic members 170 and 172 are concentrically accommodated in a portion including at least the communication chamber 148 in the first accommodation hole 140. The first main elastic member 170 is a metal compression coil spring, and is interposed between the bottom surface of the large-diameter support portion 142 and the first main regulating member 150. The first main elastic member 170 biases the main regulating member 150 in the entry direction X by generating a first main restoring force by compressive deformation between the large-diameter support portion 142 and the first main regulating member 150. . Therefore, outside the region of the restriction phase including the most retarded angle phase of FIG. 14, the first main restriction member 150 is driven in the entry direction X by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170. As described above, the main regulating member 150 can be brought into contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13. Further, in the state where the engaging portion 156 is engaged with the protruding portion 151 as shown in FIG. 13, the first main restricting member 150 is changed to the first sub restricting member 152 by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170. In addition, it is possible to drive integrally in the entry direction X.

  In contrast to the first main elastic member 170 described above, the first sub elastic member 172 is a metal compression coil spring, and is interposed between the bottom surface of the large-diameter support portion 142 and the first sub regulating member 152. Yes. The first secondary elastic member 172 generates a first secondary restoring force by compressive deformation between the large-diameter support portion 142 and the first secondary regulating member 152, thereby biasing the secondary regulating member 152 in the entry direction X. . Therefore, when the first main restricting member 150 is in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 as shown in FIG. 12 outside the restricting phase region, the first sub restricting member is caused by the first sub restoring force of the first sub elastic member 172. Only 152 is driven in the entry direction X, and the engaging portion 156 can be separated from the protrusion 151 in the entry direction X. For the first sub regulating member 152 in which the engaging portion 156 is separated from the protruding portion 151 by the first sub restoring force of the first sub elastic member 172, the pressure receiving portion 154 is connected to the sleeve 141a as shown in FIGS. It is possible to make it contact | abut to the end surface 143 of this.

(Second regulatory structure)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 18, the cover member 13 of the housing 11 forms a second restriction recess 231. The second restriction recess 231 opens in the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 and extends in the rotation direction of the housing 11, and the shallow bottom portion 232 and the deep bottom portion 233 are formed by denting one step from the retard side toward the advance side. It has a shape. Restriction stoppers 232a and 233a are provided at the retarded side end portions closed at the shallow bottom portion 232 and the deep bottom portion 233 of the second restriction recess 231, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 18, the cover member 13 forms an air hole 236. The air hole 236 of the cover member 13 has a cylindrical hole shape that is axially parallel to the camshaft 3 and smaller in diameter than the deep bottom width of the second restricting recess 231, and has an outer surface of the cover member 13 and a bottom surface of the deep bottom portion 233. It is always open to the atmosphere by penetrating between. As shown in FIG. 18, the sprocket member 18 has another air hole 237 formed at a location facing the air hole 236 across the vane rotor 14. The air hole 237 of the sprocket member 18 has a cylindrical hole shape that is parallel to the camshaft 3 and smaller in diameter than the large-diameter support portion 242 of the second housing hole 240 described later, and penetrates the sprocket member 18. Always open to the atmosphere.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 18, the vane 14 c of the vane rotor 14 forms a second accommodation hole 240 and a second through hole 249. The second accommodation hole 240 has a configuration similar to that of the first accommodation hole 140. However, the small-diameter support portion 241 of the second accommodation hole 240 is formed so as to face the shallow bottom portion 232 and the deep bottom portion 233 of the second regulating recess 231 at a predetermined rotational phase, respectively. In the present embodiment, the small diameter support portion 241 is also formed by the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 241a that is fitted and fixed to the base material of the vane rotor 14. Further, the end portion on the cover member 13 side of the large-diameter support portion 242 of the second accommodation hole 240 is always in communication with the second restriction passage 245 formed through the vane rotor 14 so that hydraulic oil can enter and exit. 246 is formed. Furthermore, the end of the large-diameter support portion 242 opposite to the cover member 13 side always communicates with the advance chamber 53 through the second advance communication hole 247 penetratingly formed in the vane rotor 14. A communication chamber 248 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the second through-hole 249 has a long hole shape extending in the rotational direction with a width smaller than that of the large-diameter support portion 242 of the second accommodation hole 240 and parallel to the camshaft 3. 18 through the sliding contact end surface of the vane rotor 14 with respect to the inner surface of 18 and the bottom surface of the large-diameter support portion 242 in the second accommodation hole 240. Thus, the second through hole 249 communicates with the air hole 237 of the sprocket member 18 in a predetermined region of the rotational phase including the lock phase, and always communicates with the communication chamber 248 formed in the large diameter support portion 242. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 18, cylindrical regulating members 250 and 252 made of metal are concentrically accommodated in the second accommodation hole 240, respectively. The second main restricting member 250 has a configuration similar to that of the first main restricting member 150 as shown in FIG. 18, and the outer peripheral surface is supported by the small-diameter support portion 141 and can reciprocate in the axial direction. 251 and through holes 259 are formed.

  Here, the second main restriction member 250 moves in the entry direction X in the restriction phase region including the lock phase, so that the shallow bottom portion on the retard side of the second restriction recess 231 of the housing 11 as shown in FIGS. 232 or the deep bottom portion 233 on the advance side. Thus, the second main restricting member 250 that has entered the shallow bottom portion 232 is locked as shown in FIG. 15 by the restriction stopper 232a at the end portion on the retarded side of the shallow bottom portion 232, so that the first of the restriction phase regions. The change in the retard side of the rotational phase is regulated by the second regulation phase on the advance side of the regulation phase. On the other hand, the second main regulating member 250 that has entered the deep bottom portion 233 is locked as shown in FIG. 16 by the restriction stopper 233a at the retard side end of the deep bottom portion 233, so that the The change in the retard side of the rotational phase is regulated by the third regulation phase that is advanced from the second regulation phase and retarded from the lock phase.

  Further, the second main restricting member 250 moves out of the second restricting recess 231 of the housing 11 by moving in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. When the second main restricting member 250 is escaped from the second restricting recess 231 in this way, the restriction of the rotational phase is released, so that an arbitrary rotational phase change is allowed as shown in FIGS. Is possible.

  The second sub-regulating member 252 fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the second main restricting member 250 has the same configuration as the first sub-regulating member 152 as shown in FIG. It can be reciprocated in the axial direction, and can move relative to the second main regulating member 250. At the same time, the second sub-regulating member 252 forms a pressure receiving portion 254 and an engaging portion 256 with a configuration similar to the first sub-regulating member 152. Therefore, when the pressure receiving portion 254 receives pressure from the hydraulic oil in the working chamber 246 in the escape direction Y, a second driving force that drives the second sub-regulating member 252 in the escape direction Y is generated. Further, when the engaging portion 256 is engaged with the protruding portion 251 so as to push in the escape direction Y as shown in FIG. 21, the second driving force generated in the second sub-regulating member 252 is applied to the second main regulating member 250. The restriction members 250 and 252 can be integrally driven in the escape direction Y.

  Furthermore, the second sub-regulating member 252 of the present embodiment forms a circumferential groove portion 257 with a configuration similar to the first sub-regulating member 152. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 21, the second sub-regulating member 252 moves in the entry direction X from the blocking position at which the communication between the circumferential groove portion 257 and the second advance communication hole 247 is blocked. Thus, the second through hole 249 can communicate with the second advance communication hole 247 through the communication chamber 248 and the circumferential groove portion 257. Therefore, in the rotation lock phase in which the second through hole 249 communicates with the atmospheric hole 237 as shown in FIG. 18, the communication between the circumferential groove portion 257 and the second advanced angle communicating hole 247 causes the second advanced angle communicating hole 247 to communicate with the second advanced angle communicating hole 247. The second communication path 258 is formed, and the flow area in the circumferential groove portion 257 is further reduced by the path 258.

  Elastic members 270 and 272 are concentrically accommodated in a portion including at least the communication chamber 248 in the second accommodation hole 240. The second main elastic member 270 generates a second main restoring force that urges the second main regulating member 250 in the entry direction X by a configuration similar to the first main elastic member 170. Therefore, outside the region of the restriction phase including the most retarded angle phase of FIG. 14, the second main restriction member 250 is driven in the entry direction X by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. As described above, the second main regulating member 250 can be brought into contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13. In the state where the engaging portion 256 is engaged with the protruding portion 251 as shown in FIG. 21, the second main regulating member 250 is changed to the second sub regulating member 252 by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. It is possible to drive in the entry direction X together.

  With respect to the second main elastic member 270 described above, the second sub elastic member 272 has a configuration similar to that of the first sub elastic member 172, thereby providing a second sub restoring force that urges the second sub regulating member 252 in the entry direction X. Occur. Therefore, when the second main restricting member 250 is in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 as shown in FIG. 20 outside the restricting phase region, the second sub restricting member is caused by the second sub restoring force of the second sub elastic member 272. Only the 252 is driven in the entry direction X, and the engaging portion 256 can be separated from the protrusion 251 in the entry direction X. Further, with respect to the second sub-regulating member 252 in which the engaging portion 256 is separated from the protruding portion 251 by the second sub-restoring force of the second sub-elastic member 272, the pressure receiving portion 254 is opposed to it as shown in FIGS. It can be brought into contact with an end surface 243 formed on the end surface opposite to the cover member 13 side in the sleeve 241a.

(Driving force control)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the control unit 30, the drive passage 300 provided through the camshaft 3 and its bearing is always in communication with the passages 145 and 245 regardless of the change in the rotational phase. Further, the branch passage 302 branched from the supply passage 76 receives the hydraulic oil supply from the pump 4 through the supply passage 76. Further, the drain passage 304 is provided in the oil pan 5 so that the hydraulic oil can be discharged.

  The drive control valve 310 is mechanically connected to the drive passage 300, the branch passage 302 and the drain passage 304. The drive control valve 310 is operated in accordance with energization of the solenoid 312 electrically connected to the control circuit 90, thereby switching the passage communicating with the drive passage 300 between the branch passage 302 and the drain passage 304.

  Here, when the drive control valve 310 causes the branch passage 302 to communicate with the drive passage 300, the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 is introduced into the working chambers 146 and 246 through the passages 76, 302, 300, 145, and 245. Therefore, at this time, a driving force in the escape direction Y that drives the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 is generated. On the other hand, when the drive control valve 310 causes the drain passage 304 to communicate with the drive passage 300, the hydraulic oil in the working chambers 146, 246 is discharged to the oil pan 5 through the passages 145, 245, 300, 304. Therefore, at this time, the driving force for driving the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 disappears.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the valve timing adjusting device 1 will be described in detail.

(Normal operation)
First, the normal operation when the internal combustion engine 2 stops normally will be described.

  (I) At the time of a normal stop in which the internal combustion engine 2 is stopped in response to a stop command such as turning off the ignition switch, the control circuit 90 controls the energization of the phase control valve 80 to connect the supply passage 76 to the advance passage 72. . At this time, the internal combustion engine 2 that rotates inertially reduces its rotational speed until it stops completely, so that the pressure of the hydraulic oil introduced into the advance chambers 52 to 54 from the pump 4 through the passages 76 and 72 also decreases. As a result, the force acting on the vane rotor 14 is reduced by the pressure of the oil introduced into the advance chambers 52 to 54, and particularly in the rotational phase that is retarded from the lock phase, the biasing member 120 that biases the vane rotor 14. The restoration power of becomes dominant.

  When the internal combustion engine 2 is normally stopped in response to the stop command, the control circuit 90 controls the energization of the drive control valve 310 so that the drain passage 304 communicates with the drive passage 300. At this time, the hydraulic oil in the working chambers 146, 246 is discharged through the passages 145, 245, 300, 304, and the driving force for driving the first and second sub-regulating members 152, 252 disappears. As a result, the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 push the working oil in the working chambers 146 and 246 into the passages 145 and 245 by the restoring force of the first and second sub-elastic members 172 and 272, and enter the entry direction X. The pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 are brought into contact with the end surfaces 143 and 243 of the small diameter support portions 141 and 241. At the same time, due to the restoring force of the first and second main elastic members 170, 270, the first and second main restricting members 150, 250 move in the entry direction X according to the first and second sub restricting members 152, 252. Then, the position is determined according to the rotational phase at the time of the stop command.

  Therefore, after this, the lock to the lock phase is realized by the operation according to the rotation phase at the time of the stop command, and the next start of the internal combustion engine 2 is awaited. Hereinafter, details of the lock operation according to the rotation phase at the time of the stop command will be described.

  (I-1) When the rotation phase at the time of the stop command is the most retarded phase in FIG. 14, the vane rotor 14 is advanced with respect to the housing 11 by the negative torque as the variable torque and the restoring force of the urging member 120. The rotation phase is changed to the advance side. When the rotational phase reaches the first regulation phase of FIG. 11 due to the phase change toward the advance angle side, the first main regulation member 150 moves in the entry direction X by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170. By entering the first restricting recess 131, the phase change to the retard side from the first restricting phase is restricted. Further, when the rotational phase reaches the second regulation phase of FIG. 15 due to the phase change toward the advance side, the second main regulation member 250 of the second regulation recess 231 is caused by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. By entering the shallow bottom portion 232, the phase change toward the retarded side with respect to the second restriction phase is restricted. Furthermore, when the rotational phase reaches the third restriction phase in FIG. 16 due to the phase change toward the advance side, the second main restriction member 250 causes the second restriction recess 231 by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. By entering the deep bottom portion 233, the phase change toward the retarded side with respect to the third restriction phase is restricted.

  Thereafter, when the rotational phase reaches the lock phase of FIG. 10 due to further phase change toward the advance angle side, the first main restriction member 150 is locked by the restriction stopper 131b at the advance side end portion of the first restriction recess 131. The At this time, the first main regulating member 150 pressed against the regulating stopper 131b by the restoring force of the urging member 120 is urged by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170 as shown in FIG. Then, it is fitted into the lock recess 134 from the first restriction recess 131 side. As a result, the rotational phase is regulated and locked by the lock phase.

  (I-2) When the rotation phase at the time of the stop command is between the most retarded angle phase and the lock phase or the lock phase, the operation according to the above (I-1) corresponds to the rotation phase at the time of the stop command. Start from state. Therefore, also in this case, the rotation phase is restricted and locked by the lock phase.

  (I-3) When the rotation phase at the time of the stop command is the most advanced angle phase in FIG. 17, the second main regulating member 250 is moved into the second regulating recess 231 by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. It enters into the deep bottom portion 233. In this embodiment in which the restoring force action of the urging member 120 is limited on the advance side with respect to the lock phase in such a state, the rotational phase is directed toward the retard side that is the bias side of the average torque Tave of the variable torque. Change gradually. Accordingly, when the rotation phase reaches the lock phase of FIG. 10, the first main restriction member 150 sequentially enters the first restriction recess 131 and the lock recess 134 by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170. Also in this case, the rotation phase is restricted and locked by the lock phase.

  (I-4) When the rotation phase at the time of stop command is between the lock phase and the most advanced angle phase, the operation according to the above (I-3) is started from the state corresponding to the rotation phase at the time of stop command. The Therefore, also in this case, the rotation phase is restricted and locked by the lock phase.

  (II) When the internal combustion engine 2 is cranked and started in response to a start command such as turning on the ignition switch after the normal stop, the control circuit 90 controls the energization of the phase control valve 80 to advance the supply passage 76. It communicates with the corner passage 72. At this time, the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 is introduced into the advance chambers 52 to 54 through the passages 76 and 72. In addition, when the internal combustion engine 2 is started in response to the start command after the normal stop, the control circuit 90 controls the energization of the drive control valve 310 to connect the drain passage 304 to the drive passage 300. At this time, the working oil is not introduced into the working chambers 146 and 246, and the driving force for driving the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 is maintained in a lost state.

  As a result, the first and second main restricting members 150 and 250 are moved into the concave portions 134 and 250 by the restoring force of the first and second main elastic members 170 and 270 as shown in FIGS. The state of having entered 231 is continued. Here, in particular, during the cranking from when the internal combustion engine 2 is completely detonated until the start is completed, the pressure of the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 is low, so that the hydraulic oil reaches the working chambers 146 and 246 due to an abnormality. Even if it does, the rushing state to the recessed parts 134 and 231 of each main control member 150 and 250 may be maintained. Accordingly, the startability can be ensured by locking the rotation phase to the lock phase that is optimal for starting the internal combustion engine 2 in the regulation phase.

  (III) After completion of such start-up, the control circuit 90 controls the energization of the drive control valve 310 to connect the branch passage 302 from the supply passage 76 to the drive passage 300. At this time, the hydraulic oil whose pressure has been increased is introduced into the working chambers 146 and 246 through the passages 76, 302, 300, 145 and 245, so that a driving force for driving the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 is generated. .

  As a result, the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 move in the escape direction Y and the engaging portion 256 engages with the protruding portion 251, so that the first and second main restricting members 150 and 250 are also engaged. Move in the escape direction Y. As a result, the first main restricting member 150 escapes from the lock recess 134 and the first restricting recess 131, and the second main restricting member 250 escapes from the second restricting recess 231. Is allowed to change to the rotational phase. Therefore, after this, the control circuit 90 controls the energization to the phase control valve 80 and introduces the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 into the advance chambers 52 to 54 or the retard chambers 56 to 58, so that it is free. Valve timing adjustment can be realized.

  Here, the relationship between the hydraulic oil pressure in the working chambers 146 and 246 and the behavior of the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 will be described. When the hydraulic oil whose pressure has increased is introduced into the working chambers 146 and 246 through the first and second regulating passages 145 and 245, the pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 receive pressure from the hydraulic oil in the working chambers 146 and 246. The first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 move in the escape direction Y against the elastic force of the first and second sub-elastic members 172 and 272. As the escape direction Y moves, the engaging portions 156 and 256 of the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 engage with the protruding portions 151 and 251 of the first and second main restricting members 150 and 250, Since the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 move the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 in the escape direction Y, the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 are the first and second regulating members. It escapes from the recessed parts 131 and 231 and the regulation of the phase is released.

  Next, when the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil is lowered, the pressure applied to the pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 is reduced, and the elastic forces of the first and second auxiliary elastic members 172 and 272 are overcome. For this reason, hydraulic oil begins to flow out into the first and second restriction passages 145 and 245 due to the movement of the first and second auxiliary restriction members 152 and 252 in the entry direction X, and the first and second main restriction members 150. , 250 moves in the entry direction X and comes into contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13. Thus, in the state where the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 are in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 and the movement in the entry direction X is regulated, for example, the hydraulic oil caused by a low temperature environment or the like As the viscosity of the hydraulic oil increases due to the hydraulic pressure drop, the first and second sub-restrictive members 152 and 252 move by the elastic force of the first and second sub-elastic members 172 and 272, and the operation proceeds. The oil further flows out into the first and second regulating passages 145 and 245, and discharge from the working chambers 146 and 246 is promoted. As the hydraulic oil pressure drops further, the pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 abut against the opposing end surfaces 143 of the sleeves 141a and 241a, and the working chambers 146 and 246 become the minimum volume, so that the hydraulic oil is completely discharged. Become.

(Fail safe operation)
Next, a fail safe operation when the internal combustion engine 2 is abnormally stopped will be described.

  (I) When the internal combustion engine 2 stops instantaneously due to a clutch engagement abnormality or the like, the energization from the control circuit 90 to the phase control valve 80 is cut, and the supply passage 76 communicates with the advance passage 72 It becomes. At this time, since the pressure of the hydraulic oil introduced into the advance chambers 52 to 54 from the pump 4 through the passages 76 and 72 rapidly decreases, the force acting on the vane rotor 14 due to the pressure disappears, and the rotation phase stops abnormally ( The phase is maintained at the moment of instantaneous stop).

  Further, when the internal combustion engine 2 is abnormally stopped, the energization from the control circuit 90 to the drive control valve 310 is also cut off, and the drain passage 304 is in communication with the drive passage 300, so the first and second sub-regulator members 152. , 252 is lost. As a result, the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 abut the pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 on the end surfaces 143 and 243 of the small-diameter support portions 141 and 241 in accordance with the above-described normal operation (I), and the first And the 2nd main control member 150,250 is localized to the movement position according to the rotation phase at the time of an abnormal stop.

  Therefore, after this, since it will be in the operation state according to the rotation phase at the time of abnormality command, the details of the state are explained below.

  (I-1) When the rotational phase at the time of abnormal stop is different from the regulation phase, that is, outside the regulation phase region including the most retarded angle phase in FIG. The first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 abut against the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 as shown in FIGS. With this contact, the first and second main restricting members 150 and 250 cover the projecting portions 151 and 251 away from the engaging portions 156 and 256 of the first and second sub restricting members 152 and 252. The movement in the rushing direction X is more restricted than the inner surface 132 of 13. Therefore, since the first and second main regulating members 250 cannot be inserted into the recesses 131, 134, and 231 that are recessed from the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13, the internal combustion engine 2 is not locked without being locked. The next start will be awaited.

  (I-2) When the rotation phase at the time of abnormal stop is between the first restriction phase or the first restriction phase and the lock phase, the rotation at the time of abnormal stop in the operation state of (I-1) of normal operation As a state corresponding to the phase, the first main restricting member 150 enters the first restricting recess 131 by the restoring force of the first main elastic member 170. On the other hand, the second main regulating member 250 comes into contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 by the restoring force of the second main elastic member 270. As a result, the lock to the lock phase is not realized, and the next start of the internal combustion engine 2 is awaited.

  (I-3) When the rotation phase at the time of an abnormal stop is the lock phase, the first main regulating member 150 can rush into the lock recess 134 by the restoring force of the first main elastic member 170, so the lock phase Thus, the next start of the internal combustion engine 2 is awaited.

  (I-4) When the rotational phase at the time of abnormal stop is between the most advanced angle phase of FIG. 17 and between the lock phase and the most advanced angle phase, (I-3), (I-4) The driving unit 10 stops in a state corresponding to the rotation phase at the time of abnormal stop in the operation state of). Therefore, the next start of the internal combustion engine 2 is awaited without realizing the lock to the lock phase.

  (Ii) When starting the internal combustion engine 2 in response to a start command after an abnormal stop, the control circuit 90 controls energization to the phase control valve 80 and introduces hydraulic oil from the pump 4 into the advance chambers 52 to 54. Let At the same time, the control circuit 90 controls energization to the drive control valve 310 to maintain the driving force for driving the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 in the disappeared state. As a result, until the start of the internal combustion engine 2 is completed, the rotation phase is adjusted according to the rotation phase at the start command that substantially matches the rotation phase at the time of abnormal stop. Hereinafter, details of the adjustment according to the rotation phase at the time of the start command will be described.

  (Ii-1) When the rotation phase at the time of the start command is different from the regulation phase, that is, outside the regulation phase region including the most retarded phase in FIG. Due to the restoring force, the vane rotor 14 rotates relative to the housing 11 relative to the advance side, whereby the rotation phase changes toward the advance side. As a result, the first and second main restricting members 150 and 250 sequentially enter the first and second restricting recesses 131 and 231 in accordance with the normal operation (I-1), and further the first main restricting member 150. Enters the lock recess 134.

  At this time, even if hydraulic oil remains in the working chambers 146 and 246, the pressure of the residual hydraulic oil does not substantially reach the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250. Accordingly, the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 are arranged on the engaging portions 156 and 256 side of the first and second sub regulating members 152 and 252 spaced from the projecting portions 151 and 251 as shown in FIGS. That is, it is possible to rapidly drive into the recesses 131, 134, and 231 by driving at high speed in the entry direction X.

  Here, the cover member 13 side that forms the recesses 131, 134, and 231 with respect to the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 has air holes 136 and 236 communicating with the recesses 131 and 231 at least in the lock phase. It will be open to the atmosphere. The communication chambers 148 and 248 on the opposite side to the cover member 13 side with respect to the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 have an air hole 136 communicating with each other through the through holes 149 and 249 at least in the lock phase. , 236 is released to the atmosphere. According to these, the movement resistance received by the first and second main regulating members 150, 250 from the communication member 148, 248 on the cover member 13 side or the opposite side thereof, for example, resistance due to generation of negative pressure or resistance due to leaked hydraulic oil Etc. can be reduced, and the entry speed of the main regulating members 150 and 250 can be increased. In addition, the cover member 13 side and the communication chambers 148 and 248 on the opposite side to the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 communicate with each other through the through holes 159 and 259, so that the air holes 136 and 236 are communicated. Deterioration of the air release state due to clogging or the like is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the effect of reducing the movement resistance that affects the rush speed of the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250.

  In addition, in the state at the time of the start command in which the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 have the pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 contact the end surfaces 143 and 243 of the small diameter support portions 141 and 241, FIGS. First and second communication paths 158 and 258 are formed as shown in FIGS. Here, the first and second communication paths 158 and 258 are communicated with the advance communication holes 147 and 247 communicating with the advance chambers 52 and 53, so that the advance chambers 137 and 237 communicate with each other. 53 is opened to the atmosphere. Further, the first and second communication paths 158 and 258 can make the atmospheric flow resistance smaller than the hydraulic oil flow resistance by the throttling action of the circumferential groove portions 157 and 257 in the middle of the first and second communication paths 158 and 258. According to these, the negative pressure is generated by the negative torque as the variable torque and the restoring force of the urging member 120, and the negative pressure is generated by introducing the atmospheric pressure into the advanced chambers 52, 53. Can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed of change of the rotational phase necessary for causing the first and second main regulating members 150, 250 to enter the recesses 131, 134, 231.

  As described above, even if the rotation phase is different from the regulation phase at the time of the start command, the startability can be reliably ensured by returning the rotation phase to the lock phase optimum for the start in the regulation phase in a short time. .

  (Ii-2) When the rotation phase at the time of the start command is between the first restriction phase of FIG. 11 or between the first restriction phase and the lock phase, the operation according to the above (ii-1) is It starts from the state corresponding to the rotational phase. Therefore, also in this case, the rotational phase can be returned to the lock phase to ensure startability.

  (Ii-3) When the rotation phase at the time of the start command is the lock phase of FIG. 10, the start operation can be ensured by realizing the operation according to the normal operation (II).

  (Ii-4) When the rotation phase at the time of the start command is between the most advanced angle phase of FIG. 17 or between the lock phase and the most advanced angle phase, the rotation is performed by introducing hydraulic oil into the advance angle chambers 52 to 54. The phase is adjusted to the most advanced angle phase. Therefore, in this case, the start of the internal combustion engine 2 is realized in the most advanced angle phase as the regulation phase, so that the startability can be ensured.

  (Iii) After completion of such starting, the hydraulic oil from the pump 4 is introduced into the advance chambers 52 to 54 or the retard chambers 56 to 58 by the operation according to the normal operation (III). Thus, free valve timing adjustment can be realized. At this time, the first and second sub-regulating members 152, 252 move to the blocking position in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. 13 and 21, and the circumferential groove portions 157, 158 forming the first and second communication paths 158, 258, 257 and the advance communication holes 147 and 247 are blocked. According to this, since the hydraulic fluid in the advance chambers 52 and 53 communicating with the advance communication holes 147 and 247 can be prevented from leaking to the outside through the first and second communication paths 158 and 258, the valve timing adjustment can be performed. Responsiveness can also be improved.

  As described so far, according to the first embodiment, when the internal combustion engine 2 is started, the startability can be ensured regardless of the environmental temperature, and the valve timing can be freely adjusted after the start of the internal combustion engine 2 is completed. Can be realized.

  In the first embodiment described above, the first restriction recess 131, the second restriction recess 231, or the lock recess 134 corresponds to the “recess” described in the claims, and is the first main restriction member 150 or the second restriction member. The main restricting member 250 corresponds to a “main restricting member” recited in the claims, and the first sub restricting member 152 or the second sub restricting member 252 corresponds to a “sub restricting member” recited in the claims. ing. Further, the atmospheric hole 137 or the atmospheric hole 237 corresponds to the “open hole” recited in the claims, and the first advance communication hole 147 or the second advance communication hole 247 is the “communication” recited in the claims. The peripheral groove portion 157 or the peripheral groove portion 257 corresponds to the “diaphragm portion” recited in the claims.

(Second embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 22-25, 2nd embodiment of this invention is a modification of 1st embodiment. In the second embodiment, the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 formed by the first and second sub-regulating members 2152 and 2252 are not opened on the side opposite to the cover member 13 side, and the large diameter support portions 142 and 242 are not opened. The communication between the formed communication chambers 148 and 248 is substantially blocked. Further, the first and second advance communication holes 147 and 247 formed through the vane rotor 14 so as to communicate with the advance chambers 52 and 53 are respectively defined by first and second sub-regulator members 2152 and 2252 at arbitrary positions. The communication between the corresponding communication chambers 148 and 248 is substantially blocked. Further, first and second retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 formed through the vane rotor 14 so as to communicate with the retard chambers 56 and 57 are respectively defined by first and second sub-regulator members 2152 and 2252 at arbitrary positions. The communication between the corresponding communication chambers 148 and 248 is substantially blocked.

  With the above configuration, the first and second sub-regulating members 2152 and 2252 move to the blocking positions in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, so that the corresponding advance communication holes 147 and 247 and retard communication holes 2147 are obtained. , 2247 is cut off. On the other hand, the first and second sub-regulating members 2152 and 2252 move in the entry direction X from the blocking position as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, so that the corresponding advance communication holes 147 and 247 and retard communication holes 2147 correspond to each other. , 2247 are communicated with each other by peripheral groove portions 2157, 2257.

  In such a second embodiment, when the rotation phase at the time of abnormal stop and the start command is different from the regulation phase, the first and second sub regulation members 2152 and 2252 are pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 as shown in FIGS. Is brought into contact with the end surfaces 143 and 243 of the small diameter support portions 141 and 241. At this time, the advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 communicate with each other through the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 of the first and second sub-regulator members 2152 and 2252. Even if the hydraulic oil remains, the residual hydraulic oil can be discharged into the advance chambers 52 and 53. According to this, when the internal combustion engine 2 is started while changing the rotation phase to the advance side and causing the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 to enter the recesses 131, 134 and 231, the retard chamber It is possible to suppress a situation in which the change speed of the rotational phase is reduced due to the remaining hydraulic oils 56 and 57. Therefore, according to the second embodiment as well, the startability can be reliably ensured by returning the rotational phase to the optimum lock phase for starting in a short time.

  In addition, in the second embodiment, after the start of the internal combustion engine 2 is completed, the first and second sub-regulating members 2152 and 2252 move to the blocking position in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. It will be in the state which interrupts | blocks between 147,247 and the retard communication hole 2147,2247. According to this, it is possible to suppress a situation in which one hydraulic oil of the advance chambers 52 and 53 and the retard chambers 56 and 57 leaks to the other, so that the responsiveness of the valve timing adjustment can be improved.

  In the second embodiment described above, the first sub-regulating member 2152 or the second sub-regulating member 2252 corresponds to the “sub-regulating member” recited in the claims, and the first advance communication hole 147 or the second sub-regulating member 2252. The advance communication hole 247 corresponds to the “advance communication hole” described in the claims, and the first retard communication hole 2147 or the second retard communication hole 2247 is the “retard communication hole” described in the claims. Corresponds to “hole”.

(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 26-29, 3rd embodiment of this invention is a modification of 2nd embodiment. In the third embodiment, the atmospheric holes 3137 and 3237 that are always open to the atmosphere and are always in communication with the communication chambers 148 and 248 communicate with the first and second through holes 149 and 249, respectively, in the entire rotational phase region including the lock phase. It has become.

  Further, the first and second sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252 of the third embodiment are cylinders that pass through the bottoms of the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 in the radial direction and communicate between the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 and the communication chambers 148 and 248. A plurality of hole-shaped first and second breathing passages 3160 and 3260 are formed in the circumferential direction. Here, the first and second advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the first and second retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 are in the communication position in the entry direction X rather than the blocking position as shown in FIGS. The corresponding peripheral wall portions 2157 and 2257 can communicate with each other as shown in FIGS.

  With such a configuration, the first and second sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252 move to the blocking positions in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. 27 and 29, so that the corresponding advance communication holes 147 and 247 and retard communication holes 2147, The communication between 2247 and the communication with the air holes 3137 and 3237 are blocked. On the other hand, the first and second sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252 move in the entry direction X from the blocking position as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, so that the corresponding advance communication holes 147 and 247 and retard communication holes 2147. , 2247 are communicated with each other by peripheral groove portions 2157, 2257, and the air gaps 3137, 3237 are communicated with each other by first and second respiratory passages 3160, 3260.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the first and second through holes 149 and 249, the communication chambers 148 and 248, the first and second breathing passages 3160 and 3260, and the circumferential grooves 2157 and 2257 are formed from the atmospheric holes 3137 and 3237. First and second communication paths 3158 and 3258 are formed through the first and second advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the first and second retard communication holes 2147 and 2247. In the first and second communication paths 3158 and 3258, the first and second breathing passages 3160 and 3260 are narrowed so that the atmospheric flow resistance is smaller than the hydraulic oil flow resistance. The inner diameters of the first and second breathing passages 3160 and 3260 are adjusted.

  In the third embodiment described above, when the rotation phase at the time of abnormal stop and the start command is different from the regulation phase, the first and second sub regulation members 3152 and 3252, as shown in FIGS. It will be in the state contact | abutted to end surface 143,243 of the small diameter support parts 141,241. At this time, the advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 communicate with each other through the peripheral groove portions 2157 and 2257 of the first and second sub-regulator members 3152 and 3252, so that the retard chambers 56 and 57 are operated. Even if the oil remains, the remaining hydraulic oil can be discharged to the advance chambers 52 and 53. Further, at this time, the advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 communicate with the atmospheric holes 3137 and 3237 through the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 and the first and second respiration passages 3160 and 3260 of the throttle action. Even in a state where it is difficult to move the hydraulic oil due to the high viscosity (for example, a deteriorated state of the hydraulic oil or a low temperature state), it is easy to introduce the atmosphere into the advance chambers 52 and 53 and the retard chambers 56 and 57. According to these, when the internal combustion engine 2 is started while changing the rotation phase to the advance side and causing the first and second main regulating members 150 and 250 to enter the recesses 131, 134 and 231, the retard chamber It is possible to suppress a situation in which the change speed of the rotational phase is reduced due to the remaining hydraulic oil 56 and 57 and the generation of negative pressure in the advance chambers 52 and 53. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the rotational phase is returned to the lock phase optimum for starting in a short time, and the effect of ensuring startability can be enhanced.

  In addition, in the third embodiment, after the start of the internal combustion engine 2, the first and second sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252 move to the shut-off position in the escape direction Y as shown in FIGS. The space between the corner communication holes 147 and 247 and the retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 is also blocked from the atmospheric holes 3137 and 3237. According to this, it is possible to suppress a situation in which one hydraulic fluid of the advance chambers 52 and 53 and the retard chambers 56 and 57 leaks to the other side and the outside, so that the responsiveness of the valve timing adjustment is greatly improved. be able to.

  In addition, in the third embodiment, when the internal combustion engine 2 is stopped, the first and second sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252 are connected between the advance communication holes 147 and 247 and the retard communication holes 2147 and 2247 through the air holes 3137 and 3237. It will be in the state of communicating with. According to this, when the residual hydraulic fluid in the advance chambers 52 and 53 and the retard chambers 56 and 57 is discharged, for example, by its own weight after the operation of the internal combustion engine 2 is finished, the replacement of the residual hydraulic fluid with the atmosphere is easy. It becomes. Therefore, before the internal combustion engine 2 is started, the remaining hydraulic oil itself in the retarded angle chambers 56 and 57 is reduced, so that it is possible to further enhance the startability securing effect by suppressing the decrease in the rotational speed of the rotational phase. It can be done.

  In the third embodiment described above, the first sub-regulating member 3152 or the second sub-regulating member 3252 corresponds to the “sub-regulating member” recited in the claims, and the atmospheric hole 3137 or the atmospheric hole 3237 is claimed. The first breathing passage 3160 or the second breathing passage 3260 corresponds to the “throttle portion” described in the claims.

(Fourth embodiment)
4th embodiment of this invention shows a more preferable embodiment with reference to FIGS. 33 to 54, the same reference numerals as those described in the first to third embodiments are the same, and exhibit the same operation and effect.

  Hereinafter, the operating states of the first restriction structure and the second restriction structure corresponding to the rotational phase of the vane rotor 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 50.

  First, when the rotational phase is the most retarded angle phase shown in FIG. 39, as shown in FIG. 40, the first main regulating member 150 is formed such that the end in the entry direction X is on the more retarded side than the regulating stopper 131a. Since the cover member 13 is in a position where it abuts against the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13, the cover member 13 is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force from the first main elastic member 170, but cannot enter the recesses 131 and 134 that are recessed from the inner surface 132. It is in. Further, as shown in FIG. 41, the second main regulating member 250 is also in a position where the end in the entry direction X is in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 formed on the retard side with respect to the regulating stopper 232a. Even if it is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force from the second main elastic member 270, it cannot enter the second restriction recess 231 that is recessed from the inner surface 132.

  In the case of such a most retarded phase, the vane rotor 14 rotates relative to the housing 11 with respect to the housing 11 due to the negative torque as the variable torque and the restoring force of the urging member 120. To change. When the rotational phase reaches the first regulation phase that arrives for the first time from the most retarded phase toward the advance side, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 37, the entire end portion in the entry direction X is positioned on the advance side with respect to the restriction stopper 131a. Accordingly, the first main regulating member 150 moves in the entry direction X by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170 and enters the first restriction recess 131. Therefore, the phase change to the retard side from the first regulation phase is regulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 38, the second main regulating member 250 is a position where a part of the end portion in the entry direction X is still in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 formed on the retard side with respect to the regulating stopper 232a. Therefore, even if it is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force from the second main elastic member 270, it cannot enter the shallow bottom portion 232 of the second regulating recess 231 that is recessed from the inner surface 132.

  As the phase change from the first restriction phase to the advance side proceeds, the second restriction arrives the second time from the most retarded phase toward the advance side as shown in FIG. When the phase is reached, as shown in FIG. 44, the second main restricting member 250 has its entire end portion in the entry direction X positioned on the more advanced side than the restricting stopper 233a. Accordingly, the second main regulating member 250 moves in the entry direction X by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270 and enters the shallow bottom portion 232 of the second regulating recess 231. Therefore, the phase change to the retard side from the second regulation phase is regulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 43, the first main regulating member 150 has a first main elasticity because a part of the end face in the entry direction X is still located closer to the retarding side than the inner wall of the locking recess 134 on the retarding side. Even if it is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force from the member 170, it cannot enter the lock recess 134 and remains in the first restriction recess 131.

  When the rotation phase reaches the third regulation phase that arrives for the third time from the most retarded phase toward the advance side as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 47, the two main regulating member 250 has an end portion in the entry direction X positioned on the advance side with respect to the regulating stopper 233a. As a result, the second main regulating member 250 moves in the entry direction X by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270 and enters the deep bottom portion 233 of the second regulating recess 231. Therefore, the phase change to the retard side with respect to the third regulation phase is regulated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 46, the first main regulating member 150 has the first main regulating member 150 because the outer peripheral edge portion of the end portion in the entry direction X formed in two steps is still located in the first regulating concave portion 131. Even if the elastic member 170 is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force, it remains in the first restriction recess 131.

  When the rotation phase reaches the lock phase as shown in FIG. 33 due to the further phase change from the third restriction phase to the advance angle side, the first main restriction member 150, as shown in FIG. And is pressed against the restriction stopper 131b by the restoring force of the urging member 120 and urged by the first main restoring force of the first main elastic member 170, The first restricting recess 131 is inserted into the lock recess 134 and fitted. Therefore, the rotation phase is regulated and locked by the lock phase. At this time, the second main restricting member 250 remains in the first restricting recess 131 as shown in FIG.

  When the rotational phase is the most advanced angle phase shown in FIG. 48, as shown in FIG. 50, the second main restricting member 250 has an inner wall on the advance angle side of the second restricting recess 231 whose end in the entry direction X is It is located closer to the angle. As a result, the second main regulating member 250 is moved in the entry direction X by the second main restoring force of the second main elastic member 270 and is in the entry state into the deep bottom portion 233 of the second restriction recess 231. Further, as shown in FIG. 50, the first main regulating member 150 is in a position where the end in the entry direction X is in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 formed on the advance side with respect to the regulating stopper 131b. Even if it is pushed in the entry direction X by the elastic force from the first main elastic member 170, it cannot enter the first restriction recess 131 that is recessed from the inner surface 132.

  Next, the relationship between the hydraulic oil pressure in the working chambers 146 and 246 and the behavior of the first and second sub-regulating members 152 and 252 will be described with reference to FIGS. 51 to 54 are diagrams illustrating the first restriction structure, but the second restriction structure is the same as the operating state of the first restriction structure described below.

  When the hydraulic oil whose pressure has increased is introduced into the working chamber 146 through the first restriction passage 145, the pressure in the working chamber 146 rises and the pressure receiving portion 154 is pressed in the escape direction Y as shown in FIG. Therefore, the first sub regulating member 152 slides in the escape direction Y outside the first main regulating member 150 against the elastic force of the first sub elastic member 172. When the inflow of hydraulic oil into the working chamber 146 and the movement of the first sub-regulating member 152 in the escape direction Y proceed, the engaging portion 156 of the first sub-regulating member 152 becomes the protruding portion 151 of the first main regulating member 150. The first sub-regulating member 152 and the first main regulating member 150 are moved together in the escape direction Y. Thereby, as the first main regulating member 150 moves in the escape direction Y, it escapes from the first regulating recess 131 and the regulation of the phase is released.

  Next, when the hydraulic oil pressure drops, as shown in FIG. 52, the pressure pressed against the pressure receiving portion 154 decreases, and the elastic force of the first secondary elastic member 172 overcomes this. Thus, the first sub regulating member 152 is pushed back in the entry direction X. Therefore, when the first sub-regulating member 152 moves in the entry direction X, the hydraulic oil is pushed out of the working chamber 146 and starts to flow out into the first restriction passage 145, and the first main restriction member 150 is moved in the entry direction X. It moves and comes into contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13. In a state where the first main regulating member 150 is in contact with the inner surface 132 of the cover member 13 and the movement in the entry direction X is restricted as shown in FIG. 52, for example, due to the hydraulic oil pressure drop caused by a low temperature environment or the like. As the viscosity of the hydraulic oil increases, as shown in FIG. 53, only the first sub-regulating member 152 is pushed back by the elastic force of the first sub-elastic member 172 and enters the outside of the first main regulating member 150 in the entry direction X. Will come to slide. For this reason, the volume of the working chamber 146 decreases, and the working oil further flows out into the first restriction passage 145, and the discharge from the working chamber 146 is promoted. Further, when only the first sub-regulating member 152 slides in the entry direction X, the pressure receiving portion 154 of the first sub-regulating member 152 hits the end surface 143 of the sleeve 141a as shown in FIG. 54, and the volume of the working chamber 146 is increased. Therefore, the hydraulic oil completely flows out of the working chamber 146, and the discharge of the hydraulic oil is completed.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to these embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  Specifically, in the first to third embodiments, the second restriction recess 231, the second main restriction member 250, the second sub restriction members 252, 2252, 3252, the second main elastic member 270, and the second sub elastic member 272 are arranged. A set may not be provided. In the first to third embodiments, the main regulating members 150 and 250 and the sub regulating member 152 are shown in FIG. 30 as a modified example (FIG. 30 shows a modified example in the case of a set of the regulating members 150 and 152). , 252, 2152, 2252, 3152, 3252 may be formed in a plate shape. In this case, as shown in FIG. Preferably, members 152, 252, 2152, 2252, 3152, 3252 are provided. Furthermore, in 1st-3rd embodiment, as FIG. 31 shows a modification (FIG. 31 is a modification of the small diameter support part 141), the small diameter support parts 141 and 241 are formed by the base material itself of the vane rotor 14. Also good. Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the set of the urging member 120, the housing groove 102, and the rotor groove 112 may not be provided. In addition, in the first to third embodiments, the relationship between the advance angle and the retard angle may be reversed. In addition, in the third embodiment, breathing passages 3160 and 3260 are provided at the bottoms of the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 in the sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252. FIG. 32 shows a modified example (FIG. 32 shows a modification of the sub-regulating member 3152 As shown in the example, even if the breathing passages 3160 and 3260 are formed by opening the side portions of the circumferential groove portions 2157 and 2257 at the ends of the sub-regulating members 3152 and 3252, the same action can be obtained.

  About said 1st embodiment-4th embodiment, although the main control members 150 and 250 are arrange | positioned at the vane rotor 14 and the control recessed part 131,231 and the lock recessed part 134 are formed in the housing 11, this invention is this. It is not limited to the form. For example, as shown in FIG. 55, the main restricting members 150 and 250 and the sub restricting members 152 and 252 are arranged at predetermined positions of the housing 11A, and the restricting recesses 131 and 231 and the lock recess 134 are formed in the vane rotor 14. Also good. In this case, the main restricting members 150 and 250 and the sub restricting members 152 and 252 are set such that the entry direction X is radially inward and the escape direction Y is radially outward with respect to the vane rotor 14A. That is, in the present invention, the main restricting members 150 and 250 are accommodated in one of the vane rotors 14 and 14A or the housings 11 and 11A so as to be reciprocally movable, and move in an entry direction X that enters into a restriction recess formed on the other. As a result, the rotational phase is regulated in the regulation phase between the most advanced angle phase and the most retarded angle phase, and the rotational phase is released by moving in the escape direction Y that escapes from the regulation recess. Further, the sub-regulating members 152 and 252 are accommodated so as to be reciprocable in the same direction as the main regulating members 150 and 250, and are introduced into the working chambers 146 and 246 formed by one of the vane rotors 14 and 14A or the housings 11 and 11A. Pressure receiving portions 154 and 254 that receive pressure in the escape direction X from the hydraulic oil, and engaging portions 156 and 256 that engage with the main regulating members 150 and 250 in the escape direction Y and are spaced apart in the entry direction Y are provided. .

  In addition to the device that adjusts the valve timing of the intake valve, the present invention provides a device that adjusts the valve timing of the exhaust valve as a “valve”, and a device that adjusts the valve timing of both the intake valve and the exhaust valve. Can also be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Valve timing adjusting device, 2 Internal combustion engine, 3 Cam shaft, 4 Pump (supply source), 10 Drive part, 11 Housing, 13 Cover member, 14 Vane rotor, 14b, 14c, 14d vane, 18 Sprocket member, 30 Control part, 52, 53, 54 Advance chamber, 56, 57, 58 Delay chamber, 80 Phase control valve, 90 Control circuit, 100 Housing bush, 110 Rotor bush, 120 Energizing member, 131 First regulating recess (recess), 131a , 131b, 232a, 233a Restriction stopper, 132 Inner surface, 134 Lock recess (recess), 136, 236 Air hole, 137, 237, 3137, 3237 Air hole (open hole), 140 First receiving hole, 141a, 241a Sleeve, 141,241 Small diameter support part (support part), 142,242 large Support portion, 143, 243 end face, 145 first restriction passage, 146, 246 working chamber, 147 first advance communication hole (communication hole / advance communication hole), 148, 248 communication chamber, 149 first through hole, 150 First main restricting member (main restricting member), 151,251 protruding portion, 152, 2152, 3152 First sub restricting member (sub restricting member), 154,254 pressure receiving portion, 156,256 engaging portion, 157,257 circumference Groove (throttle part), 158, 3158 First communication path, 258, 3258 Second communication path, 159, 259 through hole, 170 First main elastic member (main elastic member), 172 First sub elastic member (sub elastic) Member), 231 second restriction recess (recess), 232 shallow bottom portion, 233 deep bottom portion, 240 second receiving hole, 245 second restriction passage, 247 second advance communication hole (communication hole / advance communication hole), 49 2nd through-hole, 250 2nd main control member (main control member), 251 protrusion part, 252, 2252, 3252 2nd sub control member (sub control member), 270 2nd main elastic member (main elastic member), 272 Second subelastic member (subelastic member), 310 Drive control valve, 2147 First retard communication hole (retard communication hole), 2247 Second retard communication hole (retard communication hole), 2157, 2257 Circumferential groove 3160 1st breathing passage (throttle part), 3260 2nd breathing passage (throttle part), X entry direction, Y escape direction

Claims (2)

A valve timing adjusting device for adjusting a valve timing of a valve that opens and closes a camshaft by torque transmission from a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine, using a hydraulic fluid supplied from a supply source as the internal combustion engine rotates,
A housing that rotates in conjunction with the crankshaft;
The vane rotates in conjunction with the camshaft and divides the advance chamber and retard chamber in the rotation direction inside the housing, and the hydraulic fluid is introduced into the advance chamber or retard chamber. A vane rotor that changes the rotational phase relative to the housing to the advance side or the retard side,
By restricting the rotational phase to the most advanced angle phase and the most retarded angle phase by moving in a plunging direction, which is accommodated in one of the vane rotor or the housing so as to be reciprocally movable, and enters a recess formed in the other. A regulating member that moves in the escape direction to escape from the recess and releases the regulation of the rotational phase.
The housing forms an open hole that is open to the atmosphere;
The vane rotor forms a communication hole communicating with one of the advance chamber or the retard chamber,
With the movement of a predetermined member from a blocking position that blocks between the open hole and the communication hole, the open hole and the communication hole are communicated with each other ,
One of the vane rotor and the housing is accommodated so as to be reciprocable in the same direction as the main regulating member as the regulating member, and the escape direction from the working fluid introduced into the working chamber formed by one of the vane rotor or the housing A pressure receiving portion that receives pressure, and an engagement portion that engages in the escape direction with respect to the main regulating member and separates in the entry direction, and the pressure of the hydraulic fluid introduced into the working chamber decreases. The valve timing adjusting device further comprising: a sub-regulating member having the throttle portion as the predetermined member for communicating between the opening hole and the communication hole by moving in the entry direction according to .   2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein a throttle portion that restricts a fluid flow area is provided in a communication path that is formed by the movement of the predetermined member from the blocking position and extends from the opening hole to the communication hole. Timing adjustment device.

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