JP6112129B2 - Valve timing adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve timing adjusting device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric valve timing adjusting device that adjusts the valve timing of an engine by using rotational torque of a motor is known. In the electric valve timing adjusting device, a driving side rotating body that transmits torque of a crankshaft and a driven side rotating body that transmits torque to a camshaft are connected by a planetary rotating body. When the motor of the valve timing adjustment device changes the rotational speed of the planetary rotor relative to the drive-side rotor, the phase of the driven-side rotor relative to the drive-side rotor is changed, and the opening / closing timing of the valve that is driven to open and close by the camshaft is changed. Is done.

  In the valve timing adjusting device, in order to prevent rainwater from adhering to the control circuit of the motor drive control unit that controls the drive of the motor, the electronic components constituting the control circuit are accommodated in the electronic component accommodating member. Patent Document 1 discloses an air intake portion that forms an air introduction passage that communicates an accommodation space that houses an electronic component and the outside, and a gas flow that is provided in the air introduction passage and between the accommodation space and the outside. An electronic component housing member is described that includes a ventilation filter that allows a liquid flow between the housing space and the outside while allowing it.

Japanese Patent No. 3912431

  However, in the electronic component housing member described in Patent Document 1, the air intake portion is externally formed so that a water film is formed on the outer surface of the ventilation filter so that the gas flow between the housing space and the outside is not blocked. Since it has a labyrinth structure that prevents water from entering the air introduction passage, the processing of the air intake portion is costly. Moreover, although the air intake part of the electronic component housing member described in Patent Document 1 is formed of resin, when the air intake part is formed of metal, it is difficult to process a complicated shape such as a labyrinth structure. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a valve timing adjusting device that prevents the liquid from entering the housing space while reliably venting between the housing space that houses the motor and the outside, and prevents the motor from being damaged. .

The present invention relates to a valve timing adjusting device, a motor that generates rotational torque by energization, motor energization means that controls the energization amount energized to the motor, an accommodation space that accommodates the motor and the motor energization means, and an accommodation space. A housing space forming member that forms a communication hole that communicates with the outside, a first groove provided in the outer wall of the housing space forming member, and a communication hole or an opening on the housing space side of the communication hole, between the housing space and the outside A ventilation member that blocks the flow of liquid between the housing space and the outside while allowing the flow of gas between them, and the motor is driven according to changes in the rotation speed while transmitting the rotational torque generated by the motor to the driven shaft Phase adjusting means for adjusting the phase of the driven shaft with respect to the shaft.
In the valve timing adjusting device of the present invention, the first groove portion has a first groove communicating with the opening on the outside of the communication hole, and the outer wall of the housing space forming member is on the side opposite to the communication hole side of the first groove portion. It has the level | step difference surface connected to an edge part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Further, the valve timing adjusting device of the present invention is characterized in that an opening of an end portion of the first groove portion on the side opposite to the communication hole side is closed by a step surface.

The ventilation member included in the valve timing adjusting device of the present invention prevents liquid from entering the storage space from the outside while allowing gas to pass between the storage space and the outside. However, when a water film is formed on the outer surface of the ventilation member, the ventilation member cannot pass gas between the accommodation space and the outside. In the valve timing adjusting device of the present invention, a first groove portion that forms a first groove communicating with the opening on the outside of the communication hole is provided on the outer wall of the housing space forming member. Thereby, the water of the water film formed on the outer surface of the ventilation member moves from the communication hole to the first groove of the first groove and is removed from the surface of the ventilation member. The water removed from the surface of the ventilation member passes through the first groove and reaches the step surface connected to the end opposite to the side connected to the communication hole of the first groove. The water that has reached the step surface moves along the step surface and leaves the accommodation space forming member. Therefore, the ventilation member can prevent the liquid from entering the storage space and can prevent the motor stored in the storage space forming member from being damaged.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a valve timing adjusting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an engine using the valve timing adjusting device. It is sectional drawing of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the motor drive control unit of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the base seen from the V arrow direction of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the motor drive control unit of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of the motor drive control unit of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of the motor drive control unit of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of the motor drive control unit of the valve timing adjustment apparatus by 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 5 show a valve timing adjusting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The valve timing adjusting device 1 is provided in an engine 6 as an “internal combustion engine”, and a phase of an intake side camshaft 2 as a “driven shaft” with respect to a crankshaft 8 as a “drive shaft” (hereinafter referred to as “camshaft phase”). Is changed to a predetermined camshaft phase. In the engine 6, the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 (see FIG. 3) as a “valve” for opening / closing the intake side camshaft 2 is changed by changing the camshaft phase.

  In the engine 6, the power from the crankshaft 8 is transmitted to the intake side camshaft 2 and the exhaust side camshaft 7 through the sprockets 25 and 65 by the timing belt 9. A cam angle sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the intake side cam shaft 2 (hereinafter referred to as “cam shaft angle”) in synchronization with the rotation of the intake side cam shaft 2 on the outer peripheral side of the intake side cam shaft 2 66 is attached. On the other hand, a crank angle sensor 67 that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 (hereinafter referred to as “crankshaft angle”) in synchronization with the rotation of the crankshaft 8 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the crankshaft 8. ing. A signal corresponding to the camshaft angle detected by the cam angle sensor 66 and the crankshaft angle detected by the crank angle sensor 67 is input to the ECU 60.

  The ECU 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and executes various engine control programs stored in a built-in ROM (storage medium) so that the fuel injection amount of the fuel injection valve and the ignition plug are changed according to the engine operating state. Controls the ignition timing. In addition to the camshaft angle and the crankshaft angle, the ECU 60 detects the temperature of the lubricating oil that lubricates the inside of the engine 6 (hereinafter referred to as “oil temperature”) detected by the oil temperature gauge 62 and the water temperature gauge 61. A signal corresponding to each of the temperatures of cooling water for cooling the engine 6 (hereinafter referred to as “water temperature”) is input. The ECU 60 calculates the actual cam shaft phase based on these input signals, and calculates the target cam shaft phase according to the engine operating conditions. The ECU 60 calculates the target rotation of the motor 10 from the target camshaft phase and outputs a signal corresponding to the calculated target rotation to a motor drive control unit (hereinafter referred to as “EDU”) 14.

  The EDU 14 energizes the motor 10 (see FIG. 2) with a current corresponding to the target rotation output from the ECU 60. Further, the EDU 14 feeds back the rotational state of the motor shaft 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the motor 10 detected by the motor rotation angle sensor 153 (see FIG. 2) built in the EDU 14 to the ECU 60.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the motor assembly 3 and the conversion unit 19 of the valve timing adjusting device 1. The motor assembly 3 includes an EDU 14 that outputs current, a motor 10 that generates rotational torque by the current output from the EDU 14, a case 101 that houses the EDU 14 and the motor 10, a base 140, a cover portion 144, and the like. The The conversion unit 19 as “phase adjusting means” adjusts the cam shaft phase by the rotational torque output from the motor 10.

  The EDU 14 includes a circuit unit 142 on which various electronic components are mounted on a substrate, a connection unit 143 that is electrically connected to the motor 10, and a connector 145 that electrically connects the EDU 14 and the motor 10 to the outside. . The circuit part 142 and the connection part 143 are formed by a base 140 provided substantially perpendicular to the intake side camshaft 2 and a cover part 144 provided on the side of the base 140 opposite to the conversion part 19. It is accommodated in a first accommodating space 147 as a “space”. As shown in FIG. 2, an adhesive 112 is provided between the base 140 and the connection portion 143. A seal member 111 is provided between the base 140 and the cover portion 144. This prevents liquid and gas from entering the first housing space 147 from the connection portion of these components. The base 140 and the cover portion 144 correspond to an “accommodating space forming member” described in the claims. The circuit part 142 and the connection part 143 correspond to “motor energizing means” described in the claims.

  The circuit unit 142 includes a control board and a power board. The control board is equipped with a motor rotation angle sensor 153 that detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 15 and a custom IC that controls the rotation speed of the motor shaft 15 and prevents overcurrent. On the power board, a power MOS for controlling the amount of energization is mounted. The power substrate also has a function of releasing heat generated by the power MOS. In the exploded perspective view of the motor assembly 3 shown in FIG. 4, these electronic components are omitted and only the substrate is shown. The circuit unit 142 is electrically connected to the motor 10 via the connection unit 143.

The connection part 143 is formed from a cylindrical substantially rectangular resin member. The connection portion 143 is provided with an electronic component such as a capacitor.
The connector 145 is provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the connection portion 143. The connector 145 is formed integrally with the connection portion 143, and is located in a notch portion formed in the main body 141 of the base 140 when the connection portion 143 is incorporated into the base 140. The connector 145 is used for electrical connection between various electronic components mounted on the connection unit 143 and the circuit unit 142 and an external ECU 60, a battery (not shown), or the like.

  The motor 10 is a brushless motor, for example, and includes a stator 12, a rotor 13, a motor shaft 15, and the like. The stator 12, the rotor 13, and the like are accommodated in the second accommodation space 100 as an “accommodation space” formed by the case 101 and the base 140 of the EDU 14. The case 101 corresponds to an “accommodating space forming member” recited in the claims.

One end 151 of the motor shaft 15 is inserted through an opening 102 formed in the bottom of the case 101. Between the opening 102 and the motor shaft 15, an oil seal 103 capable of preventing liquid and gas from entering the second storage space 100 is provided. A bearing 104 that rotatably supports the motor shaft 15 is provided on the opposite side of the oil seal 103 from the conversion portion 19.
The other end 152 of the motor shaft 15 is rotatably supported by a bearing 105 provided coaxially with the bearing 104 on the conversion portion 19 side of the base 140. The bearings 104 and 105 are provided on the same axis, whereby the motor shaft 15 is supported by the bearings 104 and 105 on the case 101 and the base 140 so as to be rotatable forward and backward.
A space between the case 101 and the base 140 is sealed by a seal member 111 to prevent liquid and gas from entering the second storage space 100.

  The stator 12 is provided with a bobbin 121 on the outer side in the axial direction. A coil 122 is wound around the bobbin 121. By energizing the coil 122, a rotating magnetic field is generated in the stator 12. A rotor 13 that rotates integrally with the motor shaft 15 is provided on the radially inner side of the stator 12. A magnet 131 is provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the rotor 13 so that the N pole and the S pole are alternately arranged. As a result, the rotor 13 receives a rotating magnetic field generated by energizing the coil 122 of the stator 12 and rotates together with the motor shaft 15.

  The motor 10 is provided with a magnet 155 of a motor rotation angle sensor 153 that detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 15. The motor rotation angle sensor 153 detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 15 based on the relative position between the Hall element 154 provided on the conversion unit 19 side of the base 140 and the magnet 155.

  The conversion unit 19 adjusts the cam phase according to a change in the rotation speed of the motor 10, and includes a driving side rotating body 20, a driven side rotating body 30, an eccentric shaft 40, a planetary rotating body 50, and the like.

  The drive side rotator 20 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and houses the driven side rotator 30, the eccentric shaft 40, the planetary rotator 50, and the like. The driving side rotating body 20 includes a cover member 21, a gear member 23, and a sprocket 25. The cover member 21, the gear member 23, and the sprocket 25 are arranged in this order from the EDU 14 side, and are fixed by bolts 28.

An opening 211 is formed in the cover member 21, and a part of the case 101 and one end 151 side of the motor shaft 15 are inserted into the opening 211. The cover member 21 is provided with a bearing 49 that supports the eccentric shaft 40 so as to be relatively rotatable.
A drive-side internal gear portion 24 that meshes with the drive-side external gear portion 52 of the planetary rotor 50 is formed on the radially inner side of the peripheral wall portion of the gear member 23.
The sprocket 25 has a plurality of teeth 26 protruding in the radial direction from the peripheral wall portion in the rotational direction. The timing belt 9 is stretched between the teeth 26 and a plurality of teeth formed on the crankshaft 8. As a result, when the torque output by the rotation of the crankshaft 8 is input to the sprocket 25 via the timing belt 9, the drive-side rotator 20 rotates in conjunction with the crankshaft 8.

  The driven-side rotator 30 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the drive-side rotator 20. The driven-side rotator 30 is positioned with respect to the intake-side camshaft 2 by a pin 31 and is fixed to the intake-side camshaft 2 by a center bolt 32. As a result, the driven-side rotator 30 rotates integrally with the intake-side camshaft 2. The driven side rotator 30 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the drive side rotator 20.

  A driven side internal gear portion 35 is formed on the radially inner side of the peripheral wall portion of the driven side rotating body 30. The inner diameter of the driven side internal gear portion 35 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the drive side internal gear portion 24. The driven side internal gear portion 35 is provided on the opposite side of the drive side internal gear portion 24 from the EDU 14 in the axial direction.

  The eccentric shaft 40 has an input part 41 provided on the EDU 14 side and an eccentric part 47 provided on the opposite side of the EDU 14, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The eccentric shaft 40 is connected to the motor shaft 15 by a motor joint 44 and a joint pin 45. The input unit 41 is arranged coaxially with the driving side rotating body 20 and the driven side rotating body 30. The input unit 41 is rotatably supported by a bearing 49 provided on the cover member 21. Thereby, the eccentric shaft 40 is provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the drive side rotating body 20.

  The eccentric part 47 is provided so as to be eccentric with the input part 41. Therefore, the eccentric part 47 is provided so as to be eccentric to both the driving side rotating body 20 and the driven side rotating body 30.

  A planetary rotor 50 is disposed on the radially outer side of the eccentric portion 47 of the eccentric shaft 40. A bearing 59 is provided between the eccentric portion 47 and the planetary rotating body 50. Thus, the planetary rotator 50 is supported by the eccentric shaft 40 so as to be capable of planetary movement in accordance with the relative rotation of the eccentric shaft 40 with respect to the drive-side rotator 20. The planetary motion here refers to a motion in which the planetary rotating body 50 revolves around the eccentric center line of the eccentric portion 47 and revolves in the rotational direction of the eccentric shaft 40.

  The planetary rotator 50 includes a large-diameter portion 51 provided on the driving-side rotator 20 side and a small-diameter portion 53 provided on the driven-side rotator 30 side, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. A driving-side external gear portion 52 is formed on the radially outer side of the large-diameter portion 51, and a driven-side external gear portion 56 is formed on the radially outer side of the small-diameter portion 53. The drive side external gear portion 52 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the drive side internal gear portion 24 and meshes with the drive side internal gear portion 24. The driven side external gear portion 56 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the driven side internal gear portion 35 and meshes with the driven side internal gear portion 35.

  In the conversion unit 19, the rotational torque of the drive-side rotator 20 is transmitted to the driven-side rotator 30 with the above-described configuration, and the turning speed of the planetary rotator 50 with respect to the rotation speed of the drive-side rotator 20 is changed. The rotation angle of the driven-side rotator 30 with respect to the drive-side rotator 20 is adjusted. Thereby, the phase of the intake side camshaft 2 rotating integrally with the driven side rotating body 30 with respect to the crankshaft 8, that is, the camshaft phase is adjusted, and the intake valve 55 that is driven to open and close by the intake side camshaft 2 is opened and closed. Adjust timing.

  The valve timing adjusting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is characterized by the structure of the case 101 that houses the EDU 14 and the motor 10, the base 140, and the cover 144. Here, based on FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, these structures are demonstrated. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the outer wall of the base 140 as seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. In FIG. 5, the mounting direction of the EDU 14 is indicated by an arrow, and the diagonally upper right direction in FIG. 5 is “top side” and the diagonally lower left direction in FIG. 5 is “ground side”. The case 101, the base 140, and the cover portion 144 correspond to an “accommodating space forming member” described in the claims.

  The case 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom from a metal material such as aluminum, for example. The case 101 is provided on the side opposite to the cover portion 144 with respect to the base 140.

The base 140 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, for example. The base 140 is composed of a main body 141 formed in a disc shape, the ventilation portion 17 and the like.
The cover part 144 side of the main body 141 is formed in a concave shape. The concave portion of the main body 141 forms a first accommodation space 147 together with the concave portion formed on the base 140 side of the cover portion 144. A through hole 113 is formed in the bottom surface of the concave portion of the main body 141. The through hole 113 communicates the second accommodation space 100 and the first accommodation space 147 in the case 101 provided on the opposite side of the cover 140 of the base 140.
Three screwing through holes 146 are provided on the outer edge of the main body 141.

  The ventilation part 17 is formed so as to extend in the radially outward direction of the main body 141. A ventilation through hole 16 is formed in the ventilation portion 17. The ventilation through-hole 16 communicates the concave portion formed on the cover portion 144 side of the ventilation portion 17 with the outside. The concave part on the cover part 144 side of the ventilation part 17 is connected to the concave part of the main body 141. As a result, the ventilation through-hole 16 is the only route that allows the first accommodation space 147 and the second accommodation space 100 to communicate with the outside. The diameter of the ventilation through hole 16 is, for example, 4 mm. The ventilation through hole 16 corresponds to a “communication hole” recited in the claims.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a groove portion 18 is provided on the outer wall 171 on the side opposite to the cover portion 144 of the ventilation portion 17. The groove portion 18 as the “first groove portion” forms a groove 180 as a “first groove” having a rectangular cross section. The groove 180 is formed to extend to the ground side when viewed from the ventilation through hole 16. The outer wall 171 corresponds to “the outer wall of the housing space forming member” described in the claims.

  One end 181 of the groove 18 is connected to the edge of the outer opening 162 of the ventilation through hole 16. Thereby, the ventilation through hole 16 and the groove 180 communicate with each other. Further, the bottom surface of the groove 180 formed in one end 181 is formed in a tapered shape. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 163 of the groove 180 on one end 181 side is formed so as to be directed from the outside to the side of the ventilation filter 11 as a “venting member”. Connected to the edge.

  The other end 182 of the groove 18 is provided at a position away from the ventilation through hole 16, for example, on the outer wall 149 of the main body 141. At this time, the volume of the groove 180 is formed to be larger than the volume of the ventilation through hole 16. For example, the width of the groove 180 is about 1 mm when the diameter of the vent hole 16 is 4 mm. The outer wall 149 corresponds to “the outer wall of the housing space forming member” described in the claims.

  The ventilation filter 11 is a water-repellent member that allows gas to pass but not liquid. The ventilation filter 11 as “a ventilation member” is provided at the edge of the inner opening 161 of the ventilation through hole 16. As a result, the ventilation filter 11 keeps the pressure in the first accommodation space 147 constant to the same level as the outside of the EDU 14 while preventing water entering the ventilation through hole 16 from entering the inside. The inner opening 161 corresponds to “an opening on the accommodation space side of the communication hole” recited in the claims.

  The cover part 144 is formed in a substantially disc shape from a metal material, for example. The cover portion 144 is formed in a concave shape on the base 140 side so as to form the first accommodation space 147 together with the base 140. Three screwing through holes 148 are provided on the outer edge of the cover portion 144.

Next, a method for manufacturing the motor assembly 3 used in the valve timing adjusting device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the ventilation filter 11 is attached to the first accommodating space 147 side of the ventilation portion 17 of the base 140. The ventilation filter 11 has an adhesive film and is bonded to the edge of the inner opening 161 of the ventilation through hole 16. After the ventilation filter 11 is bonded to the base 140, an inspection device is set at the edge of the outer opening 162 of the ventilation through hole 16, and the first ventilation inspection is performed. Thereby, the ventilation characteristic of the ventilation filter 11 is inspected.

  Next, after the base 140 to which the ventilation filter 11 is attached and the circuit part 142 are assembled, the connection part 143 and the connector 145 are assembled. Thereafter, the surface of the circuit portion 142 is sealed with a gel material. Thereby, the condensed water which generate | occur | produces by the change of the temperature of the 1st accommodation space 147 and the 2nd accommodation space 100 is prevented from adhering to an electronic component.

  Next, the base 140, the motor 10, and the case 101 to which the circuit unit 142 and the like are assembled are assembled. At this time, various electronic components mounted on the circuit unit 142 and the motor 10 are electrically connected via the connection unit 143.

Next, the cover part 144 is assembled to the base 140. Finally, an inspection device is set at the edge of the outer opening 162 of the ventilation through hole 16, and the second ventilation inspection is performed. Thereby, the airtightness of the first storage space 147 and the second storage space 100 is inspected.
In this way, the motor assembly 3 is completed.

  Next, the operation | movement in the conversion part 19 of the valve timing adjustment apparatus 1 is demonstrated based on FIG.

  In the conversion unit 19, the drive-side rotator 20, the driven-side rotator 30, and the planetary rotator 50 are configured to drive the intake-side camshaft 2 at a rotational speed that is ½ of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8. ing. The opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the motor 10 with respect to the rotation speed that is ½ of the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8.

  When the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is maintained at the current timing, the rotation speed of the planetary rotor 50 is set to the rotation of the drive rotor 20 by matching the rotation speed of the motor 10 with the rotation speed of the drive rotor 20. Match the speed. As a result, the camshaft phase becomes constant, and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 interlocked with the rotation of the intake side camshaft 2 is maintained.

  When the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is changed from a certain timing, the rotation speed of the planetary rotator 50 is changed by changing the rotation speed of the motor 10 with respect to the rotation speed of the drive rotator 20. It changes with respect to the rotation speed. As a result, the camshaft phase changes and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 changes.

  When the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is advanced, the rotation speed of the planetary rotator 50 is made faster than the rotation speed of the drive-side rotator 20 by making the rotation speed of the motor 10 faster than the rotation speed of the drive-side rotator 20. To do. Thereby, the rotation angle of the driven-side rotator 30 with respect to the drive-side rotator 20 is advanced. Therefore, the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is advanced.

  Further, when the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is retarded, the rotational speed of the planetary rotator 50 is set to the drive-side rotator 20 by making the rotational speed of the motor 10 slower or reverse than the rotational speed of the drive-side rotator 20. The rotation speed is slower or reverse. As a result, the rotational phase of the driven-side rotator 30 relative to the drive-side rotator 20 is retarded. Therefore, the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 55 is retarded.

  Conventionally, a motor assembly of a valve timing adjusting device is directly mounted on an engine, and the temperature of the motor assembly itself varies greatly depending on the use situation. For example, when a vehicle equipped with a valve timing adjusting device travels uphill, the EDU becomes a high temperature of about 100 ° C. If the engine is washed using water at a water temperature around 0 ° C. at an outside air temperature of 0 ° C. in that high temperature state, the motor assembly will drop rapidly from a high temperature of about 100 ° C. to a low temperature around 0 ° C. As another example, when a vehicle equipped with a valve timing adjustment device enters a puddle where water at around 0 ° C. accumulates in a high temperature state where the EDU is about 100 ° C., the water in the puddle rolled up by the tires The motor assembly is applied, and the temperature of the motor assembly rapidly decreases from a high temperature of about 100 ° C. to a low temperature of about 0 ° C. At this time, since the air in the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space expands or contracts according to the temperature change, in the motor assembly, between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space and the outside through the ventilation through hole. Air is exchanged. However, when water is applied to the motor assembly, the applied water enters the through hole for ventilation. Although the ventilation filter does not allow liquid to pass therethrough, the inner diameter of the ventilation through hole is relatively small, so that a water film is formed on the outer surface of the ventilation filter due to surface tension. If a water film adheres to the outside of the ventilation filter, air can flow out from the first housing space and the second housing space to the outside, but air can flow into the first housing space and the second housing space from the outside. Can not.

  In the motor assembly 3 of the valve timing adjusting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the groove portions 18 that form the grooves 180 that communicate with the ventilation through holes 16 are provided on the outer walls 149 and 171 of the base 140. Water in a water film (hereinafter referred to as “water film on the air filter 11”) formed on the outer surface of the air filter 11 moves to the groove 180 mainly by capillary action. Thereby, the water film on the ventilation filter 11 is removed, and the first accommodation space 147 and the second accommodation space 100 can be reliably ventilated through the ventilation filter 11 to the outside.

  Further, the groove 18 is formed on the ground side when viewed from the ventilation through hole 16. Thereby, the water of the water film on the ventilation filter 11 further moves to the groove 180 by gravity. Therefore, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 can be removed more easily.

  The volume of the groove 180 is formed to be larger than the volume of the ventilation through hole 16. As a result, all the water accumulated in the ventilation through hole 16 can move to the groove 180. Therefore, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 can be reliably removed.

  Further, the bottom surface 163 of the groove 180 formed at one end 181 of the groove 18 is formed in a tapered shape toward the first accommodation space 147 so as to be connected to the edge of the inner opening 161 of the ventilation through hole 16. Has been. Thereby, the thin water film formed on the ventilation filter 11 can also be moved to the groove 180. Therefore, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 can be reliably removed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a valve timing adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the groove is connected to the step surface. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part substantially the same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the valve timing adjusting device according to the second embodiment, the groove portion 18 forming the groove 180 communicating with the ventilation through hole 16 and the step surface 172 are connected. As shown in FIG. 6, the step surface 172 is provided on the outer wall 149 of the main body 141. The other end 182 of the groove 18 is connected to the step surface 172. In the valve timing adjusting device of the second embodiment, the step surface 172 is formed toward the top side.

  In the valve timing adjusting device according to the second embodiment, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 moves to the groove 180. Water that moves in the groove 180 from the one end 181 side to the other end 182 side moves on the intersection line 174 between the step surface 172 and the outer wall 171 at the connecting portion 173 where the groove portion 18 and the step surface 172 are connected. To do. As shown in FIG. 6, the stepped surface 172 is interrupted at the edge of the outer wall 149, so that the water moving on the intersection line 174 leaves the base 140 at the edge of the outer wall 149. Thereby, the water of the water film on the ventilation filter 11 can be easily removed from the ventilation through hole 16. Therefore, the valve timing adjusting device of the second embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment.

  Further, in the valve timing adjusting device according to the second embodiment, the water that has moved to the groove 180 is separated from the base 140 at the edge of the outer wall 149, so a large amount of water is passed through the ventilation through hole regardless of the volume of the groove 180. 16 can be removed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a valve timing adjusting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the groove is connected to the recess. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part substantially the same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the valve timing adjusting device according to the third embodiment, a recess 68 is formed in the outer wall 149 of the main body 141. As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 68 is connected to the other end 182 of the groove 18. The total volume of the recess 68 and the groove 180 is preferably larger than the volume of the ventilation through hole 16. The recess 68 corresponds to a “first recess” recited in the claims.

  In the valve timing adjusting device of the third embodiment, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 moves from the ventilation through hole 16 to the groove 180 and then accumulates in the recess 68. When the volume of water flowing into the recess 68 becomes larger than the volume in the recess 68, the water overflows from the recess 68 and is discharged to the outside along the outer wall 149. Thereby, the water of the water film on the ventilation filter 11 can be easily removed from the ventilation through hole 16. Therefore, the valve timing adjusting device of the third embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a valve timing adjusting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of grooves communicating with the ventilation through holes are formed. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part substantially the same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the valve timing adjusting device according to the fourth embodiment, grooves 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, and 190 communicating with the ventilation through hole 16 are formed. As shown in FIG. 8, in the valve timing adjusting apparatus of the fourth embodiment, eight grooves communicating with the ventilation through hole 16 are provided radially with the ventilation through hole 16 as the center.

In the valve timing adjusting device of the fourth embodiment, the water of the water film on the ventilation filter 11 is formed on the ground side of the ventilation through hole 16 in the grooves 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190. Moved to the groove 188. When the mounting position of the motor assembly 3 is changed, the water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 moves to a groove formed at a position closer to the ground side when viewed from the ventilation through hole 16.
Thus, in the valve timing adjusting device of the fourth embodiment, water in the water film on the ventilation filter 11 moves to a groove closer to the ground side among the plurality of grooves regardless of the mounting direction of the motor assembly 3. And removed from the ventilation through hole 16. Thereby, the valve timing adjustment apparatus of 4th Embodiment has the same effect as 1st Embodiment irrespective of the mounting direction of EDU14.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a valve timing adjusting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that an annular recess is formed in the vicinity of the radially outward direction of the ventilation through hole. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part substantially the same as 4th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the valve timing adjusting device according to the fifth embodiment, a recess 69 is formed in the outer wall 171 of the ventilation portion 17 in the vicinity of the radially outer direction of the ventilation through hole 16. The concave portion 69 corresponds to a “second concave portion” recited in the claims.

  The recess 69 is provided in an annular shape so as to surround the outer opening 162 of the ventilation through hole 16. The inside of the recess 69 communicates with grooves 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190 connected to the ventilation through-hole 16. At this time, the grooves 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190 are formed so as to pass through the recess 69 when viewed from the ventilation through hole 16 and further away from the ventilation through hole 16 than the recess 69. Yes.

  In the valve timing adjusting device of the fifth embodiment, the inspection port of the inspection device is brought into contact with the bottom surface 691 of the recess 69 in the air flow inspection in the manufacturing process of the EDU 14. Thereby, it is not necessary to match the shape of the inspection port with the shape of the outer wall 171, and the ventilation characteristics of the ventilation filter 11 and the leak check of the EDU 14 can be easily and reliably performed. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the valve timing adjusting device of the fifth embodiment can easily and reliably inspect the ventilation filter 11.

(Other embodiments)
(A) In the above-described embodiment, the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space as the “accommodation space” are formed by three members: a base, a cover portion, and a case. However, the member forming the “accommodating space” is not limited to this. It may be formed by one or two members, or may be formed by four or more members. When formed with two or four or more members, at least one of the plurality of members has a ventilation through hole, and the ventilation through hole or the opening on the “accommodating space” side of the ventilation through hole It is only necessary to provide a ventilation filter.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the through hole for ventilation as the “communication hole” is formed in the base. However, the member in which the ventilation through hole is formed is not limited to this. A ventilation hole may be formed in the case or the cover part. Further, a ventilation through hole may be formed in any of the case, the base, and the cover portion.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, one ventilation through-hole is formed. However, the number of through holes for ventilation is not limited to this. A plurality may be formed. In that case, a ventilation filter is provided in each through hole for ventilation, and a groove portion is connected to each through hole for ventilation.

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, the EDU is directly mounted on the engine. However, the position where the EDU is provided is not limited to this. It may be provided in a place different from the engine.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the groove communicating with the ventilation through hole is formed so as to extend to the ground side when viewed from the ventilation through hole. However, the direction in which the groove is formed is not limited to this. Although it may extend to the top side, by extending to the ground side, the water in the through hole for ventilation is easily moved to the groove by gravity.

  (F) In the above-described embodiment, the groove has a rectangular cross section. However, the cross section of the groove is not limited to this.

  (G) In the fifth embodiment described above, the shape of the recess is annular. However, the shape of the recess is not limited to this. Any shape that can contact the inspection port of the inspection device may be used.

  (H) In the second embodiment described above, the groove portion is connected to the step surface. However, the site to be connected is not limited to this. The groove portion may be connected to a groove portion as a “second groove portion” different from the groove portion.

  (K) In the second embodiment described above, the step surface is formed toward the top side. However, the direction in which the step surface is formed is not limited to this. It may be formed toward the ground side. Further, it may be formed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the ventilation filter is provided at the edge of the inner opening of the ventilation through hole. However, the position where the ventilation filter is provided is not limited to this. You may provide in the through-hole for ventilation | gas_flowing.

  As mentioned above, this invention is not limited to such embodiment, It can implement with a various form in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

1 ... Valve timing adjusting device,
3 ... Motor assembly,
10: Motor,
101 ... Case (accommodating space forming member),
11: Ventilation filter (venting member),
142 ... Circuit part (motor energizing means),
143... Connection (motor energization means),
140 ... base (accommodating space forming member),
144... Cover part (accommodating space forming member),
16 ... through-hole for ventilation (communication hole),
161... Inner opening (opening on the accommodation space side of the communication hole),
19 ・ ・ ・ Conversion unit (phase adjusting means),
68... Recess (first recess),
69... Recess (second recess).

Claims (3)

By adjusting the phase of the driven shaft (2), which is rotationally driven by the torque transmitted from the drive shaft (8) of the internal combustion engine (6), with respect to the drive shaft, the opening / closing timing of the valve (55) linked to the driven shaft is adjusted. A valve timing adjusting device (1) for adjusting,
A motor (10) that generates rotational torque when energized;
Motor energization means (142, 143) for controlling the energization amount energizing the motor;
A housing space (100, 147) for housing the motor and the motor energizing means, and a housing space forming member (101, 140, 144) having a communication hole (16) for communicating the housing space with the outside;
A first groove portion (18) having a first groove (180) provided on an outer wall (149, 171) of the housing space forming member and communicating with an opening (162) on the outside of the communication hole;
Provided in the communication hole or the opening (161) on the side of the accommodation space of the communication hole, the liquid flow between the accommodation space and the outside is allowed while allowing a gas flow between the accommodation space and the outside. A ventilation member (11) for blocking;
Phase adjusting means (19) for adjusting the phase of the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft according to a change in the rotational speed of the motor while transmitting rotational torque generated by the motor to the driven shaft;
With
The outer wall of the accommodating space forming member (149), said the first groove the communication hole side have a stepped surface to be connected to the opposite end (182) (172),
The valve timing adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein an opening of an end portion of the first groove portion opposite to the communication hole side is closed by the step surface .
  The valve timing adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the first groove portion is provided on a ground side of the communication hole.   3. The valve timing adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the first groove is larger than a volume of the communication hole.

Images