Abstract: A helical gear device includes: first and second helical gear respectively and rotatably disposed about first and third mutually parallel axes; a second helical gear meshing with the first and third helical gears so that a rotary motion is transmitted from the first to the third helical gear through the second, the second helical gear having a center bore; a support shaft disposed coaxially with a second axis parallel to the first, and extending through the center bore with a predetermined amount of radial play between the support shaft and the second helical gear, rotatably supporting the second helical gear. The second and third helical gears have a predetermined radial clearance in their reference meshing state in which their pitch circles contact. The radial clearance is smaller than a radial gap of a backlash between the second and third helical gears in the reference meshing state.

Abstract: A helical gear device includes: first and second helical gear respectively and rotatably disposed about first and third mutually parallel axes; a second helical gear meshing with the first and third helical gears so that a rotary motion is transmitted from the first to the third helical gear through the second, the second helical gear having a center bore; a support shaft disposed coaxially with a second axis parallel to the first, and extending through the center bore with a predetermined amount of radial play between the support shaft and the second helical gear, rotatably supporting the second helical gear. The second and third helical gears have a predetermined radial clearance in their reference meshing state in which their pitch circles contact. The radial clearance is smaller than a radial gap of a backlash between the second and third helical gears in the reference meshing state.

Abstract: A vehicle controller performs a throttle-valve-late-close control in which the throttle valve is held open until a delay time has passed after the fuel cut is started, and an EGR-valve-open-close control in which the EGR valve is repeatedly opened and closed. Then, the throttle valve is closed and the EGR valve is opened. In a period from a latter period of an exhaust stroke to a preceding period of an intake stroke, a valve-overlap control is executed so that a variable valve timing controller is controlled to make both an intake valve and an exhaust valve opened. A pumping loss of an engine is sufficiently reduced and an energy-regenerate efficiency can be effectively improved.

Abstract: A main lock member is fitted in a main lock bore at a main lock phase for closing an intake valve at a timing later than a timing when a piston reaches a bottom dead center, whereby a rotation phase is locked. In a subordinate lock mechanism, the rotation phase is locked at a subordinate lock phase advancing further than the main lock phase. In a lock control mechanism, a temperature sensing body is changed to an expanded state, whereby a moving member is latched at a first position in which the main lock member is allowed to be fitted in the main lock bore, whereas at a main lock phase in a cold stop state after a timing when the temperature of the stopped internal combustion engine becomes less than a preset temperature, the temperature sensing body is changed to a contracted state.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a lock mechanism that locks a rotation phase at a main lock phase when an internal combustion engine is started with an ambient temperature more than or equal to a preset temperature. The main lock phase represents a rotation phase set for closing an intake valve at a later timing later than a timing when a piston reaches a bottom dead center of a cylinder in the internal combustion engine. The lock mechanism locks the rotation phase at a sub lock phase representing a rotation phase advanced rather than the main lock phase in the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is started with an ambient temperature lower than the present temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle controller performs a throttle-valve-late-close control in which the throttle valve is held open until a delay time has passed after the fuel cut is started, and an EGR-valve-open-close control in which the EGR valve is repeatedly opened and closed. Then, the throttle valve is closed and the EGR valve is opened. In a period from a latter period of an exhaust stroke to a preceding period of an intake stroke, a valve-overlap control is executed so that a variable valve timing controller is controlled to make both an intake valve and an exhaust valve opened. A pumping loss of an engine is sufficiently reduced and an energy-regenerate efficiency can be effectively improved.

Abstract: A main lock member is fitted in a main lock bore at a main lock phase for closing an intake valve at a timing later than a timing when a piston reaches a bottom dead center, whereby a rotation phase is locked. In a subordinate lock mechanism, the rotation phase is locked at a subordinate lock phase advancing further than the main lock phase. In a lock control mechanism, a temperature sensing body is changed to an expanded state, whereby a moving member is latched at a first position in which the main lock member is allowed to be fitted in the main lock bore, whereas at a main lock phase in a cold stop state after a timing when the temperature of the stopped internal combustion engine becomes less than a preset temperature, the temperature sensing body is changed to a contracted state.

Abstract: A fluid brake device has a rotor having a brake shaft penetrating a case to come into contact with magnetic viscosity fluid. A sealing sleeve is arranged to surround the brake shaft, and a seal gap is defined between the sealing sleeve and the brake shaft and communicates with a fluid chamber. The sealing sleeve has a flux guide that guides magnetic flux to the brake shaft through the seal gap. The brake shaft has a magnetic shaft extending in an axis direction, and a regulation layer that regulates the magnetic flux from passing by covering an outer circumference surface of the magnetic shaft. The brake shaft has an exposing part opposing to the magnetic flux guide, and the exposing part of the brake shaft is exposed from the regulation layer.

Abstract: A fluid brake device has a brake shaft which penetrates a case. The case provides a fluid chamber for a magneto-rheological fluid. A magnetic seal has a magnetic seal sleeve which holds a small amount of the magneto-rheological fluid by magnetic flux. In addition to the magnetic seal, an axially pumping element is provided on an axial outside of the magnetic seal. The axially pumping element is provided by a shaft helical groove formed on an opposing wall of the brake shaft and/or a case helical groove formed on a surrounding wall. As the brake shaft rotates, the helical groove pushes the magneto-rheological fluid back to the magnetic seal. A combination of the magnetic seal and the axially pumping element may reduce leakage of the magneto-rheological fluid.

Abstract: A fluid brake device has a rotor having a brake shaft penetrating a case to come into contact with magnetic viscosity fluid. A sealing sleeve is arranged to surround the brake shaft, and a seal gap is defined between the sealing sleeve and the brake shaft and communicates with a fluid chamber. The sealing sleeve has a flux guide that guides magnetic flux to the brake shaft through the seal gap. The brake shaft has a magnetic shaft extending in an axis direction, and a regulation layer that regulates the magnetic flux from passing by covering an outer circumference surface of the magnetic shaft. The brake shaft has an exposing part opposing to the magnetic flux guide, and the exposing part of the brake shaft is exposed from the regulation layer.

Abstract: A phase adjusting mechanism is engaged with a brake shaft, and adjusts a rotation phase between a crankshaft and a camshaft according to a braking torque acting on a rotor. The rotation phase is adjusted in a predetermined direction when the braking torque is increased. A torque input mechanism inputs a return torque into the phase adjusting mechanism to return the rotation phase in an opposite direction opposite from the predetermined direction. The torque input mechanism increases the return torque corresponding to the rotation phase as an environmental temperature of the variable valve timing apparatus is lowered.