Abstract: A valve timing controller includes an electric motor generating a cogging torque on the motor shaft, an current control means for controlling an electricity supplied to the electric motor, and a phase-changing mechanism varying a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft according to a rotation of the motor shaft. The cogging torque has a peak value which is greater than an absolute value of a cam torque applied to the motor shaft from the camshaft through the phase-changing mechanism.

Abstract: A valve timing controller has an electric motor, a control circuit which controls the motor, a first rotor that rotates along with a crankshaft, and a second rotor that is rotates along with a camshaft. A phase adjusting mechanism adjusts the rotational phase between the first rotor and the second rotor according to the rotation of the motor. On condition that the rotating speed of the crankshaft exceeds a threshold value, the control circuit stops the energization of the electric motor. Thereby, the phase adjusting mechanism varies the rotational phase to the most retard phase.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a first rotor having a first gear, a second rotor having a second gear, and a planet gear engaged with the first and the second gear. The first rotor has the support opening and accommodates the second rotor therein. The second rotor has the supporting spindle part which supports the support opening from its inner circumference. The support opening and the supporting spindle part are formed in a minor diameter rather than the second gear which engages the planet gear with lubricant. The supporting opening and the supporting spindle part are positioned at a place which deviates from the second gear in an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A valve timing controller has a shaft body as an output rotor, a torque generating system which generates the controlling torque outputted from the shaft body, and a planet carrier as an input rotor connected with the shaft body. A phase adjusting mechanism adjusts the relative rotational phase between a crankshaft and a camshaft according to the control torque inputted into the planet carrier from the shaft body. A bearing rotatably supports the planet carrier. The planet carrier forms a cylindrical input wall press-inserted in an inner circumference of the bearing. The input wall is provided with a fitting recess on its inner surface for engaging with the shaft body, the input wall is provided with a thin-wall portion of which thickness is reduced in a radial direction, and the fitting recess and the thin-wall portion are circumferentially arranged apart from each other.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. An addendum circle of the driving-side inner gear has a diameter, which is larger than that of a dedendum circle of the driven-side inner gear.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes an electric motor generating a cogging torque on the motor shaft, an current control means for controlling an electricity supplied to the electric motor, and a phase-changing mechanism varying a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft according to a rotation of the motor shaft. The cogging torque has a peak value which is greater than an absolute value of a cam torque applied to the motor shaft from the camshaft through the phase-changing mechanism.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. A length of a tooth contact between the driven-side inner gear and the driven-side outer gear measured in a direction of a tooth trace thereof is set to be longer than a length of a tooth contact between the driving-side inner gear and the driving-side outer gear measured in a direction of a tooth trace thereof.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a first rotary element having a first gear part, a second rotary element having a second gear part, and a planetary gear including a third gear part and a fourth gear part which respectively engage with the first gear part and the second gear part. The planetary gear performs a planetary motion to vary a relative rotational phase between the first rotary element and the second rotary element. The valve timing controller further includes a supporting member supporting the planetary gear in such a manner that the planetary gear is slidable in its axial direction between the first rotary element and the second rotary element, and an elastic member restricting a displacement of the planetary gear in its axial direction.

Abstract: A valve timing controller is provided with a first rotary element including a first gear part, a second rotary element including a second gear part, and a third rotary element including a third gear part and a fourth gear part. The third gear part and the fourth gear part are meshed respectively with the first gear part and the second gear part. A stopper is provided so as to extend in the first rotary element in the radial direction for regulating a relative rotational phase shift angle between the first rotary element and the second rotary element. An interposing assembler is provided on the second rotary element for rotatably interposing the stoppers in an axial direction.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a first gear rotating together with a crankshaft, a planetary carrier eccentric to the first gear, a second gear engaging with the planetary carrier. The second gear performs a planetary motion while engaging with the first gear. The planetary motion is converted into a rotational motion of the camshaft to change a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A pressing element is provided between the planetary carrier and the second gear for pressing the second gear by the elastic force. An action line of the elastic force is inclined to the eccentric direction line of the planetary carrier in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. A length of a tooth contact between the driven-side inner gear and the driven-side outer gear measured in a direction of a tooth trace thereof is set to be longer than a length of a tooth contact between the driving-side inner gear and the driving-side outer gear measured in a direction of a tooth trace thereof.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. An addendum circle of the driving-side inner gear has a diameter, which is larger than that of a dedendum circle of the driven-side inner gear.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. The driven-side rotatable body supports the driving-side rotatable body from a radially inner side of the driving-side rotatable body at a location, which is radially outward of the driven-side inner gear.

Abstract: A space, which is formed between an outer side wall of a vane rotor and an inner side wall of a housing facing the outer side wall, in the inside direction of diameter is formed smaller than the space in the outside direction of diameter, before the vane rotor is fastened to a camshaft by a bolt.

Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, hydraulic oil is supplied into retarding and advancing chambers, and first and second hydraulic chambers, when hydraulic pressure is less than a predetermined pressure and when a phase difference between a most advancing target phase and actual phase of a driver-side rotating member relative to a driven-side rotating member is small. Hydraulic pressure is applied from the first and second hydraulic chambers to the stopper pin, so that the stopper piston is restricted from protruding to the engaging ring before the actual phase coincides with the most advancing target phase. Hydraulic oil is drained from the retarding chamber and the first hydraulic chamber, and hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic chamber is small, so that the stopper pin protrudes and engages with an engaging ring at the most advancing target phase.

Abstract: A space, which is formed between an outer side wall of a vane rotor and an inner side wall of a housing facing the outer side wall, in the inside direction of diameter is formed smaller than the space in the outside direction of diameter, before the vane rotor is fastened to a camshaft by a bolt.

Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a housing, a vane rotor, a coil spring, a hooking member, and a securing member. The housing rotates with a driving shaft, and defines accommodation chambers that include island portions to be circumferentially adjacent to each other. The vane rotor includes a vane portion, which is restricted in rotation within a predetermined rotative angular range defined by the plurality of island portions in the accommodation chambers. The coil spring has one end, which hooks on the housing, and has the other end, which hooks on the vane rotor to bias the vane rotor to an advanced angular side with respect to the housing. The hooking member circumferentially hooks on the one end. The securing member secures a driving force transmission member to the housing. The hooking member and the securing member are provided to the island portion, and are arranged in this order along a direction, in which resilience of the coil spring works.

Abstract: A projected portion is provided on an outer wall surface of the vane. The projected portion projects toward the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall in a rotational direction. When the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface are contact with each other at the projected portion, a center point of a force applied to the projected portion is located outside of an contacting area where the bolt is threaded into the circumferential wall in order that the circumferential wall is connected with the side wall by the bolt. The circumferential wall can be bent in the rotational direction by the force. Thereby, even if the vane beats the inner wall surface, the shoe-housing hardly deviates in the rotational direction to restrict the bolt from loosing.

Abstract: A projected portion is provided on an outer wall surface of the vane. The projected portion projects toward the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall in a rotational direction. When the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface are contact with each other at the projected portion, a center point of a force applied to the projected portion is located outside of an contacting area where the bolt is threaded into the circumferential wall in order that the circumferential wall is connected with the side wall by the bolt. The circumferential wall can be bent in the rotational direction by the force. Thereby, even if the vane beats the inner wall surface, the shoe-housing hardly deviates in the rotational direction to restrict the bolt from loosing.

Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, hydraulic oil is supplied into retarding and advancing chambers, and first and second hydraulic chambers, when hydraulic pressure is less than a predetermined pressure and when a phase difference between a most advancing target phase and actual phase of a driver-side rotating member relative to a driven-side rotating member is small. Hydraulic pressure is applied from the first and second hydraulic chambers to the stopper pin, so that the stopper piston is restricted from protruding to the engaging ring before the actual phase coincides with the most advancing target phase. Hydraulic oil is drained from the retarding chamber and the first hydraulic chamber, and hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic chamber is small, so that the stopper pin protrudes and engages with an engaging ring at the most advancing target phase.