Patent ID: 6394052
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F01L,F15B

Abstract:
A variable valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:a housing member rotated in synchronism with one of a first shaft and a second shaft, said housing member comprising a circular space provided in said housing member and at least one fan-shaped space radially extending from an outer circumferential surface of said circular space; a vane rotor rotated in synchronism with the other of said first shaft and said second shaft and accommodated in said housing member in order to relatively rotate with respect to said housing member, said vane rotor comprising radially extending at least one vane so as to divide each said at least one fan-shaped space into first chamber and second chamber; a hole provided in one of said housing member and said vane; an engaging bore provided in the other of said housing member and said vane; and a locking mechanism provided in said hole for fixing the rotational phrase between said housing member and said vane rotor, said locking mechanism defining an axial direction of movement and comprising: a locking member comprising a leading head portion and a hollow space portion disposed along said axial direction, said hollow space portion comprising an opening which opens in an opposite direction to said leading head along said axial direction; a stopper member comprising first portion and second portion disposed in said axial direction, said first portion and said second portion comprising a different diameter along said axial direction so that a diameter of said second portion is smaller than a diameter of said first portion, said second portion protruding from a side face of said first portion in order that said second portion is accommodated in said hollow space; and a coil spring provided in said axial direction between said locking member and said stopper member so as to surround said second portion, said coil spring urging said locking member in said axial direction toward said engaging bore in order that said leading head is accommodated in said engaging bore.