Patent ID: 8151751
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: F01L,F02D

Abstract:
1. A phase varying apparatus for use with an engine, the phase varying apparatus comprising: an outer cylinder part to which rotations of a crankshaft of the engine are transmitted; an inner cylinder part that is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part and that is connected to a camshaft used to open and close an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the engine; and an intermediate member engaged with the outer cylinder part and with the inner cylinder part in a helical spline manner; relative rotations being generated between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part by moving the intermediate member in an axial direction, thereby changing an opening/closing timing of the intake valve or the exhaust valve; wherein the improvement comprises: a rotational drum screwed to the intermediate member; a plurality of magnets fixed to the rotational drum with predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotational drum; an electromagnetic clutch having an iron core and a single or a plurality of coils wound on the iron core, the iron core provided with a plurality of magnetic parts, the magnetic parts exerting a magnetic force on the magnets and being arranged with predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction; and an electromagnetic force control means for controlling an electromagnetic force generated from the electromagnetic clutch in accordance with an operational state of the engine; wherein a first bearing and a stopper arranged in parallel with each other are fixed to an outer periphery of the inner cylinder part, wherein the rotational drum is rotatably supported by the first bearing, wherein a second bearing fixed to an outer periphery of the stopper is connected to the electromagnetic clutch, and wherein the electromagnetic clutch is attached to a cover, and is supported by the cover in a rotationally stopped manner.