Patent ID: 6425357
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A variable valve drive mechanism of an internal combustion engine, which is capable of varying a valve characteristic of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, comprising:a camshaft that is operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine such that the camshaft is rotated by the crankshaft; a rotating cam provided on the camshaft; an intermediate drive mechanism disposed between the camshaft and the valve and supported rockably on a shaft that is different from the camshaft, the intermediate drive mechanism including an input portion operable to be driven by the rotating cam of the camshaft, and an output portion operable to drive the valve when the input portion is driven by the rotating cam; and an intermediate phase-difference varying device positioned and configured to vary a relative phase difference between the input portion and the output portion of the intermediate drive mechanism.