Patent ID: 8453614

Claim:
A variable valve timing device for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a variable valve timing mechanism that includes an input rotor and an output rotor and that changes a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve that serve as engine valves; and a phase limiting mechanism that includes an advance limiting mechanism that engages a first engaging element with a first engaging portion of a first engaging groove to limit rotation of the output rotor toward an advance side beyond a specific phase with respect to the input rotor and a retard limiting mechanism that engages a second engaging element with a second engaging portion of a second engaging groove to limit rotation of the output rotor toward a retard side beyond the specific phase with respect to the input rotor, and that locks a relative rotational phase between the input rotor and the output rotor at the specific phase by the engagement of the first engaging element with the first engaging portion and the engagement of the second engaging element with the second engaging portion, wherein the phase limiting mechanism includes at least one of the second engaging portion that is configured to adjust a clearance between the second engaging element and the second engaging portion when the first engaging element engages the first engaging portion and the first engaging portion that is configured to adjust a clearance between the first engaging element and the first engaging portion when the second engaging element engages the second engaging portion.