Patent ID: 8418665

Claim:
A variable phase controller for an automotive engine, including a drive rotor driven by a crankshaft of the engine, an intermediate rotor integral with a camshaft, and a first control rotor such that the drive rotor, intermediate rotor, and first control rotor are aligned to a common rotational axis and rotatable relative to each other, and including torque means for rotating the first control rotor relative to the drive rotor and the first intermediated rotor, wherein the first intermediate rotor and the first control rotor rotated relative to each other in accordance with the direction of the relative rotation of the first control rotor to thereby change the phase angle of the camshaft relative to the drive rotor, the variable phase controller characterized in that the torque means comprises: first guide grooves formed in the first control rotor each extending in a substantially circumferential direction with a continuously decreasing radius; a first braking means for rotating the first control rotor relative to the first intermediate rotor and drive rotor; a second intermediate rotor integral with the camshaft and having guide slits extending in substantially radial directions, the second intermediate rotor being coaxially disposed adjacent to, and rotatable relative to, the first control rotor; a second control rotor formed with second guide grooves each extending in the opposite direction with respect to the first guide grooves with a continuously decreasing radius, second control rotor mounted coaxial with, and rotatable relative to, the second intermediate rotor; second braking means for rotating the second control rotor relative to the second intermediate rotor and first control rotor; and movable members adapted to engage the first guide grooves, radial guide grooves, and second guide grooves and move in the respective guide grooves in accordance with the relative rotation of the first control rotor and second control rotor.