Variable valve timing control device

Abstract

A variable valve timing control device includes a housing member, a rotor member assembled on the housing member so as to rotate relative thereto, a vane provided on the rotor member, a fluid pressure chamber divided into an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber by the vane, a lock mechanism for restricting or allowing a relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member by a lock member, a fluid pressure circuit for controlling an operation fluid to be supplied to or discharged from the advanced angle chamber, the retarded angle chamber, and the lock mechanism, a plate provided on the housing member and integrally rotating with the housing member, an engaging groove formed on the plate, and a contacting member arranged in the engaging groove so as to rotate integrally with the plate and engaging with a coupling member so as to be assembled thereon.

1 . A variable valve timing control device comprising 
 a housing member integrally rotating with one of a crankshaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine;    a rotor member assembled on the housing member so as to rotate relative thereto and integrally rotating with the other one of the crankshaft and the camshaft;    a vane provided on the rotor member so as to integrally rotate therewith;    a fluid pressure chamber formed between the housing member and the rotor member and divided into an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber by the vane;    a lock mechanism for restricting a relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member by a lock member movably provided on the housing member to be inserted into a lock groove formed on the rotor member, and for allowing the relative rotation between the housing member and the rotor member by the lock member to be retracted from the lock groove;    a fluid pressure circuit for controlling an operation fluid to be supplied to or discharged from the advanced angle chamber, the retarded angle chamber, and the lock mechanism;    a plate provided on an axially one end side of the housing member and integrally rotating with the housing member;    an engaging groove formed on an axially one end side of the plate; and    a contacting member arranged in the engaging groove so as to rotate integrally with the plate and engaging with a coupling member so as to be assembled thereon.    
   
   
       2 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is made of a light alloy.  
   
   
       3 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the contacting member is formed by a press molding.  
   
   
       4 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engaging groove includes a retaining portion for restricting an axial movement of the contacting member.  
   
   
       5 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the contacting member includes a retaining portion for preventing a disengagement of the contacting member from the engaging groove.  
   
   
       6 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engaging groove and the contacting member forms a tapered gap there between.  
   
   
       7 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 2 , wherein the contacting member is made of stainless spring steel.  
   
   
       8 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes a plane portion in parallel with a rotational axis of the plate.  
   
   
       9 . A variable valve timing control device according to  claim 8 , wherein the plane portion is in parallel with the engaging groove.