Mechanical cam phasing systems and methods

A cam phaser comprising:

• a drive member including a first mating surface;
• a driven member including a second mating surface;
• a locking mechanism arranged between the first mating surface and the second mating surface to contact the first mating surface and the second mating surface in response to a first torque applied to driven member that loads the locking mechanism;
• an engaging member to selectively actuate the locking mechanism to enable rotation of the driven member relative to the drive member;
• and
• a reaction gearbox, wherein the reaction gearbox includes a planetary geartrain configured to selectively transmit a second torque from an input mechanism to the driven member to unload the locking mechanism and to selectively transmit the second torque to the engaging member to unlock the locking mechanism.

A method of operating a cam phaser, comprising:

• applying an input torque to a reaction mechanism via an input mechanism;
• generating a first output torque in a first direction on an engaging member of a cam phaser via a planet gear of the reaction mechanism;
• and
• generating a second output torque in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, on a driven member of the cam phaser via a ring gear of the reaction mechanism;
• wherein the one or more planet gears are mounted on the engaging member;
• and
• wherein the driven member is secured within a portion of the ring gear such that rotation of the ring gear generates corresponding rotation in the driven member.