Valve timing control apparatus

A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a drive rotary member adapted to be rotatively coupled with the engine;
• a driven rotary member rotatably coupled with the drive rotary member;
• an intermediate rotary member arranged to be rotatable relative to the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member;
• a radial guide extending on one of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member in a radial direction thereof;
• a spiral guide disposed on the intermediate rotary member in an opposed relation to the radial guide;
• a follower moveably engaged with the radial guide and the spiral guide;
• a link coupling the follower with a radially outer periphery of the other of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member, the link comprising one end pivotally connected with the radially outer periphery of the other of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member and an opposite end pivotally connected with the follower;
• an actuator operative to rotate the intermediate rotary member so as to allow a movement of the follower along the radial guide which is converted into relative rotation of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member via the link;
• and
• a lubricating oil chamber arranged to surround an engagement portion between the spiral guide and the follower and pivotal connection portions between the one end of the link and the radially outer periphery of the other of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member and between the opposite end of the link and the follower, the lubricating oil chamber being adapted to be filled with lubricating oil and supplied with an amount of lubricating oil larger than an amount of lubricating oil leaking therefrom.

A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a drive rotary member adapted to be rotatively coupled with the engine;
• a driven rotary member rotatably coupled with the drive rotary member;
• an intermediate rotary member arranged to be rotatable relative to the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member;
• phase adjusting linkage means for coupling the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member and adjusting a relative rotational phase of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member;
• actuator means for operating the intermediate rotary member to allow the adjustment of the relative rotational phase via the phase adjusting linkage means;
• and
• wall means for defining a lubricating oil chamber in cooperation with the intermediate rotary member and one of the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member, the phase adjusting linkage means being disposed within the lubricating oil chamber.