Variable nozzle mechanism and rotating machine including the same

A variable nozzle mechanism, comprising:

• a first annular member;
• a plurality of nozzle vanes which are provided to face the first annular member, disposed in an annular fluid flow channel for guiding a working fluid from a scroll flow channel formed on an outer circumferential side of a turbine rotor to the turbine rotor, rotatable relative to the first annular member, and configured to adjust the flow passage area of the fluid flow channel;
• a plurality of vane shafts which are inserted through support holes penetrating through the first annular member and support the respective nozzle vanes one by one;
• a plurality of levers which are disposed outside the fluid flow channel and extend from the respective vane shafts radially outward of the first annular member;
• and
• a second annular member which is provided to be rotatable with respect to the first annular member around a central axis of the first annular member to support the plurality of levers, and rotates the nozzle vanes together with the levers relative to the first annular member,
• wherein each of the levers has a lever side facing surface which faces the first annular member in the direction of the central axis, and
• the first annular member has a first surface which has a minimum clearance in the direction of the central axis with respect to the lever side facing surface in an opposing region that faces the lever side facing surface in the direction of the central axis, and a second surface which is disposed adjacent to the first surface in a circumferential direction of the first annular member and has a clearance in the direction of the central axis with respect to the lever side facing surface greater than the clearance in the direction of the central axis between the first surface and the lever side facing surface.