Variable valve gear device of internal combustion engine

Abstract

A variable valve operating system of an internal combustion engine comprises a first variable mechanism 1 capable of variably controlling a lift characteristic of an intake valve 12, and a second variable mechanism 2 capable of variably controlling a valve-open and/or valve-close timing characteristic of the intake valve. The first variable mechanism varies an oscillating position of an oscillating cam 17 via a transmission mechanism 18 by controlling a rotational position of a control shaft 32 by an electric motor 34. On the other hand, the second variable mechanism is constructed to change a phase by axially moving a ring gear 43 by way of hydraulic-pressure supply or release to and from first and second hydraulic pressure chambers 49 and 50 so as to produce relative rotation between a timing sprocket 40 and a drive shaft 13. At the initial state of engine starting, the system operates to drive only the first variable mechanism. Therefore, by using an energy source for the first variable mechanism separated from an energy source for the second variable mechanism, in presence of a failure in one variable mechanism, it is possible to prevent the engine performance from lowering, and also to enhance the engine startability.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.