# US 9,752,467 B2 · Variable valve device for internal combustion engines and valve timing control device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,467 B2 - Document ID: US9752467B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/318,416 - Filed: 2015-06-15 - Published: 2017-05-04 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-15 - Assignees: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. - Applicants: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. - Inventors: Mikihiro Kajiura; Yosuke Iwase - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752467B2 ## CPC - F01L 1/352: using bevel or epicyclic gear - F01L 1/46: Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in preceding subgroups - G01D 5/20: by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature - G01D 5/2066: {by movement of a single coil with respect to a single other coil} - F01L 2301/00: Using particular materials - F01L 2303/00: Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements - F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine for varying operating characteristics of engine valves by changing a relative rotational phase of a camshaft to a timing sprocket has an electric motor that rotates the camshaft relatively to the timing sprocket, a cover member provided to cover a front end section of the electric motor, and an angle sensor that detects a rotational angle position of a motor output shaft. The angle sensor includes a detected unit provided inside of a top end section of the motor output shaft and a detecting unit provided on the cover member so as to be opposed to the detected unit through a minute clearance. A metal disk-shaped reinforcing plate is molded and fixed inside of a cover main body of the cover member mainly formed of a synthetic resin material, thus enhancing the entire rigidity of the cover main body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine for varying operating characteristics of engine valves by changing a relative rotational phase of a second member to a first member comprising: an electric motor configured to rotate the second member relatively to the first member by rotating a motor output shaft; a cover member provided to cover at least a part of the electric motor; and a rotational angle detection mechanism comprising a detected unit provided on the motor output shaft and a detecting unit provided on the cover member so as to be opposed to the detected unit through a minute clearance for detecting a rotational angle position of the motor output shaft, wherein the cover member has a synthetic resin material and a deformation suppression member molded inside of the synthetic resin material and having a higher elastic modulus than the synthetic resin material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the deformation suppression member is made of a material having a less linear expansion coefficient than the synthetic resin material forming the cover member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the deformation suppression member is made of a metal material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the rotational angle detection mechanism comprises an electromagnetic induction angle sensor; the detecting unit is arranged to be opposite to the motor output shaft with the deformation suppression member sandwiched between them; and the deformation suppression member has a through hole formed at a position of the deformation suppression member conformable to the detecting unit. ### Claim 5 A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine for varying operating characteristics of engine valves by changing a relative rotational phase of a second member to a first member comprising: an electric motor installed on the first member and configured to rotate the second member relatively to the first member through a motor output shaft; a speed reducer provided for reducing a rotational speed of the electric motor and for transmitting the reduced rotational speed to the second member; a cover member provided to cover at least a part of the electric motor; and a rotational angle detection mechanism comprising a detected unit provided on the motor output shaft and a detecting unit provided on the cover member so as to be opposed to the detected unit through a minute clearance for detecting a rotational angle position of the motor output shaft, wherein the cover member has a synthetic resin material and a reinforcing plate molded inside of the synthetic resin material and having a higher rigidity than the synthetic resin material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the reinforcing plate is made of a material having a less linear expansion coefficient and a higher elastic modulus than the synthetic resin material of the cover member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the rotational angle detection mechanism comprises an electromagnetic induction angle sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the reinforcing plate is made of a metal material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the reinforcing plate has a through hole filled with the synthetic resin material and formed at a position of the reinforcing plate conformable to the detecting unit; and the detecting unit is provided on an outside face of the synthetic resin material filling in the through hole of the cover member, facing away from the motor output shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the detected unit has a non-circular magnetic substance; and the detecting unit has an oscillating circuit that produces a magnetic field and a receiving circuit that detects a magnetic field generated from the magnetic substance of the detected unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the detecting unit has a printed wiring board, and the oscillating circuit and the receiving circuit formed on the printed wiring board. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the reinforcing plate comprises a synthetic resin plate having a less linear expansion coefficient and a higher elastic modulus than the synthetic resin material used for the cover member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the cover member is provided with electricity-feeding brushes for electricity-feeding to the electric motor and a power supply connector for electric-current supply to the electricity-feeding brushes; and at least a part of each of harnesses that connect the electricity-feeding brushes to respective terminals of the power supply connector is provided at a position of the reinforcing plate being opposite to the electric motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the detecting unit and the detected unit are both arranged on an axis of the motor output shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the cover member has electricity-feeding brushes for electricity-feeding to the electric motor; the electric motor has slip rings kept in sliding-contact with the respective electricity-feeding brushes; and the electricity-feeding brushes are slidably installed in retaining holes provided in the cover member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the cover member is provided with a signal connector adapted to output a rotational angle signal detected by the detecting unit to a control unit; and the synthetic resin material is interposed between conductive materials of the signal connector and the reinforcing plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the reinforcing plate has a cutout section configured along a radial direction and formed at a part of an outer periphery of the reinforcing plate; and at least a part of each of the conductive materials is arranged along the radial direction inside of the cutout section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 5) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the cover member is formed with a plurality of fixing holes adapted to fix the cover member to a cylinder head or a chain case with bolts. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 18, wherein: the fixing holes are defined by respective cylindrical metal sleeves buried in the synthetic resin material of the cover member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 19, wherein: the sleeves are provided at respective positions spaced apart from the reinforcing plate.