The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 03, 2013
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2009
Yuu Yokoyama, Okazaki, JP;
Masaki Numakura, Toyota, JP;
Yuu Yokoyama, Okazaki, JP;
Masaki Numakura, Toyota, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
An intermediate lock mechanism is formed by first and second lock pins, an advancement restricting groove, and a retardation restricting groove. The first and second lock pins are arranged in a vane rotorand projectable and retractable independently from each other. The advancement restricting groove is formed in a cover and becomes engaged with the first lock pin when the first lock pin is projected, thereby locking, at an intermediate lock phase, rotation of the vane rotor to the advancing side. The retardation restricting groove is formed in a cam sprocket and becomes engaged with the second lock pin when the second lock pin is projected, thereby locking, at the intermediate lock phase, rotation of the vane rotor to the retarding side. In this manner, reliable locking is ensured, and chattering of the vane rotor is easily prevented when locking is performed.