The systems and methods described herein provide an approach for cam phase angle control where an axial or rotational position of an actuator of a cam phaser has a direct relationship to the phase angle of the cam shaft, allowing for accurate cam phasing without the need for cam shaft or crank shaft position sensors. Providing phase angle adjustability without the need for crank shaft or cam shaft position sensors enables control of phase angle solely by sensing the axial or rotational position of the actuator of the cam phaser.

A variable valve timing assembly includes an electric motor; a first set of gears driven by the electric motor; a first set of grooves and ball bearings driven by the first set of gears; a second set of grooves and ball bearings driven by the first of grooves and ball bearings; wherein the first set of grooves and ball bearings converts rotational movement of the first set of gears to axial rotational movement of the first set of ball bearings; wherein the axial movement of the first set of ball bearings causes rotational movement of the second set of grooves; whereby the rotational movement of the second set of grooves enables rotation of a camshaft engaged to a valve.

A variable valve timing assembly includes an electric motor; a first set of gears driven by the electric motor; a first set of grooves and ball bearings driven by the first set of gears; a second set of grooves and ball bearings driven by the first of grooves and ball bearings; wherein the first set of grooves and ball bearings converts rotational movement of the first set of gears to axial rotational movement of the first set of ball bearings; wherein the axial movement of the first set of ball bearings causes rotational movement of the second set of grooves; whereby the rotational movement of the second set of grooves enables rotation of a camshaft engaged to a valve.

The valve timing control unit includes a valve timing control mechanism that includes a driving rotary body, a driven rotary body, an electric motor and a deceleration gear each for setting the relative rotational phase of the driving rotary body and the driven rotary body, and a phase sensor unit that detects the actual phase of the driving rotary body and the driven rotary body. The valve timing control unit includes a controller that controls the electric motor to reduce a phase difference between the actual phase and a target phase, and the controller includes a swing controller that swings the target phase in vicinity of the target phase when the target phase is maintained and the actual phase having a fluctuation amount is held in a holding region, in which the fluctuation amount is less than a preset value.

A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing comprising a bearing sleeve arranged to be concentrically disposed on a camshaft, the bearing sleeve arranged to be guided through a cylinder head wall, an annular gap arranged to be inside the cylinder head, the annular gap arranged to be formed between the bearing sleeve and the camshaft, an adjusting mechanism comprising a control shaft arranged within the housing, a traction mechanism comprising a drive gear secured to the bearing sleeve outside the cylinder head, and a ball bearing arranged within the drive gear and securing the control shaft within the adjusting mechanism.

A continuously variable valve duration apparatus may include a camshaft, a plurality of first cams and second cams of which a cam key is formed respectively thereto, and of which relative phase angles with respect to the camshaft are variable, a plurality of rotation rings mounted to the camshaft and of which a ring key is formed thereto respectively, a plurality of inner brackets transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the cam keys of the first cams and the seconds respectively, a plurality of slider housings of which each inner bracket is rotatable inserted therein and of which a control slot is formed thereto respectively, an eccentric control shaft inserted into the control slots and a control portion selectively rotating the eccentric control shaft to move positions of the slider housing and change positions of the inner brackets.

An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.

A phase adjuster is disclosed herein that generally includes multiple stamped components and limits threaded connections between components. According to one aspect, this configuration provides a cost-effective arrangement in which a drive nut can adjust a phase between an input gear and an output gear.

A mechanical cam phasing system includes a stator, a cradle rotor, a first locking mechanism having a first locking feature and a second locking feature, a cage, and a second locking mechanism rotationally coupled to the cradle rotor and selectively moveable between a locking state and a phasing state. In the locking state, a clearance is provided between the cradle rotor and the cage to allow the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the cage and lock the first locking feature or the second locking feature. In the phasing state, the clearance between the cradle rotor and the cage is reduced to ensure rotational coupling between the cradle rotor and the cage in at least one direction, which displaces the first locking feature or the second locking feature relative to the cradle rotor and enables the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the stator.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods to compensate for backlash within a cam phasing system. For example, compensating for backlash by commanding a predetermined amount of additional actuator movement to account for backlash within a cam phaser. According to some aspects, a spring is provided within a cam phaser to unidirectionally take up the backlash within the cam phasing system.