Variable compression ration mechanism for reciprocating internal combustion engine

A variable compression ratio mechanism for a reciprocating internal combustion engine includes upper and lower links mechanically linking a piston pin of a piston to a crankpin, and a control link mechanically linking the lower link to an eccentric cam of a control shaft. Also provided is a control-shaft actuator capable of continuously reducing a compression ratio by driving the control shaft in a first rotational direction and of continuously increasing the compression ratio by driving the control shaft in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, so that the compression ratio is controlled to a low value in accordance with an increase in engine speed and/or engine load. A distance from the center of the control shaft to a centerline of the control link, measured with the piston near top dead center, is dimensioned so that the distance continuously decreases as the compression ratio decreases.