Abstract: At the time of reference position learning, an operation amount of an actuator is set such that intake valve phase changes to a position of most retarded angle in a region where the amount of change in intake valve phase relative to the actuator operation amount is small (S110). When the intake valve phase reaches the position of most retarded angle and the change in the intake valve phase stops (YES at S140), it is determined that the intake valve phase has reached the position of most retarded angle as the reference phase, and learning is completed. Further, in response to completion of learning, power supply to the electric motor as the actuator is stopped. Consequently, it becomes possible to reduce power consumption and to protect the apparatus at the reference position learning for ensuring accuracy in detecting valve opening/closing timing.

Abstract: At the time of reference position learning for ensuring accuracy in detecting a valve timing, an operation amount of an actuator is set such that intake valve phase changes to a position of most retarded angle as a reference phase. When the intake valve phase reaches the most retarded angle and the change in the intake valve phase stops (YES at S150), it is determined that the intake valve phase has reached the reference phase and the learning is terminated normally. If the learning operation does not end normally even after the time lapse from the start of learning exceeds a limit time Tlmt, the reference position learning is terminated forcibly (YES at S170), and power supply to the actuator is stopped. Thus, power consumption can be reduced and the apparatus can be protected at the time of reference position learning.

Abstract: In the case where an intake valve has its phase in a first region between a most retarded angle and CA(1), the rotational speed of relative rotation between an output shaft of an electric motor and a sprocket is reduced at a reduction gear ratio R(1) to change the phase of the intake valve. In the case where the intake valve has its phase in a second region between CA(2) and a most advanced angle, the rotational speed of relative rotation is reduced at a reduction gear ratio R(2) to change the phase of the intake valve. As long as the rotational direction of relative rotation is the same, the phase of the intake valve is changed in the same direction for both of the first region between the most retarded angle and CA(1) and the second region between CA(2) and the most advanced angle.

Abstract: A convergence determination of intake valve phase control is made by comparing a phase deviation of an intake valve from a target phase with a convergence determination value. At the time of convergence, it is determined that the intake valve phase has reached the target phase, so that the required phase-change amount of a camshaft is set to zero and therefore the actuator operation amount is also set to zero. At the time of engine stop when the target phase has a fixed value, after convergence of the intake valve phase control, the operation of the actuator is stopped. In addition, during the course of engine stop, the convergence determination value is set to be switched from the time of engine operation so that the convergence determination of the intake valve phase control is made in more relaxed conditions compared with at the time of engine operation.

Abstract: A required valve timing change rate Vreq is calculated so as to make a deviation D between a target valve timing VTtg and an actual valve timing VT small and then a required speed difference DMCRreq between a motor 26 and a camshaft 16 is calculated on a basis of the required valve timing change rate Vreq. When the deviation D is larger than a predetermined value, a required motor speed Rmreq is calculated by adding the required speed difference DMCRreq to a camshaft speed RC and a motor control value is calculated so as to control the motor speed RM to the required motor speed Rmreq. When the deviation D is not larger than the predetermined value, the camshaft speed RC is set as the required motor speed Rmreq and the motor control value is calculated so as to control the motor speed RM to the camshaft speed RC.

Abstract: A current value of an intake valve phase calculated based on a sensor output is smoothed along the direction of time axis in accordance with a smoothing factor, whereby a phase detection value is detected. At the time of reference position learning, the smoothing factor is set to a value larger than at the time of normal control, so that the degree of smoothing in the smoothing process of phase detection value becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to detect more quickly that the intake valve timing has reached the reference timing at the time of reference position learning based on the phase detection value, than when a common smoothing factor is set both for the normal control and for the reference position learning.

Abstract: An actuator operation amount setting unit prepares the rotational speed command value for an electric motor such that the phase of an intake valve changes in accordance with the target phase. An electric-motor EDU controls the motor supply electric power such that the electric motor operates in accordance with the rotational speed command value. An overheating determination unit determines whether at least one of the electric motor and the electric-motor EDU needs to be restricted from heating up based on a result of comparison between the information indicating the motor supply electric power and the reference value. A rotational speed command value restriction unit restricts the rotational speed command value provided to the electric-motor EDU to a value within a predetermined range, when it is determined that the at least one of the electric motor and the electric-motor EDU needs to be restricted from heating up.

Abstract: An intake valve phase setting unit sets the target valve phase used in the variable valve timing control based on the engine operating state, and a control target value setting unit sets the control target value based on the target valve phase. An actuator operation amount setting unit prepares the rotational speed command value for an electric motor that serves as an actuator of a variable valve timing system based on the deviation of the current value from the control target value. A phase change rate control unit sets the rate of change in the valve phase to a lower value when the variable valve timing control moves the valve phase away from the reference phase (the phase when the engine is idling) at which combustion takes place stably in engine than when the variable valve timing control causes the valve phase to the reference phase.

Abstract: A variable valve timing controller adjusts valve timing of an intake valve and/or an exhaust valve by varying a motor speed relative to a camshaft. When an engine is running under a predetermined condition, an actual valve timing is calculated based on a cam angle signal and crank angle signal every when the cam angle signal is inputted. A final valve timing is calculated by adding a valve timing variation amount to the actual valve timing at the time the cam angle signal is outputted. The valve timing amount is periodically calculated based on a difference between a motor speed and a rotational speed of the intake camshaft. When the engine is running under another condition, only actual valve timing at the time the cam angle signal is outputted is calculated.

Abstract: At an intake timing of an initial combustion cylinder, an actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target intake valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the initial combustion cylinder. At intake timing of the other cylinders which contributes to increment of the engine speed after the initial combustion, the actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the other cylinders. Thereby, the intake air flow rate of each cylinder is accurately controlled, so that the increment of the engine speed is restricted within a range in which a startability is not deteriorated and a vehicle vibration and an over shoot of the engine speed is appropriately restricted.

Abstract: At an intake timing of an initial combustion cylinder, an actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target intake valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the initial combustion cylinder. At intake timing of the other cylinders which contributes to increment of the engine speed after the initial combustion, the actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the other cylinders. Thereby, the intake air flow rate of each cylinder is accurately controlled, so that the increment of the engine speed is restricted within a range in which a startability is not deteriorated and a vehicle vibration and an over shoot of the engine speed is appropriately restricted.

Abstract: A convergence determination of intake valve phase control is made by comparing a phase deviation of an intake valve from a target phase with a convergence determination value. At the time of convergence, it is determined that the intake valve phase has reached the target phase, so that the required phase-change amount of a camshaft is set to zero and therefore the actuator operation amount is also set to zero. At the time of engine stop when the target phase has a fixed value, after convergence of the intake valve phase control, the operation of the actuator is stopped. In addition, during the course of engine stop, the convergence determination value is set to be switched from the time of engine operation so that the convergence determination of the intake valve phase control is made in more relaxed conditions compared with at the time of engine operation.

Abstract: A current value of an intake valve phase calculated based on a sensor output is smoothed along the direction of time axis in accordance with a smoothing factor, whereby a phase detection value is detected. At the time of reference position learning, the smoothing factor is set to a value larger than at the time of normal control, so that the degree of smoothing in the smoothing process of phase detection value becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to detect more quickly that the intake valve timing has reached the reference timing at the time of reference position learning based on the phase detection value, than when a common smoothing factor is set both for the normal control and for the reference position learning.

Abstract: In a variable valve timing apparatus in which a phase of an intake valve is changed at an amount of change according to a rotational speed of relative rotation between an electric motor as an actuator and a camshaft, the set upper limit value of the rotational speed of relative rotation and a coefficient N? of conversion from a required phase-change amount to the rotational speed of relative rotation ?Nm in each control period are set at smaller values at the time of engine stop than at the time of engine operation. As a result, the rotational speed of the electric motor in the VVT operation at the time of engine stop is reduced thereby reducing the operation sound of the variable valve timing apparatus.

Abstract: An electric variable valve timing mechanism and a starter are actuated by electricity supplied from a common battery. During an engine starting process, the starter is actuated, and an electronic control unit controls the electric variable valve timing mechanism. The electronic control unit limits the actuation of the electric variable valve timing mechanism on the condition that, during the engine starting process, the voltage value of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold value that degrades the operation of the starter. As a result, the engine is started in a stable manner.

Abstract: When an ignition switch is turned off, an ECU executes a program including the steps of: stopping an engine; setting a phase of an intake camshaft (or a phase in which an intake valve opens/closes) to be a maximally retarded phase; advancing the phase of the intake camshaft; detecting the phase of the intake camshaft as based on a number or rotations of an electric motor of an intake VVT mechanism changing the phase of the intake camshaft; and, if the phase detected as based on the number or rotations of the electric motor is advanced to a target phase, stopping changing the phase of the intake camshaft.

Abstract: If it is necessary to rapidly change a phase of an intake camshaft and an intake VVT mechanism relatively slow in responsiveness as it is associated with an “A” bank of a V-type, 8-cylinder engine is in operation for at least a predetermined period of time, an ECU executes a program including the step of controlling intake VVT mechanisms to operate those associated with both the “A” bank and a “B” bank.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a variable valve timing apparatus including a driving motor between a crankshaft and a camshaft. The driving motor rotates synchronously with the camshaft when the valve timing apparatus is not in operation. A motor rotation sensor produces a motor rotation signal. When the engine rotation speed is below a reference speed, the driving motor is not energized. Under this condition, the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the engine are calculated based on the motor rotation signal in place of a crank rotation signal produced by a crank angle sensor. Further, the rotation stop position of the engine is calculated based on the motor rotation signal when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: In the case where an intake valve has its phase in a first region between a most retarded angle and CA(1), the rotational speed of relative rotation between an output shaft of an electric motor and a sprocket is reduced at a reduction gear ratio R(1) to change the phase of the intake valve. In the case where the intake valve has its phase in a second region between CA(2) and a most advanced angle, the rotational speed of relative rotation is reduced at a reduction gear ratio R(2) to change the phase of the intake valve. As long as the rotational direction of relative rotation is the same, the phase of the intake valve is changed in the same direction for both of the first region between the most retarded angle and CA(1) and the second region between CA(2) and the most advanced angle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery and an alternator as a power source, and a plurality of vehicle load groups that operate commonly receiving power supply from the power source. When a plurality of requests for actuating the plurality of loads are made simultaneously, a control circuit determines a request of higher priority and a request of lower priority based on a predetermined priority for each of said requests. The control circuit operates the corresponding load as requested in response to the request of high priority, and operates the corresponding load with the operation limited to consume smaller power than requested in response to the request of low priority. More preferably, one of the plurality of loads is variable valve timing apparatus changing a timing of opening/closing an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.