Abstract: When a target valve timing determined in accordance with the state of operation of an internal combustion engine is acquired, a feed forward control of setting a command timing of a valve body on the basis of the target valve timing and a predicted delay time is performed, and a feedback control of setting the actual delay time in the previous cycle as a predicted delay time for the next cycle is performed. The valve timings (opening, closure) are specified at a timing at which the valve body reached a position that is apart from a pre-determined position on a basis of a buffer height of a buffer mechanism. This makes it to possible to accurately detect the actual delay time in the feedback control, and allows the command timing to be properly set in the feed forward control.

Abstract: When a request to start driving a drive valve has been made, the ECU performs a program including a step in which time-measurement using a timer is started; a step in which an electric current I (0) is supplied to an open/close coil; a step in which a supply of an electric current is stopped when a period of T/4 has elapsed; a step in which the electric current I (0) is supplied to the open/close coil when another period of T/4 has elapsed; and a step in which a holding current I (h) is supplied to the open/close coil when the drive valve comes close to the valve opening position.

Abstract: When a target valve timing determined in accordance with the state of operation of an internal combustion engine is acquired, a feed forward control of setting a command timing of a valve body on the basis of the target valve timing and a predicted delay time is performed, and a feedback control of setting the actual delay time in the previous cycle as a predicted delay time for the next cycle is performed. The valve timings (opening, closure) are specified at a timing at which the valve body reached a position that is apart from a pre-determined position on a basis of a buffer height of a buffer mechanism. This makes it to possible to accurately detect the actual delay time in the feedback control, and allows the command timing to be properly set in the feed forward control.

Abstract: When a request to start driving a drive valve has been made, the ECU performs a program including a step in which time-measurement using a timer is started; a step in which an electric current I (0) is supplied to an open/close coil; a step in which a supply of an electric current is stopped when a period of T/4 has elapsed; a step in which the electric current I (0) is supplied to the open/close coil when another period of T/4 has elapsed; and a step in which a holding current I (h) is supplied to the open/close coil when the drive valve comes close to the valve opening position.