Abstract: When a start-up failure occurs wherein an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve device does not transition to complete combustion before a first prescribed period ? elapses from the start of cranking in conjunction with fuel injection, a control unit for the internal combustion engine executes a start-up failure process addressing a state wherein the valve timing is different from a specific timing.

Abstract: An IIS system that performs control related to intermittent stopping of engine operation by idling stop control is applied to an internal combustion engine including a VVT mechanism that makes the valve timing of an engine valve variable and has an intermediate lock mechanism that mechanically locks the valve timing at an intermediate lock position between a most retarded position and a most advanced position. The IIS system is configured to inhibit the engine operation from being intermittently stopped at the occurrence of a failure of the VVT mechanism to avoid the internal combustion engine from being prevented from being restarted after the intermittent stop depending on the occurrence of the failure of the VVT mechanism.

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 rotor 2 and 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.

Abstract: In a hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism including a lock pin that locks a vane rotor and a housing against relative rotation in the most retarding phase, a specified angle ? is set so that release of the lock pin is started at a time when positive cam torque acts on the vane rotor. When the crank angle reaches the specified angle ?, supply of hydraulic pressure to the advancing oil chamber is started to release the lock pin from the engagement with the lock hole, thereby enabling a reliable release of the lock pin prior to start of change of valve timing.

Abstract: An IIS system that performs control related to intermittent stopping of engine operation by idling stop control is applied to an internal combustion engine including a VVT mechanism that makes the valve timing of an engine valve variable and has an intermediate lock mechanism that mechanically locks the valve timing at an intermediate lock position between a most retarded position and a most advanced position. The IIS system is configured to inhibit the engine operation from being intermittently stopped at the occurrence of a failure of the VVT mechanism to avoid the internal combustion engine from being prevented from being restarted after the intermittent stop depending on the occurrence of the failure of the VVT mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a variable valve assembly for internal combustion engines which is capable of accurately determining whether an input rotational component and an output rotational component are fixed to each other. The variable valve assembly includes an intake camshaft for driving an intake valve and a crankshaft for driving the camshaft. The variable valve assembly has a function for changing the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft and a function for fixing the intake camshaft to the crankshaft. The variable valve assembly determines whether the intake camshaft is fixed to the crankshaft, on the basis of a total amount of phase variation HCC or the amount of variation in the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft.

Abstract: If a relative rotational phase between a first rotor drivably connected to a crankshaft and a second rotor drivably connected to a camshaft is not an intermediate lock phase when an engine is started, a fuel injection starting timing is delayed more than that of the time when the relative rotational phase is the intermediate lock phase. The delay time is determined according to the working oil temperature of a valve timing mechanism during the engine start or the same oil temperature at the previous stop time of the engine, for example. As a result, the start of the engine can be completed as soon as possible while retaining the startability of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A start control device for an internal combustion engine controls a starting manner of the engine having a hydraulic variable mechanism, which fixes valve timing at a middle angle. Specifically, with the engine speed during cranking when the valve timing is not fixed at the middle angle defined as a first engine speed and the engine speed during cranking when the valve timing is fixed at the middle angle defined as a second engine speed, the start control device performs starting control for decreasing the first engine speed compared to the second engine speed during engine starting. As a result, the valve timing is fixed at the middle angle at increased frequency.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus includes; a variable valve timing mechanism; an intermediate locking mechanism that locks the valve timing at an intermediate timing; and a hydraulic pressure supply device that hydraulically actuates these mechanisms. The hydraulic pressure supply device uses a single oil control valve to control a state where lubricating oil is supplied to or drained from each of an advance chamber, a retard chamber and an intermediate chamber of an intermediate locking mechanism. The oil control valve has first to fourth modes. The oil control valve advances the valve timing and actuates the intermediate locking mechanism in a projecting direction in the third mode, and, under a situation that the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the variable valve timing mechanism is smaller than that in the third mode, advances the valve timing and actuates the intermediate locking mechanism in a release direction in the fourth mode.

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 rotor 2 and 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.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus includes a variable valve timing mechanism that includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body that are rotating bodies that rotate about the same rotational axis; advance chambers and retard chambers that serve as hydraulic pressure chambers into which hydraulic fluid is supplied from an oil pump; and a discharge passage that discharges hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pressure chambers. At least one of the hydraulic pressure chambers that is communicated with the discharge passage in a position vertically higher than the rotational axis when the first rotating body and the second rotating body have stopped rotating at a given phase, and from which hydraulic fluid is discharged into the discharge passage, is placed in a state constantly open to ambient air regardless of the phase at which the first rotating body and the second rotating body have stopped.

Abstract: An intake VVT mechanism includes: link mechanisms and connected to an intake camshaft and operated to change a phase of an intake valve; and a control pin sliding on a guide plate along a guide groove to allow the link mechanism to operate; a control pin sliding on the guide plate along a guide groove to allow the link mechanism to operate. The control pin is detached from an end of the guide groove when the control pins and are moved in a direction allowing the phase to be retarded until the control pin abuts against an end of the guide groove.

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: An ECU executes a program including the steps of detecting the crank angle, advancing, at a crank angle at which the cam torque is exerted in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of an intake camshaft, the phase in which the intake valve is closed and retarding, at a crank angle at which the cam torque is exerted in the rotational direction of the intake camshaft, the phase in which the intake valve is closed.

Abstract: A variable valve train apparatus operable in a low-speed mode in which a low-speed rocker arm is rocked by a low-speed cam through a roller or a slipper to thereby open or close an intake valve, and in a high-speed mode in which a high-speed rocker arm is rocked by a high-speed cam through a roller or a slipper and a changeover mechanism part on the side of the low-speed rocker arm is pressed by a changeover mechanism part on the side of the high speed rocker arm together with which the low-speed rocker arm is rocked to open or close the intake valve. The axis of the changeover mechanism part is positioned at the middle of the width of the roller or slipper in the axial direction of the rocker shaft to prevent inclination of the high-speed rocker arm.

Abstract: A plasma resistant member has a base material and a coating layer made of an Y2O3, the coating layer being formed on a surface of the base material. The coating layer has a thickness of 10 ?m or more and the Y2O3 of the coating layer contains solid solution Si ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a plasma resistant member comprising Y2O3 or YAG thermal performed thermal spray on an alumina base material, wherein the surface roughness Ra of the alumina base material is 5 ?m or more and 15 ?m or less. By rendering the surface layer of the alumina base material porous to a porosity of 20% or more and 60% or less to a depth of ranging from 10 ?m to 1O0 ?m, aplasma resistant member having an enhanced adhesion strength can be provided. The aforementioned plasma resistant member can be produced by subjecting the surface of analumina base material to chemical etching, and then performing thermal spray Y2O3 or YAG on the roughened surface of the alumina base material to form a plasma resistant layer.

Abstract: A variable valve train apparatus operable in a low-speed mode in which a low-speed rocker arm is rocked by a low-speed cam through a roller or a slipper to thereby open or close an intake valve, and in a high-speed mode in which a high-speed rocker arm is rocked by a high-speed cam through a roller or a slipper and a changeover mechanism part on the side of the low-speed rocker arm is pressed by a changeover mechanism part on the side of the high speed rocker arm together with which the low-speed rocker arm is rocked to open or close the intake valve. The axis of the changeover mechanism part is positioned at the middle of the width of the roller or slipper in the axial direction of the rocker shaft to prevent inclination of the high-speed rocker arm.

Abstract: A plasma resistant member has a base material and a coating layer made of an Y2O3, the coating layer being formed on a surface of the base material. The coating layer has a thickness of 10 ?m or more and the Y2O3 of the coating layer contains solid solution Si ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm.