Device and method for controlling internal combustion engine

A control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a mechanism changing a phase in which at least one valve of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, comprising an operation unit, wherein:

• said operation unit controls said mechanism to change said phase to attain a limit value when a predetermined condition associated with stopping said internal combustion engine is satisfied, said limit value being one of values of maximally retarded and advanced angles, respectively;
• said operation unit controls said mechanism to change said phase from said limit value if said predetermined condition is satisfied;
• said operation unit detects an amount by which said mechanism is operated when said mechanism is controlled to change said phase from said limit value;
• said operation unit detects said phase based on said amount;
• and
• said operation unit controls said mechanism to change said phase detected as based on said amount to attain a predetermined value.

A method of controlling an internal combustion engine provided with a mechanism changing a phase in which at least one valve of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, comprising the steps of:

• controlling said mechanism to change said phase when a predetermined condition associated with stopping said internal combustion engine is satisfied;
• detecting an amount by which said mechanism is operated when said mechanism is controlled to change said phase;
• and
• detecting said phase based on said amount, wherein
• the step of controlling said mechanism includes the step of controlling said mechanism to change said phase detected in the step of detecting said phase to attain a predetermined value.

A method of controlling an internal combustion engine provided with a mechanism changing a phase in which at least one valve of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, comprising the steps of:

• controlling said mechanism to change said phase to a limit value when a predetermined condition associated with stopping said internal combustion engine is satisfied, said limit value being one of values of maximally retarded and advanced angles, respectively;
• controlling said mechanism to change said phase from said limit value when said predetermined condition is satisfied,
• detecting an amount by which said mechanism is operated when said mechanism is controlled to change said phase from said limit value;
• and
• detecting said phase based on said amount, wherein
• the step of controlling said mechanism to change said phase from said limit value includes the step of controlling said mechanism to change said phase detected as based on said amount to attain a predetermined value.

A control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a mechanism changing a phase in which at least one valve of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, comprising:

• control means for controlling said mechanism to change said phase when a predetermined condition associated with stopping said internal combustion engine is satisfied;
• first detection means for detecting an amount by which said mechanism is operated when said mechanism is controlled by said control means;
• and
• second detection means for detecting said phase based on said amount, wherein said control means includes means for controlling said mechanism to change said phase detected by said second detection means to attain a predetermined value.

A control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a mechanism changing a phase in which at least one valve of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, comprising:

• first control means for controlling said mechanism to change said phase to attain a limit value when a predetermined condition associated with stopping said internal combustion engine is satisfied, said limit value being one of values of maximally retarded and advanced angles, respectively;
• second control means for controlling said mechanism to change said phase from said limit value if said predetermined condition is satisfied;
• first detection means for detecting an amount by which said mechanism is operated when said mechanism is controlled by said second control means;
• and
• second detection means for detecting said phase based on said amount, wherein said second control means includes means for controlling said mechanism to change said phase detected by said second detection means to attain a predetermined value.