US 2009/0101090 A1 · CONTROLLER OF VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATOR

Abstract

The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism control device that is capable of reducing the power consumption and rating of an electric motor by allowing camshaft rotary inertia torque to reduce spring reaction force during a valve lift. Camshaft rotary inertia force is increased to a value not smaller than a predetermined value before the start of a valve lift. During the time interval between the instant at which the valve lift starts and the instant at which the maximum lift is provided, the spring reaction force of a valve spring is used as deceleration torque for the camshaft rotary inertia force. During the time interval between the instant at which the maximum lift is provided and the instant at which the valve lift terminates, the spring reaction force is used as acceleration torque for the camshaft rotary inertia force. The camshaft rotary inertia force cancels the spring reaction force so that motor torque generated during a valve lift is composed of counter-friction torque only.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A variable valve mechanism control device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a camshaft on which a cam is mounted to drive a valve that is biased by a valve spring;
an electric motor which rotationally drives the camshaft;
and
control means for exercising drive control over the electric motor;
wherein the control means controls the rotary inertia force of the camshaft so as to be equal to or more than a predetermined value at the beginning of a valve lift so that the rotary inertia force cancels the spring reaction force of the valve spring.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Controller of variable valve actuator

Life of this patent

Controller of variable valve actuator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17