Apparatus for and method of controlling variable valve timing mechanism

An apparatus for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism that changes the closing timing of an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a first control device that controls the closing timing of the intake valve in an intake stroke of a cylinder which goes into the intake stroke first out of all cylinders at the time of startup of the internal combustion engine, to a first closing timing on a retardation side from an intake bottom dead center;
• and
• a second control device that changes the closing timing of the intake valve to a second closing timing closer to intake bottom dead center than the first closing timing, from after startup of the internal combustion engine until the closing timing of the intake valve in an intake stroke of a cylinder corresponding to a second intake stroke.

A method of controlling a variable valve timing mechanism that changes the closing timing of an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:

• controlling closing timing of the intake valve in an intake stroke of a cylinder which goes into the intake stroke first out of all cylinders at the time of startup of the internal combustion engine, to a first closing timing on a retardation side from an intake bottom dead center;
• and
• changing the closing timing of the intake valve to a second closing timing closer to intake bottom dead center than the first closing timing, from after startup of the internal combustion engine until the closing timing of the intake valve in an intake stroke of a cylinder corresponding to a second intake stroke.