Valve timing controller, valve timing control method and engine control unit for internal combustion engine

A valve timing controller for an internal combustion engine having a valve timing changing mechanism for changing a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve so that said engine is operated in a combustion mode switched between a uniform combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder during an intake stroke and a stratified combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder in a compression stroke, said valve timing controller comprising:

• an engine rotational speed detecting module for detecting a rotational speed of said internal combustion engine;
• an accelerator pedal opening detecting module for detecting an opening of an accelerator pedal;
• a required torque determining module for determining a required torque outputted by said internal combustion engine based on the detected engine rotational speed and accelerator pedal opening;
• a valve timing determining module for determining said valve timing in accordance with the determined required torque and the engine rotational speed;
• a filling efficiency parameter detecting module for detecting a filling efficiency parameter indicative of a filling efficiency of intake air flowing into said cylinder;
• and
• a valve timing module for correcting said valve timing in accordance with the detected filling efficiency parameter.

A valve timing control method for an internal combustion engine having a valve timing changing mechanism for changing a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve so that said engine is operated in a combustion mode switched between a uniform combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder during an intake stroke and a stratified combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder in a compression stroke, said valve timing control method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a rotational speed of said internal combustion engine;
• detecting an opening of an accelerator pedal;
• determining a required torque outputted by said internal combustion engine based on the detected engine rotational speed and accelerator pedal opening;
• determining said valve timing in accordance with the determined required torque and the engine rotational speed;
• detecting a filling efficiency parameter indicative of a filling efficiency of intake air flowing into said cylinder;
• and
• correcting said valve timing in accordance with the detected filling efficiency parameter.

An engine control unit including a control program for causing a computer to carry out control of valve timing for an internal combustion engine having a valve timing changing mechanism for changing a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve so that said engine is operated in a combustion mode switched between a uniform combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder during an intake stroke and a stratified combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder in a compression stroke, wherein said control program causes said computer to detect a rotational speed of said internal combustion engine;

• detect an opening of an accelerator pedal;
• determine a required torque outputted by said internal combustion engine based on the detected engine rotational speed and accelerator pedal opening;
• determine said valve timing in accordance with the determined required torque and the engine rotational speed;
• detect a filling efficiency parameter indicative of a filling efficiency of intake air flowing into said cylinder;
• and correct said valve timing in accordance with the detected filling efficiency parameter.

A valve timing controller for an internal combustion engine having a valve timing changing mechanism for changing a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve so that said engine is operated while switching a combustion mode thereof between a uniform combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder during an intake stroke, a stratified combustion mode in which a fuel is injected into a cylinder in a compression stroke, and a dual injection combustion mode during transition between the uniform combustion mode and the stratified combustion mode, said valve timing controller comprising:

• engine rotational speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of said internal combustion engine;
• accelerator pedal opening detecting means for detecting an opening of an accelerator pedal;
• required torque determining means for determining a required torque outputted by said internal combustion engine based on the detected engine rotational speed and accelerator pedal opening;
• and
• valve timing determining means for determining said valve timing in accordance with the determined required torque and the engine rotational speed at least when said engine is operated in the dual injection combustion mode.