Valve timing control device

#The present application is based on and claimed priority under 35.U.S.C. └119 with respect to Japanese Patent application No. 2001-371912 filed on Dec. 5, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention generally relates to a valve timing control device for controlling valve opening-closing timing of an engine that is installed in a vehicle and the like.

#The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawing figures wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a total structure of valve timing control device;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II—II of FIG. 1 and a sectional view of the valve opening-closing timing control device at the time of starting regularly;

#The embodiments of the present invention are explained hereinafter with reference to drawings.

#A relative rotation control mechanism has a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit can adopt an aspect having a hydraulic control valve for performing a main drain operation as a spool moves. The hydraulic control valve can adopt an aspect having an intermediate phase holding control position for holding the relative rotation phase at an intermediate phase, an advance angle control position for moving the relative rotation phase in the advance angle direction, and a structure of switching the main drain control position for performing the main drain operation as the spool moves. In this case, when the spool moves towards the drain control position because of performing the main drain operation by the engine halt signal, the advance angle control position is passed. In this way, when the spool moves towards the drain control position and the advance angle control position is passed, a noise for moving the relative rotation phase in the advance angle direction is caused. Thus, if the spool moves towards the drain control position through the advance angle control position by the engine halt signal and the main drain operation is performed as mentioned in the above, a control means changes a target value of the relative rotation phase into “an intermediate phase −α.” The meaning of “−α” is a setting value of moving the relative rotation phase (the vane) in the retard angle direction. Accordingly, the noise towards the advance angle and “−α” are cancelled or actually offset, and thus influence caused by the above mentioned noise can be suppressed. Consequently, if the engine halt signal is output, the relative rotation position can move rapidly to the intermediate phase as a lock position.

#Further, the hydraulic control valve as different type from the above mentioned hydraulic control valve can adopt an embodiment having an intermediate phase hold position for holding the relative rotation phase at the intermediate phase, a retard angle control position for moving the relative rotation phase in the retard angle direction, and the main drain control position for performing the main drain operation. Further, the hydraulic control valve can adopt an embodiment having a function of switching the intermediate phase hold position, the retard angle control position, and the drain control position as the spool moves. According to this different type of hydraulic control valve, the retard angle control position is passed when the spool moves towards the drain control position since the drain operation is performed by the engine halt signal. In this way, when the spool moves towards the drain control position and passes through the retard angle control position, a noise for moving the relative rotation phase in the retard angle direction is caused. Thus, when the spool moves towards the drain control position through the retard angle control position by thus described engine halt signal, a control means changes a target value of the relative rotary position into “an intermediate phase +α.” The meaning of “+α” is a setting value so as to move the relative rotation phase (the vane) in the advance angle direction. Accordingly, the noise towards the retard angle and “+α” are cancelled and actually offset, and influence caused by the above mentioned noise can be suppressed. Consequently, if the engine halt signal is output, the relative rotation phase can move rapidly to the intermediate phase as the lock position.