Apparatus and method for controlling variable valve operating mechanism

An apparatus for controlling a variable valve operating mechanism that performs a valve lift amount control on at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to successively vary a valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve, comprising:

• first inputting means for inputting a valve timing operating condition of said intake valve or said exhaust valve controlled by a variable valve timing mechanism provided in said internal combustion engine;
• second inputting means for inputting an operating condition of a valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve controlled by said variable valve operating mechanism;
• storing means for storing a first limit value and a second limit value,
• the first limit value setting a lift amount to a smaller lift amount as the valve timing operating condition of said intake valve approaches the most advanced angle position when the valve timing operating, condition of said intake valve is within a range of from an intermediate advance angle position to the most advanced angle position, or as the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve approaches the most retarded angle position when the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve is within a range of from an intermediate retarded angle position to the most retarded angle position, and the first limit value limiting a lift amount to such a lift amount that an interference between a piston and said intake valve or said exhaust valve does not occur, and
• the second limit value setting a lift amount to a larger lift amount than said first limit value when the inputted valve timing operating condition of said intake valve is at an angle position more retarded than the intermediate advanced angle position, or when the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve is at an angle position more advanced than the intermediate retarded angle position and the second limit value limiting a lift amount to such a lift amount that an interference between a piston and said intake valve or said exhaust valve does not occur;
• limit value setting means for setting a limit value for limiting a control range of said valve lift amount by referring to said storing means on the basis of the inputted valve timing operating condition during feedback-controlling of said variable valve operating mechanism in accordance with the inputted operating condition of the valve lift amount;
• and
• control means for feedback-controlling said valve lift amount within the control range set by said limit value setting means.

A method for controlling a variable valve operating mechanism that performs a valve lift amount control on at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to successively vary a valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve, the method comprising:

• a first inputting step of inputting a valve timing operating condition of said intake valve or said exhaust valve controlled by a variable valve timing mechanism provided in said internal combustion engine;
• a second inputting step of inputting an operating condition of a valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve controlled by said variable valve operating mechanism;
• a storing step of storing a first limit value and a second limit value,
• the first limit value setting a lift amount to a smaller lift amount as the valve timing operating condition of said intake valve approaches the most advanced angle position when the valve timing operating condition of said intake valve is within a range of from an intermediate advance angle position to the most advanced angle position, or as the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve approaches the most retarded angle position when the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve is within a range of from an intermediate retarded angle position to the most retarded angle position, and the first limit value limiting a lift amount to such a lift amount that an interference between a piston and said intake valve or said exhaust valve does not occur, and
• the second limit value setting a lift amount to a larger lift amount than said first limit value, when the inputted valve timing operating condition of said intake valve is at an angle position with more retarded than the intermediate advanced angle position, or when the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve is at a position with more advanced angle than the intermediate retarded angle position, and the second limit value limiting a lift amount to such a lift amount that an interference between a piston and said intake valve or said exhaust valve does not occur;
• a limit value setting step of setting a limit value for limiting a control range of said valve lift amount by referring to said storing step on the basis of the inputted valve timing operating condition during feedback-controlling of said variable valve operating mechanism in accordance with the inputted operating condition of the valve lift amount;
• and
• a controlling step of feedback-controlling said valve lift amount within the control range set by said limit value setting step.

A method for controlling a variable valve operating mechanism that performs a valve lift amount control on at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to successively vary a valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve, in which at least one of following limit values (a) and (b) is stored in advance to a storage section:

• (a) a limit value which limits said valve lift amount to a smaller valve lift amount as a valve timing operating condition of said intake valve approaches the most advanced angle position when the valve timing operating condition of said intake valve is within a range of from an intermediate advance angle position to the most advanced angle position;
• and
• (b) a limit value which limits said valve lift amount to a smaller valve lift amount as the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve approaches the most retarded angle position when the valve timing operating condition of said exhaust valve is within a range of from an intermediate retarded angle position to the most retarded angle position,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• inputting the valve timing operating condition of said intake valve or said exhaust valve;
• inputting an operating condition of valve lift amount of said intake valve or said exhaust valve;
• and
• feedback-controlling said valve lift amount within a limiting range which is set by setting a limit value for limiting a control range of said valve lift amount by referring to said storage section on the basis of the inputted valve timing operation condition of said intake valve or said exhaust valve during feedback-controlling of said variable valve operating mechanism in accordance with said inputted valve timing operating condition of said intake valve or said exhaust valve.