Variable valve timing apparatus with reduced operation sound and control method thereof

A variable valve timing apparatus changing an opening/closing timing of at least any one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve provided to an engine, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a change mechanism changing said opening/closing timing by changing difference in rotational phase of a camshaft driving the valve having said opening/closing timing changed, from a rotational phase of a crankshaft, at an amount of change according to an operation amount of said actuator;
• and
• a control unit setting the operation amount of said actuator, based on a deviation between said opening/closing timing at present of the valve having said opening/closing timing changed and a target value thereof, wherein
• said control unit sets the operation amount of said actuator to be smaller than at a time of engine operation, in a case where said opening/closing timing is changed at a time of engine stop.

A control method of a variable valve timing apparatus changing an opening/closing timing of at least any one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve provided to an engine,

• said variable valve timing apparatus including
• an actuator and
• a change mechanism changing said opening/closing timing by changing difference in rotational phase of a camshaft driving the valve having said opening/closing timing changed, from a rotational phase of a crankshaft, at an amount of change according to an operation amount of said actuator, said method comprising:
• an operation amount setting step of setting an operation amount of said actuator, based on a deviation between said opening/closing timing at present of the valve having said opening/closing timing changed and a target value thereof;
• and
• an operation amount limiting step of limiting the operation amount of said actuator set at said operation amount setting step to be smaller than at a time of engine operation, in a case where said opening/closing timing is changed at a time of engine stop.