Variable valve timing apparatus

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-213134 filed on Oct. 29, 2015.

The present disclosure relates to a variable valve timing apparatus that advances or retards opening timing and closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.

Previously, there is known a variable valve timing apparatus, which advances or retards opening timing and closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine through use of an oil pressure.

This type of variable valve timing apparatus includes a variable timing device, an oil pressure supply device, a phase sensing device, and a control device, which will be described hereinafter.

The variable timing device rotates vanes toward an advancing side or a retarding side through use of the oil pressure to advance or retard the opening timing and closing timing of the valve.

The oil pressure supply device includes a supply port, a valve element and an electromagnetic solenoid. The oil pressure is supplied to the variable timing device through the supply port. The valve element increase or decreases an opening degree of the supply port. The electromagnetic solenoid drives the valve element. The electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid is controlled to increase or decrease the opening degree of the supply port to adjust the supply of the oil pressure.

The phase sensing device senses a phase, which indicates a degree of advancing or a degree of retarding of the opening timing and closing timing of the intake valve or the exhaust valve.

The control device computes a target value of the phase based on an operational state of the internal combustion engine and controls the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid based on a result of comparison between a sensed value of the phase, which is obtained from the phase sensing device, and the target value of the phase.

There would be a case where foreign objects, such as metal particles, are contained in the oil. Therefore, for example, at the time of closing the supply port, the foreign object may possibly be introduced into and caught in a gap between the supply port and the valve element to disable complete closing of the supply port with the valve element. In such a case, the oil pressure is continuously supplied to the variable timing device, and thereby a difference between the target value of the phase and the sensed value of the phase is disadvantageously increased.

In view of the above point, there is a known technique of that the supply port is opened for a small amount, which does not have a substantial influence on the operation of the internal combustion engine, so that the foreign object is removed from the gap.

However, there is a possibility of that the small opening degree does not allow removal of the foreign object.

Thus, it is conceivable to increase the opening degree of the supply port to an extent that allows reliable removal of the foreign object.

However, when the opening degree of the supply port is increased, the oil pressure is rapidly supplied to the variable timing device. Therefore, the phase is changed within a short period of time to possibly increase a possibility of an unexpected sudden increase in a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a structure that can reliably remove the foreign object while limiting the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

JP2001-234768A discloses a structure that can limit occurrence of the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine even when the opening degree of the supply port is increased for the purpose of removing the foreign object.

Specifically, in the variable valve timing apparatus of JP2001-234768A, a lock pin is engaged with a vane to limit a change in the phase. The engagement of the lock pin is controlled by supplying the oil pressure from a separate oil pressure supply device, which is different from the oil pressure supply device that supplies the oil pressure to the variable timing device.

Therefore, in the variable valve timing apparatus of JP2001-234768A, the opening degree of the supply port can be increased while limiting the change in the phase even during the operation of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the foreign object can be reliably removed while limiting the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

However, the variable valve timing apparatus of JP2001-234768A additionally requires the lock pin and the oil pressure supply device for the lock pin. Furthermore, a control mode for controlling the oil pressure supply device is required. Therefore, the structure of the variable valve timing apparatus becomes complicated.

The present disclosure is made in view of the above disadvantages.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a variable valve timing apparatus that advances or retards opening timing and closing timing of an intake valve of an internal combustion engine through use of an oil pressure. The variable valve timing apparatus includes a variable timing device, an oil pressure supply device, a phase sensing device and a control device. The variable timing device rotates a vane toward an advancing side through application of the oil pressure to the vane to advance the opening timing and closing timing of the intake valve. The oil pressure supply device includes a supply port, a valve element and an electromagnetic solenoid. The supply port supplies the oil pressure to the variable timing device. The valve element increases or decreases an opening degree of the supply port. The electromagnetic solenoid drives the valve element. The opening degree of the supply port is increased or decreased by the valve element to adjust supply of the oil pressure to the variable timing device when supply of an electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid is controlled. The phase sensing device senses a phase, which indicates a degree of advancing of the opening timing and closing timing. The control device computes a target value of the phase based on an operational state of the internal combustion engine and controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid based a result of comparison between a sensed value of the phase, which is obtained from the phase sensing device, and the target value of the phase. The variable timing device includes a limiting portion that limits rotation of the vane toward the advancing side and thereby defines a limit of a variable range of the phase at a most advanced side. The control device sets: a permissible range of a difference between the sensed value of the phase and the target value of the phase; and a threshold value of the sensed value of the phase. The control device includes a first determining unit and a second determining unit. The first determining unit determines whether the difference exceeds the permissible range. The second determining unit determines whether the sensed value of the phase reaches the threshold value when the first determining unit determines that the difference exceeds the permissible range. The control device has at least two modes as control modes of the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid, which are used when the first determining unit determines that the difference exceeds the permissible range. One of the two modes is a special mode that is used when the second determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase reaches the threshold value. Another one of the two modes is a normal mode that is used when the second determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase does not reach the threshold value. In the special mode, the control device controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid in such a manner that the opening degree of the supply port is larger than the opening degree of the supply port in the normal mode.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a variable valve timing apparatus that advances or retards opening timing and closing timing of an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine through use of an oil pressure. The variable valve timing apparatus includes a variable timing device, an oil pressure supply device, a phase sensing device and a control device. The variable timing device rotates a vane toward a retarding side through application of the oil pressure to the vane to retard the opening timing and closing timing of the exhaust valve. The oil pressure supply device includes a supply port, a valve element, and an electromagnetic solenoid. The supply port supplies the oil pressure to the variable timing device. The valve element increases or decreases an opening degree of the supply port. The electromagnetic solenoid drives the valve element. The opening degree of the supply port is increased or decreased by the valve element to adjust supply of the oil pressure to the variable timing device when supply of an electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid is controlled. The phase sensing device senses a phase, which indicates a degree of retarding of the opening timing and closing timing. The control device computes a target value of the phase based on an operational state of the internal combustion engine and controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid based a result of comparison between a sensed value of the phase, which is obtained from the phase sensing device, and the target value of the phase. The variable timing device includes a limiting portion that limits rotation of the vane toward the retarding side and thereby defines a limit of a variable range of the phase at a most retarded side. The control device sets: a permissible range of a difference between the sensed value of the phase and the target value of the phase; and a threshold value of the sensed value of the phase. The control device includes a third determining unit and a fourth determining unit. The third determining unit determines whether the difference exceeds the permissible range. The fourth determining unit determines whether the sensed value of the phase reaches the threshold value when the third determining unit determines that the difference exceeds the permissible range. The control device has at least two modes as control modes of the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid, which are used when the third determining unit determines that the difference exceeds the permissible range. One of the two modes is a special mode that is used when the fourth determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase reaches the threshold value. Another one of the two modes is a normal mode that is used when the fourth determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase does not reach the threshold value. In the special mode, the control device controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid in such a manner that the opening degree of the supply port is larger than the opening degree of the supply port in the normal mode.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a descriptive diagram of a variable valve timing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a descriptive diagram of a variable timing device of an intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a descriptive diagram of an oil pressure supply device of the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing various operational states of a spool of the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are descriptive diagrams for describing biting of a foreign object in the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram indicating a change in a phase with time in the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a diagram indicating a change in the amount of electric power supplied to an electromagnetic solenoid with time in the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the intake valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a descriptive diagram of a variable timing device of an exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a descriptive diagram of an oil pressure supply device of the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing various operational states of a spool of the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are descriptive diagrams for describing biting of a foreign object in the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a diagram indicating a change in a phase with time in the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a diagram indicating a change in the amount of electric power supplied to an electromagnetic solenoid with time in the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the exhaust valve system of the embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a diagram indicating a change in a phase with time in an intake valve system in a modification of the embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a diagram indicating a change in the amount of electric power supplied to an electromagnetic solenoid with time in the intake valve system in the modification of the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a descriptive diagram for describing an amplitude in the intake valve system in the modification of the embodiment;

FIG. 16A is a diagram indicating a change in a phase with time in an exhaust valve system in the modification of the embodiment;

FIG. 16B is a diagram indicating a change in the amount of electric power supplied to an electromagnetic solenoid with time in the exhaust valve system of the modification of the embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a descriptive diagram for describing an amplitude in the exhaust valve system in the modification of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

A variable valve timing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4C and 8 to 10C .

The variable valve timing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a variable apparatus) 1 advances or retards opening timing and closing timing of intake valves (not shown) and exhaust valves (not shown) of an internal combustion engine through use of an oil pressure.

Specifically, the variable apparatus 1 includes a variable timing device 3 A, an oil pressure supply device 5 A, a phase sensing device 7 A, and an ECU (serving as a control device) 9 as components of a system (hereinafter referred to as an intake valve system), which is involved in control of opening timing and closing timing of the intake valves. Furthermore, the variable apparatus 1 includes a variable timing device 3 B, an oil pressure supply device 5 B, a phase sensing device 7 B, and the ECU 9 as components of a system (hereinafter referred to as an exhaust valve system), which is involved in control of opening timing and closing timing of the exhaust valves. The ECU 9 is commonly used by both of the intake valve system and the exhaust valve system.

With the above structure, the variable apparatus 1 changes a phase θA and a phase θB. The phase θA indicates a degree of advancing or retarding of the opening timing and closing timing of the intake valves. The phase θB indicates a degree of advancing or retarding of the opening timing and closing timing of the exhaust valves.

Hereinafter, the intake valve system of the variable apparatus 1 will be first described, and then the exhaust valve system of the variable apparatus 1 will be described.

As described above, the variable apparatus 1 includes the variable timing device 3 A, the oil pressure supply device 5 A, the phase sensing device 7 A and the ECU 9 as the constituent components of the intake valve system.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the variable timing device 3 A includes a housing 10 A and a rotor 11 A. The housing 10 A is rotated when a drive force is transmitted from a crankshaft (not shown) of the engine to the housing 10 A. The rotor 11 A is received in an inside of the housing 10 A and is joined to a camshaft (not shown), which controls opening and closing of the intake valves.

When the drive force is transmitted from the crankshaft to the housing 10 A, the housing 10 A is rotated synchronously with the crankshaft in an advancing direction shown in FIG. 2 . The housing 10 A is shaped into a tubular form and includes a plurality of partitions 12 A, which radially inwardly project and are arranged one after another at generally equal intervals in a circumferential direction, and a receiving chamber 13 A, which is shaped into a fan form, is defined between each circumferentially adjacent two of the partitions 12 A.

The rotor 11 A includes a boss 14 A and a plurality of vanes (also referred to as rotatable vanes) 15 A. The boss 14 A is fixed to the camshaft, which drives the intake valves. The vanes 15 A radially outwardly project from the boss 14 A and are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction. Each of the vanes 15 A is inserted into a corresponding one of the receiving chambers 13 A to fluid-tightly partition the receiving chamber 13 A into an advancing chamber 16 A and a retarding chamber 17 A.

When the oil pressure is supplied to the advancing chambers 16 A, the vanes 15 A are rotated in the advancing direction (advancing side) to advance the opening timing and closing timing of the intake valves. In contrast, when the oil pressure is supplied to the retarding chambers 17 A, the vanes 15 A are rotated in the retarding direction (retarding side) to retard the opening timing and closing timing of the intake valves.

Furthermore, the variable timing device 3 A includes an advancing side limiting portion 18 A and a retarding side limiting portion 19 A, which are provided at two opposite circumferential ends, respectively, of each receiving chamber 13 A at the housing 10 A. The advancing side limiting portion 18 A limits the rotation of the corresponding vane 15 A toward the advancing side and thereby defines a limit of the variable range of the phase θA at the most advanced side. The retarding side limiting portion 19 A limits the rotation of the corresponding vane 15 A toward the retarding side and thereby defines another limit of the variable range of the phase θA at the most retarded side.

Here, the advancing side limiting portion 18 A is a boundary wall of the receiving chamber 13 A at the advancing side. When the vane 15 A abuts against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A, the rotation of the vane 15 A toward the advancing side is limited, i.e., is stopped.

Similarly, the retarding side limiting portion 19 A is a boundary wall of the receiving chamber 13 A at the retarding side. When the vane 15 A abuts against the retarding side limiting portion 19 A, the rotation of the vane 15 A toward the retarding side is limited, i.e., is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the oil pressure supply device 5 A is an electromagnetic spool valve, which includes a sleeve 21 A, a spool 22 A, a return spring 23 A and an electromagnetic solenoid 24 A (see FIG. 1 ).

Hereinafter, for the descriptive purpose, the left side of the spool 22 A where one end part of the spool 22 A is placed in the axial direction in FIG. 3 will be referred to as one side, and the right side of the spool 22 A where the other end part of the spool 22 A is placed in the axial direction in FIG. 3 will be referred to as the other side. The return spring 23 A is held between the sleeve 21 A and the other end part of the spool 22 A. The return spring 23 A urges the spool 22 A toward the one side in the axial direction. When the electric power is not supplied to a coil of the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A, the spool 22 A is urged by the urging force of the return spring 23 A against a stopper 25 A, which is held by the sleeve 21 A at the one side. When the electric power is supplied to the coil of the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A, the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A generates a magnetic attractive force to drive the spool 22 A toward the other side against the urging force of the return spring 23 A.

The sleeve 21 A is shaped into, for example, a tubular body that receives the spool 22 A such that the spool 22 A is slidable in the axial direction along an inner peripheral portion of the sleeve 21 A. Furthermore, the sleeve 21 A includes an inlet port 27 A, an advancing port 28 A, a retarding port 29 A and a drain port 30 A. The inlet port 27 A is connected to a discharge outlet of an oil pump (also referred to as an oil pressure pump) P. The advancing portion 28 A is connected to the advancing chambers 16 A. The retarding port 29 A is connected to the retarding chambers 17 A. The drain port 30 A is connected to a drain (oil pan OP). The drain port 30 A is in a form of, for example, a through hole that extends in the axial direction through a wall of the other end part of the sleeve 21 A located on the other side. The oil pump P is, for example, a mechanical pump that is driven by the crankshaft. During the time of operating the internal combustion engine, the oil pump P suctions the oil from the oil pan OP and supplies the suctioned oil to the inlet port 27 A.

The inlet port 27 A, the advancing port 28 A, the retarding port 29 A and the drain port 30 A may be simply referred to as ports 27 A, 28 A, 29 A, 30 A unless it is necessary to individually specify these ports 27 A, 28 A, 29 A, 30 A.

The spool 22 A is a valve element that changes a communication state between corresponding ones of the ports 27 A, 28 A, 29 A, 30 A. The spool 22 A includes a hollow space 31 A, hollow space openings 32 A, 33 A, and circumferential grooves 34 A, 35 A, 36 A.

An axis of the hollow space 31 A is coaxial with an axis of the spool 22 A. The hollow space 31 A opens to the inner peripheral portion of the sleeve 21 A at the other end part of the spool 22 A and is always communicated with the drain port 30 A.

The hollow space openings 32 A, 33 A are respectively located on the one side and the other side of the circumferential grooves 34 A- 36 A in the axial direction and open the hollow space 31 A to an outer peripheral surface of the spool 22 A.

Furthermore, the hollow space opening 32 A is communicatable with the retarding port 29 A to communicate between the retarding port 29 A and the drain port 30 A through the hollow space 31 A (see FIG. 4C ).

The hollow space opening 33 A is communicatable with the advancing port 28 A to communicate between the advancing port 28 A and the drain port 30 A through the hollow space 31 A (see FIG. 4A ).

The circumferential grooves 34 A- 36 A are arranged between the hollow space opening 32 A and the hollow space opening 33 A in the order of the circumferential groove 34 A, the circumferential groove 35 A and the circumferential groove 36 A from the one side toward the other side in the axial direction.

The circumferential groove 34 A can communicate between the inlet port 27 A and the retarding port 29 A (see FIG. 4A ), and the circumferential groove 34 A can also communicate between the inlet port 27 A and the advancing port 28 A (see FIG. 4C ).

The circumferential groove 36 A can communicate between the advancing port 28 A and the drain port 30 A through the hollow space 31 A and the hollow space opening 33 A (see FIG. 4A ).

Hereinafter, the operation of the oil pressure supply device 5 A will be described. When the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A starts, the spool 22 A starts its movement. Thereby, the spool 22 A is lifted away from the stopper 25 A and is moved toward the other side (the right side in FIG. 3 ) in the axial direction. When the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is increased, the retarding port 29 A is first communicated with the inlet port 27 A, and the advancing port 28 A is communicated with the drain port 30 A (see FIG. 4A ). In this state, the oil is supplied to the retarding chambers 17 A, and the oil is drained from the advancing chambers 16 A. Therefore, the rotor 11 A is rotated relative to the housing 10 A toward the retarding side, and thereby the phase 8 A is changed to the retarding side.

Hereinafter, the state of communicating the retarding port 29 A to the inlet port 27 A and communicating the advancing port 28 A to the drain port 30 A will be referred to as a retarding operational state.

When the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is continuously increased, both of the advancing port 28 A and the retarding port 29 A are not communicated with any of the inlet port 27 A and the drain port 30 A (see FIG. 4B ). In this state, the inflow and the outflow of the oil relative to the advancing chambers 16 A and the retarding chambers 17 A are both blocked, i.e., stopped. Therefore, the rotor 11 A is no longer rotated relative to the housing 10 A, and thereby the current phase 8 A is held.

Hereinafter, the state of blocking the communication of the advancing port 28 A and the retarding port 29 A to both of the inlet port 27 A and the drain port 30 A will be referred to as a holding operational state.

When the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is further continuously increased, the advancing port 28 A is communicated with the inlet port 27 A, and the retarding port 29 A is communicated with the drain port 30 A (see FIG. 4C ). In this state, the oil is supplied to the advancing chambers 16 A, and the oil is drained from the retarding chambers 17 A. Therefore, the rotor 11 A is rotated relative to the housing 10 A toward the advancing side, and thereby the phase θA is changed to the advancing side.

Hereinafter, the state of communicating the advancing port 28 A to the inlet port 27 A and communicating the retarding port 29 A to the drain port 30 A will be referred to as an advancing operational state.

Thereby, in the oil pressure supply device 5 A, the state of communication of the ports 20 A- 30 A is changed among the retarding operational state, the holding operational state, and the advancing operational state depending of the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A.

The phase sensing device 7 A senses the phase 8 A of the intake valves.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the phase sensing device 7 A includes a crank angle sensor 39 and a cam angle sensor 40 A. The crank angle sensor 39 senses a rotational angle of the crankshaft. The cam angle sensor 40 A senses a rotational angle of the camshaft, which drives the intake valves.

The ECU 9 computes the phase θA based on the sensed values of these sensors 39 , 40 A and uses this computed phase 8 A as a sensed value of the phase θA.

The ECU 9 computes a target value of the phase θA according to the operational state of the internal combustion engine and controls the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A in a manner that coincides the sensed value of the phase θA to the target value of the phase θA.

That is, in a case where the target value of the phase θA is on the advancing side of the sensed value of the phase θA, the ECU 9 controls the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A in a manner that implements the advancing operational state in the oil pressure supply device 5 A, so that the sensed value of the phase θA is changed to the advancing side. In contrast, in a case where the target value of the phase θA is on the retarding side of the sensed value of the phase θA, the ECU 9 controls the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A in a manner that implements the retarding operational state in the oil pressure supply device 5 A, so that the sensed value of the phase θA is changed to the retarding side.

Next, the exhaust valve system of the variable apparatus 1 will be described. Similar to the intake valve system discussed above, the variable apparatus 1 includes the variable timing device 3 B, the oil pressure supply device 5 B, the phase sensing device 7 B and the ECU 9 as components of the exhaust valve system.

The structures of the variable timing device 3 B and the oil pressure supply device 5 B are the same as the structures of the variable timing device 3 A and the oil pressure supply device 5 A, respectively, and thereby will not be described for the sake of simplicity (see FIGS. 8 to 10C ). In the following discussion, the reference signs of the components of the variable timing device 3 B will be distinguished from the reference signs of the equivalent components of the variable timing device 3 A by changing the alphabet at the last end of each corresponding reference sign from A to B. Similarly, the reference signs of the components of the oil pressure supply device 5 B will be distinguished from the reference signs of the equivalent components of the oil pressure supply device 5 A by changing the alphabet at the last end of each corresponding reference sign from A to B.

Furthermore, the phase sensing device 7 B senses the phase θB of the exhaust valves and includes the crank angle sensor 39 and a cam angle sensor 40 B. The crank angle sensor 39 is commonly used by the intake valve system and the exhaust valve system. The cam angle sensor 40 B senses a rotational angle of a camshaft, which drives the exhaust valves. The ECU 9 computes the phase θB based on the sensed values of these sensors 39 , 40 B and uses this computed phase θB as a sensed value of the phase θB. In the exhaust valve system, the ECU 9 controls the phase θB through the oil pressure supply device 5 B. This control of the phase θB is similar to the control of the phase θA through the oil pressure supply device 5 A.

The characteristics of the intake valve system will be first described, and thereafter the characteristics of the exhaust valve system will be described.

Now, the characteristics of the intake valve system will be first described. The following discussion of the characteristics of the intake valve system is under the assumption of that a foreign object pA, such as debris, is bitten, i.e., clamped between the spool 22 A and the sleeve 21 A in the oil pressure supply device 5 A at the time of changing the operational state of the oil pressure supply device 5 A from the advancing operational state to the holding operational state, so that the communication between the advancing port 28 A and the inlet port 27 A cannot be completely blocked. In this case, it is assumed that the biting of the foreign object pA occurs between, for example, a wall of the circumferential groove 35 A, which is located on the other side in the axial direction, and a wall of a radially inner opening of the advancing port 28 A, which is located on the one side in the axial direction (see FIGS. 5A and 5B ). Specifically, in the case of FIGS. 5A and 5B , the foreign object pA is introduced into the circumferential groove 35 A from the inlet port 27 A (see FIG. 5A ). When the spool 22 A is moved toward the one side in the axial direction (see a blank arrow in FIG. 5A ), the foreign object pA is clamped between the wall of the circumferential groove 35 A, which is located on the other side in the axial direction, and the wall of the radially inner opening of the advancing port 28 A, which is located on the one side in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 5B .

When this incidence occurs, the oil continuously flows into the advancing chambers 16 A, so that the phase θA is continuously changed toward the advancing side beyond the target value.

Thus, the ECU 9 sets a permissible range εA and a threshold value θAc to address the biting of the foreign object pA in the oil pressure supply device 5 A. Furthermore, the ECU 9 includes a first determining unit (also referred to as a primary determining unit) 43 , which uses the permissible range εA, and a second determining unit (also referred to as a secondary determining unit) 45 , which uses the threshold value θAc. Furthermore, in order to remove the foreign object, which is bitten between the spool 22 A and the sleeve 21 A, the ECU 9 has two operational modes, i.e., an intake side special mode and an intake side normal mode as operational modes for controlling the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A.

The permissible range εA is set for a difference (divergence) δA between the sensed value of the phase θA and the target value of the phase θA. The first determining unit 43 determines whether the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA.

Furthermore, the threshold value θAc is set for the sensed value of the phase θA. When the first determining unit 43 determines that the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA, the second determining unit 45 determines whether the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc.

The intake side special mode and the intake side normal mode are the modes that are used at the time when the first determining unit 43 determines that the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA. Furthermore, the intake side special mode is the mode that is used when the second determining unit 45 determines that the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc. The intake side normal mode is the mode that is used when the second determining unit 45 determines that the sensed value of the phase θA has not reached the threshold value θAc.

In the intake side special mode, the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is controlled such that an opening degree of the advancing port (serving as a supply port) 28 A becomes larger than an opening degree of the advancing port 28 A in the intake side normal mode.

Here, the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A refers to a degree of communication between the advancing port 28 A and the inlet port 27 A. The opening degree of the advancing port 28 A may be defined as a distance in the axial direction between the two walls (the wall of the circumferential groove 35 A, which is located on the other side in the axial direction, and the wall of the radially inner opening of the advancing port 28 A, which is located on the one side in the axial direction), which clamp the foreign object pA.

Furthermore, a difference between the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A in the intake side special mode and the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A in the intake side normal mode is set by, for example, changing a temporal change pattern of a command value for the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A between the intake side special mode and the intake side normal mode. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the temporal change pattern in the intake side special mode is set to be a rectangular waveform, and the temporal change pattern in the intake side normal mode is set to be a triangular waveform. In this way, the opening degree in the intake side special mode becomes larger than the opening degree in the intake side normal mode. Specifically, by implementing the intake side special mode with the rectangular waveform and the intake side normal mode with the triangular waveform, a temporal average value of the opening degree in the intake side special mode becomes larger than a temporal average value of the opening degree in the intake side normal mode.

Furthermore, the threshold value θAc is set as a value of the phase θA at the time of abutting the vane 15 A against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 2 , the threshold value θAc is a boundary value of the variable range of the phase θA at the most advanced side (most advanced phase value θAL).

Next, the characteristics of the exhaust valve system will be described. The following discussion of the characteristics of the exhaust valve system is under the assumption of that the foreign object pB is bitten, i.e., clamped between the spool 22 A and the sleeve 21 A in the oil pressure supply device 5 B at the time of changing the operational state of the oil pressure supply device 5 B from the retarding operational state to the holding operational state, so that the communication between the retarding port 29 B and the inlet port 27 B cannot be completely blocked. In this case, it is assumed that the biting of the foreign object pB occurs between, for example, a wall of the circumferential groove 34 B, which is located on the one side in the axial direction, and a wall of a radially inner opening of the retarding port 29 B, which is located on the other side in the axial direction (see FIGS. 11A and 11B ). Specifically, in the case of FIGS. 11A and 11B , the foreign object pB is introduced into the circumferential groove 34 B from the inlet port 27 B (see FIG. 11A ). When the spool 22 B is moved toward the other side in the axial direction (see a blank arrow in FIG. 11A ), the foreign object pB is clamped between the wall of the circumferential groove 34 B, which is located on the one side in the axial direction, and the wall of the radially inner opening of the retarding port 29 B, which is located on the other side in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 11B .

When this incidence occurs, the oil continuously flows into the retarding chambers 17 B, so that the phase θB is continuously changed toward the retarding side beyond the target value. Thus, a permissible range εB and a threshold value θBc are set at the ECU 9 to counteract against the biting of the foreign object pB in the oil pressure supply device 5 B. The ECU 9 includes a third determining unit (also referred to as a primary determining unit) 47 , which uses the permissible range εB, and a fourth determining unit (also referred to as a secondary determining unit) 49 , which uses the threshold value θBc. Furthermore, in order to remove the foreign object, which is bitten between the spool 22 B and the sleeve 21 B, the ECU 9 has two operational modes, i.e., an exhaust side special mode and an exhaust side normal mode as operational modes for controlling the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B.

The permissible range εB is set for a difference (divergence) δB between the sensed value of the phase θB and the target value of the phase θB. The third determining unit 47 determines whether the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB.

Furthermore, the threshold value θBc is set for the sensed value of the phase OB. When the third determining unit 47 determines that the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB, the fourth determining unit 49 determines whether the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc.

The exhaust side special mode and the exhaust side normal mode are the modes that are used at the time when the third determining unit 47 determines that the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB. Furthermore, the exhaust side special mode is the mode that is used when the fourth determining unit 49 determines that the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc. The exhaust side normal mode is the mode that is used when the fourth determining unit 49 determines that the sensed value of the phase θB has not reached the threshold value θBc.

In the exhaust side special mode, the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B is controlled such that an opening degree of the retarding port (serving as a supply port) 29 B becomes larger than an opening degree of the retarding port 29 B in the exhaust side normal mode.

Here, the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B refers to a degree of communication between the retarding port 29 B and the inlet port 27 B. The opening degree of the retarding port 29 B may be defined as a distance in the axial direction between the two walls (the wall of the circumferential groove 34 B, which is located on the one side in the axial direction, and the wall of the radially inner opening of the retarding port 29 B, which is located on the other side in the axial direction), which clamp the foreign object pB.

Furthermore, a difference between the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B in the exhaust side special mode and the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B in the exhaust side normal mode is set by, for example, changing a temporal change pattern of a command value for the amount ISB of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B between the exhaust side special mode and the exhaust side normal mode. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the temporal change pattern in the exhaust side special mode is set to be a rectangular waveform, and the temporal change pattern in the exhaust side normal mode is set to be a triangular waveform. In this way, the opening degree in the exhaust side special mode becomes larger than the opening degree in the exhaust side normal mode. Specifically, by implementing the exhaust side special mode with the rectangular waveform and the exhaust side normal mode with the triangular waveform, a temporal average value of the opening degree in the exhaust side special mode becomes larger than a temporal average value of the opening degree in the exhaust side normal mode. Furthermore, the threshold value θBc is set as a value of the phase θB at the time of abutting the vane 15 B against the retarding side limiting portion 19 B. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 8 , the threshold value θBc is a boundary value of the variable range of the phase θB at the most retarded side (most retarded phase value θBL).

The control method for the intake valve system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7 .

In FIG. 6A , θA* is the target value of the phase θA. Furthermore, in FIG. 6B , TNA is an execution time period of the intake side normal mode, and TSA is an execution time period of the intake side special mode.

First, at step S 100 of FIG. 7 , it is determined whether the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA. When it is determined that the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA at step S 100 (YES at step S 100 , see a time point t 0 in FIG. 6A ), the operation proceeds to step S 110 . In contrast, when it is determined that the difference δA does not exceed the permissible range εA at step S 100 (NO at step S 100 ), the determination of step S 100 is repeated. The operation at step S 100 corresponds to the function of the first determining unit 43 .

Next, at step S 110 , it is determined whether the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc. When it is determined that the sensed value of the phase θA has not reached the threshold value θAc at step S 110 (i.e., NO at step S 110 ), the operation proceeds to step S 120 . At step S 120 , the intake side normal mode is executed (see a time period TNA starting from the time point t 0 in FIG. 6B ).

Here, it should be noted that instead of executing the intake side normal mode immediately after the time of making the NO determination at step S 110 , the intake side normal mode may be executed only after the NO determination at step S 110 has continued for a predetermined time period for the purpose of eliminating an influence of a pulse noise. After the execution of the intake side normal mode at step S 120 , the operation proceeds to step S 140 .

When it is determined that the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc at step S 110 (i.e., YES at step S 110 , see a time point t 1 in FIG. 6A ), the operation proceeds to step S 130 . At step S 130 , the intake side special mode is executed (see a time period TSA starting from the time point t 1 in FIG. 6B ).

Here, it should be noted that instead of executing the intake side special mode immediately after the time of making the YES determination at step S 110 , the intake side special mode may be executed only after the YES determination at step S 110 has continued for a predetermined time period for the purpose of eliminating the influence of the pulse noise. After the execution of the intake side special mode at S 130 , the operation proceeds to step S 140 . The operation at step S 110 corresponds to the function of the second determining unit 45 .

Next, at step S 140 , it is determined whether the foreign object has been removed.

When it is determined that the foreign object has been removed at step S 140 (YES at step S 140 ), the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is terminated. In contrast, when it is determined that the foreign object has not been removed at step S 140 (NO at step S 140 ), the operation returns to step S 110 .

Here, it is possible to determine whether the foreign object has been removed by, for example, temporarily setting the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A to zero (0) and then determining whether the phase θA is changed to the retarding side upon the temporarily setting of the amount ISA of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A to zero (0).

Next, the control method for the exhaust valve system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 13 .

In FIG. 12A , θB* is the target value of the phase θB. Furthermore, in FIG. 12B , TNB is an execution time period of the exhaust side normal mode, and TSB is an execution time period of the exhaust side special mode.

First, at step S 200 of FIG. 13 , it is determined whether the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB. When it is determined that the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB at step S 200 (YES at step S 200 , see the time point t 0 in FIG. 12A ), the operation proceeds to step S 210 . In contrast, when it is determined that the difference δB does not exceed the permissible range εB at step S 200 (NO at step S 200 ), the determination of step S 200 is repeated. The operation at step S 200 corresponds to the function of the third determining unit 47 .

Next, at step S 210 , it is determined whether the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc. When it is determined that the sensed value of the phase θB has not reached the threshold value θBc at step S 210 (i.e., NO at step S 210 ), the operation proceeds to step S 220 . At step S 220 , the exhaust side normal mode is executed (see the time period TNB starting from the time point t 0 in FIG. 12B ).

Here, it should be noted that instead of executing the exhaust side normal mode immediately after the time of making the NO determination at step S 210 , the exhaust side normal mode may be executed only after the NO determination at step S 210 has continued for a predetermined time period for the purpose of eliminating the influence of the pulse noise. After the execution of the exhaust side normal mode at step S 220 , the operation proceeds to step S 240 .

When it is determined that the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc at step S 210 (i.e., YES at step S 210 , see the time point t 1 in FIG. 12A ), the operation proceeds to step S 230 . At step S 230 , the exhaust side special mode is executed (see the time period TSB starting from the time point t 1 in FIG. 12B ).

Here, it should be noted that instead of executing the exhaust side special mode immediately after the time of making the YES determination at step S 210 , the exhaust side special mode may be executed only after the YES determination at step S 210 has continued for a predetermined time period for the purpose of eliminating the influence of the pulse noise. After the execution of the exhaust side special mode at S 220 , the operation proceeds to step S 240 . The operation at step S 210 corresponds to the function of the fourth determining unit 49 .

Next, at step S 240 , it is determined whether the foreign object has been removed.

When it is determined that the foreign object has been removed at step S 140 (YES at step S 140 ), the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is terminated. In contrast, when it is determined that the foreign object has not been removed at step S 240 (NO at step S 240 ), the operation returns to step S 210 .

Here, it is possible to determine whether the foreign object has been removed by, for example, temporarily setting the amount ISB of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B to a maximum value and then determining whether the phase θB is changed to the advancing side upon the temporarily setting of the amount ISB of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B to the maximum value.

Now, advantages of the embodiment will be described.

In the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the variable timing device 3 A includes the advancing side limiting portion 18 A that limits the rotation of the vane 15 A toward the advancing side and thereby defines the limit of the variable range of the phase θB at the most advanced side.

The ECU 9 sets the permissible range εA for the difference δA between the sensed value of the phase 8 A and the target value of the phase θA as well as the threshold value θAc for the sensed value of the phase θA. Furthermore, the ECU 9 includes the first determining unit 43 and the second determining unit 45 . The first determining unit 43 determines whether the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA. The second determining unit 45 determines whether the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc after the first determining unit 43 determines that the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA.

Furthermore, the ECU 9 has at least the two modes, which are used as the operational modes for controlling the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A in the case where the first determining unit 43 determines that the difference δA exceeds the permissible range εA.

One of these two modes is the intake side special mode that is used when the second determining unit 45 determines that the sensed value of the phase θA has reached the threshold value θAc. The other one of the two modes is the intake side normal mode that is used when the second determining unit 45 determines that the sensed value of the phase θA has not reached the threshold value θAc.

In the intake side special mode, the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is controlled such that the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A becomes larger than the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A in the intake side normal mode.

Therefore, by using the intake side special mode, the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A can be increased, and thereby the foreign object can be more reliably removed.

Furthermore, by providing the second determining unit 45 , it is possible to limit the time period, in which the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A is large.

Specifically, in the second determining unit 45 , the intake side special mode is used when the sensed value of the phase θA exceeds the threshold value θAc. Therefore, the period of having the large opening degree of the advancing port 28 A is limited to the period that is from the time point, at which the phase θA exceeds the threshold value θAc, to the time point, at which the phase θA reaches the most advanced phase value θAL of the variable range.

Therefore, even when the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A is increased by using the intake side special mode, it is possible to limit occurrence of the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

As a result, in the variable apparatus 1 , the foreign object can be reliably removed while limiting the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

In the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the threshold value θAc is the most advanced phase value θAL of the variable range of the phase θA.

Therefore, even when the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A is increased by using the intake side special mode, the further advancing of the phase θA is prevented by the advancing side limiting portion 18 A. Therefore, the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine can be further limited.

Furthermore, in the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ECU 9 controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A by outputting the command value for the amount ISA of electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A. The waveform of the temporal change in the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is the rectangular waveform in the intake side special mode, and the waveform of the temporal change in the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is the triangular waveform in the intake side normal mode.

Thereby, for example, in the case where the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 A is changed in a binary manner between zero (0) and the maximum value during the time of executing the mode, by setting the rectangular waveform in the intake side special mode and the triangular waveform in the intake side normal mode, the temporal average value of the opening degree in the intake side special mode can be easily increased in comparison to the temporal average value of the opening degree in the intake side normal mode.

In the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the variable timing device 3 B includes the retarding side limiting portion 19 B that limits the rotation of the vane 15 B toward the retarding side and thereby defines the limit of the variable range of the phase θB at the most retarded side.

The ECU 9 sets the permissible range εB for the difference δB between the sensed value of the phase θB and the target value of the phase θB as well as the threshold value θBc for the sensed value of the phase θB. Furthermore, the ECU 9 includes the third determining unit 47 and the fourth determining unit 49 . The third determining unit 47 determines whether the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB. The fourth determining unit 49 determines whether the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc after the third determining unit 47 determines that the difference 5 B exceeds the permissible range εB.

Furthermore, the ECU 9 has at least the two modes, which are used as the operational modes for controlling the electric power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B in the case where the third determining unit 47 determines that the difference δB exceeds the permissible range εB.

One of these two modes is the exhaust side special mode that is used when the fourth determining unit 49 determines that the sensed value of the phase θB has reached the threshold value θBc. The other one of the two modes is the exhaust side normal mode that is used when the fourth determining unit 49 determines that the sensed value of the phase θB has not reached the threshold value θBc.

In the exhaust side special mode, the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B is controlled such that the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B becomes larger than the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B in the exhaust side normal mode.

Therefore, by using the exhaust side special mode, the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B can be increased, and thereby the foreign object can be more reliably removed.

Furthermore, by providing the fourth determining unit 49 , it is possible to limit the time period, in which the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B is large.

Specifically, in the fourth determining unit 49 , the exhaust side special mode is used when the sensed value of the phase θB exceeds the threshold value θBc. Therefore, the period of having the large opening degree of the retarding port 29 B is limited to the period that is from the time point, at which the phase θB exceeds the threshold value θBc, to the time point, at which the phase θB reaches the most retarded phase value θBL of the variable range.

Therefore, even when the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B is increased by using the exhaust side special mode, it is possible to limit occurrence of the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

As a result, in the variable apparatus 1 , the foreign object can be reliably removed while limiting the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

In the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the threshold value θBc is the most retarded phase value θBL of the variable range of the phase θB.

Therefore, even when the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B is increased by using the exhaust side special mode, the further advancing of the phase θB is prevented by the retarding side limiting portion 19 B. Therefore, the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine can be further limited.

Furthermore, in the variable apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ECU 9 controls the supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B by outputting the command value for the amount ISB of electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B. The waveform of the temporal change in the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B is the rectangular waveform in the exhaust side special mode, and the waveform of the temporal change in the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B is the triangular waveform in the exhaust side normal mode.

Thereby, for example, in the case where the command value for the amount of electric power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 24 B is changed in a binary manner between zero (0) and the maximum value during the time of executing the mode, by setting the rectangular waveform in the exhaust side special mode and the triangular waveform in the exhaust side normal mode, the temporal average value of the opening degree in the intake side special mode can be easily increased in comparison to the temporal average value of the opening degree in the exhaust side normal mode.

Various modifications of the above embodiment can be made without departing the scope of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the most advanced phase value θAL is set as the threshold value θAc. Alternatively, the threshold value θAc may be set on the retarding side of the most advanced phase value θAL (see FIGS. 14A and 14B ).

In this case, based on, for example, a result of experiments, a range, in which the influence of the unexpected sudden increase in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is small even when the phase is advanced from the threshold value θAc, may be obtained in advance to set the threshold value θAc.

In this way, the phase range, in which the intake side special mode can be executed, can be increased, and the range, in which the opening degree of the advancing port 28 A can be made large, can be increased. Thereby, the removal of the foreign object can be more reliably executed. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , the intake side special mode can be executed before the phase θA reaches the most advanced phase value θAL. Therefore, the removal of the foreign object can be completed in the earlier stage.

The phase can be oscillated relative to the target value θA*. At or around the most advanced phase value θAL, the vane 15 A of the rotor 11 A may possibly repeatedly collide against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A. Here, in a case where an extent of oscillation of the phase θA relative to the target value θA* of the phase (θA) on the advancing side is defined as an amplitude aA, it is desirable that the threshold value θAc is set between the boundary value θAL of the variable range of the phase θA, which is set on the most advanced side, and an amplitude value θAa, which is displaced from the boundary value θAL on the retarding side by the amplitude aA.

The amplitude aA may be obtained in advance through, for example, experiments.

In this way, in the case where there is a high possibility of that the vane 15 A repeatedly collides against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A, the vane 15 A can be forcefully urged against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A to limit the occurrence of repeated collisions of the vane 15 A against the advancing side limiting portion 18 A, and thereby wearing of the advancing side limiting portion 18 A caused by the collisions of the vane 15 A can be limited (see FIG. 15 ).

Similarly, with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B , the threshold value θBc may be set on the advancing side of the most advanced phase value θBL.

In this way, the phase range, in which the exhaust side special mode can be executed, can be increased, and the range, in which the opening degree of the retarding port 29 B can be made large, can be increased. Thereby, the removal of the foreign object can be more reliably executed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B , the exhaust side special mode can be executed before the phase θB reaches the most retarded phase value θBL. Therefore, the removal of the foreign object can be completed in the earlier stage.

Here, similar to the intake valve system, there would be a case where the phase θB oscillates relative to the target value θB*. In a case where an amplitude of the oscillation of the phase θB relative to the target value θB*, which occurs on the advancing side, is defined as an amplitude aB, it is desirable that the threshold value θBc is set between the boundary value θBL of the variable range of the phase θB, which is set on the most retarded side, and an amplitude value θBa, which is displaced from the boundary value θBL on the advancing side by the amplitude aB (see FIG. 17 ).

Furthermore, the normal mode is executed before the special mode in the above embodiment. However, since the special mode and the normal mode may be individually executed, it is not absolutely necessary to execute the normal mode before the special mode. Therefore, the special mode may be solely executed.

Furthermore, the number of increases or decreases of the electric current in the normal mode and the number of increases or decreases of the electric current in the special mode are not limited to the above described ones. The number of increase(s) or decrease(s) may be one or may be set to a different number(s).