JP2012002099A - Valve timing control device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine capable of properly coping with the occurrence of operation failure.SOLUTION: The device includes: a hydraulic valve timing variable mechanism for changing valve timing; a hydraulic lock mechanism for locking the valve timing by a lock phase; and an oil control valve for changing a hydraulic supply form to each of the mechanisms. The valve timing is adjusted by changing an operation state of each mechanism through the operation control of the oil control valve. The occurrence of such operation failure that a following speed of the actual valve timing to target valve timing decreases is detected. When the valve timing upon the detection of operation failure is the most advanced angle phase VTemax (lock phase) (S202: YES), or when the valve timing upon the detection of operation failure is the most retarded angle phase VTemin (S204: YES), the execution of a process for resuming from the operation failure (S203 or S205) is started.

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine that varies a valve timing of an engine valve by driving a hydraulic valve timing variable mechanism.

  In order to improve the output and emission of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, it is often used to provide a variable valve timing mechanism for appropriately changing the opening / closing timing (so-called valve timing) of the engine valve. The variable valve timing mechanism is provided between the crankshaft and the camshaft of the internal combustion engine. Then, the rotational phase (relative rotational phase) of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft, and thus the valve timing, is changed through driving of the variable valve timing mechanism.

  As the variable valve timing mechanism, a hydraulic type using hydraulic pressure as its drive source is known. The apparatus provided with the hydraulic valve timing variable mechanism is provided with a hydraulic control mechanism that supplies the mechanism while adjusting the hydraulic pressure. The operation mode of the variable valve timing mechanism is controlled by switching the hydraulic supply mode through the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism. As the operation mode of the hydraulic control mechanism, basically, the operation mode in which the relative rotation phase is advanced, the operation mode in which the relative rotation phase is delayed, and the relative rotation phase is maintained as it is. The operation mode to be performed is set. In the valve timing control device, a control target value (target phase) for the relative rotation phase is set based on the operating state of the internal combustion engine, and operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism is executed based on the target phase. The As a result, the relative rotational phase and thus the valve timing are adjusted to match the engine operating state.

  In addition, it has been proposed that the valve timing control device is provided with a lock mechanism for mechanically locking the relative rotation phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft at a predetermined lock phase (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . Patent Document 1 discloses a hydraulic lock mechanism that is driven by hydraulic pressure supplied via a hydraulic control mechanism. The lock mechanism is either in a state where the relative rotation phase is locked at the lock phase (lock state) or in a state where the lock of the relative rotation phase is released (lock release state) by the hydraulic pressure supplied to the lock mechanism. It will be in the operating state. By providing such a lock mechanism, it is possible to switch between a state in which the valve timing is held at a timing corresponding to the lock phase and a state in which the valve timing can be changed to an arbitrary timing.

  Here, in the drive control of the variable valve timing mechanism (specifically, the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism), an abnormal operation may occur in which the follow-up speed of the actual relative rotational phase to the target phase is excessively reduced. . Patent Document 1 proposes that when such an operation abnormality occurs, a return control is executed to recover from the abnormality. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since it is highly likely that the foreign matter is caught in the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism, the control for eliminating the foreign matter is executed. Is done. Specifically, the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism is executed in a control mode in which the movable part reciprocates so as to forcibly vibrate the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism.

JP 2000-303864 A

  The cause of the above-described operation abnormality is not limited to foreign matter being caught in the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism, and it is assumed that there are various causes. For this reason, even if the return control for uniformly eliminating the foreign object is performed when the operation abnormality occurs, it may not be possible to recover from the abnormality. In other words, when an operation abnormality has occurred due to factors other than the entry of foreign matter into the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism, even if the return control is performed, the abnormality is not resolved and the return control is useless. Will be executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine that can appropriately cope with occurrence of an abnormal operation.

In the following, means for achieving the above object and its operational effects will be described.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic valve timing variable mechanism that changes the valve timing through a change in the relative rotation phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft, and a mechanical engagement between the relative rotation phase change operation by the mechanism. A hydraulic lock mechanism that regulates the relative rotational phase with a predetermined lock phase by controlling through a combination, a hydraulic control mechanism that switches a supply mode of hydraulic pressure to the variable valve timing mechanism and the lock mechanism, and an engine operating state Adjusting means for adjusting the valve timing by changing the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism and the locking mechanism through the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism that is executed based on the target phase set on the basis of the target phase, and the relative rotation When an abnormal operation is detected that the follow-up speed of the phase to the target phase decreases. In the valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine, the occurrence of the operation abnormality is detected, comprising: execution means for executing return control that is one execution mode of operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism in order to recover from the operation abnormality Detecting means for detecting the relative rotational phase, wherein the execution means is a first condition that the relative rotational phase detected by the detecting means is a limit phase in the control range, and the detecting means The gist is that the execution of the return control is started when any of the second condition that the detected relative rotational phase is the lock phase is satisfied.

  When the cause of the abnormal operation is a foreign object biting into the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the variable valve timing mechanism cannot be changed at this time, and the operation mode of the mechanism is changed. You can't do that either. Therefore, the relative rotational phase changes only to either the advance side or the retard side, and there is a high possibility that the relative rotational phase becomes the limit phase of the control range. In the above configuration, if the relative rotational phase becomes the limit phase of the control range when an operation abnormality occurs, the return control is performed because there is a high possibility that foreign matter is caught in the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism. It is possible to execute the operation, and it is possible to appropriately recover from the abnormal operation.

  Further, as a result of investigations by the inventors, it has been found that the malfunction of the lock mechanism is one of the causes of the abnormal operation. Specifically, when the relative rotation phase is locked at the lock phase due to a malfunction of the lock mechanism (lock state), even if the target phase is changed, the relative rotation phase does not change. Abnormal operation will occur. In this regard, in the above configuration, if the relative rotation phase is the lock phase when an operation abnormality occurs, the return control is executed assuming that there is a high possibility that the lock mechanism is erroneously locked due to a malfunction of the lock mechanism. Even in this case, it is possible to appropriately recover from the abnormal operation.

  As described above, according to the above configuration, the cause of the operation abnormality can be determined based on the relative rotation phase of the camshaft, and the return control can be executed according to the cause of the occurrence. Will be able to deal with it properly.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to the first aspect, the execution means is configured so that when the second condition is satisfied, an operating state of the lock mechanism is The gist of the invention is that the control for making the released state is executed as the return control.

  According to the above configuration, when the second condition is satisfied, that is, when there is a high possibility that the lock mechanism is erroneously locked due to a malfunction of the lock mechanism, the operation state of the lock mechanism is determined through the return control that is specially constructed. The state can be changed to the unlocked state (unlocked state), and the operation abnormality can be appropriately eliminated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to the first or second aspect, the execution means moves to the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism when the first condition is satisfied. The gist of the present invention is that the control for eliminating the foreign object biting is executed as the return control.

  According to the above configuration, when the first condition is satisfied, that is, when there is a high possibility that foreign matter is caught in the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism, the foreign matter is caught through the return control that is specially constructed. Can be eliminated, and abnormal operation can be appropriately eliminated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the device detects the occurrence of the operation abnormality and the first condition and The gist of the present invention is that it further includes notification means for notifying that the operation abnormality has occurred when both of the second conditions are not satisfied.

  For example, when the hydraulic fluid supplied to the variable valve timing mechanism deteriorates and its viscosity drops significantly, the operating speed of the variable valve timing mechanism is not required even when the hydraulic control mechanism is properly controlled. The operating error may be detected. In such a case, although the speed of change of the relative rotational phase of the camshaft becomes low, the relative rotational phase of the camshaft continues to change, so that the relative rotational phase of the camshaft remains at the limit phase or lock phase of its control range. Change to any phase. In this case, since it is difficult to eliminate the operation abnormality through the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism, even if the return control is executed, the abnormality is not solved and the return control is executed wastefully. End up.

  In the above configuration, when the operation abnormality occurs, if the relative rotation phase is neither the limit phase nor the lock phase, it is notified that the operation abnormality has occurred without executing the return control. As a result, it is possible to appropriately cope with the occurrence of an operation abnormality by, for example, prompting replacement of hydraulic oil.

  In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the valve timing variable that changes the valve timing of the exhaust valve through the change of the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft with respect to the crankshaft. A limit phase on the advance side in the control range of the relative rotation phase is set as the lock phase, and the relative rotation phase detected by the detection means as the first condition is a retardation angle in the control range. The present invention can be applied to a valve timing control device in which a condition that it is a limit phase on the side is set.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal combustion engine to which a valve timing control device according to an embodiment embodying the present invention is applied. (A) And (B) Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of an exhaust valve timing variable mechanism. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of a locking mechanism and its periphery. The schematic diagram which shows the oil supply aspect by an oil supply apparatus. (A)-(C) Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an oil control valve typically. (A) And (B) Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an oil control valve typically. The flowchart which shows the specific execution procedure of an operation abnormality detection process. The flowchart which shows the specific execution procedure of the process at the time of abnormality. The flowchart which shows the specific execution procedure of a forced lock release process. The timing chart which shows the execution aspect of a foreign material removal process.

Hereinafter, a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an internal combustion engine to which the valve timing control device according to the present embodiment is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the internal combustion engine 10 includes a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12, and an oil pan 13. The cylinder head 12 is provided with a valve mechanism 20 for opening and closing an intake valve 21 and an exhaust valve 22 as engine valves.

  The valve mechanism 20 includes an intake valve 21, an intake camshaft 23 for reciprocating the intake valve 21, and an intake air for changing the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft 23 with respect to the crankshaft 14 of the internal combustion engine 10. And a variable valve timing mechanism 24. The crankshaft 14 and the intake camshaft 23 are drivingly connected via an intake valve timing variable mechanism 24. The opening / closing timing of the intake valve 21 (hereinafter referred to as intake valve timing) is changed through driving of the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24.

  Further, the valve mechanism 20 includes an exhaust valve 22, an exhaust camshaft 25 for reciprocating the exhaust valve 22, and an exhaust valve timing variable for changing the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft 25 with respect to the crankshaft 14. And a mechanism 26. The crankshaft 14 and the exhaust camshaft 25 are drivingly connected via an exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26. The opening / closing timing of the exhaust valve 22 (hereinafter referred to as exhaust valve timing) is changed through driving of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26.

  The internal combustion engine 10 is provided with an oil supply device 15 for supplying oil functioning as lubricating oil or hydraulic oil to each part of the engine. The oil supply device 15 includes an oil pump 16 that pumps oil stored in the oil pan 13 and a supply oil passage 17 that supplies the oil pumped from the oil pump 16 to various parts of the engine. An oil control valve 18 for switching the supply mode of oil (specifically, its pressure [hydraulic pressure]) to the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 and oil to the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 (details) And an oil control valve 19 for switching the supply mode of the pressure [hydraulic pressure]. In the present embodiment, the oil control valve 19 functions as a hydraulic control mechanism.

  In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a peripheral device of the internal combustion engine 10, for example, an electronic control unit 30 configured with a microcomputer, various sensors, a warning lamp 31, and the like are also provided. The electronic control unit 30 takes in the output signals of various sensors and performs various calculations based on the output signals, and controls the operation of the oil control valves 18 and 19 and turns on the warning lamp 31 according to the calculation results. Perform various controls. In the present embodiment, the electronic control unit 30 functions as an adjustment unit, and the warning lamp 31 functions as a notification unit.

  As various sensors, for example, a crank position sensor 32 for detecting the rotational phase (crank angle) of the crankshaft 14 is provided. An intake cam position sensor 33 for detecting the rotation phase (intake cam angle) of the intake camshaft 23, an exhaust cam position sensor 34 for detecting the rotation phase (exhaust cam angle) of the exhaust camshaft 25, and the like are also provided. Is provided. The electronic control unit 30 calculates a calculated value corresponding to the intake valve timing (hereinafter referred to as intake valve timing VTi) based on the crank angle and the intake cam angle, and sets the exhaust valve timing based on the crank angle and the exhaust cam angle. A corresponding calculation value (hereinafter, exhaust valve timing VTe) is calculated. In the present embodiment, the crank position sensor 32 and the exhaust cam position sensor 34 function as detection means.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 and the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 will be described in detail. In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the structure of the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 and the structure of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 are substantially the same, and therefore only the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 will be described below.

  2A and 2B show a cross-sectional structure of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26. FIG. Note that an arrow X in FIG. 2A indicates the rotation direction of the exhaust camshaft 25. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional structure of the exhaust valve timing varying mechanism 26 taken along the line AA in FIG.

  2A and 2B, the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 rotates in synchronization with the housing rotor 40 that rotates in synchronization with the crankshaft 14 (see FIG. 1) and the exhaust camshaft 25. And a vane rotor 41.

  The housing rotor 40 includes a sprocket 42 connected to the crankshaft 14 via a timing chain, a housing main body 43 provided inside the sprocket 42 and rotating integrally with the sprocket 42, and a cover 44 attached to the housing main body 43. With. Inside the housing main body 43, three partition walls 40A having a shape projecting toward the rotation shaft (specifically, the intake camshaft 23) are provided on the inner peripheral surface in the radial direction.

  The vane rotor 41 is attached to the exhaust camshaft 25 and disposed inside the housing body 43. The vane rotor 41 includes three vanes 45 having a shape protruding so as to partition between adjacent partition walls 40 </ b> A inside the housing main body 43. Each vane 45 divides a vane storage chamber 46 formed between the partition walls 40 </ b> A into an advance chamber 47 and a retard chamber 48.

  The advance chamber 47 is partitioned from the vane 45 on the rear side in the rotational direction X of the exhaust camshaft 25. The retarding chamber 48 is partitioned from the vane 45 on the front side in the rotational direction X. The exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 is driven by supplying hydraulic pressure to the advance chamber 47 and the retard chamber 48 while switching the supply mode through operation control of the oil control valve 19 (see FIG. 1).

Hereinafter, the operation of the exhaust valve timing varying mechanism 26 will be described.
By supplying oil to the advance chamber 47 and discharging oil from the retard chamber 48, the advance chamber 47 is enlarged and the retard chamber 48 is reduced, so that the vane rotor 41 is advanced with respect to the housing rotor 40. That is, the intake camshaft 23 rotates in the rotation direction X. As a result, the exhaust valve timing changes to the advance side. The exhaust valve timing is set to the most advanced angle phase VTemax when the vane rotor 41 reaches the most advanced rotational phase with respect to the housing rotor 40.

  On the other hand, when the oil is discharged from the advance chamber 47 and the oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48, the advance chamber 47 is contracted and the retard chamber 48 is expanded, and the vane rotor 41 is moved relative to the housing rotor 40. It rotates on the retard side, that is, in the direction opposite to the rotation direction X. As a result, the exhaust valve timing changes to the retard side. The exhaust valve timing becomes the most retarded phase VTemin when the vane rotor 41 reaches the most retarded rotational phase with respect to the housing rotor 40. In the present embodiment, the phase range determined by the most advanced angle phase VTemax and the most retarded angle phase VTemin functions as a control range for the relative rotational phase of the exhaust camshaft 25 with respect to the crankshaft 14.

  In the variable exhaust valve timing mechanism 26, the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft 25 with respect to the crankshaft 14 (the phase corresponding to the exhaust valve timing) is the limit phase on the advance side of the control range (the most advanced angle phase VTemax). A lock mechanism 50 for locking is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of the lock mechanism 50 and its periphery.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 50 includes a limit pin 51 provided on the vane 45 and an engagement hole 52 formed in the housing rotor 40 and into which the tip portion of the limit pin 51 is fitted. Then, when the limiting pin 51 is fitted into the engagement hole 52, the relative rotation between the vane 45 and the housing rotor 40, and thus the relative rotation between the crankshaft 14 and the exhaust camshaft 25, is regulated through mechanical engagement. become.

  More specifically, a pin accommodating chamber 53 is formed in the vane rotor 41, and the limiting pin 51 is accommodated in the pin accommodating chamber 53 so as to reciprocate so as to protrude and retract with respect to the pin accommodating chamber 53. A limiting spring 54 is provided inside the pin housing chamber 53. By means of this limiting spring 54, the limiting pin 51 is always urged in a direction protruding from the pin accommodating chamber 53.

  A pressure chamber (advance angle releasing chamber 55) is formed on the tip side of the limit pin 51 inside the pin accommodating chamber 53 by an inner wall surface of the pin accommodating chamber 53 and a sliding contact portion 51 A formed on the restricting pin 51. Is partitioned. The vane rotor 41 is formed with an advance communication passage 56 that communicates the advance release chamber 55 and the advance chamber 47 (see FIG. 2). Oil (hydraulic pressure) is supplied to the advance angle release chamber 55 through the advance angle communication path 56. For this reason, when oil is supplied to the advance angle chamber 47, oil is also supplied to the advance angle release chamber 55. At this time, the oil pressure acts on the sliding contact portion 51A of the limit pin 51. 51 moves in a direction (hereinafter referred to as “accommodating direction ZB”) accommodated inside the vane 45 against the urging force of the limiting spring 54.

  The engagement hole 52 is formed in one of the three vane storage chambers 46 (see FIG. 2). The engagement hole 52 communicates with the retard chamber 48 through a retard communication passage 57 formed in the vane rotor 41. As a result, the oil (hydraulic pressure) in the retard chamber 48 is supplied to the pressure chamber (retard release chamber 58) defined by the tip portion of the limit pin 51 and the bottom of the engagement hole 52. . For this reason, when oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48, the oil is also supplied to the retard release chamber 58. At this time, oil pressure acts on the distal end surface 51B of the limit pin 51, so that the limit pin 51 Moves in the accommodation direction ZB.

  When oil is not supplied to the advance angle release chamber 55 and the retard angle release chamber 58, the limit pin 51 protrudes from the vane 45 by the urging force of the limit spring 54 (hereinafter referred to as "projection direction ZA"). It is energized. In this state, when the vane rotor 41 rotates with respect to the housing rotor 40 and the limit pin 51 moves to the position where the engagement hole 52 is formed, the limit pin 51 protrudes and fits into the engagement hole 52. Thereby, relative rotation between the housing rotor 40 and the vane rotor 41 is restricted.

  In the present embodiment, the limit pin 51 is arranged so that the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft 25 with respect to the crankshaft 14 is locked by the lock mechanism 50 when the exhaust valve timing reaches the most advanced angle phase VTemax. The installation position and the formation position of the engagement hole 52 are determined.

The lock mechanism 50 operates as follows.
When there is a request for advancement of the exhaust valve timing, oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 by the oil supply device 15, so that oil is also supplied to the advance release chamber 55 at this time. Therefore, the limit pin 51 is held in the state where it is accommodated in the pin accommodating chamber 53 by the hydraulic pressure in the advance angle release chamber 55, and the vane rotor 41 is advanced to the housing rotor 40 by the hydraulic pressure in the advance angle chamber 47. To rotate.

  On the other hand, when there is a request for retarding the exhaust valve timing, oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48 by the oil supply device 15, so that oil is also supplied to the retard release chamber 58 at this time. Therefore, the limit pin 51 is held in the state where it is accommodated in the pin accommodating chamber 53 by the hydraulic pressure in the retardation release chamber 58, and the vane rotor 41 is retarded relative to the housing rotor 40 by the hydraulic pressure in the retardation chamber 48. To rotate.

  On the other hand, when there is a request for the most advanced angle of the exhaust valve timing when the internal combustion engine 10 is stopped, the oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 by the oil supply device 15, so that the vane rotor 41 is advanced to the housing rotor 40. Rotate to. At this time, the oil pressure in the advance chamber 47 and the oil pressure in the advance angle release chamber 55 gradually decrease as the rotation of the oil pump 16 decreases, so that the limit pin 51 is biased in the protruding direction ZA. Become. In this state, when the rotation phase of the vane rotor 41 with respect to the housing rotor 40 reaches a phase corresponding to the most advanced angle phase VTemax, the limit pin 51 is fitted into the engagement hole 52, and the exhaust valve timing is the most advanced angle phase VTemax. It becomes fixed.

  The intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 is also provided with a lock mechanism (not shown) having the same structure as the lock mechanism 50. As this lock mechanism, a mechanism that operates to fix the intake valve timing at the most retarded phase is provided.

Hereinafter, an aspect of supplying oil to the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 by the oil supply device 15 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the oil discharged from the oil pump 16 is supplied to the oil control valve 19 through the supply oil passage 61. And this oil distribute | circulates the supply oil path 17 by each aspect shown to the following (b)-(e) according to the operating state of the oil control valve 19. FIG.

  (A) When the oil control valve 19 is in an operating state in which oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 and oil is discharged from the retard chamber 48 (hereinafter referred to as “first mode MD1”), the advance oil passage Oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 through 62 and oil in the retard chamber 48 is discharged through the retard oil passage 63. The oil discharged from the retard chamber 48 is returned to the oil pan 13 through the oil control valve 19 and the discharge oil passage 64.

  (B) When the operation state of the oil control valve 19 is an operation state (hereinafter referred to as “second mode MD2”) in which oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 and the oil flow to the retard chamber 48 is blocked (hereinafter referred to as “second mode MD2”). Oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 via the oil passage 62 and the retard oil passage 63 is closed.

  (C) When the operating state of the oil control valve 19 is an operating state that interrupts both the oil flow to the advance chamber 47 and the oil flow to the retard chamber 48 (hereinafter, “third mode MD3”), Both the corner oil passage 63 and the advance oil passage 62 are closed.

  (D) When the operating state of the oil control valve 19 is an operating state that interrupts the oil flow to the advance chamber 47 and supplies oil to the retard chamber 48 (hereinafter, “fourth mode MD4”), the retard angle Oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48 via the oil passage 63 and the advance oil passage 62 is closed.

  (E) When the operation state of the oil control valve 19 is an operation state in which oil is discharged from the advance chamber 47 and oil is supplied from the retard chamber 48 (hereinafter referred to as “fifth mode MD5”), the advance oil passage Oil is discharged from the advance chamber 47 through 62 and oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48 through the retard oil passage 63. The oil discharged from the advance chamber 47 is returned to the oil pan 13 through the oil control valve 19 and the discharge oil passage 64.

Hereinafter, the structure of the oil control valve 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the oil control valve 19 includes a sleeve 71 provided with a plurality of ports, and a spool 72 provided inside the sleeve 71. Then, by moving the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71, the communication state between the ports is switched, and the oil circulation state with respect to the advance chamber 47 and the retard chamber 48 is changed.

  The sleeve 71 includes an advance port 71 a connected to the advance oil passage 62, a retard port 71 b connected to the retard oil passage 63, a supply port 71 c connected to the supply oil passage 61, and discharged oil. A first discharge port 71d connected to the passage 64 and a second discharge port 71e connected to the discharge oil passage 64 are formed.

  A spool spring 73 for urging the spool 72 from the advance port 71a toward the retard port 71b (right direction in the drawing) is provided at the front end portion (left end portion in the drawing) of the spool 72. It has been. In addition, a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the spool 72 against the spool spring 73 is provided at the base end portion (right end portion in the drawing) of the spool 72. The drive mechanism drives the spool 72 based on a drive signal (specifically, its duty ratio) output from the electronic control unit 30 and input to the drive mechanism.

  The spool 72 is provided with three valve bodies that move together with the spool 72. Specifically, an advance valve 74 for changing the opening area of the supply port 71c, the first discharge port 71d, and the advance port 71a, and the opening area of the supply port 71c, the retard port 71b, and the second discharge port 71e. Are provided with a retard valve 75 and a sealing valve 76 for preventing oil leakage from the inside of the spool 72 to the outside.

  The oil control valve 19 moves the spool 72 relative to the sleeve 71 to switch the oil flow state to the advance chamber 47 and the retard chamber 48 to any one of the first mode MD1 to the fifth mode MD5. .

  Hereinafter, the relationship between each operation mode of the oil control valve 19 and the moving position of the spool 72 will be described. 5 and 6 show typical movement positions of the spool 72 in each operation mode.

  When the fifth mode MD5 is selected as the operation state of the oil control valve 19, the moving position of the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71 is the position shown in FIG. At this position, the advance port 71a and the first discharge port 71d are in communication with each other, and the retard port 71b and the supply port 71c are in communication with each other. In this case, oil is discharged from the advance chamber 47 and oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48. For this reason, the exhaust valve timing changes to the retard side.

  When the fourth mode MD4 is selected, the position of the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71 is the position shown in FIG. In this position, the advance port 71a is closed by the advance valve 74, and the retard port 71b and the supply port 71c are in communication with each other. Note that the opening area of the retard port 71b at this time is smaller than when the fifth mode MD5 is selected. In this case, the oil flow in the advance chamber 47 is blocked, and a slight amount of oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48. Therefore, at this time, although the exhaust valve timing changes to the retard side, the change speed is small.

  When the third mode MD3 is selected, the position of the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71 is the position shown in FIG. In this position, the advance port 71a is closed by the advance valve 74, and the retard port 71b is closed by the retard valve 75. In this case, the hydraulic pressure in the advance chamber 47 and the retard chamber 48 is maintained. Therefore, at this time, the exhaust valve timing is held at the current timing.

  When the second mode MD2 is selected, the position of the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71 is the position shown in FIG. In this position, the advance port 71 a and the supply port 71 c are in communication with each other, and the retard port 71 b is closed by the retard valve 75. Note that the opening area of the advance port 71a at this time is smaller than that when the first mode MD1 is selected. In this case, oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 and the oil flow in the retard chamber 48 is blocked. Therefore, at this time, although the exhaust valve timing changes to the advance side, the change speed is small.

  When the first mode MD1 is selected, the position of the spool 72 with respect to the sleeve 71 is the position shown in FIG. At this position, the advance port 71a and the supply port 71c are in communication with each other, and the retard port 71b and the second discharge port 71e are in communication with each other. In this case, the oil is supplied to the advance chamber 47 and the oil is discharged from the retard chamber 48. Therefore, the exhaust valve timing quickly changes to the advance side.

  In the present embodiment, drive control of the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 is executed as follows. That is, first, a control target value (target intake valve timing Tvti) for the intake valve timing is calculated based on the engine rotation speed and the engine load, and the detection signal of the crank position sensor 32 and the detection signal of the intake cam position sensor 33 are used. Based on this, the actual intake valve timing VTi is detected. Thereafter, a difference (= Tvti−VTi) between the target intake valve timing Tvti and the actual intake valve timing VTi is calculated, and the duty ratio of the drive signal output to the oil control valve 18 is calculated based on the difference. . Then, a drive signal is output from the electronic control unit 30, and the oil control valve 18 is activated based on the drive signal. In this way, the operation of the oil control valve 19 is feedback-controlled so that the target intake valve timing Tvti and the actual intake valve timing VTi coincide with each other.

  Further, the drive control of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 is executed as follows. That is, first, a control target value (target exhaust valve timing Tvte) for the exhaust valve timing is calculated based on the engine rotational speed and the engine load, and the detection signal of the crank position sensor 32 and the detection signal of the exhaust cam position sensor 34 are used. Based on this, the actual exhaust valve timing VTe is detected. Thereafter, the difference between the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve timing VTe (= Tvte−VTe) is calculated, and the duty ratio of the drive signal output to the oil control valve 19 is calculated based on the difference. . Then, a drive signal is output from the electronic control unit 30, and the oil control valve 19 is activated based on the drive signal. In this way, the operation of the oil control valve 19 is feedback-controlled so that the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve timing VTe coincide with each other. In the present embodiment, the target exhaust valve timing Tvte functions as a target phase.

  In the drive control of the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24 and the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26, the duty ratio of the drive signal output to the oil control valves 18 and 19 is a value within the range of 0% to 100%. Is set.

  Specifically, when the actual valve timing and the target valve timing substantially coincide with each other, a specific ratio (holding duty) within a range including 50% is set as the duty ratio. On the other hand, when the actual valve timing is retarded from the target valve timing, a ratio larger than the holding duty is set as the duty ratio. In this case, the larger the difference between the actual valve timing and the target valve timing, the larger the duty ratio is set. On the other hand, when the actual valve timing is a timing advanced from the target valve timing, a ratio smaller than the holding duty is set as the duty ratio. Further, in this case, the smaller the difference between the actual valve timing and the target valve timing, the smaller the duty ratio is set.

  In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, an operation abnormality may occur in which the follow-up speed of the exhaust valve timing to the target exhaust valve timing Tvte decreases. In order to cope with the occurrence of the operation abnormality, a process (operation abnormality detection process) for detecting the operation abnormality is executed.

FIG. 7 shows an execution procedure of the operation abnormality detection process.
Note that the series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 conceptually shows the execution procedure of the operation abnormality detection process, and the actual process is executed by the electronic control unit 30 as an interrupt process at predetermined intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this process, it is first determined whether or not the target exhaust valve timing Tvte has changed by a predetermined amount or more since the previous execution of this process (step S101). And when the variation | change_quantity of the target exhaust valve timing Tvte is smaller than predetermined amount (step S101: NO), this process is performed without performing the following processes noting that it is not the engine operation state which can determine operation abnormality. Once terminated.

  Thereafter, this process is repeatedly executed, and when the target exhaust valve timing Tvte changes by a predetermined amount or more (step S101: YES), the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve are elapsed until the predetermined time elapses thereafter. It is determined whether or not the timing VTe coincides (step S102). Here, when the difference between the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve timing VTe is very small, it is determined that the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the exhaust valve timing VTe coincide. In addition, as the predetermined time, a time during which an abnormal operation can be appropriately detected is obtained and set in advance based on the results of experiments and simulations.

  If it is determined that the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve timing VTe coincide with each other (step S102: NO and step S103: YES), the abnormality flag is turned off because no operation abnormality has occurred at this time. It is operated (step S104).

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time elapses before the target exhaust valve timing Tvte and the actual exhaust valve timing VTe coincide with each other (step S102: YES), an abnormality flag is turned on because an operation abnormality has occurred at this time. (Step S105).

In the present embodiment, processing for coping with this is executed according to the detection result of the operation abnormality detection processing (specifically, the operation state of the abnormality flag).
By the way, as a result of investigations by the inventors, it has been found that there are various causes for the occurrence of the above-mentioned operation abnormality. The cause of the occurrence is, for example, malfunction due to foreign matter biting into the movable part of the oil control valve 19 (between the spool 72 and the sleeve 71), or erroneously locked due to malfunction of the lock mechanism 50. It is done. Other examples include oil deterioration, misuse of oil having different characteristics, oil leakage from the supply oil passage 17 that supplies / discharges oil to / from the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26, and clogging of the supply oil passage 17. . Therefore, in order to efficiently eliminate the abnormal operation caused by such various factors, it is desirable to identify the cause of the occurrence and appropriately deal with it.

  In the present embodiment based on such actual circumstances, when an abnormal operation is detected (specifically, when an abnormality flag is turned on), as a process for dealing with this (an abnormal process), exhaust at that time is performed. Different processing is executed according to the valve timing VTe.

Hereinafter, a specific execution mode of the abnormality process will be described.
FIG. 8 shows a specific execution procedure of the abnormality process. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed by the electronic control unit 30 as an interrupt process at predetermined intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this process, if the exhaust valve timing VTe is the most advanced angle phase VTemax (lock phase) when the abnormality flag is turned on (step S201: YES and step S202: YES), the forced lock release is performed. Processing is executed (step S203). This forced unlocking process is executed to forcibly shift the operating state of the lock mechanism 50 to the unlocked state (lock released state). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the second condition is satisfied through the process of step S201 and the process of step S202.

  Here, as described above, when the exhaust valve timing VTe is locked at the lock phase (locked state) due to malfunction of the lock mechanism 50, the actual exhaust valve timing VTe is changed even if the target exhaust valve timing Tvte is changed. Since the state does not change, an operation abnormality is detected by the operation abnormality detection process.

  In the present embodiment, when the exhaust valve timing VTe is in the lock phase at the time of detecting the occurrence of an operation abnormality, it is highly likely that the lock mechanism 50 is erroneously locked due to a malfunction of the lock mechanism 50. Forcible lock release processing for shifting to the state, that is, processing for recovering from an abnormal operation can be executed.

FIG. 9 shows a specific execution procedure of the forced lock release processing.
As shown in FIG. 9, in this process, a process (step S301) for outputting a drive signal in which the operation state of the oil control valve 19 becomes the fourth mode MD4 is continuously executed for a predetermined time (step S302). : YES).

  In the fourth mode MD4 selected at this time, oil is supplied to the retard chamber 48 (see FIG. 3) in a state where the oil supply to the advance chamber 47 is shut off. Therefore, it becomes possible to allow the limit pin 51 to escape from the engagement hole 52 due to an increase in hydraulic pressure in the retard release chamber 58 communicated with the retard chamber 48.

  Further, compared with the case where the oil control valve 19 is operated in the fifth mode MD5, the exhaust camshaft 25 (specifically, the vane rotor 41) is relatively rotated to the retard side while suppressing a decrease in the hydraulic pressure in the advance chamber 47. It is possible to allow the limit pin 51 to escape from the engagement hole 52 by increasing the hydraulic pressure in the retard chamber 48 while suppressing the generation of force. Therefore, when the limit pin 51 is withdrawn from the engagement hole 52, the operation of the limit pin 51 due to the side surface of the limit pin 51 being pressed against the inner wall surface of the engagement hole 52 can be avoided. As a result, the shift to the unlocked state can be appropriately performed.

  Furthermore, since the operating state of the lock mechanism 50 can be changed to the unlocked state through a dedicated unlocking process constructed exclusively, the operation abnormality can be appropriately eliminated.

  Note that after the execution of the forced unlocking process, the feedback control for the exhaust valve timing is resumed. Then, when an operation abnormality is detected in the operation abnormality detection process (see FIG. 7) immediately after that, the warning lamp 31 is turned on. That is, in this case, the warning lamp 31 is turned on to notify that the operation abnormality has occurred, because the operation abnormality has not been resolved even if the forced unlocking process is executed.

  On the other hand, in the abnormal time process, as shown in FIG. 8, if the exhaust valve timing VTe is the most retarded phase VTemin when the abnormality flag is turned on (step S201: YES, step S202: NO, and step S204). : YES), foreign matter removal processing is executed (step S205). This foreign matter removing process is executed as a process for removing foreign matter caught in the movable part of the oil control valve 19. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the first condition is satisfied through the process of step S201 and the process of step S203. Further, the processing in step S203 and the processing in step S205 function as an execution unit.

  Here, if the cause of the abnormal operation is that a foreign object has caught in the movable part of the oil control valve 19, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the variable exhaust valve timing mechanism 26 cannot be changed at this time. The operating mode of the mechanism 26 cannot be changed. Therefore, the exhaust valve timing changes only to either the advance side or the retard side, and there is a high possibility that the exhaust valve timing becomes the limit phase of the control range. In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a result of verification by the inventors and the like, when a foreign object is caught in the movable part of the oil control valve 19, the exhaust valve timing is retarded on the retarded phase side (the most retarded angle). Phase VTemin) was confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is a high possibility that foreign matter is caught in the oil control valve 19 when the exhaust valve timing is the most retarded phase VTemin at the time of detecting the occurrence of an abnormal operation. Foreign matter removal processing for removal, that is, processing for returning from an abnormal operation can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows an execution mode of the foreign substance removal processing.
As shown in FIG. 10, when execution of the foreign substance removal process is started at time t11, [100%] is set as the duty ratio of the drive signal. Then, with the passage of time thereafter, the duty ratio is gradually changed to a smaller ratio (time t11 to t12, t12 to t13...), And every time the duty ratio reaches [0%], [100 %] (Time t12, t13...). After such processing is repeatedly executed until the number of times the duty ratio reaches [0%] reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10 times) (time tn), the foreign matter removal processing is finished.

  By executing such foreign matter removal processing, the operation state of the oil control valve 19 is delayed so that the exhaust valve timing is delayed from the operation state (the first mode MD1 or the second mode MD2) in which the exhaust valve timing is changed to the advance side. The operating state (the fourth mode MD4 or the fifth mode MD5) to be changed to the corner side is switched alternately. Therefore, the spool 72 reciprocates so as to forcibly vibrate the spool 72 of the oil control valve 19 in the sleeve 71. As a result, the foreign matter can be removed by encouraging the movement of the foreign matter caught between the spool 72 and the sleeve 71.

  Further, since the foreign matter can be removed from the movable part of the oil control valve 19 through the specially constructed foreign matter removal process, the abnormal operation can be appropriately eliminated.

  It should be noted that feedback control for the exhaust valve timing is resumed after execution of such foreign matter removal processing. When an operation abnormality is detected in the operation abnormality detection process (see FIG. 7) immediately after that, the warning lamp 31 is turned on. That is, in this case, it is assumed that the operation abnormality has not been resolved even if the foreign substance removal process is executed, and the warning lamp 31 is turned on to notify that an operation abnormality has occurred.

  On the other hand, in the abnormal time process, as shown in FIG. 8, when the exhaust valve timing VTe is neither the most advanced angle phase VTemax nor the most retarded angle phase VTemin when the abnormality flag is turned on (step S201: YES). And step S202: NO and step S204: NO), the warning lamp 31 is turned on (step S206).

  Here, when deterioration of the oil, misuse of oil having different characteristics, leakage of oil from the supply oil passage 17 that supplies / discharges oil to / from the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26, clogging of the supply oil passage 17, etc. occur. The hydraulic pressure supplied to the retard chamber 48 and the advance chamber 47 of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 may change unnecessarily, and the operating speed of the operating state of the mechanism 26 may decrease.

  In this case, even if the operation control of the oil control valve 19 is properly executed, the operation speed of the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26 becomes unnecessarily low, so that an operation abnormality may be detected. In such a case, although the change speed of the exhaust valve timing becomes low, the change in the exhaust valve timing continues, so the exhaust valve timing remains at the most advanced angle phase VTemax (lock phase) and the most retarded angle phase VTemin. Change to any phase. In this case, since it is difficult to eliminate the abnormal operation through the operation control of the oil control valve 19, a process for recovering from the abnormal operation such as a forced unlocking process or a foreign substance removing process is temporarily performed. Even if it is executed, the operation is not solved, and the same process is executed wastefully.

  In this embodiment, when the exhaust valve timing is neither the most advanced angle phase VTemax nor the most retarded angle phase VTemin at the time of occurrence of an operation abnormality, the process for recovering from the operation abnormality is not performed. The warning lamp 31 is turned on to notify that an abnormal operation has occurred. As a result, it is possible to appropriately cope with the occurrence of an abnormal operation by, for example, encouraging inspection of the apparatus and oil replacement.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cause of the operation abnormality is determined based on the exhaust valve timing by executing the abnormality process (FIG. 8), and the operation error is detected according to the cause. Processing for returning can be executed. For this reason, it becomes possible to appropriately cope with the occurrence of an abnormal operation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the effects described below can be obtained.
(1) One of the condition that the exhaust valve timing VTe detected when the occurrence of the operation abnormality is detected is the most advanced angle phase VTemax, and the condition that the exhaust valve timing VTe is the most retarded angle phase VTemin When the condition is satisfied, the process to recover from the abnormal operation is started. For this reason, when the exhaust valve timing becomes the most retarded phase VTemin when an operation abnormality occurs, the foreign matter is removed because it is highly likely that foreign matter has been caught in the movable part of the oil control valve 19. For this reason, it is possible to execute the foreign substance removal processing for the purpose, and to appropriately recover from the abnormal operation. Further, when the exhaust valve timing becomes the most advanced angle phase VTemax when an operation abnormality occurs, it is highly possible that the lock mechanism 50 is erroneously locked and the oil control valve 19 is activated. A forced unlocking process for forcibly shifting the state to the unlocked state can be executed. Therefore, even in this case, it is possible to appropriately recover from the operation abnormality. Therefore, it is possible to determine the cause of the operation abnormality based on the exhaust valve timing, and to execute a process for recovery from the operation abnormality according to the cause, and appropriately cope with the occurrence of the operation abnormality. be able to.

  (2) The forced unlocking process is executed when the exhaust valve timing VTe detected when detecting the occurrence of an operation abnormality is the most advanced angle phase VTemax. Therefore, the operation state of the lock mechanism 50 can be changed to the unlocked state through a dedicated process, so that the operation abnormality can be appropriately solved.

  (3) The foreign matter removal process is executed when the exhaust valve timing VTe detected when the occurrence of an abnormal operation is detected is the most retarded phase VTemin. For this reason, it is possible to remove foreign substances from the movable part of the oil control valve 19 through a specially constructed process, and thus it is possible to appropriately eliminate the abnormal operation.

  (4) If the exhaust valve timing is neither the most advanced angle phase VTemax nor the most retarded angle phase VTemin when detecting the occurrence of an operation abnormality, a warning is issued without executing a process for recovering from the operation abnormality The lamp 31 is turned on. For this reason, it becomes possible to appropriately cope with the occurrence of abnormal operation by encouraging inspection of the apparatus and oil exchange.

The embodiment described above may be modified as follows.
The execution mode of the forced lock release process can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the operation state of the oil control valve 19 may be set to the fifth mode MD5 over a predetermined time, or the execution of the forced unlocking process may be terminated when the exhaust valve timing changes. In short, it is only necessary that the operating state of the lock mechanism 50 can be forcibly shifted to the unlocked state.

  The execution mode of the foreign matter removal process can be arbitrarily changed. In short, it is only necessary that the duty ratio of the drive signal can be periodically changed so that the spool 72 of the oil control valve 19 vibrates.

  When the exhaust valve timing VTe detected when the occurrence of the operation abnormality is detected is the most advanced angle phase VTemax and the most retarded angle phase VTemin, the same process is performed as a process for eliminating the operation abnormality. You may make it perform. In short, when the exhaust valve timing VTe is the most advanced angle phase VTemax, the operating state of the oil control valve 19 can be forcibly shifted to the unlocked state, and the exhaust valve timing VTe is the most retarded angle phase VTemin. In some cases, it is only necessary to be able to remove foreign matter caught in the movable part of the oil control valve 19.

  A lock mechanism having an arbitrary structure such as one in which only one of the retard release chamber and the advance release chamber is provided as a pressure chamber for allowing the limit pin 51 to escape from the engagement hole 52 is used. Can be adopted.

The execution mode of the process for turning on the warning lamp 31 can be changed as appropriate, for example, turning on when an occurrence of an operation abnormality is detected in the operation abnormality detection process.
Instead of turning on the warning lamp 31, a buzzer may be heard, or information indicating that an operation abnormality has occurred may be displayed on an image display device such as a navigation system. In short, it is only necessary to be able to notify that an operation abnormality has occurred.

  The operation abnormality detection process, the abnormality process, the forced lock release process, and the foreign substance removal process according to the above embodiment are not limited to the exhaust valve timing variable mechanism 26, but are also applied to the intake valve timing variable mechanism 24. It is possible to apply after changing the configuration as appropriate. In the same configuration, the foreign substance removal process is executed when the intake valve timing VTi detected at the time of detecting the occurrence of an abnormal operation is the most advanced angle phase, and the intake valve timing VTi is the most retarded phase (lock phase). Sometimes, a forced unlocking process may be executed.

  -The present invention is not limited to a device provided with a lock mechanism that locks the valve timing in the limit phase of the control range of the valve timing, but also in a device provided with a lock mechanism that locks the valve timing in a phase different from the limit phase. Can also be applied.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Internal combustion engine, 11 ... Cylinder block, 12 ... Cylinder head, 13 ... Oil pan, 14 ... Crankshaft, 15 ... Oil supply device, 16 ... Oil pump, 17 ... Supply oil path, 18 ... Oil control valve, 19 ... Oil control valve, 20 ... Valve mechanism, 21 ... Intake valve, 22 ... Exhaust valve, 23 ... Intake camshaft, 24 ... Intake valve timing variable mechanism, 25 ... Exhaust camshaft, 26 ... Exhaust valve timing variable mechanism, 30 ... Electronic control unit, 31 ... warning light, 32 ... crank position sensor, 33 ... intake cam position sensor, 34 ... exhaust cam position sensor, 40 ... housing rotor, 40A ... partition wall, 41 ... vane rotor, 42 ... sprocket, 43 ... housing Main body, 44 ... cover, 45 ... vane, 46 Vane storage chamber, 47 ... advance chamber, 48 ... retard chamber, 50 ... lock mechanism, 51 ... restriction pin, 51A ... sliding contact portion, 51B ... tip surface, 52 ... engagement hole, 53 ... pin storage chamber, 54 ... Restriction spring, 55 ... Advance release chamber, 56 ... Advance communication passage, 57 ... Delay communication passage, 58 ... Delay release chamber, 61 ... Supply oil passage, 62 ... Advance oil passage, 63 ... Delay oil Road, 64 ... discharge oil path, 71 ... sleeve, 71a ... advance port, 71b ... retard port, 71c ... supply port, 71d ... first discharge port, 71e ... second discharge port, 72 ... spool, 73 ... spool Spring, 74 ... advance valve, 75 ... retard valve, 76 ... sealing valve.

Claims (5)

A hydraulic valve timing variable mechanism that changes the valve timing by changing the relative rotation phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft, and the relative rotation phase by restricting the operation of changing the relative rotation phase by the mechanism through mechanical engagement. Based on a target phase set based on the engine operating state, a hydraulic lock mechanism that locks the valve at a predetermined lock phase, a hydraulic control mechanism that switches a supply mode of hydraulic pressure to the valve timing variable mechanism and the lock mechanism Adjusting means for adjusting the valve timing by changing the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism and the locking mechanism through the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism executed at a time, and the follow-up speed of the relative rotational phase to the target phase Recovery from the abnormal operation when the occurrence of the abnormal operation is detected. In the valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising an execution means for executing a recovery control Rubeku an execution mode of the operation control of the hydraulic control mechanism, and
Detecting means for detecting the relative rotational phase when the occurrence of the operation abnormality is detected;
The execution means includes a first condition that the relative rotation phase detected by the detection means is a limit phase in the control range, and a first condition that the relative rotation phase detected by the detection means is the lock phase. The valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein execution of the return control is started when one of two conditions is satisfied. The valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1,
The execution means is configured to execute, as the return control, control for setting the operation state of the lock mechanism to the unlocked state when the second condition is satisfied. A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2,
The execution unit is configured to execute, as the return control, control for eliminating the foreign matter from being caught in the movable part of the hydraulic control mechanism when the first condition is satisfied. A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The apparatus further includes notification means for notifying information indicating that the operation abnormality has occurred when both the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied after the occurrence of the operation abnormality is detected. An internal combustion engine valve timing control device. In the valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The valve timing variable mechanism changes the valve timing of the exhaust valve through a change in the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft with respect to the crankshaft.
In the valve timing control device, an advance angle limit phase in the control range of the relative rotation phase is set as the lock phase, and the relative rotation phase detected by the detection means is controlled as the first condition. A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a condition that the phase is a retarded phase limit phase is set.

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