WO2018051778A1

WO2018051778A1 - Valve opening/closing timing control device

Info

Publication number: WO2018051778A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/030902
Authority: WO
Inventors: 岩屋崇; 上田一生; 小林昌樹; 金子雅昭
Original assignee: アイシン精機株式会社
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2017-08-29
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: JP2018044529A

Abstract

A valve opening/closing timing control device with which arrival at a phase at which locking is possible can be detected reliably, and a transition to a locked state can be made, even when a phase sensor with low resolution is used. A control mode for lock transition control is set such that when a phase sensor detects that the relative rotational phase has arrived at a sequence region G, displacement is stopped and the relative rotational phase is displaced toward a locked phase M. In this control, when the relative rotational phase is in the sequence region the relationship between the output timing of a detection signal from the phase sensor and the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase is set such that the detection signal from the phase sensor is detected at least one time.

Description

Valve timing control device

The present invention includes a drive-side rotator that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft, and a driven-side rotator that rotates integrally with a camshaft for opening and closing a valve, and maintains the relative rotational phase between the drive-side rotator and the driven-side rotator. The present invention relates to a valve opening / closing timing control device provided with a locking mechanism.

As a valve opening / closing timing control device having the above-described configuration, Patent Document 1 has a lock mechanism including a restriction mechanism and a restriction mechanism, and sets a relative rotation phase by controlling an electromagnetic valve based on a detection result of a phase sensor. Thus, a technology that can release the locked state and shift to the locked state is shown.

In Patent Document 1, when the first lock member of the restriction mechanism reaches within the restriction release possible range, the second state (the lock state by the restriction mechanism is released by the control of switching the electromagnetic valve to the retarded position) is disclosed. A valve opening / closing timing control device that shifts from a state) to a first state (a state in which the restriction of the restriction mechanism is released) is disclosed. Further, in the first state, there is shown a control form in which when the first lock member reaches the range of the restriction range, the control is switched to the lock state by the control of switching the electromagnetic valve to the advance position.

JP 2013-160095 A

As described in Patent Document 1, the configuration that enables the transition to the locked state and the transition to the unlocked state by setting the relative rotational phase of the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body, A special lock control valve for controlling the lock member of the lock mechanism and a dedicated oil passage for unlocking are not required, and a good configuration in which the number of parts is reduced can be realized.

Further, considering the same configuration as in Patent Document 1 in order to shift to the locked state only by controlling the relative rotational phase, in this configuration, two lock members, a corresponding lock recess, and two lock members are provided. In normal control that requires a lock spring to be urged and displaces the relative rotational phase, an oil passage configuration is required so as not to shift to the locked state.

As such an oil passage configuration, it is reasonable to form a drain passage that releases the unlocking pressure when the relative rotational phase reaches the lock phase. Specifically, when the relative rotation phase is displaced at a normal speed, the lock member does not engage the lock recess even if the relative rotation phase passes the lock phase. On the other hand, when the displacement of the relative rotational phase is held in the lock phase and this holding state continues for a set time or longer, the hydraulic oil is discharged from the drain flow path, so that at least one lock member is engaged with the lock recess. Configuration is conceivable.

In such a configuration, a phase sensor for detecting that the relative rotational phase has reached a lockable phase is required. However, the configuration using an encoder with high resolution as the phase sensor causes an increase in cost. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to use a sensor used for cylinder discrimination as a sensor for phase detection. However, the cylinder discrimination sensor has low resolution and has room for improvement.

Thus, there is a need for a valve opening / closing timing control device that can reliably detect that the relative rotational phase has reached the lockable phase and shift to the locked state even when using a phase sensor that does not have a very high resolution.

The characteristic configuration of the valve timing control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
A drive-side rotating body that rotates synchronously with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine;
A driven-side rotating body that is included in the driving-side rotating body and rotates integrally with a camshaft for opening and closing the valve of the internal combustion engine, coaxially with a rotating shaft core of the driving-side rotating body;
By supplying a working fluid to one of an advance chamber and a retard chamber formed between the drive side rotor and the driven side rotor, the drive side rotor and the driven side rotor are A working fluid control mechanism for displacing the relative rotational phase;
A lock mechanism that holds the drive-side rotator and the driven-side rotator in a predetermined lock phase;
A phase sensor that outputs a detection signal indicating the relative rotational phase at a predetermined timing synchronized with the rotation of the internal combustion engine;
A phase control unit for displacing the relative rotational phase to a target phase using the detection signal of the phase sensor, and
The lock mechanism engages the main lock member with the main lock recess by the urging force of the main spring, thereby restricting the displacement region of the relative rotational phase to the main restriction region, and the main lock member. A main unlocking flow path for supplying a working fluid that enables extraction from the main locking recess,
The phase where the main lock member is present at one end of the main restriction region is made to correspond to the lock phase, a sequence region is formed at a position adjacent to the lock phase in the main restriction region, and the sequence region When the relative rotational phase is in the region extending from the lock phase to the sequence region, the main unlock channel is connected to the drain channel, and the relative rotational phase is A channel that is supplied with a working fluid that displaces the relative rotational phase toward the lock phase when in the unlocking region is communicated with the main unlocking channel;
In the lock transition control for holding the relative rotational phase at the lock phase, the phase control unit displaces the relative rotational phase toward the sequence region, and after reaching the sequence region, the relative rotational phase is changed to the relative rotational phase. The control mode is set so as to be displaced toward the lock phase,
In the lock transition control, when the relative rotational phase is in the sequence region, an output timing of the detection signal of the phase sensor and a displacement speed of the relative rotational phase so as to detect the detection signal at least once. The relationship is set.

According to this feature configuration, in the lock transition control, the relative rotational phase is displaced toward the sequence region, and when the relative rotational phase reaches the sequence region, the detection signal of the phase sensor is detected at least once. Even if a phase sensor with a low resolution is used, it is possible to reliably detect that it is in the sequence region based on the detection signal. Further, when the relative rotational phase is in the sequence region, the main lock release channel communicates with the drain channel and the working fluid can be discharged, and the main lock member is engaged with the main lock recess by the biasing force of the main spring. In this state, the relative rotation phase can be displaced toward the lock phase in this engaged state, and the lock phase can be maintained.
Therefore, a valve opening / closing timing control device that can reliably detect that the relative rotational phase has reached the lockable phase and shift to the locked state even when using a phase sensor that does not have a very high resolution is configured.

As another configuration, the lock mechanism includes a sub-lock portion that regulates the displacement region of the relative rotational phase to the sub-regulation region by engaging the sub-lock member with the sub-lock recess by the biasing force of the sub-spring, While the main lock member is engaged with the main lock recess, the relative rotation phase is held at the lock phase in a state where the sub lock member is engaged with the sub lock recess,
A sub-lock release flow that supplies a part of the working fluid for displacing the main lock member from the sequence region toward the lock release region, thereby supplying the sub-lock member with the working fluid extracted from the sub-lock recess. With a road,
When performing the lock transition control from the relative rotational phase in which the main lock member is in the unlocking region, the relative rotational phase is set to the lock phase by supplying a working fluid to the main unlocking channel. The first phase control for displacing to a phase exceeding the first phase control, and then the second phase control for displacing in the opposite direction to the first phase control, the relative rotational phase exceeds the lock phase and the sequence is performed. The control mode of the phase control unit is set so as to perform the third phase control for shifting to the region, and then displacing in the lock phase direction. From the displacement speed of the first phase control, the first phase control is performed. The displacement speed of the two-phase control may be set low.

According to this, for example, when performing the lock transition control from the relative rotational phase in which the main lock member is in the unlocking region, the first rotational phase control is performed by displacing the relative rotational phase to the lock phase, and stopping. Next, second phase control is performed. In particular, since the displacement speed of the second phase control is set lower than the displacement speed of the first phase control, when the relative rotational phase reaches the sequence region by the second phase control, It is possible to reliably perform detection. In this sequence region, the main lock member is engaged with the main lock recess, and by performing the third phase control, the main lock member is engaged with the main lock recess and the sub lock member is sub locked. The relative rotation phase can be locked to the lock phase by engaging with the recess. In particular, in this control mode, the time until the lock phase is reached is not delayed as compared with the case where both the displacement speed of the first phase control and the displacement speed of the second phase control are reduced.

As another configuration, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the internal combustion engine, and a rotation speed sensor or a hydraulic pressure sensor that detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft. In the lock transition control, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor The displacement speed of the relative rotational phase may be set based on at least one of information and rotational speed information detected by the rotational speed sensor or information of the hydraulic pressure sensor.

According to this, the liquid temperature of the working fluid is estimated based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the viscosity corresponding to the liquid temperature is taken into account, or the rotation speed of the crankshaft detected by the rotation speed sensor, or The detection signal of the phase sensor is reliably detected in the sequence region by controlling the flow rate of the working fluid in the fluid control mechanism and setting the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase in consideration of the information of the hydraulic sensor. Is possible.

As another configuration, the phase control unit is configured to perform the lock transition control based on the rotation speed of the crankshaft when the internal combustion engine is in an idling state or in a cranking state. The displacement speed of the relative rotational phase may be set.

According to this, even if the internal combustion engine is in an idling state or a cranking state, the overall rotation speed of the valve opening / closing timing control device is small (because of the low speed), so the detection signal output by the phase sensor The output timing interval increases. For this reason, it is possible to reliably detect the detection signal of the phase sensor in the sequence region by setting the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase based on (correspondingly) the rotational speed of the crankshaft.

As another configuration, in the lock transition control, when the relative rotation phase reaches a first holding phase that exceeds the lock phase by the first phase control, the relative rotation phase is changed to the first holding phase. Control to hold may be performed.

According to this, in the first phase control of the lock transition control, when the relative rotation phase exceeds the lock phase and reaches the first holding phase, the control for holding the relative rotation phase at the first holding phase is performed. Done. By holding the relative rotational phase at the first holding phase in this way, for example, the phenomenon of excessive overshoot beyond the first holding phase is suppressed, and the valve opening and closing timing is not changed greatly, and the internal combustion engine Rotation can also be stabilized.

As another configuration, when the phase control unit determines in the lock transition control that the relative rotation phase has passed the lock phase by the third phase control, the phase control unit performs the second phase control and the third phase control. You may perform at least 2 phase control with phase control again.

According to this, when the phase control unit determines that the relative rotation phase has passed the lock phase in the third phase control of the lock shift control, the lock mechanism has not shifted to the lock state. By executing the second phase control and the third phase control again, the transition to the locked state by the lock mechanism is ensured.

It is sectional drawing of a valve opening / closing timing control apparatus. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. It is a block circuit diagram of a control system. It is sectional drawing of a main locking mechanism. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit in a predetermined phase. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit displaced to the retard angle direction from the predetermined phase. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit further displaced to the retard angle direction from the predetermined phase. It is an operation image figure of the lock unit which reached the 1st maintenance phase. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit displaced to the advance direction from the 1st holding | maintenance phase. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit which reached the 2nd holding | maintenance phase. It is an operation | movement image figure of the lock unit which reached the intermediate | middle lock phase. It is a timing chart which shows the phase displacement in lock transfer control. It is a timing chart which shows the displacement curve and detection signal of a relative rotational phase. It is a flowchart of lock transfer control. It is a timing chart which shows the displacement curve and detection signal of relative rotation phase of another embodiment (a). It is a flowchart of lock transfer control of another embodiment (a).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve opening / closing timing control device 100 includes a valve opening / closing timing control unit A and a control unit 90 that controls the electromagnetic control valve 40. The valve opening / closing timing control unit A includes an external rotor 20 as a driving-side rotator, an internal rotor 30 as a driven-side rotator included in the external rotor 20, and a working fluid control that controls working oil as working fluid. An electromagnetic control valve 40 as a mechanism is provided.

The valve opening / closing timing control unit A includes an external rotor 20 (drive side rotary body) and an internal rotor 30 (driven side rotary body) coaxially with the rotational axis X of the intake camshaft 5 of an engine E as an internal combustion engine. The advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb are formed as the fluid pressure chamber C between the outer rotor 20 and the inner rotor 30. The valve opening / closing timing control unit A includes an electromagnetic control valve 40 that supplies and discharges hydraulic fluid to and from the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb, and is provided in the inner rotor 30 with the rotary shaft core X and the coaxial core. .

The electromagnetic control valve 40 supplies the hydraulic oil to one of the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb, and at the same time discharges the hydraulic oil from the other, so that the outer rotor 20 and the inner rotor 30 are centered on the rotation axis X. The relative rotation phase (hereinafter referred to as the relative rotation phase) is displaced, and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 5V is controlled by this displacement.

The valve opening / closing timing control unit A includes a lock mechanism LU that locks the relative rotation phase to the intermediate lock phase M shown in FIG. The lock mechanism LU is composed of a main lock portion Lm and a sub lock portion Ls, and locks the relative rotation phase to the intermediate lock phase M when they simultaneously reach the engaged state.

The intermediate lock phase M is a phase for setting the intake valve 5V at an opening / closing timing suitable for starting the engine E. Accordingly, when an artificial operation for stopping the engine E is performed, the lock transition control unit 93 of the control unit 90 displaces the relative rotation phase to the intermediate lock phase M before stopping the engine E, and the lock mechanism LU Control is performed to set to a locked state.

〔engine〕
An engine E (an example of an internal combustion engine) in FIG. 1 is assumed to be provided in a vehicle such as a passenger car, and a crankshaft 1 is provided below the engine E. A piston 3 is accommodated in a cylinder bore of a cylinder block 2 provided at an upper position of the engine E, and the piston 3 and the crankshaft 1 are connected by a connecting rod 4. An upper portion of the engine E is provided with an intake camshaft 5 that opens and closes an intake valve 5V, and an exhaust camshaft (not shown).

A supply flow path 8 through which hydraulic oil is supplied from a hydraulic pump P driven by the engine E is formed in the engine constituent member 10 that rotatably supports the intake camshaft 5. The hydraulic pump P supplies the lubricating oil stored in the oil pan of the engine E to the electromagnetic control valve 40 through the supply flow path 8 as hydraulic oil.

The timing chain 7 is wound around the output sprocket 6 formed on the crankshaft 1 of the engine E and the timing sprocket 22S of the external rotor 20. A sprocket is also provided at the front end of the exhaust camshaft on the exhaust side, and the timing chain 7 is wound around this sprocket.

[Valve opening / closing timing control unit]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the valve opening / closing timing control unit A, the external rotor 20 rotates synchronously with the crankshaft 1. Further, since the internal rotor 30 is connected to the intake camshaft 5 by the connecting bolt 50, it rotates integrally with the intake camshaft 5.

In this valve opening / closing timing control unit A, the whole rotates in the driving rotation direction S as shown in FIG. The direction in which the inner rotor 30 rotates relative to the outer rotor 20 in the same direction as the drive rotation direction S is referred to as an advance angle direction Sa, and the opposite direction is referred to as a retard angle direction Sb. Further, the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 5V is advanced by displacing in the advance direction Sa, and the opening / closing timing of the intake valve 5V is delayed by displacing in the retard direction Sb.

In this embodiment, the valve opening / closing timing control unit A provided in the intake camshaft 5 is shown. However, the valve opening / closing timing control unit A is provided in the exhaust camshaft, and the intake camshaft 5 and the exhaust camshaft. And may be provided for both.

The external rotor 20 has an external rotor main body 21, a front plate 22, and a rear plate 23, which are fastened by a plurality of fastening bolts 24. The timing sprocket 22S described above is formed on the outer periphery of the front plate 22. A plurality (three) of projecting portions 21 </ b> T projecting radially inward are integrally formed on the inner periphery of the outer rotor body 21.

The inner rotor 30 includes a cylindrical inner rotor body 31 that is in close contact with the protruding portion 21T of the outer rotor body 21 and an outer side in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the inner rotor body 31 so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotor body 21. And a plurality of (three) vane portions 32 projecting from each other.

With such a configuration, a plurality (three) of fluid pressure chambers C are formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner rotor main body 31 at an intermediate position between the projecting portions 21T adjacent in the rotation direction, and these fluid pressure chambers C serve as vane portions. By dividing by 32, the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb are partitioned. The inner rotor 30 is formed with a plurality (three) of advance channels 33 communicating with the advance chamber Ca and a plurality (three) retard channels 34 communicating with the retard chamber Cb. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front plate 22 is provided with an intermediate member 9, and a bolt head 52 of a connecting bolt 50 is crimped to the intermediate member 9, thereby The rotor body 31 and the intake camshaft 5 are integrated. Further, a torsion spring 28 that assists displacement in the advance direction Sa by applying a biasing force from the most retarded phase to the advance direction Sa from the most retarded phase is provided across the external rotor 20 and the intermediate member 9. ing.

[Valve opening / closing timing control unit: connecting bolt]
As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting bolt 50 includes a bolt body 51 that is partially cylindrical, a bolt head 52 at the outer end, and a male screw portion 53 at the inner end.

Inside the intake camshaft 5, a shaft inner space 5T into which a part of the connecting bolt 50 is closely fitted is formed, and a female screw part into which the male screw part 53 of the connecting bolt 50 is screwed is formed. . The shaft inner space 5T communicates with the supply flow path 8 described above, and hydraulic oil is supplied from the hydraulic pump P.

Inside the bolt body 51, a spool chamber is formed in the direction from the bolt head 52 to the male threaded portion 53 with the rotation axis X and the same axis, and the spool chamber is movable in a direction along the rotation axis X. The spool 41 is accommodated in the main body. The spool 41 supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb by changing the position in the direction along the rotation axis X, and discharges the hydraulic oil to the end on the protruding side. A drain hole 41D is formed. The spool 41 protrudes outward at the outer end side (in the direction of the bolt head 52) by the urging force of the spool spring.

The bolt body 51 is formed with a flow path for supplying hydraulic oil from the shaft inner space 5T to the spool 41, and with respect to the advance flow path 33 and the retard flow path 34 as the spool 41 operates. A flow path for supplying and discharging hydraulic oil is formed.

(Electromagnetic control valve)
As described above, the electromagnetic control valve 40 includes the spool 41 and the electromagnetic solenoid 44. The electromagnetic solenoid 44 includes a plunger 44a whose protrusion amount is controlled by supplied electric power.

The spool 41 has an advance position shown in FIG. 1 when the plunger 44a contacts the outer end surface, a neutral position where the spool 41 is pushed by a predetermined amount, and a retard position where the spool 41 is pushed further. It is configured to be operable.

In the neutral position, the advance channel 33 and the retard channel 34 are closed, and hydraulic oil is not supplied to or discharged from the advance chamber Ca and the retard chamber Cb, and the relative rotational phase is maintained.

In the advance position, the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump P is supplied to the advance passage 33, and at the same time, the hydraulic oil from the retard passage 34 is discharged through the drain hole 41D of the spool 41. As a result, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance angle direction Sa.

In the retard position, the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump P is supplied to the retard flow path 34, and at the same time, the hydraulic oil from the advance flow path 33 is discharged through the drain hole 41D of the spool 41. As a result, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb.

In particular, in the electromagnetic control valve 40, for example, when the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase in the advance angle direction Sa is reduced, the spool 41 is set to the neutral position and the advance position by setting the power supplied to the electromagnetic solenoid 44. It is also possible to set the opening degree of the valve by holding it at a position between and to adjust the displacement speed.

[Locking mechanism: Main locking part]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 11, the main lock portion Lm is slidably inserted into a guide hole 70 formed in a posture parallel to the rotation axis X with respect to one of the plurality of vane portions 32. The main lock member 71, the main lock recess 72 formed in a groove shape on the rear plate 23 so that the engagement portion 71b of the main lock member 71 is engaged, and the engagement portion 71b are urged in the engagement direction. And a compression coil type main lock spring 73 (an example of a main spring).

The guide hole 70 includes a large-diameter guide hole 70a and a small-diameter guide hole 70b having a smaller diameter. The main lock member 71 is generally cylindrical and has a main body portion 71a accommodated in the large diameter guide hole portion 70a of the guide hole 70 and an engagement smaller in diameter than the main body portion 71a and accommodated in the small diameter guide hole portion 70b. A portion 71b and a shaft-like portion 71c having a diameter smaller than that of the engaging portion 71b at these intermediate positions are provided.

The main lock member 71 has a first pressure receiving surface U1 (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) formed on the end surface of the main body 71a between the main body 71a and the engaging portion 71b, and the protrusion of the engaging portion 71b. A second pressure receiving surface U2 is formed at the end on the side.

The main lock recess 72 has a width slightly wider than the diameter of the engaging portion 71b as shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, and is formed in an arc-shaped region centering on the rotation axis X. As a result, the engaging portion 71b can be displaced in the relative rotational phase in the main restricting region while being engaged with the main lock recess 72. That is, the displacement region of the relative rotational phase can be restricted to the displacement in the main restriction region. In addition, the main restriction area is a combination of a sequence area G, which will be described later, and a lock release area F (see FIG. 4).

The vane portion 32 in which the guide hole 70 is formed has a first unlocking passage 75 (an example of a main unlocking passage) communicating with the small diameter guide hole 70b and a second communicating with the large diameter guide hole 70a. An unlock passage 76 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the engaging portion 71b has a lock level J1 that completely engages with the main lock recess 72, and a lock boundary level J2 that has just come out of the main lock recess 72 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it is configured to be movable to a lock release level J3 that is further away from the main lock recess 72 than the lock boundary level J2.

When the engaging portion 71b is at the lock level J1, the first unlocking flow path 75 communicates with the first pressure receiving surface U1. In particular, when the engaging portion 71b is in a region extending from the lock level J1 to the lock boundary level J2, the second unlocking flow path 76 is blocked by the main body portion 71a and is in a non-communication state with the first pressure receiving surface U1. .

When the engaging portion 71b is at the unlock level J3, the first unlocking flow path 75 communicates with the second pressure receiving surface U2, and the second unlocking flow path 76 communicates with the first pressure receiving surface U1. .

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 11, the first unlocking flow path 75 is connected to the first retarded port via the first control port 75 a that opens toward the inner surface of the rear plate 23 at a position spaced from the guide hole 70. It is configured to be able to communicate with 75b. The first control port 75a and the first retardation port 75b are disposed at positions that are separated from each other in the radial direction as shown in FIG.

The region of the rotational phase from the intermediate lock phase M shown in FIG. 4 to the phase shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as a sequence region G (see FIG. 4). In the sequence region G, the first control port 75a communicates with the drain channel 23D formed in the rear plate 23. In the sequence region G, the hydraulic oil that applies pressure to the first pressure receiving surface U1 is discharged from the drain flow path 23D, and therefore the engagement portion 71b is engaged with the main lock recess 72 by the urging force of the main lock spring 73. enable.

The drain channel 23D communicates with the outer space of the rear plate 23, and the sequence region G is an angular region of about several degrees (crank angle is about 10 degrees).

Further, from FIG. 7, the phase in which the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance angle direction Sa is referred to as a lock release region F (see FIG. 4). In the unlocking region F, since the first retard port 75b communicates with the first retard side groove 23R formed in the rear plate 23, the pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied to the retard chamber Cb is changed to the first pressure receiving surface U1. The main lock member 71 is actuated in the direction of pulling out from the main lock recess 72.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, the second unlocking flow path 76 is hydraulic oil having a pressure equal to that of the retarded flow path 34 (see FIG. 2) when the hydraulic oil is supplied to the retarded flow path 34. Is supplied. From this configuration, hydraulic oil can be supplied from the second unlocking flow path 76 to the first pressure receiving surface U1 only when the main locking member 71 is at the unlocking level J3 (see FIG. 7) shown in FIG. .

In addition, as a structure which supplies hydraulic fluid with respect to the 2nd unlocking flow path 76, this 2nd unlocking flow path 76 is connected with the retardation flow path 34 (refer FIG. 2), or 2nd unlocking. It is also possible to adopt a flow path configuration in which the flow path 76 communicates with the retarded angle chamber Cb.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retard direction Sb from the intermediate lock phase M (see FIG. 4), the lock assist communicates with the opening portion of the large diameter guide hole 70a (see FIG. 4). A channel 22 </ b> A is formed in a groove shape on the inner surface of the front plate 22. The lock assist flow path 22A supplies part of the hydraulic oil supplied to the advance chamber Ca to the large-diameter guide hole 70a, and assists the engagement of the main lock member 71 with the main lock recess 72.

[Locking mechanism: secondary locking part]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-lock portion Ls is formed in the support hole portion 80 formed in a posture along the radial direction around the rotation axis X with respect to one of the plurality of protrusions 21 </ b> T of the outer rotor body 21. A sub-lock member 81 that is slidably inserted, a sub-lock recess 82 formed on the outer periphery of the inner rotor body 31 so that a regulating end 81a of the sub-lock member 81 is engaged, and a sub-lock member 81 And a compression coil type secondary lock spring 83 (an example of a secondary spring) that applies a biasing force to be engaged with the secondary lock recess 82.

The sub-lock member 81 has a plate shape, and the end portion on the protruding side is referred to as a regulation end portion 81a. In addition, you may comprise this sublock member 81 in a rod shape.

The secondary lock recess 82 is formed in a recess extending along the direction in which the relative rotational phase is displaced. As a result, in a state where the regulating end 81a is engaged with the secondary lock recess 82, the relative rotational phase can be displaced in the secondary regulation region along the direction in which the secondary lock recess 82 is formed. The sub-lock recess 82 communicates with the sub-lock release channel 35, and hydraulic oil from the advance channel 33 is supplied to this.

As shown in FIG. 11, the main lock member 71 of the main lock portion Lm engages with the main lock recess 72, abuts against the end of the main restriction region of the main lock recess 72, and the sub lock member of the sub lock portion Ls. The relative rotation phase is locked to the intermediate lock phase M when 81 is in contact with the end of the sub-restriction region of the sub-lock recess 82.

As described above, the valve opening / closing timing control unit A realizes the displacement of the relative rotation phase by controlling the hydraulic oil by the electromagnetic control valve 40 (see FIG. 1), and by controlling the hydraulic oil by the electromagnetic control valve 40, The transition to the locked state that is the intermediate lock phase M and the unlocking that releases the locked state at the intermediate lock phase M are realized.

[Phase sensor]
As shown in FIG. 3, the phase sensor N includes a first sensor 11 that detects the rotation of the crankshaft 1 and a second sensor 12 that detects the rotation posture of the intake camshaft 5. The control unit 90 includes a phase detector 91 that detects a relative rotational phase based on the signal from the second sensor 12. The second sensor 12 is also used as a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft 1 (an example of rotation speed information).

Since the phase sensor N shown in the figure uses a configuration used as a cylinder discrimination sensor, the second sensor 12 has a structure suitable for cylinder discrimination.

The first sensor 11 includes a first disk 11A that rotates integrally with the crankshaft 1, and a pickup-type first detection unit 11B that detects a large number of first teeth 11At formed on the outer periphery of the first disk 11A. I have. The outer periphery of the first disk 11A is provided with a notch portion 11An where the first tooth portion 11At does not exist, and the number of teeth of the first tooth portion 11At is counted on the basis of this notch portion 11An ("0"). The count value can be acquired.

The second sensor 12 includes a second disk 12A that rotates integrally with the intake camshaft 5 (internal rotor 30, see FIG. 1), and a plurality (three) of second tooth portions formed on the outer periphery of the second disk 12A. And a pickup-type second detection unit 12B that detects 12 At. The plurality of second tooth portions 12At have different circumferential lengths so as to enable cylinder discrimination.

The detection form of the second sensor 12 is set so that when the intake camshaft 5 rotates, the second detection unit 12B detects the rising edge portion of the second tooth portion 12At (detects an up edge). Therefore, when the intake camshaft 5 makes one rotation, the second detection portion 12B detects the second tooth portion 12At three times.

In addition, the phase detection unit 91 acquires the count value based on the detection of the first sensor 11, and at each of the three timings when the second detection unit 12B detects the three second tooth portions 12At. 11 is acquired, and the processing mode is set so as to detect the relative rotation phase based on the count value.

That is, when the valve opening / closing timing control unit A is in the reference relative rotational phase, the count value of the first sensor 11 at the timing when the second detection portion 12B detects the three second tooth portions 12At is the reference value. The value corresponding to.

Using such a principle, the phase detection unit 91 stores a reference value (numerical value) corresponding to each of the plurality of second tooth portions 12At in a nonvolatile memory or the like, and detects the second tooth portion 12At as the second detection. When detected by the part 12B, the detected second tooth part 12At is specified as one of the three second tooth parts 12At, and the count value of the first sensor 11 at the detected timing is specified. The relative rotational phase is obtained by comparing the reference value stored corresponding to the second tooth portion 12At.

[Control configuration]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 90 includes a detection signal from the phase sensor N that detects the relative rotational phase, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the engine E (basically an example of coolant temperature and temperature information). The T detection signal is input, and the control signal is output to the electromagnetic solenoid 44 of the electromagnetic control valve 40.

The phase detector 91 detects the relative rotational phase based on the signals from the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 as described above. The phase control unit 92 realizes control for displacing the relative rotational phase to the target phase based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 91. The lock transition control unit 93 realizes transition to the locked state by the lock mechanism LU based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 91. The unlock control unit 94 realizes unlocking of the main lock unit Lm based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 91. The temperature detector 95 detects the temperature of the engine E from the detection result of the temperature sensor T.

The phase detection unit 91, the phase control unit 92, the lock transition control unit 93, and the lock release control unit 94 are configured by software, but may be configured by hardware, logic, etc. You may comprise by the combination of these hardware and software.

The control unit 90 also functions as an ECU that controls the engine E. For example, at the time of control for stopping the engine E, the relative rotation phase is shifted to the intermediate lock phase M and the lock mechanism LU has reached the locked state. Control for stopping the engine E is executed later.

In the following description, control for supplying hydraulic oil to a flow path system (advance flow path 33, advance chamber Ca, etc.) that displaces the relative rotational phase in the advance direction Sa (see FIG. 2) is referred to as “advance angle”. Contrary to this, control for supplying hydraulic oil to a flow path system (retarded flow path 34, retarded angle chamber Cb, etc.) that displaces the relative rotational phase in the retarded direction Sb (see FIG. 2). Is referred to as “retarding operation”.

[Transition to the lock state of the main lock section]
Starting from a state in which the relative rotational phase is in a predetermined phase K (phase included in the unlocking region F shown in FIG. 4: see FIG. 5) displaced from the intermediate lock phase M (see FIG. 11) in the advance angle direction Sa, The lock shift control in which the lock shift control unit 93 shifts the relative rotation phase to the intermediate lock phase M will be described.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 12 and the flowchart of FIG. 14, in the lock transition control, the first phase control for displacing the relative rotation phase in the direction of the intermediate lock phase M (retarding direction Sb) is started. In this first phase control, the displacement is stopped when the phase sensor N detects that the relative rotational phase exceeds the intermediate lock phase M and has reached the first holding phase Q1 shown in FIG. Then, control is performed to hold the relative rotation phase at the first holding phase Q1 until the first holding time T1 elapses (steps from # 101 to # 104). Steps # 101 to # 104 are specific control examples of the first phase control.

As described above, since the predetermined phase K is included in the unlocking region F, when the retarding operation is started at the timing of V in FIG. 12, hydraulic oil is supplied to the retarding channel 34, The hydraulic oil pressure acts on the first pressure receiving surface U1 from the first unlocking flow path 75. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, after the main locking member 71 starts operating in the unlocking direction as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging portion 71b engages with the main locking recess 72 as shown in FIG. Reaches the unlock level J3.

The situation in which the relative rotational phase is displaced as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 is shown as V, VI, and VII in the timing chart of FIG. Further, in such a situation where the relative rotational phase changes, the restricting end portion 81 a of the sub-lock member 81 is in an unlocked state in which it is detached from the sub-lock recess 82. When the main lock member 71 reaches the unlocking level J3, the second unlocking channel 76 communicates with the first pressure receiving surface U1, and the first unlocking channel 75 is connected to the second pressure receiving surface U2. Since the hydraulic oil pressure acts on these, the main lock member 71 is maintained at the unlock level J3.

By continuing the retard operation, the intermediate lock phase M is exceeded in the retard direction while the main lock member 71 is maintained at the unlock level J3, and the relative rotation phase is the first holding phase Q1 shown in FIG. To reach. Thus, the relative rotational phase is held until the first holding time T1 elapses at the timing (phase VIII in FIG. 12) when the phase sensor N detects that the relative rotational phase has reached the first holding phase Q1. It should be noted that the first holding phase Q1 may be such that the main lock member 71 is in the retarding direction Sb with respect to the intermediate lock phase M. Further, when this relative rotational phase is reached, the sub-lock member 81 reaches a state where it engages with the sub-lock recess 82.

In this first phase control, the first control port 75a communicates with the drain flow path 23D when passing through the intermediate lock phase M in the process of reaching the first holding phase Q1 from the predetermined phase K, but the second unlocking flow Since the main lock member 71 is maintained at the unlock level J3 by the pressure of the hydraulic oil from the passage 76, the engaging portion 71b of the main lock member 71 does not engage with the main lock recess 72.

Next, the rotational speed of the engine E is acquired from the phase sensor N, the temperature of the temperature sensor T is acquired, hydraulic pressure information detected by a hydraulic pressure sensor (not shown) is acquired, and based on the acquired information The displacement speed of the second phase control is set (Step # 105). Since the advance operation is performed by the second phase control, the displacement direction is opposite to the displacement direction of the first phase control. In the second phase control, the displacement speed (strictly, absolute value) of the second displacement speed is set to be lower than the displacement speed (strictly, absolute value) of the first phase control. The reason why the speed is reduced in this way is that the phase sensor N reliably detects that the relative rotational phase has reached the sequence region G.

In the advance operation of the second phase control, the displacement is stopped when the phase sensor N detects that the second holding phase Q2 has been reached, and the relative rotational phase is held for the second time until the second holding time T2 elapses. Control to maintain the phase Q2 is performed (steps # 106 to # 109). Steps # 106 to # 109 are specific examples of the second phase control.

In the first holding phase Q1, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock assist flow path 22A communicates with the opening portion of the large-diameter guide hole 70a (see FIG. 4), so that the second phase control (advanced operation) is performed. At the start, the displacement is performed in the advance direction Sa of the relative rotation phase, and the operation (engagement) of the main lock member 71 to the main lock recess 72 is assisted by the pressure of the hydraulic oil.

In the second phase control, the relative rotational phase exceeds the phase shown in FIG. 9 and reaches the second holding phase Q2 included in the sequence region G as shown in FIG. Further, the situation where the relative rotational phase is displaced as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown as IX and X in the timing chart of FIG.

In particular, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 13, after the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa from the first holding phase Q1 and exceeds the intermediate lock phase M, before reaching the outside of the sequence region G. In step # 104, the displacement speed is reduced so that the detection signal D of the second tooth portion 12At (see FIG. 3) of the phase sensor N is acquired.

The reduction in the displacement speed is set based on the rotation speed of the crankshaft 1 detected by the first sensor 11 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor T. In other words, the viscosity changes with temperature, the oil pressure changes with the rotation speed, and the target displacement speed is set accordingly, and the opening of the electromagnetic control valve 40 is set so that the relative rotation phase is displaced at this displacement speed. Is done.

FIG. 13 shows the displacement curve QX of the relative rotational phase and the detection signal D in the upper stage, and the level change signal H representing the level change in the radial direction of the second tooth portion 12At in the lower stage. The displacement curve QX appears as a curve that gently varies in the advance angle direction Sa and the retard angle direction Sb due to the action of the cam fluctuation torque. Further, since the second sensor 12 detects only the up edge of the level change signal H, the detection signal D has a step shape corresponding to the up edge.

That is, as described above, the count is continuously performed by the first sensor 11, and the count value of the first sensor 11 is acquired by the second sensor 12 at the detection timing at the up edge of the level change signal H. Thus, the relative rotation phase represented by the displacement curve QX at the detection timing can be grasped.

Further, since the tooth width in the circumferential direction of the second tooth portion 12At is different and the interval between the second tooth portions 12At is also different, the detection cycle of the level change signal H becomes uneven. Then, although the period of the detection signal D is not uniform corresponding to the detection period of the level change signal H, at least one detection signal D can be acquired in the sequence area G even in the area where the detection period is farthest away. The displacement speed is set to.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the relative rotation phase is held at the second holding phase Q2 until the second holding time T2 elapses after reaching the second holding phase Q2. In the second phase control, since the hydraulic oil is supplied to the advance channel 33, the hydraulic oil is also supplied to the sub-lock release channel 35, and the sub-lock member 81 comes out of the sub-lock recess 82.

The second holding time T2 is set longer as the temperature detected by the temperature sensor T is lower and the viscosity of the hydraulic oil is lower and the viscosity is higher. When holding in this way, the pressure in the retarded flow path 34 and the retarded angle chamber Cb (see FIG. 2) is in a greatly reduced state, and the drain flow path 23D is connected to the drain flow path 23D via the first unlocking flow path 75. The state of communication is continuously maintained. As a result, the pressure acting on the first pressure receiving surface U1 and the second pressure receiving surface U2 is reduced, and the engagement portion 71b of the main lock member 71 is engaged (engaged) with the main lock recess 72 by the urging force of the main lock spring 73. The operation to enter) is performed.

In particular, in the second holding phase Q2 (see FIG. 10), the second unlocking flow path 76 is closed by the main body 71a of the main locking member 71, so that hydraulic oil flows through the second unlocking flow path 76. There is no inconvenience of reducing the operating speed of the main lock member 71 due to the flow path resistance acting on the hydraulic oil in the second unlocking flow path 76.

After this, the third phase control is performed in which the relative rotational phase is displaced in the direction of the intermediate lock phase M by the second delay operation. When it is determined that the relative rotational phase detected by the phase sensor N (see FIG. 3) is locked at the intermediate lock phase M shown in FIG. On the contrary, when it is determined that the intermediate lock phase M has not been locked and the intermediate lock phase M has been passed, retry control is executed (steps # 110 to # 113).

In the third phase control, the detection signal of the phase sensor N is acquired with a short sampling period at the time of delay operation, and in the step # 112, when the intermediate lock phase M is continued for a predetermined time of 3 seconds or more. The lock transition control is terminated by determining that the intermediate lock phase M has been locked.

In the retry control, the retarding operation is stopped at the timing when it is detected that the relative rotational phase has reached the first holding phase Q1, and thereafter, the control from step # 103 to step # 111 is executed again. In particular, in the retry control, the first holding time T1 in the # 104 step is extended, the displacement speed grounded in the # 105 is reduced, the second holding time T2 in the # 109 step is extended, and the # 110 step is increased. Setting is made to reduce the operation speed of the retard operation.

This retry control is assumed to be repeated a plurality of times, and as the number of executions of this retry control increases, the first holding time T1 of the # 104 step is further extended, and the displacement set at # 105 Setting is made to further reduce the speed, further extend the second holding time T2 of step # 109, and further reduce the operating speed of the retarding operation of step # 110.

When the number of retry controls reaches the set number, the error information is displayed on the display, or processing such as saving in the control history that the lock state could not be entered is performed, and the retry control is terminated. To do. As the retry control, it is possible to set the control mode so that the control from step # 106 to step # 112 is executed again.

Thus, the phase change when the intermediate lock phase M is reached is shown as the timing of XI in FIG. When the relative rotational phase detected by the phase sensor N is locked by the intermediate lock phase M by this control, the engaging portion 71b of the main lock member 71 is moved to the main lock recess 72 as shown in FIG. Is engaged. In this state, when the relative rotation phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb, the engaging portion 71b comes into contact with the end of the main lock recess 72 as shown in FIG.

Then, at the timing when the relative rotation stops, the restricting end portion 81a of the sub lock member 81 of the sub lock portion Ls shifts to a state where it engages with the sub lock recess 82. As a result, the relative rotation phase of the valve opening / closing timing control unit A is locked to the intermediate lock phase M.

Further, when the lock transition control is executed in a situation where the relative rotational phase is in a phase displaced from the intermediate lock phase M in the retarding direction Sb, control starting from step # 105 in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is performed. .

[Unlock: Displacement in advance direction]
As shown in FIG. 11, when the relative rotation phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa starting from the state in which the relative rotation phase is locked to the intermediate lock phase M, the lock release control unit 94 executes the advance operation. To do. In this control, hydraulic oil is supplied from the advance channel 33 to the advance chamber Ca, and a part of the hydraulic oil is supplied to the sub-lock release channel 35.

With this supply, as shown in FIG. 5, in the secondary lock portion Ls, the restriction end portion 81a of the secondary lock member 81 is detached from the secondary lock recess 82, and in the main lock portion Lm, the engaging portion 71b is the main lock recess. Displacement is performed in the state engaged with 72 (within the range of the matable area), and an arbitrary phase can be set.

[Unlock: Displacement in retarded direction]
On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 11, when the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb starting from the state where the relative rotational phase is locked to the intermediate lock phase M, the lock release control unit 94 is used. However, after the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance angle direction Sa, the control is performed in the order of operating in the retard angle direction Sb.

That is, when the lock release control unit 94 first performs the advance operation, the lock state of the sub lock unit Ls is released. Then, when the relative rotational phase exceeds the sequence region G and reaches the unlocking region F shown in FIG.

In this state, when the phase control unit 92 executes control for supplying hydraulic oil to the retard chamber Cb, the main lock member 71 reaches the unlock level J3 as shown in FIG. By continuing the displacement in the retarding direction Sb, the relative rotation phase exceeds the intermediate lock phase M in a state where the main lock member 71 is maintained at the unlock level J3. The lock member 81 is engaged with the sub lock recess 82. The displacement in the retarding direction Sb is performed within a range in which the sub lock member 81 can be displaced in a state where the sub lock member 81 is engaged with the sub lock recess 82.

[Operation / Effect of Embodiment]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the main lock portion Lm and the sub lock portion Ls of the lock mechanism LU reach the locked state at the same time, so that the relative rotational phase can be maintained at the intermediate lock phase M. Further, when shifting to the intermediate lock phase M, it is realized by setting the displacement direction and the displacement speed of the relative rotation phase by controlling the electromagnetic control valve 40, so that a dedicated control valve for controlling the lock member is required. do not do.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, when the relative rotational phase shifts from the unlocked phase to the intermediate locked phase M, the relative rotational phase is displaced in the retarding direction Sb by the first phase control. When the first holding phase Q1 (see FIG. 8) is reached after exceeding the intermediate lock phase M, the displacement of the relative rotation phase is stopped and the relative rotation phase is held. Next, when the relative rotational phase is displaced in the advance direction Sa by the second phase control and reaches the second holding phase Q2 included in the sequence region G (see FIG. 4) beyond the intermediate lock phase M, the relative rotational phase is reached. And the relative rotation phase is maintained.

That is, by holding the relative rotation phase at the first holding phase Q1, the phenomenon of the relative rotation phase overshooting is suppressed, and the valve opening / closing timing is not significantly changed, and the relative rotation phase at the second holding phase Q2. By holding this, it is possible to reliably hold the relative rotational phase in the sequence region G. After this, it is possible to shift to the locked state at the intermediate lock phase M by displacing the relative rotational phase in the retarding direction Sb by the third phase control.

In particular, since the displacement speed of the second phase control is set lower than the displacement speed of the first phase control based on the rotation speed of the engine E and the temperature of the hydraulic oil, an encoder with high resolution is used as the phase sensor N. Even if not used, the phase sensor N reliably detects that the relative rotational phase has reached the sequence region G. Thereby, the inconvenience that the relative rotation phase exceeds the sequence region G and reaches the lock release region F can be suppressed.

When the engine E (see FIG. 1) is stopped, even when the lock shift control is executed to maintain the relative rotation phase at the intermediate lock phase M, the shift to the intermediate lock phase M can be surely performed. Thereby, the engine E can be started easily and stably.

Further, in the lock transition control, when the intermediate lock phase M (see FIG. 4) cannot be shifted to the locked state, the retry control is executed to ensure the shift to the locked state. When this retry control is repeated, the shift to the locked state is ensured by extending the holding time and reducing the displacement speed.

[Another embodiment]
In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention may be configured as follows (the components having the same functions as those of the embodiments are given the same numbers and symbols as those of the embodiments).

(A) As shown in FIG. 16, the first phase control is performed (steps from # 201 to # 204), and when the second phase control is executed (when the first holding phase Q1 is displaced in the advance direction Sa). Before the relative rotational phase reaches the sequence region G, the phase sensor N detects the relative rotational phase a plurality of times, thereby acquiring a plurality of phases and setting the estimated displacement line LX (see FIG. 15). (Steps # 205 to # 207).

In step # 205, the rotational speed of the engine E is acquired from the phase sensor N (see FIG. 3), the temperature of the temperature sensor T (see FIG. 3) is acquired, and is detected by a hydraulic sensor (not shown). The hydraulic pressure information is acquired, and the displacement speed of the second phase control is set based on the acquired hydraulic information.

In this first phase control, the retarding operation is performed, and when the phase sensor N detects that the relative rotational phase has reached the first holding phase Q1, the displacement is stopped until the first holding time T1 elapses. Control to hold the relative rotational phase at the first holding phase Q1 is performed.

Next, while performing the advance angle operation, the displacement assumption line LX set in the phase estimation stops the displacement of the relative rotational phase at the arrival timing TQ2 (see FIG. 15) intersecting the second holding phase Q2, and the second Control is performed to hold the relative rotational phase at the second holding phase Q2 until the holding time T2 elapses (steps from # 208 to # 210).

Next, the third phase control is performed. In this third phase control, the relative rotation phase is displaced in the direction of the intermediate lock phase M (see FIG. 4) by performing a retard operation, and it is determined that the lock is made in the intermediate lock phase M (lock determination). If so, the control ends. On the contrary, if it is determined that the intermediate lock phase M has not been locked and the intermediate lock phase M has been passed, retry control is executed (# 211 to # 214 steps).

That is, in step # 213, when the state of being in the intermediate lock phase M is continued for a predetermined time of 3 seconds or more, it is determined that the lock is in the intermediate lock phase M, and the lock transition control is terminated. In the retry control, the retard operation is stopped at the timing when it is detected that the relative rotational phase has reached the first holding phase Q1, and thereafter, the control from step # 203 to step # 212 is executed again. In particular, in the retry control, the first holding time T1 in the # 204 step is extended, the displacement speed grounded in the # 205 is reduced, the second holding time T2 in the # 210 step is extended, and the # 210 step is increased. Setting is made to reduce the operation speed of the retard operation.

This retry control is assumed to be repeated a plurality of times, and as the number of executions of this retry control increases, the first holding time T1 of step # 204 is further extended, and the displacement set in # 206 Setting is made to further reduce the speed, further extend the second holding time T2 of step # 210, and further reduce the operating speed of the retarding operation of step # 211.

In this lock transition control, as shown in FIG. 15, when the second phase control is executed, before the relative rotational phase reaches the sequence region G, the detection signal D is used to acquire the value of the displacement curve QX twice. The first phase QX1 and the second phase QX2 are acquired by setting the detection timing, the displacement assumption line LX connecting the first phase QX1 and the second phase QX2 is calculated, and the displacement assumption line LX is second held. The arrival timing TQ2 that intersects the phase Q2 is obtained.

After the arrival timing TQ2 is obtained in this way, the displacement of the relative rotation phase is stopped at the timing when the relative rotation phase reaches the arrival timing TQ2, and the relative rotation phase is changed to the second holding phase until the second holding time T2 elapses. The control held in Q2 is executed. Such control makes it possible to reliably stop the relative rotational phase even if the sequence region G is a narrow region.

In this control, when the relative rotational phase is detected three or more times by the phase sensor N, the displacement estimation line LX is determined in consideration of variations, such as obtaining a moving average of three or more detected values. The setting process is enabled.

(B) In the situation where the engine E is in the idling state or the engine E is in the cranking state, the second phase control is performed based on (correspondingly) the number of rotations of the crankshaft 1 when the lock transition control is executed. The displacement speed of the relative rotational phase at is reduced.

That is, when the engine E is in an idling state or in a cranking state at the start of the engine E, the rotation speed of the crankshaft 1 is small, and the output timing interval of the detection signal D output from the phase sensor N in the sequence region G Expands.

For this reason, the electromagnetic control valve is based on the rotational speed of the crankshaft 1 detected by the second sensor 12 so that the detection signal D can be reliably detected in the sequence region G by reducing the displacement speed of the relative rotational phase. By reducing the supply amount of the hydraulic oil supplied at 40 per unit time, it is possible to reliably detect that the relative rotation phase has reached the sequence region G and to stop the relative rotation phase.

(C) A solenoid valve may be provided outside the valve opening / closing timing control unit A as a working fluid control mechanism. In this configuration, the flow path configuration can be simplified as compared with the valve opening / closing timing control unit A provided with an electromagnetic valve.

(D) As a modification of the configuration in which the main lock portion Lm is provided in the vane portion 32, the main lock member 71 may be configured to protrude outward in the radial direction. Further, as the sub-locking portion Ls, the sub-locking member 81 may be configured to retract and retract along an axis that is parallel to the rotation axis X.

The present invention can be used for a valve opening / closing timing control device including a lock mechanism that holds a relative rotational phase between a driving side rotating body and a driven side rotating body.

1 Crankshaft 5 Camshaft (Intake camshaft)
12 Second sensor (rotational speed sensor)
20 External rotor (drive side rotor)
23D Drain flow path 30 Internal rotor (driven rotor)
35 Sub-lock release flow path 40 Electromagnetic control valve (working fluid control mechanism)
71 Main lock member 72 Main lock recess 73 Main lock spring (main spring)
75 First unlocking channel (first unlocking channel)
81 Sub lock member 82 Sub lock recess 83 Sub lock spring (sub spring)
92 Phase control unit Ca Advance chamber Cb Delay chamber E Engine (internal combustion engine)
F Lock release area G Sequence area Lu Lock mechanism Lm Main lock part Ls Sub lock part M Intermediate lock phase (lock phase)
Q1 First holding phase N Phase sensor T Temperature sensor X Rotating shaft core

Claims

A drive-side rotating body that rotates synchronously with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine;
A driven-side rotating body that is included in the driving-side rotating body and rotates integrally with a camshaft for opening and closing the valve of the internal combustion engine, coaxially with a rotating shaft core of the driving-side rotating body;
By supplying a working fluid to one of an advance chamber and a retard chamber formed between the drive side rotor and the driven side rotor, the drive side rotor and the driven side rotor are A working fluid control mechanism for displacing the relative rotational phase;
A lock mechanism that holds the drive-side rotator and the driven-side rotator in a predetermined lock phase;
A phase sensor that outputs a detection signal indicating the relative rotational phase at a predetermined timing synchronized with the rotation of the internal combustion engine;
A phase control unit that displaces the relative rotational phase to a target phase using the phase sensor, and
The lock mechanism engages the main lock member with the main lock recess by the urging force of the main spring, thereby restricting the displacement region of the relative rotational phase to the main restriction region, and the main lock member. A main unlocking flow path for supplying a working fluid that enables extraction from the main locking recess,
The phase where the main lock member is present at one end of the main restriction region is made to correspond to the lock phase, a sequence region is formed at a position adjacent to the lock phase in the main restriction region, and the sequence region When the relative rotational phase is in the region extending from the lock phase to the sequence region, the main unlock channel is connected to the drain channel, and the relative rotational phase is A channel that is supplied with a working fluid that displaces the relative rotational phase toward the lock phase when in the unlocking region is communicated with the main unlocking channel;
In the lock transition control for holding the relative rotational phase at the lock phase, the phase control unit displaces the relative rotational phase toward the sequence region, and after reaching the sequence region, the relative rotational phase is changed to the relative rotational phase. The control mode is set so as to be displaced toward the lock phase,
In the lock transition control, when the relative rotational phase is in the sequence region, an output timing of the detection signal of the phase sensor and a displacement speed of the relative rotational phase so as to detect the detection signal at least once. Valve timing control device for which the relationship is set.
The lock mechanism includes a sub-lock portion that restricts the displacement region of the relative rotation phase to the sub-regulation region by engaging the sub-lock member with the sub-lock recess by the biasing force of the sub spring, and the main lock recess includes the sub-lock portion. While the main lock member is engaged, the relative rotation phase is held at the lock phase in a state where the sub lock member is engaged with the sub lock recess,
A sub-lock release that supplies a working fluid extracted from the sub-lock recess to the sub-lock member by supplying a part of the working fluid that displaces the main lock member from the sequence region toward the lock-release region. With a flow path,
When performing the lock transition control from the relative rotational phase in which the main lock member is in the unlocking region, the relative rotational phase is set to the lock phase by supplying a working fluid to the main unlocking channel. The first phase control for displacing to a phase exceeding the first phase control, and then the second phase control for displacing in the opposite direction to the first phase control, the relative rotational phase exceeds the lock phase and the sequence is performed. The control mode of the phase control unit is set so as to perform the third phase control for shifting to the region, and then displacing in the lock phase direction. From the displacement speed of the first phase control, the first phase control is performed. The valve opening / closing timing control device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement speed of the two-phase control is set low.
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the internal combustion engine; and a rotation speed sensor or a hydraulic pressure sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the crankshaft. In the lock transition control, temperature information detected by the temperature sensor and the rotation speed The valve opening / closing timing control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a displacement speed of the relative rotation phase is set based on at least one of rotation speed information detected by a sensor and information of a hydraulic pressure sensor.
When the internal combustion engine is in an idling state or in a cranking state, the phase control unit performs the lock transition control based on the rotational speed of the crankshaft. The valve opening / closing timing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a displacement speed is set.
In the lock transition control, control is performed to hold the relative rotation phase at the first holding phase when the relative rotation phase reaches the first holding phase that exceeds the lock phase by the first phase control. The valve opening / closing timing control device according to claim 2.
In the lock transition control, the phase control unit, when determining that the relative rotation phase has passed the lock phase by the third phase control, at least the second phase control and the third phase control. The valve timing control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the two phase controls are executed again.