Device and method for controlling internal combustion engine

Abstract

If it is necessary to rapidly change a phase of an intake camshaft and an intake VVT mechanism relatively slow in responsiveness as it is associated with an “A” bank of a V-type, 8-cylinder engine is in operation for at least a predetermined period of time, an ECU executes a program including the step of controlling intake VVT mechanisms to operate those associated with both the “A” bank and a “B” bank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an engine of a vehicle with an ECU mounted therein to serve as a control device of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a map defining a target value of the phase of an intake camshaft.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representing a structure of a program for control executed by the ECU shown in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of mechanisms changing a phase in which at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, the control device comprising an operation unit controlling a first one of said plurality of mechanisms and controlling a second one of said plurality of mechanisms to start to operate later by a predetermined period of time than said first mechanism.

2. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein said first mechanism is slower than another one of said plurality of mechanisms in responding to that said phase is changed.

3. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein said operation unit further determines whether said phase is changed faster than predetermined, and if said phase is changed faster than predetermined, said operation unit controls said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism.

4. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein said operation unit determines that said phase is changed faster than predetermined if said phase is changed by an amount larger than predetermined.

5. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein said operation unit controls said first mechanism to maximally retard said phase, and controls said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism, and, in addition, to maximally retard said phase.

6. A method of controlling an internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of mechanisms changing a phase in which at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, the method comprising the steps of: controlling a first one of said plurality of mechanisms; andcontrolling a second one of said plurality of mechanisms to start to operate later by a predetermined period of time than said first mechanism.

7. The method of controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein said first mechanism is slower than another one of said plurality of mechanisms in responding to that said phase is changed.

8. The method of controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 6, further comprising the step of determining whether said phase is changed faster than predetermined, wherein the step of controlling said second mechanism includes the step of controlling said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism if said phase is changed faster than predetermined.

9. The method of controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 8, wherein the step of determining whether said phase is changed faster than predetermined includes the step of determining that said phase is changed faster than predetermined if said phase is changed by an amount larger than predetermined.

10. The method of controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein: the step of controlling said first mechanism includes the step of maximally retarding said phase; andthe step of controlling said second mechanism includes the step of and controlling said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism, and, in addition, to maximally retard said phase.

11. A control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of mechanisms changing a phase in which at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve opens/closes, the control device comprising: first control means for controlling a first one of said plurality of mechanisms; andsecond control means for controlling a second one of said plurality of mechanisms to start to operate later by a predetermined period of time than said first mechanism.

12. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 11, wherein said first mechanism is slower than another one of said plurality of mechanisms in responding to that said phase is changed.

13. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 11, further comprising determination means for determining whether said phase is changed faster than predetermined, wherein said second control means includes means for controlling said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism if said phase is changed faster than predetermined.

14. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 13, wherein said determination means includes means for determining that said phase is changed faster than predetermined if said phase is changed by an amount larger than predetermined.

15. The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 11, wherein: said first control means includes means for controlling said first mechanism, to maximally retard said phase; andsaid second control means includes means for controlling said second mechanism to start to operate later by said predetermined period of time than said first mechanism, and, in addition, to maximally retard said phase.