IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,895,912

Granted Patent B2

US 6,895,912 · App. 10/420,879 · Granted May 24, 2005

Variable valve control apparatus for engine and method thereof

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 6,895,912
App. No.: 10/420,879
Granted: May 24, 2005
Kind: B2

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Abstract

In a low rotation region of an engine, valve timing of two intake valves is advanced and also one of two exhaust valves is driven by means of a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve, to thereby set a valve overlap period within which only one of the two exhaust valves is opened.

Claims (190)

1. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein said valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is set by opening said intake valves synchronously with a closing timing of the one exhaust valve, and thereafter closing the other exhaust valve, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition.

2. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an intake side variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two intake valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism and said intake side variable valve mechanism,

wherein said control unit controls said variable valve mechanism to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition, and

wherein during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, said control unit controls said intake side variable valve mechanism, to open only the intake valve which faces the exhaust valve to be opened with the cylinder center therebetween, of said two intake valves.

3. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be closed.

4. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be closed.

5. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an engine rotation speed; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein said control unit controls said variable valve mechanism to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

6. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an engine rotation speed; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein said control unit controls said variable valve mechanism to set and extend a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

7. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves, by switching, as a cam for opening/closing one of the two exhaust valves, between a cam with valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve and a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism,

wherein said control unit controls said variable valve mechanism to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other by driving one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with said lower valve lift, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition.

8. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves, by switching, as a cam for opening/closing only one of the two exhaust valves, between a cam with valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve and a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve;

a variable valve timing mechanism that varies valve timing of said two intake valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an engine rotation speed; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism and said variable valve timing mechanism,

wherein, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, said control unit controls said variable valve timing mechanism to advance the valve timing of said intake valves, and also controls said variable valve mechanism to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other by driving one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower valve lift.

9. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

setting, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition, a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened by:

synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other;

opening intake valves synchronously with a closing timing of the one exhaust valve; and thereafter

closing the other exhaust valve.

10. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

setting, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition, a valve overlap period within which only said first exhaust valve is opened by;

synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other;

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other; and

opening only the intake valve which faces the exhaust valve to be opened with the cylinder center therebetween, of said two intake valves, during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened.

11. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, wherein an opening area of a first exhaust port of in which the first exhaust valve of said two exhaust valves is disposed is formed to be smaller than an opening area of a second exhaust port in which the second exhaust valve is disposed, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

setting, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition, a

valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, by;

synchronizing opening timings of said first exhaust valve and said second exhaust valve with each other; and

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other.

12. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 11 , wherein the step of differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other comprises:

delaying a closing timing of the first exhaust valve from that of said second exhaust valve.

13. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, wherein a valve diameter of the first exhaust valve of said two exhaust valves is formed to be smaller than a valve diameter of the second exhaust valve, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

setting, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition, a valve overlap period within which only said first exhaust valve is opened, by:

synchronizing opening timings of said first exhaust valve and said second exhaust valve with each other; and

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other.

14. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 13 , wherein the step of differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other comprises:

delaying a closing timing of the first exhaust valve from that of said second exhaust valve.

15. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an engine rotation speed; and

setting, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, by:

synchronizing operating timings of said two exhaust valves with each other; and

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other.

16. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an engine rotation speed; and

setting and extending, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, by:

synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other; and

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other.

17. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an engine rotation speed; and

setting, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, by:

synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, by advancing valve timing of said intake valves; and

differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, by driving one of the exhaust valves by means of a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve.

18. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

an exhaust side variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

an intake side variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two intake valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said exhaust side and intake side variable valve mechanisms,

wherein said control unit controls said exhaust side variable valve mechanism to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition; and

19. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 , wherein said valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is set by opening said intake valves synchronously with a closing time of the one exhaust valve, and thereafter closing the other exhaust valve.

20. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 , wherein an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be closed.

21. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 , wherein a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be closed.

22. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 ,

wherein said operating condition detector detects an engine rotation speed, and

wherein said control unit sets the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

23. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 ,

wherein said operating condition detector detects an engine rotation speed, and

wherein said control unit extends the valve overlap period and also sets the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

24. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 18 , wherein said variable valve mechanism switches, as a cam for opening/closing one of the exhaust valves, between a cam with valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve and a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve.

25. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

a variable valve mechanism that switches, as a cam for opening/closing one of said exhaust valves, between a cam set to have valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve and a cam set to have valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve;

a variable valve timing mechanism that varies valve timing of said two intake valves;

an operating condition detector that detects an operating condition of said engine including at least an engine rotation speed; and

a control unit that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detector to control said variable valve mechanism, and said variable valve timing mechanism,

wherein, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, said control unit controls said variable valve timing mechanism to advance the valve timing of said intake valves, and also controls said variable valve mechanism to drive one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower valve lift, to thereby set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened.

26. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 25 , wherein said control unit opens said intake valves synchronously with a closing time of the one exhaust valve, and thereafter closes the other exhaust valve, to set said valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened.

27. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 25 , wherein an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than an opening area of an exhaust port of the exhaust valve to be closed.

28. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine according to claim 25 , wherein a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be opened during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, is formed to be smaller than a valve diameter of the exhaust valve to be closed.

29. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

exhaust side variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

intake side variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two intake valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

control means for controlling said exhaust side variable valve operating means to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, when the operating condition of the engine detected by said operating condition detecting means is a specific operating condition, and controlling said intake side variable operating valve means during the valve overlap period in which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, to open only the intake valve which faces the exhaust valve to be opened with the cylinder center therebetween, of said two intake valves.

30. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for switching, as a cam for opening/closing one of said exhaust valves, between a cam set to have valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve or a cam set to have valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve;

variable valve timing means for varying valve timing of said two intake valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine including at least an engine rotation speed; and

control means for controlling said variable valve timing means to advance the valve timing of said intake valves, and also controlling said variable valve operating means to drive one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower valve lift, to thereby set the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

31. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, and also an exhaust side variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves, and an intake side variable valve mechanism that varies a lift characteristic of one of said two intake valves, comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

setting a valve overlap period within which only one of said exhaust valves is opened, by controlling said exhaust side variable valve mechanism, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition,

during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, controlling said intake side variable valve mechanism to open only the intake valve which faces the exhaust valve to be opened with the cylinder center therebetween, of said two intake valves.

32. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 31 , wherein said step of setting the valve overlap period comprises the steps of:

opening intake valves synchronously with a closing time of the one exhaust valve; and

thereafter closing the other exhaust valve.

33. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 31 , wherein said step of setting the valve overlap period comprises the steps of:

detecting an engine rotation speed; and

setting the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is closed, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

34. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 31 , wherein said step of setting the valve overlap period comprises the steps of:

detecting an engine rotation speed; and

extending the valve overlap period and also setting the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

35. A variable valve control method for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, and also a variable valve mechanism that switches, as a cam for opening/closing one of the exhaust valves, between a cam set to have valve lift the same as that of one exhaust valve or a cam set to have valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve, and a variable valve timing mechanism that varies valve timing of said two intake valves, comprising the steps of:

detecting a rotation speed of said engine;

controlling said variable valve timing mechanism to advance the valve timing of said intake valves, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold; and

controlling said variable valve mechanism to drive one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower valve lift, when said engine rotation speed is lower than said threshold.

36. A variable valve control method for an engine according to claim 35 , wherein said step of controlling the variable valve mechanism comprises the steps of:

opening intake valves synchronously with a closing time of the one exhaust valve; and

thereafter closing the other exhaust valve.

37. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine;

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

wherein said control means controls said variable valve operating means to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, and

38. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

intake side variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two intake valves,

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine;

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means and said intake side variable valve operating means,

wherein during the valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, said control means controls said intake side variable valve operating means, to open only the intake valve which faces the exhaust valve to be opened with the cylinder center therebetween, of said two intake valves.

39. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine;

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

40. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

41. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine rotation speed; and

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

42. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves;

operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine rotation speed; and

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

wherein said control means controls said variable valve operating means to set and extend a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold.

43. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve operating means for varying a lift characteristic of one of said two exhaust valves, by switching, as a cam for opening/closing only one of said two exhaust valves, between a cam with valve lift the same as that of the other exhaust valve and a cam with valve lift lower than that of the other exhaust valve,

operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of said engine; and

control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means,

wherein said control means controls said variable valve operating means to set a valve overlap period within which one of said two exhaust valves is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other by driving one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower value lift, when the operating condition of the engine is a specific operating condition.

44. A variable valve control apparatus for an engine provided with two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, comprising:

variable valve timing means that varies valve timing of said two intake valves,

operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine rotation speed; and

a control means that receives a detection signal from said operating condition detecting means to control said variable valve operating means and said variable valve timing means,

wherein, when said engine rotation speed is lower than a threshold, said control means controls said variable valve timing means to advance the valve timing of said intake valves, and also controls said variable valve operating means to set a valve overlap period within which only one of said two exhaust vales is opened, by synchronizing opening timings of said two exhaust valves with each other, and differentiating closing timings of said two exhaust valves from each other by driving one of the exhaust valves by means of the cam with lower value lift.

Assignments (1)

MERGER Recorded Feb 11, 2005

From: HITACHI UNISIA AUTOMOTIVE, LTD.

To: HITACHI, LTD.

Reel/Frame 016245/0106 →