Method and control device for adapting a minimum valve stroke

1. A method for adapting and applying a preset value for a minimum valve stroke in an internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps:

replacing a previous value for the minimum valve stroke with a new value;

determining an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine;

restoring the previous value for the minimum valve stroke if the operating parameter is outside of a defined value range and otherwise retaining the new value;

identifying a demand for power corresponding to a valve stroke that is below the minimum valve stroke, and in response:

applying the minimum valve stroke; and

automatically reducing the power produced by the engine by offsetting a rotation of the camshaft to shift an opening timing of the valve.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a lambda signal is determined as an operating parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an acoustic signal of the internal combustion engine is determined as an operating parameter.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a pressure is determined as an operating parameter.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a rough running of the internal combustion engine is determined as an operating parameter.

6. A control device in an internal combustion engine,

wherein the control device holds a value for a minimum valve stroke in a memory device,

wherein the control device is further operable to change the value for the minimum valve stroke, and

wherein the control device is further operable to:

identify a demand for power corresponding to a valve stroke that is below the minimum valve stroke, and in response:

apply the minimum valve stroke; and

reduce the power produced by the engine by offsetting a rotation of the camshaft to shift an opening timing of the valve.

7. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operable to replace the previous value for the minimum valve stroke with a new value; to determine an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine; to restore the previous value for the minimum valve stroke if the operating parameter is outside of a defined value range and otherwise to retain the new value.

8. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device holds at least two different minimum valve stroke values and these values are allocated to different valves or cylinders.

9. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operable to change a setting of a throttle valve in the internal combustion engine if a value for a valve stroke is below a defined limiting value.

10. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operable to change a setting of a camshaft in the internal combustion engine if a value for a valve stroke is below a defined limiting value.

11. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operable to change an ignition advance angle of a cylinder if a value for a valve stroke is below a defined limiting value.

12. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operable to change a mixture ratio of a cylinder if a value for a valve stroke is below a defined limiting value.

13. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein a value for a minimum valve stroke is used as a defined limiting value.

14. A device for adapting and applying a preset value for a minimum valve stroke in an internal combustion engine, comprising:

means for replacing the previous value for the minimum valve stroke with a new value;

means for determining an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine;

means for restoring the previous value for the minimum valve stroke if the operating parameter is outside of a defined value range and otherwise for retaining the new value; and

means for identifying a demand for power corresponding to a valve stroke that is below the minimum valve stroke, and in response:

applying the minimum valve stroke; and

automatically reducing the power produced by the engine by offsetting a rotation of the camshaft to shift an opening timing of the valve.

15. The device according to claim 14 , wherein a lambda signal is determined as an operating parameter.

16. The device according to claim 14 , wherein an acoustic signal of the internal combustion engine is determined as an operating parameter.

17. The device according to claim 14 , wherein a pressure is determined as an operating parameter.

18. The device according to claim 14 , wherein a rough running of the internal combustion engine is determined as an operating parameter.