Patent ID: 7690339
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. A control device for a variable valve mechanism that changes an operational characteristic of an intake valve provided in an internal combustion engine, comprising: a control unit; a drive element; and an actuator, provided in the variable valve mechanism, that changes a duration of the intake valve by moving the drive element, the duration being a period of time in terms of crank angle that the intake valve is held open; wherein, when the control unit changes the duration of the intake valve to achieve a desired duration value of the intake valve, the control unit controls the actuator so that the duration changes at a first speed when the duration is equal to a first value, and changes at a second speed when the duration is equal to a second value that is smaller than the first value, the duration changing at the second speed between when the duration is equal to the first value and when the duration is equal to the desired duration value; and an absolute value of the second speed is smaller than an absolute value of the first speed.