Patent ID: 7418930
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: F01L,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A device for controlling variable gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, comprising: an actuator controller for operating a first gas exchange valve and a second gas exchange valve by controlling a first valve actuator of the first gas exchange valve and a second valve actuator of the second gas exchange valve, wherein, in controlling the first and second valve actuators, the actuator controller takes into consideration state variables of the internal combustion engine and a predetermined control specification for the actuator controller; and a collision protection device that is operatively connected to the actuator controller and that ascertains, before the actuator controller operates the first and second gas exchange valves, whether controlling the first and second valve actuators using at least the predetermined control specification will lead to a possible collision between the first and second gas exchange valves, wherein, if the possible collision is ascertained, the collision protection device initiates at least one measure that prevents the possible collision; wherein the collision protection device takes an ascertained increase in an opening slope and an increase in a closing slope of at least one of the first and second gas exchange valves into consideration when the possible collision is detected between the first and second gas exchange valves.