Patent ID: 6925977

Claim:
A controller for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism that varies an operation timing of a valve camshaft for an internal combustion engine, wherein the variable valve timing mechanism varies a rotational phase of the valve camshaft with respect to a crank angle by controlling pressure of an operating fluid, the controller comprising: a calculation means for calculating a correction value using an arithmetic expression reflecting a physical model that is associated with torque applied to the valve camshaft and the pressure of the operating fluid, wherein the correction value is the difference between a holding control value for fixing the rotational phase and a reference-state holding control value, the holding control value being calculated from the torque applied to the valve camshaft and the pressure of the operating fluid, and the reference-state holding control value being calculated from a reference torque and a reference pressure; and a valve timing controlling means for generating an updated holding control value that includes the sum of the correction value and a predetermined control reference value, and controlling the valve timing in accordance with the updated holding control value.