Patent ID: 8868316

Claim:
A controller of a valve timing control apparatus including a drive rotary member adapted to rotate in synchronism with rotation of a crankshaft of an engine, an electric motor which rotates together with the drive rotary member and to which electric current is supplied via brushes, and a phase converter configured to change a phase angle of a camshaft relative to the crankshaft by relatively rotating an output shaft of the electric motor with respect to the drive rotary member, said controller comprising: a detection section configured to detect a rotational position of the camshaft; and a control section programmed to perform the following, (a) executing phase-control via the phase converter for bringing the phase angle of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft closer to a required phase angle suited for engine-starting during a starting period of the engine; (b) controlling the phase angle of the camshaft during a stopping period of the engine to a target phase angle differing from the required phase angle suited for engine-starting; (c) changing the phase angle of the camshaft from the target phase angle toward the required phase angle during a time period from a point of time when cranking starts during a restarting period of the engine to a point of time when detection of the rotational position of the camshaft, executed within the detection section, initiates during the engine restarting period; and (d) starting feedback-control for the phase angle of the camshaft via the phase converter from the point of time of initiation of detection of the rotational position of the camshaft, executed within the detection section, for bringing the phase angle of the camshaft closer to the required phase angle.