Patent ID: 7603223

Claim:
An apparatus for adjusting valve timing when starting an internal combustion engine, the engine having a plurality of variable valve timing mechanisms, wherein the valve timing mechanisms include a first variable valve timing mechanism that is capable of adjusting the valve timing of an intake valve and a second variable valve timing mechanism that is capable of adjusting the valve timing of an exhaust valve, the apparatus comprising: an abnormality detection section that detects an abnormality in the valve timing mechanisms; and a compensation section, wherein, when the abnormality detection section detects an abnormality of at least one of the valve timing mechanisms, the compensation section adjusts the valve timing during starting of the engine realized by at least one of the valve timing mechanisms that is functioning normally to valve timing that increases the power generated by combustion compared to the power generated during normal starting of the engine, wherein, if the first variable valve timing mechanism is functioning normally when the abnormality detection section detects an abnormality of the second variable valve timing mechanism, the compensation section controls the first variable valve timing mechanism such that the valve closing timing of the intake valve becomes closer to a bottom dead center in the intake stroke of the engine or a power compensation range set in the vicinity of the bottom dead center compared to the valve closing timing of the intake valve during normal starting of the engine, wherein, if the second variable valve timing mechanism is functioning normally when the abnormality detection section detects an abnormality of the first variable valve timing mechanism, the compensation section controls the second variable valve timing mechanism such that the valve opening timing of the exhaust valve becomes closer to a bottom dead center in the expansion stroke of the engine or a power compensation range set in the vicinity of the bottom dead center compared to the valve opening timing of the exhaust valve during normal starting of the engine.