Method of controlling electric continuous variable valve timing apparatus

• US 9,874,155 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2013
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Han, Dong Hee, Lim, Hyun Jun, Ko, Seok Hwan, Kim, Yoon Joo, Jang, Jungho, Im, Hyuk, Park, Jong Il
• Primary Examiner(s): Dallo, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US14/102,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20140172271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 701105, 701 86, 701102, 701 22, 318445, 123 9015, 123 9012, 123 9017, 123 9023, 180 6521
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0219 by shifting the phase, i.e. the opening periods of the valves are constant
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/004 Aiding engine start by using decompression means or variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of controlling an electric continuous variable valve timing apparatus improves starting performance of an engine by a simplified phase control for the camshaft. The method, in which intake and exhaust timing of an engine is changed in accordance with a phase of the camshaft, may include: determining whether starting off of the engine is required during driving; recognizing a target phase of the camshaft for next starting of the engine; controlling the phase of the camshaft so that the intake timing of the engine is advanced in accordance with the target phase; and ending the phase control of the camshaft in accordance with a state of the engine or the camshaft.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an electric continuous variable valve timing apparatus, wherein intake and exhaust timing of an engine is changed in accordance with a phase of the camshaft, the method comprising:

determining whether stop of the engine is required during driving;

recognizing a target phase of the camshaft for next starting of the engine;

controlling the phase of the camshaft so that the intake timing of the engine is advanced in accordance with the target phase; and

ending the phase control of the camshaft in accordance with a state of the engine or the camshaft,

wherein the phase of the camshaft is controlled to be always positioned further toward a direction in which the intake timing of the engine is advanced, than the target phase.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

starting the engine;

detecting a driving environment during driving the vehicle after starting the engine; and

controlling the intake timing of the engine to be predetermined timing in accordance with the detected driving environment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the starting of the engine includes:

detecting a key on;

recognizing a target phase of the camshaft for present starting of the engine;

comparing the phase of the camshaft with the target phase; and

controlling the phase of the camshaft so that the intake timing of the engine is retarded if the phase of the camshaft is present further toward a direction in which the intake timing of the engine is advanced, that the target phase.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the target phase of the camshaft is an optimum phase of the camshaft for next starting after the stop of the engine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

if starting off of the engine is required during driving, the target phase of the camshaft for next starting of the engine is recognized.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein:

if starting off of the engine is not required during driving, the driving environment is detected, and the intake timing of the engine is controlled to be predetermined timing in accordance with the detected driving environment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling of the phase of the camshaft so that the intake timing of the engine is advanced, includes:

comparing a rotation speed of the engine with an allowable minimum rotation speed;

comparing a minimum advance phase of the camshaft, which allows the intake timing of the engine to be advanced to a predetermined minimum value, with the phase of the camshaft; and

comparing a maximum advance phase of the camshaft, which allows the intake timing of the engine to be advanced to a predetermined maximum value, with the phase of the camshaft.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

if the rotation speed of the engine is higher than the minimum rotation speed, the phase of the camshaft is controlled so that the intake timing of the engine is advanced, and

if the rotation speed of the engine is not higher than the minimum rotation speed, the phase control for the camshaft ends.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

in a case in which the rotation speed of the engine is higher than the minimum rotation speed,

if the phase of the camshaft is positioned further toward a direction in which the intake timing of the engine is retarded, than the minimum advance phase, the phase of the camshaft is controlled so that the intake timing of the engine is advanced, and

if the phase of the camshaft is not positioned further toward a direction in which the intake timing of the engine is retarded, than the minimum advance phase, the phase of the camshaft and the maximum advance phase are compared with each other.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

in a case in which the rotation speed of the engine is higher than the minimum rotation speed,

the phase of the camshaft is controlled to reach the maximum advance phase, and

when the phase of the camshaft reaches the maximum advance phase, the phase control for the camshaft ends.