LOCK DETERMINATION DEVICE FOR VARIABLE VALVE TIMING MECHANISM AND LOCK DETERMINATION METHOD FOR VARIABLE VALVE TIMING MECHANISM Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC F02D13/02 F01L1/356 

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to engine building, specifically to variable valve timing mechanisms of internal combustion engines. Lock determination device for a variable valve timing mechanism comprises a means for detecting an operation position of a variable valve timing mechanism, provided with a function for locking valve timing of an internal combustion engine in an intermediate position between a maximum-retardation position, at which the valve timing is most retarded, and a maximum-advancement position, at which the valve timing is most advanced when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and a means for starting a timer when the operation position of the variable valve timing mechanism enters an intermediate area. Intermediate area is a predetermined area including the intermediate position, a means which determines whether the operation position of the variable valve timing mechanism is in a determination-holding area that extends further towards a retardation side than the intermediate area, after the timer has been started, a means which, in cases when the operation position of the variable valve timing mechanism is in the determination-holding area, increases the value of the timer, and a means which, in cases when the value of the timer reaches a prescribed value, determines that the operation position of the variable valve timing mechanism is locked in the intermediate position.

EFFECT: technical result consists in higher engine efficiency.

6 cl, 4 dwg