If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

An attachment structure for a vehicle motor is applied for the purpose of attaching a vehicle motor to in-vehicle equipment. The attachment structure for a vehicle motor is provided with an axial gap motor that includes a rotor and a stator facing each other in the axial direction. The motor is attached to the in-vehicle equipment in a mode in which the axial direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

A hydraulic oil control valve is coaxially disposed with a rotational axial of a valve timing adjustment device. The hydraulic oil control valve includes a sleeve, a spool slidably moving in an axial direction within the sleeve, and a filter member configured to capture foreign matters contained in the hydraulic oil. The sleeve includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve defining therein an axial hole extending in the axial direction. A space between the axial hole and the inner sleeve in a radial direction serves as a hydraulic oil supply passage. The filter member is disposed in the space to overlap with at least one of internal members in the inner sleeve when viewed in the radial direction.

A hydraulic oil control valve is coaxially disposed with a rotational axis of a valve timing adjustment device. The hydraulic oil control valve includes a sleeve and a spool sliding in an axial direction within the sleeve. The spool has an inner space serving as a drain passage through which the hydraulic oil discharged from a phase shifting portion flows. The spool defines a drain inlet that guides the hydraulic oil discharged from the phase shifting portion into the drain passage. At least one of the sleeve or the spool defines an opening through which the hydraulic oil in the drain passage is discharged from the hydraulic oil control valve. A protrusion is formed between the drain inlet and the opening to extend radially inward beyond the drain inlet.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

Provided are: a rear plate 13 enclosing an axial end opening of a housing body; a lock pin 30 configured to travel forward and backward in a slide hole formed in a first vane of a vane member; and an annular lock-hole-forming part 31 press-fitted to a retaining hole 13c in an inner end surface of the rear plate, forming a lock hole 32 therein. A projection 35 having a flat distal end surface 35a is formed at one circumferential end side of an inner peripheral surface of the lock-hole-forming part, and recesses 37, 37 continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the lock hole are formed on corresponding sides of the projection in the circumferential direction of the lock hole. This ensures smooth engagement of the locking pin in the lock hole, and enables smooth supply and drainage of hydraulic pressure to and from the lock hole.

In a vehicle control device with an automatic engine stop function, when the engine is in a non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range, the engine is controlled to start to supply operating oil to a valve timing changing means. The valve timing changing means is thereupon caused to change the intake valve close timing (IVC) to a predetermined advance angle position and subsequently locked thereat. The engine is then controlled to stop.

In a vehicle control device with an automatic engine stop function, when the engine is in a non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range, the engine is controlled to start to supply operating oil to a valve timing changing means. The valve timing changing means is thereupon caused to change the intake valve close timing (IVC) to a predetermined advance angle position and subsequently locked thereat. The engine is then controlled to stop.