CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

A control device for an internal combustion engine, which can set a VVT (variable valve timing) phase angle so that a reduction in the output of the engine can be suppressed even on a high ground, while ensuring sufficient output, is provided. The control device has a VVT mechanism (30, 31) which changes the opening or closing timing of one or both of an intake valve (22) and an exhaust valve (28), and comprises:detectionmeans (44) for detecting atmospheric pressure; first calculation means (120) for calculating a charging efficiency based the amount of air flowing through an intake air flow path; second calculating means (130) for calculating a volumetric efficiency from the amount of air and the atmospheric pressure detected by the atmospheric pressure detection means; and setting means (140) for setting the valve opening timing of the intake valve by the variable valve timing mechanism. The setting means (140) has a first calculation unit (141) for calculating the valve opening timing of the intake valve based on the charging efficiency by the first calculation means (120), and a second calculation unit (142) for calculating the valve opening timing of the intake valve based on the volumetric efficiency by the second calculation means (130); and sets the valve opening timing(s) of one or both of the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on one of the valve opening timing calculated by the first calculation unit (141) and the valve opening timing calculated by the volumetric efficiency valve opening timing calculation unit (142).