Vehicle start control

Abstract

Vehicle (10), comprising: a controller (40) programmed to operate the engine (14) and an electric machine (20) to supply energy to a low-voltage battery (26) and a high-voltage battery (28) at respective rates based on a target engine torque and a temperature of the engine (14) or the electric machine (20) when an engine (14) is operating in response to a remote start request and in response to exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop engine operation.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the control of vehicle subsystems during startup. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles may be equipped with a remote start function, allowing a vehicle occupant to start the engine in response to the activation of a remote key fob or other radio-frequency transmitter. In response to the engine starting, the vehicle's climate control system may, by default, restore the last known state (the climate control state after the engine was last switched off). In some cases, the engine may be allowed to idle beyond the point at which the climate control system returns to its last known state. For example, the engine may continue running until a timer expires. SUMMARY

[0003] A vehicle can contain an engine, a transmission, a battery, and a control unit. The control unit can be programmed to start the engine in response to a remote start request. Furthermore, the control unit can be programmed to run the engine to apply torque to the transmission in response to an engine temperature below a certain threshold and the absence of an occupant. The torque applied to the transmission can be higher than the idle torque value and is based on the engine temperature and the battery's state of charge.

[0004] The prior art is known in DE 10 2007 004 172 A1. This describes a motor vehicle and a method in which an internal combustion engine can be activated and / or deactivated when the vehicle is switched off.

[0005] DE 10 2015 114 399 A1 describes a method for remotely starting a vehicle.

[0006] A vehicle may include a control unit programmed to operate the engine and an electric machine when the engine is running, in response to a remote start request and in response to exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop engine operation. The engine and electric machine may be operated to supply energy to a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery, respectively, at rates based on a target engine torque and the temperature of the engine or electric machine.

[0007] A method for controlling a vehicle may include starting an engine in response to a request from a remote device. Furthermore, the method may include operating the engine to apply torque to a transmission with a value based on an ambient temperature and higher than an idle torque value, in response to exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop engine operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] As necessary, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are purely exemplary of the invention, which can be implemented in various and alternative ways. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should therefore not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching a person skilled in the art how the present invention can be used in various ways.

[0009] With reference to Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The physical placement and orientation of the components in the vehicle 10 may vary. Although, in particular, the vehicle of Fig. As described in section 1, the strategies according to embodiments of the present disclosure may also apply to other vehicle configurations.

[0010] The vehicle 10 can include a drivetrain 12 with a motor 14, which is specifically coupled to a transmission 16. The transmission 16 can include transmission electronics (T / E) 18, an electric machine 20, such as an electric motor / generator, and a gear transmission 22.

[0011] The motor 14 can be selectively mechanically coupled to the electric machine 20 and the rest of the transmission 16. In at least one embodiment, the transmission electronics 18 can change the torque level applied to the electric machine 20 by the motor 14. The motor 14 and the electric machine 20 can both act as drive sources for the vehicle 10 by supplying torque to the gear transmission 22. The electric machine 20 can be implemented by any of several types of electric machines, such as a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

[0012] An alternator 24, which can be commonly referred to as a generator, can be driven by the motor 14. The alternator 24 can be configured to rotate with the rotation of the motor 14. The rotation of the alternator 24 can turn a rotor around a stator to generate a magnetic field that can produce an electric current. The current can be rectified by a rectifier arranged in the alternator 24 and can be supplied to the low-voltage battery 26. A voltage regulator can adjust the current, alternator speed, or alternator load to match a set or target alternator output voltage or current.

[0013] A controller 40 can be configured to operate the vehicle 10 or drivetrain 12 in several modes. The controller can operate the vehicle 10 in a charge-reducing mode. In charge-reducing mode, the motor 14 can be decoupled from the rest of the drivetrain 12, and the electric machine 20 can act as the sole power source for the vehicle 10, using a high-voltage battery 28 as its energy source.

[0014] The controller 40 can operate the vehicle 10 in a charge maintenance mode. In charge maintenance mode, the motor 14 can be operatively connected to the rest of the drivetrain 12, and the motor 14 and the electric machine 20 can act as drive sources for the vehicle 10. Energy can be supplied to the high-voltage battery 28 by the electric machine 20 to charge the high-voltage battery 28 at a rate.

[0015] The controller 40 can be configured to operate the vehicle 10 or the powertrain 12 with noise reduction. Noise reduction can attempt to reduce noise, vibrations, and harshness (NVH) experienced by occupants of the vehicle 10, including the driver and passengers, by applying enhanced noise reduction to the powertrain 12.

[0016] The improved noise reduction can impose speed or torque limits on the various powertrain components, such as "no-fly" RPM zones, high-speed control, etc. In at least one embodiment, the engine 14 can be operated with engine noise limits that can limit or reduce the engine speed, engine load, or engine torque to reduce or limit engine noise from intake air, combustion, etc. In at least one embodiment, the electric machine 20 can be operated with noise limits for the electric machine that can limit the speed or torque of the electric machine 20 to reduce or limit noise from the electric machine caused by whining. The engine noise limits and the noise limits of the electric machine can negatively affect fuel economy.

[0017] The controller 40 can include at least one microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) that communicates with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media. Computer-readable storage devices or media can include volatile and non-volatile storage in, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM). KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered off.The computer-readable storage devices or media can be implemented using any of a number of known storage devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electrical PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination storage devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions used by the controller in controlling the engine or vehicle.

[0018] The controller 40 can communicate with various motor / vehicle sensors and actuators via input and output communication channels, which can be implemented as an integrated interface providing various raw data or signal conditioning, processing, and / or conversion, short-circuit protection, and the like. Alternatively, one or more dedicated hardware or firmware chips can be used to condition and process specific signals before they are fed to the CPU.

[0019] Sensors can communicate with the controller 40 via an interface containing input communication channels. The sensors can communicate signals that can be used, for example, to display turbocharger boost pressure, turbocharger speed, crankshaft position, engine speed (RPM), wheel speeds, vehicle speed, engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, battery temperature, engine compartment temperature, engine oil temperature, intake manifold pressure, accelerator pedal position, ignition switch position, throttle position, intake air temperature, concentration or presence of exhaust oxygen or other exhaust components, intake airflow, transmission gear, ratio or mode, transmission oil temperature, transmission turbine speed, torque converter lock-up clutch status, and deceleration or shift mode.

[0020] Although not explicitly shown, the average person may recognize various functions or components that can be controlled by the controller 40 within each of the subsystems mentioned above. Representative examples of parameters, systems, and / or components that can be actuated directly or indirectly using control logic executed by the controller include fuel injection timing, rate, and duration; throttle position; spark plug ignition timing (in spark-ignition engines); intake / exhaust valve timing and duration; front-end accessory drive (FEAD) components, such as an alternator, air conditioning compressor, battery charging, regenerative braking, transmission clutch pressures, and the like.

[0021] The control unit 40 can communicate with the powertrain 12 and several vehicle sensors and subsystems. The sensors can include a temperature sensor 42, an occupant detection sensor 44, a seat temperature sensor 46, an ambient temperature sensor 48, and an interior temperature sensor 50. The subsystems can include an automatic climate control system 52, an exhaust system 54, a communication system 60, and a user interface 70.

[0022] The temperature sensor 42 can monitor the temperatures of various powertrain components. The temperature sensor 42 can provide a signal indicating engine oil temperature, engine coolant temperature, transmission oil temperature, or the temperature of an electric motor.

[0023] The occupant detection sensor 44 can provide a signal to the controller 40 indicating the presence of an occupant. The occupant detection sensor 44 can be part of a passive entry system that can determine whether a potential occupant is within a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle 10.

[0024] The occupant detection sensor 44 can be a door sensor configured to monitor the status of a vehicle door. The vehicle door status can indicate whether a vehicle door is open, closed, locked, or unlocked. The door sensor can be a door pillar switch, a sensor configured to receive a door unlock / lock signal from a key fob, a sensor configured to provide the unlocked / locked state of a vehicle door lock, or the like.

[0025] The occupant detection sensor 44 can be configured to monitor whether an occupant is present in the vehicle 10. The occupant detection sensor 44 can be a receiver / locator for a remote device that communicates with a remote device, a seatbelt switch, a seat sensor, a motion sensor, or a sensor configured to monitor whether the parking brake is engaged.

[0026] The seat temperature sensor 46 can monitor the surface temperature of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat can be equipped with at least one heating element and / or at least one cooling element as part of a vehicle seat heating / cooling system.

[0027] The interior temperature sensor 50 can be configured to monitor the temperature of the vehicle interior or the vehicle interior. The interior temperature sensor 50 can be part of the automatic climate control system 52. The automatic climate control system 52 can be a dual-zone or multi-zone climate control system, which allows the driver or the occupants of the vehicle 10 to set or regulate interior temperatures in different zones within the vehicle.

[0028] The exhaust system 54 can communicate with an exhaust gas sensor 56. The exhaust gas sensor 56 can be an exhaust gas temperature sensor or an oxygen sensor.

[0029] The communication system 60 can include a receiver 62 configured to receive data transmission from a remote device 64. The remote device 64 can be a key fob, a radio frequency transmitter, a mobile device such as a mobile phone equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter, a near-field communication system, etc.

[0030] Remote device 64 can be configured to provide a remote vehicle start request while an occupant of vehicle 10 is not in vehicle 10. The remote vehicle start request can include an engine start request and a climate control setting request.

[0031] The control unit 40 can initiate an engine start in response to receiving the engine start request from the vehicle remote start request. The control unit 40 can activate the automatic climate control 52 in response to the engine starting. The automatic climate control 52 can be operated to comply with the climate control setting request.

[0032] The automatic climate control setting request can be a climate control parameter desired by a driver. The desired climate control parameter can be an interior temperature, a seat temperature, and, in at least one embodiment, a powertrain temperature. The automatic climate control setting request can differ from a climate control setting from a previous driving cycle. The climate control setting request can also differ from a climate control setting when an occupant is present in the vehicle.

[0033] The remote device 64 can be configured to provide a remote vehicle shutdown request while an occupant of vehicle 10 is not in vehicle 10. In response to receiving the remote vehicle shutdown request, the controller 40 can initiate engine shutdown and deactivate the climate control 52.

[0034] The remote device 64 can provide a remote vehicle start request to the controller 40. The controller 40 can initiate an engine start and operate the engine 14 and / or the electric machine 20. The controller 40 can monitor the presence of an occupant in the vehicle 10 via the occupant detection sensor 44.

[0035] The control unit 40 can operate the powertrain 12 in an ECO remote start mode in response to a remote start request from the remote device and a signal from the occupant detection sensor 44 indicating the absence of an occupant. In ECO remote start mode, the control unit 40 can also deactivate the enhanced noise reduction.

[0036] The control unit 40 can issue a warning via the user interface 70 indicating that noise reduction has been deactivated. The warning can indicate that the engine noise limits and the noise limits of the electric motor have been deactivated. The warning can be displayed via the user interface 70 of the vehicle 10 and / or the remote device 64.

[0037] The motor 14 and the gearbox 16 can be operated such that energy is supplied to the high-voltage battery 28 and the low-voltage battery 26 at a specific rate. The charging rate can be based on a motor output torque, an ambient temperature, a motor temperature, an electric machine temperature, a high-voltage battery temperature, a low-voltage battery temperature, a high-voltage battery state of charge, or a low-voltage battery state of charge. The charging rate can also increase the high-voltage battery temperature.

[0038] The controller 40 can operate the motor 14 with increased motor torque availability in response to an ambient temperature falling below a threshold ambient temperature. In at least one embodiment, the controller 40 can operate the motor 14 with increased torque availability in response to a motor temperature falling below a threshold motor temperature. The increased motor torque availability can increase the load applied to the motor 14, which can lead to a higher rate of increase in motor temperature than would occur without increasing the load applied to the motor 14.

[0039] The motor 14 can be operated with increased motor torque availability, so that the motor 14 and the electric machine 20 are operated to provide energy to the high-voltage battery 28 in response to a motor temperature falling below a motor temperature threshold and a high-voltage battery temperature falling below a high-voltage battery temperature threshold. Energy can be provided at a rate based on a motor temperature and / or a high-voltage battery temperature and / or a target motor torque and / or a motor speed and / or a specific motor braking fuel consumption. The energy can be provided at a rate at least until the motor temperature exceeds the motor temperature threshold.The energy can be supplied at such a rate that the high-voltage battery temperature increases, and can be supplied to the high-voltage battery at least until the high-voltage battery temperature is higher than the high-voltage battery temperature threshold.

[0040] The engine torque availability can be increased by various methods. The control unit 40 can control an increase in engine speed above the standard idle speed. The control unit 40 can increase the load applied to the engine 14 by increasing the engine air intake quantity, increasing the amount of fuel supplied to the engine 14, or advancing an engine cam, thus increasing the engine output torque. Furthermore, the control unit 40 can increase a load applied to the engine 14 by the electric motor 20 or the gearbox 16.

[0041] Motor 14 can apply torque to electric machine 20 and / or alternator 24 at a value higher than the engine's idle torque. The torque applied to electric machine 20 and / or alternator 24 can be based on engine temperature, ambient temperature, high-voltage battery temperature, high-voltage battery state of charge, or an engine fuel map. The engine fuel map can be a lookup table provided in the controller 40, enabling the controller to determine an optimal engine operating point or engine speed and torque value that can provide the best fuel consumption rate or specific braking fuel consumption rate. The engine speed can be a speed higher than the standard idle speed.

[0042] The torque applied to the electric machine 20 and / or the alternator 24 can be adjusted in response to the state of charge of the high-voltage battery 28 or the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 26. The torque applied to the electric machine 20 and / or the alternator can be cyclically changed (increased and decreased) to assist in heating the high-voltage battery 28 and / or the low-voltage battery 26 at ambient temperatures below a threshold ambient temperature (cold-start conditions).

[0043] The control unit 40 can operate the powertrain 12 in response to the engine 14 operating in closed-loop mode in ECO remote start mode. The control unit 40 can determine that the engine 14 is operating in closed-loop mode in response to exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop engine operation. The data indicating closed-loop engine operation can be a signal indicating that the temperature of the oxygen sensor of the exhaust gas sensor 56 is higher than a threshold oxygen sensor temperature. The data indicating closed-loop engine operation can be a signal provided by the oxygen sensor of the exhaust gas sensor 56 indicating the fuel-air mixture in the exhaust gases.

[0044] The oxygen sensor of the exhaust gas sensor 56 can be configured to monitor the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases routed through the exhaust system 54 to the vehicle's external environment 10. Using signals received from the oxygen sensor, the controller 40 can regulate the fuel-air mixture supplied to the engine 14. Adjusting the fuel-air mixture supplied to the engine 14 in response to signals provided by the oxygen sensor of the exhaust system 54 can be described as "closed-loop control." An exhaust gas temperature higher than the threshold exhaust gas temperature can indicate the start of "closed-loop" operation.

[0045] Based on a signal received from the oxygen sensor indicating that the oxygen content in the exhaust gases is below a threshold, the control unit 40 can determine that a fuel-rich mixture should be supplied to the engine 14. In response to this signal, the control unit 40 can either increase the amount of air supplied to the engine 14 or decrease the amount of fuel supplied to the engine 14.

[0046] Based on a signal received from the oxygen sensor indicating that the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases exceeds a threshold, the control unit 40 can determine that a lean fuel mixture should be supplied to the engine 14. In response to this signal, the control unit 40 can either reduce the amount of air supplied to the engine 14 or increase the amount of fuel supplied to the engine 14.

[0047] Based on the receipt of a signal from the oxygen sensor indicating that the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases is within a predetermined range, the control unit 40 can determine that a balanced fuel-air mixture is provided for the engine 14.

[0048] The control unit 40 can, in response to an ambient temperature falling below a threshold ambient temperature, activate the system to supply a fuel-rich air-fuel mixture to the engine 14. This can be described as "closed-loop" operation. In "closed-loop" operation, the control unit 40 regulates the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine before or during the receipt of a signal from the oxygen sensor of the exhaust gas sensor 56, which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases.

[0049] The control unit 40 can operate the automatic climate control system 52 in a "closed-loop" response to the start of operation of the engine 14, in such a way as to comply with the automatic climate control setting request. In at least one embodiment, the control unit 40 can operate the automatic climate control system 52 in such a way as to comply with the automatic climate control setting request in response to a signal indicating the presence of an occupant in the vehicle and / or indicating that the engine temperature is higher than the threshold engine temperature.

[0050] Control unit 40 can initiate an engine shutdown before an occupant enters the vehicle 10 in response to the automatic climate control system 52 meeting the climate control setting request. Control unit 40 can also initiate an engine shutdown if the vehicle temperature measured by temperature sensor 42 exceeds a threshold powertrain temperature.

[0051] With reference to Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for controlling vehicle 10. The procedure can be executed by the controller 40 and can be implemented as a closed-loop control system. For brevity, the procedure is described below in the context of a single iteration.

[0052] The control logic can monitor the ignition status and the presence of an occupant in the vehicle. At block 200, the procedure can determine whether a remote vehicle start request has been received from remote device 64. The remote vehicle start request can include an engine start request and a climate control setting request. If no remote vehicle start request has been received, the procedure can terminate. As a result of the procedure terminating, engine 14 can be started normally, or a standard remote start can be performed. If control 40 has received the remote vehicle start request from remote device 64, the procedure at block 202 can start engine 14.

[0053] In at least one embodiment, the method can determine whether there is an occupant in the vehicle 10. If there is an occupant in the vehicle 10, the method can terminate and perform a standard remote start with enhanced noise reduction activated, unless an occupant overrides the ECO remote start mode and activates the enhanced noise reduction. In at least one embodiment, an occupant can activate the ECO remote start mode. The method can proceed to Block 204 while the vehicle 10 or the powertrain 12 is operating in ECO remote start mode.

[0054] For block 204, the procedure can determine whether engine 14 has reached closed-loop operation. The procedure can receive exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop operation. If the oxygen sensor of exhaust gas sensor 56 does not provide a signal indicating the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases, engine 14 may not have reached closed-loop operation, and the procedure can continue monitoring whether engine 14 has reached closed-loop operation. If the oxygen sensor of exhaust gas sensor 56 provides a signal indicating the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases, engine 14 may have reached closed-loop operation, and the procedure can proceed to block 206.

[0055] In block 206, the method can operate the motor 14 and the electric machine 20 of the transmission 16 with enhanced noise reduction activated. The motor 14 and the electric machine 20 of the transmission 16 can be operated independently of noise and vibration speed control limits. In at least one embodiment, the automatic climate control 52 can be operated in such a way as to comply with an automatic climate control setting requirement.

[0056] In block 208, the method can operate motor 14 to apply torque to electric machine 20. The applied torque can be a value higher than the motor's idle torque. The applied torque can be based on an ambient temperature, a motor temperature, a transmission temperature, an electric machine temperature, a high-voltage battery charge level, a low-voltage battery charge level, and / or a motor speed. The torque can be applied at least until the motor temperature exceeds a threshold motor temperature, or at least until the climate control setting requirement is met.

[0057] In block 210, the method can operate the motor 14 and the electric machine 20 to provide energy to the high-voltage battery 28. The energy can be supplied to the high-voltage battery 28 at a first rate based on the high-voltage battery temperature, the state of charge of the high-voltage battery 28, and / or the motor torque / speed. In at least one embodiment, the method can operate the alternator 24 to supply energy to the low-voltage battery 26. The energy can be supplied to the low-voltage battery 26 at a second rate based on the low-voltage battery temperature, the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 26, and / or the motor torque / speed. The respective first and second rates can differ such that the first rate is greater than the second rate.

[0058] At block 212, the procedure can determine whether the engine temperature is higher than a threshold engine temperature or whether the automatic climate control has met the climate control setting request while no occupant is in vehicle 10. If the engine temperature is lower than the threshold engine temperature or the automatic climate control has not met the climate control setting request, the procedure can return to block 208. If the engine temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold engine temperature, or if the automatic climate control has met the climate control setting request, the procedure can proceed to block 214. At block 214, the procedure can stop or shut down engine 14.

[0059] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Instead, the terms used in the description serve to describe rather than limit the scope, and it is understood that various modifications can be made without altering the essence and scope of protection of the invention. Furthermore, the features of different implementation embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (10), comprising: a controller (40) programmed to operate the engine (14) and an electric machine (20) to supply energy to a low-voltage battery (26) and a high-voltage battery (28) at respective rates based on a target engine torque and a temperature of the engine (14) or the electric machine (20) when an engine (14) is operating in response to a remote start request and in response to exhaust gas sensor data indicating closed-loop engine operation. [2] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (40) is further programmed to operate the motor (14) and the electric machine (20) in such a way as to supply energy to the high-voltage battery (28) until the temperature of the high-voltage battery (28) exceeds a battery temperature threshold. [3] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rate of supplying energy to the high-voltage battery (28) is further based on an ambient temperature, a state of charge of the high-voltage battery (28) or a state of charge of the low-voltage battery (26). [4] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic climate control system (52), wherein the control unit (40) is further programmed to operate the automatic climate control system (52) to comply with an automatic climate control setting request in response to a signal indicating the presence of an occupant and the fact that the temperature of the engine (14) is higher than a threshold value. [5] Vehicle (10) according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (40) is further programmed to operate the motor (14) and the electric machine (20) without noise reduction at least until the temperature of the motor (14) is higher than the threshold value, in response to a signal indicating the absence of an occupant. [6] Vehicle (10) according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (40) is further programmed to switch off the engine (14) in response to the automatic climate control (52) meeting the automatic climate control setting request.

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