METHOD FOR ANTICIPATING A STARTING COMMAND FOR AN ENGINE OF A POWERTRAIN

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a method (100) for anticipating a start command of an engine of a vehicle, the method (100) comprising the steps of: Detecting (101), via first control means, an action of a driver which predicts a future start command of an engine of the vehicle; Transmitting (102), from said first control means to second control means, a first signal for detecting said detected action and a second signal for initializing said second control means; Initializing (103) the second control means; Generating (104) during a first time interval P1, a third predetermined signal S3; Generating (105) during a second time interval P2, a fourth predetermined signal S4; When at least a part of the third and fourth signals overlap, activating (106) at least one component participating in the start of the engine. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR ANTICIPATING A STARTING COMMAND FOR AN ENGINE OF A POWERTRAIN

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for anticipating a start command for an engine of a powertrain. The technical field of the invention relates more particularly to that of powertrains, for example, of the hybrid type or of the rechargeable hybrid type, known as PHEV (for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle in English terminology).

[0002] In order to be able to start the thermal engine of a powertrain, the various elements of the latter must be activated one by one successively to a command to start the thermal engine by the driver by means of a simultaneous pressing of a start button and a brake pedal or by turning a key to a so-called start position.

[0003] In the case of hybrid powertrains, before starting the thermal engine, the hydraulic circuit of the controlled clutch must be pressurized. This pressurization phase is one of the steps in activating the powertrain. The clutch can be closed to couple the thermal engine to the gearbox only when the pressure in the hydraulic circuit is increased. Once closed, the electric traction machine equipping the hybrid vehicle is able to start the thermal engine. This pressurization lasts at least one second and is uncomfortable for the driver. Indeed, when the driver simultaneously presses the start button and the brake pedal of the vehicle, the driver must wait at least one second for the pressurization of the hydraulic circuit before the thermal engine can be started.

[0004] In order to avoid this one-second wait, it is known, when opening the driver's door, to anticipate the request to start the thermal engine by actuating certain elements of the powertrain before the driver presses the start button.

[0005] In the case of powertrains equipped with a diesel engine, document FR-B3-2899649 discloses a device for anticipating the cold start of an internal combustion engine, making it possible to start the preheating of the combustion chamber as early as possible in cold weather. More particularly, the device is capable of triggering the operation of the preheating system, independently of pressing the start button of the vehicle engine, upon remote detection of a hands-free card and a door opening.

[0006] On the other hand, these anticipation strategies do not make it possible to ensure that the door has opened in a phase where the driver is supposed to enter, then get into the vehicle to trigger the engine to start. It may indeed be that the detection of the door opening relates to the driver leaving the vehicle.

[0007] The aim of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a method making it possible to robustly anticipate the desire to start the vehicle engine.

[0008] In this context, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a method of anticipating a start command for an engine of a powertrain of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: • Detect, via first means of vehicle control, an action by a driver which predicts a future command to start a vehicle engine, said driver action being prior to said start command; • Transmits, from the first control means to second control means of the vehicle, a first signal for detecting said detected action and a second signal for initializing the second control means; • Following receipt of said second signal by the second control means, initialize the second control means; • When the second control means are initialized, • Generate during a first time interval of predetermined duration, via the second control means, a third predetermined signal which predicts a future engine start command; • Generate during a second time interval of predetermined duration, via the second control means, a fourth predetermined signal which predicts a future engine start command; • When at least part of the third and fourth signals overlap, activate, via the second control means, at least one component participating in the starting of the engine.

[0009] The method according to the invention consists in synchronizing the information coming from the first control means, in other words the state of opening of the driver's door, and the request for initialization of the second control means carried out only when the driver's door is open in order to enter the vehicle. This synchronization is carried out by creating detection time intervals immediately after the initialization of the second control means. As soon as after the initialization of the second control means, the third and fourth signals are cross, it is certain that the door opening is a door opening to enter the vehicle and not a door opening to exit the vehicle. The anticipation of starting the engine is thus systematically detected in a robust manner.

[0010] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the method according to the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0011] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the third predetermined signal is formed by a transition from a first low or high state to a second state respectively high or low of the first signal, then maintaining this second state during the first time interval.

[0012] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the fourth predetermined signal is formed by a transition from a first low or high state to a second state, respectively high or low, of the second signal, then by maintaining this second state during the second time interval.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the first time interval is at least 100 ms.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the second time interval is at least 100 ms.

[0015] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the action of the driver is: • Unlocking a driver’s door of the vehicle; • An opening of said driver’s door; • A driver's seat on a seat of said vehicle; or • A seat belt attachment of said driver.

[0016] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the at least one component is a gearbox of the vehicle.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the at least one component is a first electrical network of the vehicle.

[0018] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, when the at least one component of the powertrain is activated and a command to start the engine is detected by the first control means, the method comprises a step of starting the engine by rotating a crankshaft until fuel is injected into at least one combustion chamber of said engine.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising first control means and second control means arranged to implement the method of anticipating a command to start an engine of the vehicle according to any one of the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

[0020] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the first control means are formed by a vehicle computer.

[0021] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the second control means are formed by an engine computer.

[0022] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0023] [[Fig.l] illustrates, schematically, a vehicle according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically represents a non-limiting mode of implementation of the method according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically represents a first signal reflecting an action of a driver which predicts a future command to start a thermal engine of the vehicle and a second signal reflecting a request to wake up control means.

[0026] [Fig.l] illustrates a vehicle 1 arranged to implement the method according to the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises in particular a powertrain 2 provided with: • A heat engine 3, • A first network comprising a DC-DC voltage converter 4 arranged between a traction battery 5 of said first network having a voltage of, for example, between 48V and 800V, and a second network supplied by a service battery 6 having a voltage of, for example, between 10V and 48V, • A gearbox 7 comprising an output shaft 8, the gearbox 7 being equipped, in this non-limiting example embodiment, with: • A 9-speed dual-clutch gearbox, • An electric traction machine 10 electrically connected to the first network, • A main clutch 11 arranged to couple the thermal engine 3 with the gearbox 7, • A hydraulic system 12 provided in particular with an electric oil pump 13 electrically connected to the second network and a hydraulic circuit (not shown).

[0027] The vehicle 1 further comprises first control means 14 and second control means 15 arranged to implement a method for anticipating a start command of an engine 3 of a powertrain 2 of a vehicle 1 according to the invention.

[0028] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first control means 14 are formed by a vehicle computer called: • BSI for Intelligent Easement Box, or • VSM for Vehicle Supervisor Module in English.

[0029] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the second control means 15 are formed, for their part, by an engine computer, for example a multifunction engine computer, also designated by the acronym CMM.

[0030] [Fig.2] shows the steps of an embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention.

[0031] The method 100 comprises a first step of detecting 101, via the first control means 14, an action of a driver which predicts a future start command of the thermal engine 3 of the vehicle 1. It should be noted that the action of the driver is prior to the start command. This start command may for example consist of turning a key to a so-called start position. In one embodiment, the action of the driver is an opening of the driver's door of the vehicle 1. This detection may be carried out by means of a driver's door opening sensor (not shown) and transmitted to the first control means 14.

[0032] When a door opening is detected, the method 100 comprises a step of transmitting 102 from the first control means 14 to the second control means 15, a first signal SI for detecting said detected action and a second signal S2 for initializing the second control means 15.

[0033] As illustrated by the first signal SI represented in [Fig.3], when a door opening is detected by the first control means 14, a first signal SI is transmitted to the second control means 15. According to this non-limiting embodiment, this first signal SI is in a first low state.

[0034] Furthermore, when a door opening is detected by the first control means 14, a second signal S2 is transmitted to the second control means 15. According to this non-limiting embodiment, this second signal S2 is also in a first low state.

[0035] Following reception of the second signal S2 by the second control means 15, the method comprises a step 103 of initializing the second control means 15.

[0036] When the second control means 15 are initialized, the method 100 comprises a step of generating 104 during a first time interval PI of predetermined duration, via the second control means 15, a third predetermined signal S3 which predicts a future command to start the engine 3.

[0037] According to the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the third predetermined signal S3 is formed by a transition from a first low state to a second high state of the first signal SI (via the generation of the rising edge), then by maintaining this second high state during the first time interval PL. According to an exemplary embodiment, limiting, the first PI time interval is 100 milliseconds.

[0038] When the second control means 15 are initialized, the method 100 comprises a step of generating 105 during a second time interval P2 of predetermined duration, via the second control means 15, a fourth predetermined signal S4 which predicts a future command to start the engine 3.

[0039] According to the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the fourth predetermined signal S4 is formed by a transition from a first low state to a second high state of the second signal S2 (via the generation of the rising edge), then by maintaining this second high state during the second time interval P2. According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the second time interval P2 is also 100 milliseconds.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, when a door opening is detected, the first control means 14 first emit the first signal S1, then a few milliseconds later, the second signal S2. However, it may be that the second control means 15, due to their wake-up / initialization, do not receive these signals in a synchronized manner, that is to say in the correct order.

[0041] When at least a portion of the third and fourth signals S3, S4 overlap C34, the method 100 comprises a step 106 of activating at least one component participating in the starting of the heat engine 3. By starting the heat engine 3, we mean the fact of rotating a crankshaft of the heat engine 3 until fuel is injected into at least one combustion chamber of the heat engine 3.

[0042] According to a first non-limiting example of implementation, the component to be activated is formed by the first electrical network of the vehicle, namely the high-voltage network. In this case, the activation of the first electrical network may consist of: • Closing contactors (not shown) of the traction battery 5 of the first network, • Activate the voltage converter 4 electrically connecting the traction battery 5 with the service battery 6 of the vehicle 1. Thus, the voltage converter 4 is ready to supply energy to the service battery 6 via the traction battery 5 in order to avoid, when starting the thermal engine 3 for example, a drop in voltage on the second network.

[0043] These contactors are circuit breaker type contactors: • When they are closed, the current flows from the traction battery 5 to the electrical components of the vehicle 1, in other words the current can flow in the first network of the vehicle 1; • When they are open, the traction battery 5 is electrically isolated and current cannot flow into the first network of the vehicle 1.

[0044] According to a second non-limiting example of implementation, the component is a gearbox 7 of the vehicle. In this case, the activation of the gearbox may consist of: • Pressurize the hydraulic system 12 of the gearbox 7 by activating the electric oil pump 13, • Close the main clutch 11 arranged to couple the thermal engine 3 with the gearbox 7, and • Power up the first electric traction machine 10 via the first electrical network.

[0045] According to this exemplary embodiment, when the first electrical network and the gearbox 7 are activated and a command to start the heat engine 3 is detected by the first control means 14, the method 100 comprises a step 107 of starting the heat engine 3 by rotating the crankshaft of the heat engine 3 until fuel is injected into at least one combustion chamber of said heat engine 3.

[0046] In other words, when the driver performs a start command, for example by pressing a start button and simultaneously pressing a brake pedal, the first electric traction machine 10 is controlled to rotate the crankshaft of the thermal engine 3 and start the thermal engine 3 via the main clutch 11.

[0047] It should be noted that a person skilled in the art is able to provide different variations to the aforementioned aspects of the invention, for example by modifying the type of action by the driver which predicts a future command to start the vehicle engine.

Claims

Claims

1. Method (100) for anticipating a start command of an engine (3) of a powertrain (2) of a vehicle (1), said method (100) comprising the steps of: - Detecting (101), via first control means (14) of said vehicle (1), an action of a driver which predicts a future start command of an engine (3) of said vehicle (1), said action of the driver being prior to said start command; - Transmits (102), from said first control means (14) to second control means (15) of said vehicle (1), a first signal (SI) for detecting said detected action and a second signal (S2) for initializing said second control means (15); - Following reception of said second signal (S2) by said second control means (15), initialize (103) said second control means (15); - When said second control means (15) are initialized, • Generate (104) during a first time interval (PI) of predetermined duration, via said second control means (15), a third predetermined signal (S3) which predicts a future start command of said engine (3); • Generate (105) during a second time interval (P2) of predetermined duration, via said second control means (15), a fourth predetermined signal (S4) which predicts a future start command of said engine (3); - When at least part of the third and fourth signals (S3, S4) overlap, activating (106), via said second control means (15), at least one component (4, 7) participating in the starting of the engine (3).

2. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - The third predetermined signal (S3) is formed by a transition from a first low or high state to a second state respectively high or low of the first signal (SI), then maintaining this second state during the first time interval PI; - The fourth predetermined signal (S4) is formed by a transition from a first low or high state to a second state respectively high or low of the second signal (S2), then maintaining this second state during the second time interval P2.

3. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first time interval (PI) is at least 100 ms and the second time interval (P2) is at least 100 ms.

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the action of the driver is: - Unlocking a driver's door of the vehicle (1), - Opening said driver's door, - Seating the driver on a seat of said vehicle (1), or - Fastening a seat belt of said driver.

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one component is a gearbox (7) of the vehicle.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one component is a first electrical network (4) of the vehicle.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the at least one component (4, 7) of the powertrain (2) is activated and a command to start the engine (3) is detected by the first control means (14), the method (100) comprises a step of starting (107) the engine (3) by rotating a crankshaft until fuel is injected into at least one combustion chamber of said engine (3).

8. Vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises first control means (14) and second control means (15) arranged to implement the method (100) of anticipation of a command of starting an engine (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first control means (14) are formed by a vehicle computer.

10. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second control means (15) are formed by an engine computer.

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