Adaptive Engine Stop Delay Controller for Vehicle Endurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle components, particularly in taxis and vehicles subjected to frequent urban driving, reach endurance limits sooner due to high stop/start cycles, leading to premature failure and increased emissions, as existing controllers do not effectively manage engine stop/start operations to extend component life and comply with emission regulations.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle controller that adjusts the engine stop delay parameter based on vehicle endurance parameters, using closed-loop feedback methodologies like PID control, to prevent exceeding maximum endurance values, thereby prolonging component life and reducing emissions by optimizing engine operation during stop/start cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the controller implements frequent stop/start operations to reduce emissions, then emission reduction is achieved, but component endurance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the engine stop delay parameter based on real-time monitoring of cumulative stop/start cycle counts. When the vehicle operates under normal conditions, the engine stops immediately when stationary. When aggressive usage patterns are detected (high stop/start frequency), the controller dynamically extends the stop delay period, transforming the static stop/start control into a dynamic adaptive system that balances emissions reduction with component protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engine stop delay parameter value based on the accumulated stop/start cycle count. The parameter transitions from a fixed value to a variable value that increases with usage intensity. This parameter change strategy allows the system to maintain optimal emissions performance during normal operation while preventing component failure under aggressive usage conditions by reducing the frequency of stop/start cycles.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine stop delay parameter is reduced to minimize emissions, then emission levels decrease, but the rate of stop/start cycle accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the cumulative stop/start cycle count and uses this information to adjust the engine stop delay parameter. The system feeds back the usage pattern information to the control logic, which then modifies the stop delay accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that emission reduction goals are met during normal operation while automatically reducing stop/start frequency when component endurance thresholds are approached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically detecting aggressive usage patterns through monitoring stop/start cycle accumulation and autonomously adjusting the engine stop delay parameter without external intervention. The controller self-regulates the balance between emissions reduction and component protection based on real-time operational data, eliminating the need for manual configuration or external control systems.
3Reliability
If the controller monitors and adjusts stop/start operations to extend component life, then component longevity is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs self-monitoring of stop/start cycle accumulation and automatically adjusts the engine stop delay parameter without requiring external intervention or complex additional hardware. The existing controller resources are utilized to track usage patterns and modify control parameters, allowing the system to extend component life through intelligent software-based control rather than additional physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves extended component longevity by dynamically changing the engine stop delay parameter based on monitored usage patterns. Rather than adding complex mechanical protection systems, the solution uses parameter adaptation - modifying the timing characteristic of engine stop/start operations - to reduce stress on components during aggressive usage while maintaining optimal emissions performance during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a motor vehicle controller operable automatically to stop and subsequently to restart an engine of a vehicle according to a prescribed control methodology. The controller is operable automatically to adjust an engine stop delay parameter in dependence on the value of at least one vehicle endurance parameter. The engine stop delay parameter corresponds to a period for which the engine of the vehicle remains switched on when it is determined that a condition exists allowing the engine to be switched off during the course of a drive cycle. The value of the endurance parameter is responsive to stop/start operations being performed during the course of a drive cycle. The controller is operable to adjust the engine stop delay parameter to prevent the value of the endurance parameter exceeding a prescribed maximum endurance value before a prescribed time period elapses.