Adaptive Engine Stop-Start Control via Driver Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic engine stopping and starting can lead to driver dissatisfaction when the engine is restarted unexpectedly, as drivers prefer to keep the engine running in certain conditions, affecting fuel economy and vehicle drivability.

Innovation Solution

Inhibiting automatic engine stopping and starting via a human/machine interface request, and canceling this request when the engine temperature is below a threshold, allowing automatic engine stopping and starting to be reactivated after a human driver-initiated engine stop, thereby improving fuel economy without disturbing the driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If automatic engine stopping and starting is activated to conserve fuel, then fuel economy is improved, but driver satisfaction deteriorates when the engine is restarted unexpectedly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoiddriver satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the automatic stop/start function based on detected driver preference. When a driver manually restarts the engine after it has been automatically stopped, the system learns this preference and disables automatic stopping for subsequent periods, making the system adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from driver behavior (manual engine restart actions) to modify its operation. The controller monitors whether the driver manually restarts the engine and uses this information to adjust future automatic stop/start decisions, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to user preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If automatic engine stopping and starting is deactivated to maintain engine operation, then driver satisfaction is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver satisfactionVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static deactivated state to a dynamic state where automatic stop/start is selectively applied based on driver preference. The system can switch between enabled and disabled states based on learned preferences, optimizing both fuel economy and driver satisfaction differentially across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the engine is kept running continuously, then driver convenience is maintained, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver convenienceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback-based control where driver actions (manual restarts) are monitored and used to adjust future engine stop/start behavior. This allows the system to learn when continuous operation is preferred and when stopping is acceptable, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10718307B2System and methods for operating an engine

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be withdrawn in response to a change in driver vehicle settings or when a temperature of an engine is less than a threshold temperature.