Battery Sensor Confidence Data Preservation for Stop-Start Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In engine stop-start systems, battery sensors with volatile memory lose data when disconnected, leading to disabled stop-start functionality and decreased fuel efficiency due to low confidence levels, which can last up to ten hours while the sensors re-learn battery parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a processing circuit that stores and compares confidence levels from battery sensors before and after engine power is off, enabling stop-start functionality when confidence levels decrease, and includes a notification for manual engine turns if confidence levels remain low, to quickly restore sensor confidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If battery sensors use volatile memory to store operating characteristics data, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the data is lost when disconnected from power source, causing stop-start functionality to be disabled for up to ten hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that receives confidence level data from battery sensors and stores it in non-volatile memory. This mediator captures and preserves the critical confidence level information before power disconnect occurs, then restores stop-start functionality by comparing stored confidence levels with current readings, eliminating the need for sensors to have non-volatile memory while preventing data loss.
2Device complexity
If battery sensors lose confidence level data after power disconnect, then the volatile memory requirement is maintained, but the stop-start functionality must be disabled until confidence is restored, decreasing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by storing the confidence level data in non-volatile memory before the power disconnect occurs. This advance capture of critical data ensures that when power is restored, the stop-start functionality can be immediately evaluated for restoration by comparing stored confidence levels with current sensor readings, preventing unnecessary extended downtime and fuel efficiency loss.
3Reliability
If the system disables stop-start functionality when confidence level is low, then false positives from single sensor failures are avoided, but normal operation is altered and fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring confidence levels from multiple battery sensors and comparing current readings with previously stored confidence levels. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to distinguish between temporary fluctuations and actual sensor failures, enabling more accurate stop-start decisions while maintaining normal operation during transient confidence level variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a first confidence level from a first battery sensor coupled to a first battery electrically coupled to an engine; receiving a second confidence level from a second battery sensor coupled to a second battery electrically coupled to the engine; storing the first confidence level and the second confidence level prior to the engine being powered off; receiving an updated first confidence level and an updated second confidence level after the engine is powered on; comparing (i) the first confidence level to the updated first confidence level for the first battery sensor and (ii) the second confidence level to the updated second confidence level for the second battery sensor; and enabling a stop-start functionality of the engine in response to the first confidence level and the second confidence level decreasing after the engine system is powered on relative to when the engine system was powered off.