Vehicle Drive Unit Automatic Start Control Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic start-stop systems for internal combustion engines in vehicles may fail to initiate the engine automatically when the driver is present but absence is detected, particularly in situations where vehicle control is critical, such as rolling on an incline, leading to reduced controllability and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically switch on the drive unit if a driver's absence is detected, but only if the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined limit, prioritizing controllability over assumed absence, using signals like door contact, seat occupancy, and wheel speed to determine the presence of the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the automatic start-stop system prevents automatic engine restart when driver absence is detected, then fuel consumption is reduced and emissions are minimized, but vehicle controllability deteriorates when the driver is actually present but temporarily absent (e.g., rolling on incline)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the driver absence detection criteria based on vehicle operating conditions. When the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, strict absence detection prevents unnecessary restarts. When the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed, the system overrides absence detection to ensure controllability, making the restart decision adaptive to real-time conditions rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of driver presence/absence determination based on vehicle speed. Below a threshold speed, the system uses door contact and seat occupancy signals to detect absence. Above the threshold speed, the system prioritizes controllability by enabling automatic restart regardless of absence detection, effectively changing the operational parameter from 'absence-based control' to 'speed-based control'.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple signals (door contact, seat occupancy, seat belt) to detect driver absence, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple existing detection signals (door contact signal, seat occupancy signal, seat belt lock signal) into a unified driver presence/absence determination system. By merging these signals and evaluating them collectively, the system achieves high detection accuracy without adding separate dedicated detection devices, thus improving precision while limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional signals that serve multiple purposes. For example, the door contact signal not only detects door opening but also contributes to driver absence determination. The seat occupancy signal serves both occupancy detection and driver presence verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sensors, balancing detection accuracy with system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a start control device for controlling an automatic start-up process of a drive unit of a motor vehicle. Said drive unit is automatically started when all predetermined start conditions are met. Said invention is characterised in that the drive unit is also automatically started even with known driver absence when the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined threshold speed and the remaining start conditions are met.