Automatic Engine Cutoff for Idle Vehicles with Driver Presence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fleet vehicles often run idle with drivers present, leading to increased fuel consumption and environmental impact, as drivers lack discipline to manually turn off engines, and existing solutions only address the absence of drivers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a controller module communicating with presence sensors and stationary state detectors to automatically turn off the engine when a driver is present and the vehicle is stationary for a predetermined period, using various sensing methods such as seat sensors, brake sensors, and speed readers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is manually turned off when the vehicle is running on idle, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the driver's discipline and convenience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically turn off its own engine when idle conditions are detected, eliminating the need for driver intervention. The controller module monitors sensor inputs (seat presence, stationary state, time duration) and autonomously activates the engine cutoff module to shut down the engine, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring driver discipline or action.
2Loss of energy
If the engine is automatically turned off when the driver is absent, then fuel consumption is reduced, but vehicles with present drivers running on idle are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from detecting only driver absence to monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously: driver presence (via seat sensor), vehicle stationary state (via speed sensor), and duration of idle condition (via timer). By changing from a single parameter detection approach to multi-parameter monitoring, the system adapts to various scenarios including both absent and present drivers, accurately identifying when automatic shutdown is appropriate.
3Extent of automation
If multiple sensors and detectors are added to detect driver presence and vehicle stationary state, then automation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors that serve multiple functions: the seat sensor detects both driver presence and can indicate driver engagement, the speed sensor determines vehicle motion status, and the timer tracks idle duration. By designing sensors with multi-functionality, the system achieves high automation accuracy through comprehensive monitoring while minimizing the total number of components required, as each sensor contributes to multiple detection criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for turning off a vehicle when in an idle state. The system comprises a stationary state detector for detecting a stationary state of the vehicle and a timer for measuring a period during which a stationary state is detected. In addition to this, the system further comprises a presence sensor for sensing the presence of a driver in the vehicle and an engine cutoff for turning off the fuel engine. Moreover, the system comprises a controller for processing an input from the stationary state detector, an input from the timer and an input from the presence sensor. The controller is adapted to activate the engine cutoff when the stationary state is detected for a period of time that is greater than a period threshold and when the presence sensor senses that the driver is present.