Engine Idle Reduction Control for Traffic Circles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine idle reduction control systems may cause clumsiness and deteriorate fuel consumption by repeatedly stopping and restarting the engine when entering a traffic circle, as they do not account for the specific conditions of traffic circles where there is no obligation to pause.
Innovation Solution
An engine idle reduction control apparatus that includes a vehicle-mounted camera and engine control unit to detect traffic circles and determine whether pre-stop idle reduction conditions are met, while also considering prohibition conditions to prevent unnecessary engine stops during low-speed travel in traffic circles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pre-stop idle reduction control is executed without exception when conditions are satisfied, then fuel consumption is reduced and emissions are lowered, but engine stops and restarts occur during traffic circle travel causing driver discomfort and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameters by introducing a prohibition condition based on vehicle location (traffic circle detection). When the vehicle is detected to be in a traffic circle, the idle reduction control is prohibited even if other conditions are met. This parameter change allows the system to adapt fuel economy control to specific driving scenarios where it would otherwise cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the traffic circle detection unit to dynamically adjust the idle reduction control. The detection of traffic circle conditions provides feedback that triggers the prohibition of idle reduction, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to environmental context and prevents unwanted engine stops during critical driving phases.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If pre-stop idle reduction control is executed without exception when conditions are satisfied, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but engine restart delays occur causing productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The control system modifies its operation parameters by detecting traffic circle conditions and setting a prohibition state. This parameter change prevents idle reduction during traffic circle traversal, ensuring the engine remains running and ready for immediate acceleration when exiting the traffic circle, thus maintaining vehicle productivity and responsiveness.
3Loss of energy
If pre-stop idle reduction control is executed without exception when conditions are satisfied, then fuel efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic circle detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects traffic circle conditions for the prohibition logic, and can potentially be integrated with navigation or map data systems. By making this detection component multi-functional, the system reduces overall complexity while achieving the desired control prohibition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of traffic circle conditions before executing idle reduction control. By detecting the traffic circle state in advance and setting the prohibition condition beforehand, the system avoids complex real-time decision-making during the control execution phase, simplifying the overall control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine idle reduction control apparatus includes a first data acquiring unit, a detecting unit, a first determining unit, a control unit, and a second determining unit. The detecting unit is configured to detect a traffic circle, on the basis of traveling environment data acquired by the first data acquiring unit. The control unit is configured to execute an idle reduction, in a case where the first determining unit determines that a control condition for a pre-stop idle reduction control is satisfied. The second determining unit is configured to determine whether a prohibition condition for the pre-stop idle reduction control is satisfied, in a case where the traffic circle is detected. The control unit is configured to prohibit the idle reduction even in a case where the control condition is determined to be satisfied, on a condition that the prohibition condition is determined to be satisfied.