Engine Idle Stop Control for Theft and CO Risk Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine idle control systems fail to balance the need to prevent vehicle theft and carbon monoxide poisoning with occupant comfort and convenience, particularly in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An engine controller that includes a processor to implement an automatic stop mode, allowing the engine to be stopped or continued based on user input after a predetermined idle time, with customizable settings and notifications for occupant control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine is automatically stopped after a predetermined idle time, then vehicle theft prevention and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention are improved, but occupant comfort and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the automatic stop function adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit allows occupants to select between different idle time thresholds (first threshold for automatic stop, second threshold for later stop) and to turn the function on or off completely. This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt to different occupancy scenarios - providing security when alone while maintaining comfort when occupants need prolonged idle operation for heating or cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter from a fixed predetermined value to a selectable range of values. The control unit stores multiple idle time thresholds and allows the occupant to select which threshold to use, or to disable the automatic stop function entirely. This parameter change enables the system to balance security requirements with comfort needs by adjusting the idle time duration based on the specific situation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the engine is automatically stopped after a predetermined idle time, then carbon monoxide poisoning prevention is improved, but heating or cooling functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the idle time threshold based on user selection rather than using a fixed predetermined value. This allows the idle time to be extended beyond what would normally trigger automatic stoppage, enabling continued engine operation for heating or cooling purposes while still maintaining the ability to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by eventually stopping the engine if the extended threshold is reached or if the function is enabled.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary action by providing advance notification to the occupant before the engine would be automatically stopped. This allows the occupant to be aware of the impending stoppage and take appropriate action (such as exiting the vehicle or opening windows) if carbon monoxide accumulation is a concern, while still allowing the engine to continue running for heating or cooling if the occupant chooses to extend the idle time threshold.
3Reliability
If the automatic stop function is always active, then security against theft is improved, but user control and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state parameter of the automatic stop function from always active to selectable. The control unit allows the occupant to choose between multiple idle time thresholds (first threshold for automatic stop, second threshold for later stop) and to completely disable the automatic stop function if desired. This parameter change provides both security (when the function is active) and user control (when the function is disabled or thresholds are adjusted), resolving the contradiction between security and flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine controller is configured to control an engine of a vehicle, and includes one or more processors configured to, when a predetermined condition is established, perform an automatic stop mode including stopping operation of the engine. The one or more processors are configured to, in the automatic stop mode, make measurement of time duration devoid of any driving operations detected with respect to the vehicle while the engine is in operation. The one or more processors are configured to, when the time duration becomes longer than first time, make it selectable whether to continue or stop the operation of the engine.