Vehicle Engine Restart Lock via Hood and Front Sensor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
ISG-based vehicles lack effective mechanisms to prevent engine restarting when the hood is open or when objects are present in front of the vehicle, leading to potential safety hazards due to automatic engine reactivation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a hood opening recognition switch and a front sensor to generate signals indicating the hood's open state and the presence of objects, with a determination unit locking engine restarts if either signal is detected when the engine is off, and unlocking restarts if the signals are not detected for a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engine restarting is automatically controlled based only on hood opening switch, then the control system is simple, but safety is insufficient when objects are present in front of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent detection components: hood opening switch for hood state detection, front sensor for object detection, and determination unit for integrated decision-making. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the detection components (hood switch, front sensor) and the engine restart control. It integrates signals from multiple sources and makes the final decision on whether to allow engine restart, thereby improving safety without requiring direct complex interconnection between all components.
2Reliability
If only hood opening switch is used to prevent engine restart, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot detect objects in front of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple detection functions through a unified control architecture. The determination unit handles both hood opening detection and front object detection, allowing the system to maintain operational simplicity while achieving comprehensive safety monitoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If engine restart is locked when hood is open or object detected, then safety is improved, but engine restart may be delayed when not actually dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The engine restart control is made dynamic and adaptive. The determination unit continuously monitors the state of the hood switch and front sensor, and adjusts the restart permission in real-time. When safety conditions are met, restart is immediately permitted; when hazards are detected, restart is temporarily locked. This dynamic response prevents unnecessary delays while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for controlling engine restarting of a vehicle includes a hood opening recognition switch automatically on when a hood of the vehicle is opened and outputting a hood opening recognition signal; a front sensor installed on the front of the vehicle and outputting a sensing signal by sensing an object positioned with a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle; a determination unit verifying whether at least one of the hood opening recognition signal and the sensing signal is inputted in the state where an engine of the vehicle is off; and a setting unit setting a lock of restarting of the engine when it is verified that at least one of the hood opening recognition signal and the sensing signal is inputted.