Engine Restart Timing Control for Predictive Coasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing fuel consumption in vehicles, such as coasting and engine shutdown, often result in suboptimal fuel efficiency and increased wear due to insufficient preparation time for engine restarts and system readiness.
Innovation Solution
Simulate future speed profiles to determine an advanced start time for the combustion engine, allowing systems to prepare before the engine is needed, thereby reducing wear and improving driveability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the combustion engine is shut down during coasting to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the engine and vehicle systems lack preparation time for immediate restart when propulsion is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by starting the engine in advance before propulsion is actually needed. The simulation unit predicts future speed profiles and determines optimal restart times, allowing the engine and associated systems (oil pressure, turbo pressure, battery charge) to be prepared beforehand, ensuring immediate availability when propulsion is required while still enabling coasting with engine shutdown for extended periods
2Speed
If the engine is started immediately when propulsion is needed after coasting, then response time is reduced, but component wear increases due to insufficient preparation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by determining an advanced start time that precedes the actual need for propulsion. The simulation unit calculates future speed profiles and identifies optimal moments to start the engine, allowing oil pressure, turbo pressure, and battery charge to be built up in advance. This preliminary preparation reduces component wear during restart while maintaining rapid response capability when propulsion is needed
3Ease of operation
If the engine operates continuously to ensure immediate availability, then driveability is maintained, but fuel consumption increases due to unnecessary idling
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the engine operation state based on real-time conditions and predicted future requirements. The simulation unit continuously evaluates future speed profiles, vehicle state, and road conditions to determine the optimal strategy - either coasting with engine shutdown or starting the engine in advance. This dynamic approach maintains driveability when needed while eliminating unnecessary idling fuel consumption
4Use of energy by moving object
If advanced simulation and prediction systems are implemented to optimize engine restart timing, then fuel efficiency and component protection are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by integrating multiple functions into existing vehicle components. The simulation unit leverages existing vehicle sensors, processors, and communication systems to perform speed profile simulation and restart timing optimization. By reusing existing infrastructure and making the control system multi-functional, the patent achieves advanced fuel efficiency optimization without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system for control of a combustion engine in a vehicle is presented. According to the present invention, at least one future speed profile vsin ICE off for an actual speed Vact of the vehicle is simulated during a road section ahead. The simulation is based on information about the road section and on knowledge that coasting with the combustion engine shut down will, at least initially, be applied during the road section. Subsequently, based at least on the at least one future speed profile vsin ICE off, starting point in time t ICE start is determined, when the combustion engine will need to be started because of a requirement for a forward driving force for the vehicle and/or a need to brake the vehicle. Subsequently, a starting point brought forward in time, t ICE pre_start, is determined, which precedes the starting point in time tICE start. Thus, according to the present invention, the starting point brought forward in time, tICE pre start, will occur before the starting point in time tICE start, which is determined based on the need for a forward driving or braking force arising. Subsequently, the combustion engine is controlled to be started at the starting point brought forward in time, tlCE_pre_start.