Engine Shut-off Strategy for Non-Hybrid Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-hybrid motor vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines lack an efficient mechanism to automatically shut off the engine when stopped, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and increased emissions, especially in vehicles making frequent stops.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based strategy that automatically shuts off the engine when specific conditions are met, including zero vehicle speed, non-depressed accelerator pedal, transmission in non-drive gear, engaged park brake, and released service brake, and optionally additional conditions like engine temperature and battery state, and re-starts the engine upon service brake depression or door closure if temperature drops below normal operating range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine is continuously running in non-hybrid vehicles, then the vehicle is always ready to move, but fuel is consumed unnecessarily and emissions increase when the vehicle is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation state based on real-time vehicle conditions. The controller monitors multiple parameters (speed, gear position, brake status, accelerator position) and automatically transitions the engine between running and shut-off states, making the system adaptable to changing operational requirements without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle state parameters and using this information to control engine operation. The controller receives feedback from sensors monitoring speed, gear position, brake pedal status, and accelerator position, then adjusts engine state accordingly to optimize fuel economy while maintaining vehicle readiness when needed
2Loss of energy
If the engine is shut off automatically when stopped, then fuel economy improves, but the system complexity increases due to multiple condition monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller leverages existing multi-functional vehicle systems to determine engine shut-off conditions. It utilizes data from multiple vehicle systems (transmission gear position, brake system status, accelerator position sensor, speed sensor) that already exist for other vehicle functions, thereby implementing engine management without adding dedicated new components for each monitoring function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing operational data and control infrastructure to manage engine shutdown automatically. The controller accesses information already being collected by vehicle sensors and systems for other purposes (gear selection, brake application, accelerator input) and repurposes this data for engine management decisions, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems
3Loss of energy
If the engine shut-off strategy requires multiple condition checks, then fuel economy optimization is achieved, but the response time for engine re-start may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors all relevant vehicle state parameters (speed, gear position, brake status, accelerator position) in real-time even before shutdown is required. This preliminary monitoring ensures that when shutdown conditions are met, the transition can occur immediately, and when re-start conditions occur (such as brake application or door closure), the system is already prepared to execute re-start without delay
Data Source
AI summary
When a non-hybrid motor vehicle is stopped, its engine is shut-off upon concurrence of certain conditions precedent without turning off the ignition switch.