Vehicle Engine Start-Stop Disable for Deep Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatically starting an engine in deep water conditions can cause water to flow into the engine, leading to damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that use a processor to determine if a vehicle has entered a deep water area, disabling the engine start-stop function to prevent automatic engine startup and subsequent water ingress, employing water detection sensors to assess the risk of water entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the engine start-stop function is enabled for automatic engine restart after temporary stops, then the convenience and automation of vehicle operation is improved, but the risk of water entering the engine increases when driving through deep water areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic engine start-stop functionVSAvoidwater entry into engine

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of water depth before the engine needs to restart. Water detection sensors are positioned to detect water levels in advance, and the control unit disables the engine start-stop function before water can enter the engine during automatic restart, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A control unit acts as an intermediary between the water detection sensors and the engine management system. The control unit receives water depth information from sensors and automatically adjusts the engine start-stop function accordingly, mediating between the automation system and the environmental hazard

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If water detection sensors are added to detect deep water areas, then the reliability of preventing water ingress is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of water ingressVSAvoidsensor system and control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it manages the engine start-stop operation, processes water depth signals from sensors, and automatically adjusts engine parameters. By making the control unit multi-functional, additional sensing capabilities are integrated without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects water conditions and self-adjusts the engine management parameters without requiring external intervention. The control unit autonomously disables or enables the start-stop function based on sensor input, making the system self-regulating and reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10352287B2Controlling engine of vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to controlling engine of a vehicle. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the vehicle has entered a deep water area, an engine start-stop function of the vehicle is disabled. The deep water area has a water depth which allows water to enter the engine of the vehicle or causes the engine of the vehicle to be susceptible to water inflow.