Engine Start-Stop Control During Driver Exit Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to efficiently manage engine autostart and autostop functions in conjunction with electric parking brakes, leading to unnecessary engine startups when the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is activated, which decreases fuel economy and may cause drivers to inadvertently leave the vehicle in an operational state.
Innovation Solution
A controller programmed to autostop and autostart the engine based on predetermined conditions, including brake pedal travel and vehicle speed, while inhibiting engine startup when the electric parking brake is applied and the vehicle is stationary, and initiating engine autostart only when the driver re-enters the vehicle or manually restarts the ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is autostopped when the vehicle is stationary with parking brake applied, then fuel economy is improved, but the driver may inadvertently leave the vehicle in an operational state
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from door sensors, seat sensors, and other vehicle systems to detect driver exit events. When the driver exits the vehicle, the system provides feedback by illuminating a warning lamp and providing visual alerts to remind the driver to properly shut down the vehicle, thereby preventing inadvertent operational states while maintaining fuel economy benefits
2Reliability
If the engine autostarts when the driver exits the vehicle, then the vehicle is reminded of operational state, but unnecessary engine startups occur decreasing fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine startup behavior based on real-time detection of driver presence and exit events. Instead of a static autostart rule, the system uses dynamic sensor inputs (door sensors, seat sensors, brake pedal position) to intelligently determine when driver exit has occurred, enabling selective engine startup only in appropriate scenarios while avoiding unnecessary startups that would waste fuel
3Reliability
If the engine is kept running to prevent inadvertent shutdown, then reliability is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters (engine runtime, warning lamp activation, visual alert duration) based on detected conditions. When the driver exits the vehicle, the system transitions from a default state of keeping the engine running to a state where the engine can be safely shut down, accompanied by parameter changes in warning systems to ensure driver awareness. This allows the system to optimize fuel economy while maintaining reliability through conditional parameter adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an engine and a controller programmed to autostop and autostart the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to receiving signals indicative of a driver exiting the vehicle while the engine is auto stopped, autostart the engine, and after expiration of a predetermined duration, autostop the engine and inhibit vehicle propulsion until an ignition cycle is initiated.