Engine Start-Stop Control Using Multi-Vehicle Radar Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine switching devices in motor vehicles experience undesired delays during traffic jam clearance and inefficient fuel savings due to reliance on the state of motion of the preceding vehicle, leading to unnecessary engine starter and battery load from frequent restarts and short-term engine shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
The control unit of the device takes into account the state of motion of additional vehicles in the same lane, including the vehicle ahead of the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, to optimize engine switching by using radar sensors to determine the appropriate time for engine start and stop based on traffic conditions, ensuring simultaneous movement with preceding vehicles and minimizing brake booster dependency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is automatically switched off when the preceding vehicle is stationary, then fuel savings are improved, but delays occur when traffic jam is clearing up and the engine needs to be restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the state of motion of multiple vehicles ahead and performs preliminary actions by switching off the engine only when it is certain that no vehicle in front will be moving within the next Tb seconds. This prevents premature engine shutdown and ensures the engine is ready to restart immediately when traffic begins to move, eliminating delays while still achieving fuel savings during prolonged stoppages.
2Loss of energy
If the engine is switched off after short standstill periods, then fuel savings are reduced, but the engine starter and battery experience undesired load from frequent restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the decision-making criterion from simple time-based control and adds a spatial dimension by monitoring the state of motion of multiple vehicles ahead. The engine is switched off only when all monitored vehicles are stationary and will remain stationary for at least Tb seconds, which filters out short-term stoppages and prevents unnecessary engine shutdowns that would burden the starter and battery.
3Device complexity
If the engine switching is based only on the preceding vehicle's state, then the system complexity is low, but undesired delays occur and fuel savings are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor system, originally designed for detecting the immediate preceding vehicle, is extended to detect multiple vehicles ahead by identifying vehicles in front of the preceding vehicle. This multi-functional use of the existing sensor system provides more comprehensive traffic information without significantly increasing system complexity, enabling better engine control decisions that respond accurately to traffic flow changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces delays and maximizes fuel savings by synchronizing engine operation with preceding vehicles, preventing brief engine standstills and optimizing engine shutdown timing to maintain brake booster functionality, thus enhancing operational efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A device is described in German Patent No. DE 101 39 595 in which the state of motion of the preceding vehicle, that is, the vehicle that is located immediately in front of the host vehicle, is detected with the aid of a radar sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for switching on and switching off an engine of a motor vehicle having a sensor for locating a preceding vehicle and a control unit for switching on and switching off the engine as a function of the state of motion of the preceding vehicle, wherein the control unit is set up to control the switching on and switching off of the engine as a function of the state of motion of at least one additional vehicle in the same lane.