Automatic Engine Stop Control with Adaptive Battery Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic stopping systems for internal combustion engines in vehicles struggle to meet the power requirements of electrical equipment during engine restarts, especially when the vehicle is traveling, as the battery capacity threshold is set uniformly regardless of the vehicle's state, leading to potential power deficiencies during travel.
Innovation Solution
An automatic stopping device that sets distinct battery voltage thresholds for stopping and restarting the engine during vehicle stoppage and travel, with a higher second threshold during travel to ensure sufficient power for electrical equipment, and incorporates a battery deterioration state determination routine to adjust stopping conditions based on battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a uniform battery capacity threshold is set for automatic engine stopping regardless of vehicle state, then the system is simple to operate, but the power requirement of electrical equipment during engine restarting while traveling cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the battery capacity threshold adjustable based on vehicle state. The control unit dynamically switches between a first threshold (when vehicle is stopped) and a second threshold (when vehicle is traveling), allowing the system to adapt to different operational conditions and ensure reliable power supply during engine restarting in both states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of battery capacity threshold based on vehicle state. By setting different threshold values (first threshold for stopped state, second threshold for traveling state), the system ensures that the battery has sufficient capacity to support electrical equipment during engine restarting under different operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the battery capacity threshold is set to satisfy power requirements during traveling, then power supply reliability is improved, but the number of automatic stopping opportunities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automatic stopping function into two distinct modes based on vehicle state: one mode for when the vehicle is stopped (using first threshold) and another mode for when the vehicle is traveling (using second threshold). This segmentation allows the system to maximize automatic stopping opportunities in each state while ensuring power supply reliability is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the battery capacity threshold based on real-time detection of vehicle state. When the vehicle is stopped, a lower first threshold is applied to increase stopping opportunities. When the vehicle is traveling, a higher second threshold is applied to ensure power supply reliability, thus optimizing both productivity and reliability.
3Power
If a higher battery capacity threshold is used during vehicle travel, then electrical equipment power requirement is satisfied, but the engine stops less frequently during travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the battery capacity threshold parameter based on vehicle state. A higher second threshold is set specifically for traveling state to ensure sufficient power for electrical equipment during engine restarting, while a lower first threshold is used for stopped state to maintain higher stopping frequency when appropriate.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2G
Figure 3
AI summary
When a first automatic stopping condition is established while a vehicle (1A, 1B) is stationary or a second automatic stopping condition is established during travel, an internal combustion engine (2) of the vehicle is automatically stopped. The first automatic stopping condition is established when a battery voltage or a battery state of charge of a battery (21) equals or exceeds a first threshold, and the second automatic stopping condition is established when the battery voltage or the battery state of charge of the battery (21) equals or exceeds a second threshold. By setting the second threshold to be greater than the first threshold, opportunities for automatically stopping the internal combustion engine (2) are secured while satisfying a power requirement of an electrical load (26, 27) during restarting of the internal combustion engine (2).