Engine Stop Control System Fogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stop control systems for internal combustion engines fail to accurately predict the timing of fogging occurrence on vehicle windows, leading to delayed engine restarts and compromised fuel economy due to reliance on air conditioner settings and external environment conditions, which do not account for the actual window glass temperature and humidity variations.
Innovation Solution
A stop control system that includes vehicle compartment humidity detection, window glass temperature measurement, and a limit humidity setting based on the window glass temperature, with optional weather correction, to determine the optimal timing for engine restart and prevent fogging, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine is restarted based on calculated fogging occurrence estimated time using air conditioner settings and external environment, then the comfort of vehicle occupants is maintained, but the engine restart timing is inaccurate leading to delayed restarts and reduced fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional calculation-based fogging prediction system with a vision-based detection system. A camera captures images of the window glass, and image processing algorithms directly detect fogging conditions in real-time. This substitution of mechanical/calculation-based prediction with optical detection enables accurate fogging identification without relying on environmental parameter calculations, thereby allowing precise engine restart timing that optimizes both fogging prevention and fuel economy.
2Loss of energy
If the engine stoppage time period is extended to improve fuel economy, then fuel consumption is reduced, but fogging of window glass occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the camera continuously monitors the window glass for fogging conditions. When fogging is detected, the system provides feedback to restart the engine immediately. This real-time feedback loop enables the system to extend engine stoppage duration for fuel economy while ensuring fogging is detected and addressed promptly, thus resolving the contradiction between fuel savings and fogging prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the engine is restarted quickly to prevent fogging, then fogging occurrence is avoided, but fuel economy deteriorates due to premature restart
Solution Approach 1:
The vision-based detection system operates autonomously to monitor fogging conditions and trigger engine restart only when necessary. The camera and image processing algorithms enable the system to self-assess fogging risk and make independent decisions about engine restart timing. This self-service capability eliminates the need for conservative early restarts, allowing the engine to remain stopped longer for fuel economy while ensuring fogging is detected and addressed only when actual conditions warrant intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A stop control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of restarting the engine automatically stopped, in optimum timing, thereby making it possible to positively prevent occurrence of fogging of window glass of a vehicle compartment and improve fuel economy. The engine is connected to a compressor of an air conditioner. According to the stop control system, during idle stop, window glass temperature is calculated, and according to the calculated window glass temperature, limit humidity below which fogging of the window glass does not occur is set. When determining compartment humidity becomes equal to or higher than the limit humidity, the idle stop is terminated and the engine is restarted. When the weather is rainy or snowy, the determining compartment humidity is corrected. When vehicle compartment temperature is not lower than a first predetermined temperature, the window glass temperature is corrected.