Engine Stop Inhibition via Clutch Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal engine shutdown in motor vehicle traction chains generates noise due to pendulum operation during start-up and stop phases, particularly when the gear lever is in neutral position, as existing methods cannot effectively manage torque transmission to prevent noise pollution.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the traction chain that involves detecting conditions for engine stop initiation, including brake pedal press and vehicle speed, and either partially closing the clutch to sample torque when in driving position or inhibiting engine stop when in neutral position, using an engine computer to manage torque transfer and engine stop procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the clutch is partially closed to extract torque during engine shutdown, then the engine speed drops faster and noise is reduced, but this can only be done when the gear lever is in driving position, not in neutral position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise from pendulum during engine shutdownVSAvoidability to apply torque extraction in all gear positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit applies preliminary anti-action by detecting when the gear lever is in neutral position and preventing engine shutdown before the pendulum noise can occur. The system anticipates the noise problem and takes preventive action by maintaining engine operation, thereby avoiding the harmful effect altogether rather than trying to mitigate it after it starts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying the same torque extraction strategy in both driving and neutral positions, the system inverts the approach: in driving position, torque is extracted to accelerate shutdown and minimize noise; in neutral position, torque extraction is prohibited and the engine is kept running. This inverted strategy adapts the solution to the specific constraints of each gear position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the clutch remains open in neutral position for safety reasons, then operational safety is maintained, but the engine shutdown causes pendulum noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safety when gear lever is in neutralVSAvoidnoise from double pendulum damper flywheel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit detects the neutral position of the gear lever as a preliminary condition and prevents engine shutdown before the pendulum noise can occur. By maintaining engine operation when in neutral position, the system eliminates the root cause of noise generation while preserving the safety requirement of keeping the clutch open

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the limitation of not being able to extract torque in neutral position into a benefit by using this condition as a trigger to maintain engine operation. What could be seen as a wasted opportunity for torque extraction becomes a protective measure that prevents noise generation, turning a constraint into a useful control strategy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 the number of noise-generating stops by the double pendulum damped flywheel, ensuring quieter engine shutdowns and maintaining operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

the pendulums of this device generate noise during the start-up and shutdown phases of the internal combustion engine at idle speed, particularly when passing through an excitation zone of the double-mass flywheel's natural mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPendulum oscillation: Pendulum

Implementation Method 2

passing through an excitation zone of the double-mass flywheel's natural mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

a clutch mounted on one side between the device for filtering irregularities in the internal combustion engine and on the other side of the gearbox

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3867114B1Method for inhibiting stopping of a heat engine for a drive chain of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.07.13 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

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Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates primarily to a method of controlling a drive chain (10) for a motor vehicle, characterised in that it comprises: - a step of detecting the conditions authorising the launch of a stopping procedure for the heat engine (11), and - in the event of the gear stick (18) being in a driving position permitting engagement of the clutch (K0), said method comprises a step of drawing torque at the heat engine (11) by at least partially engaging the clutch (K0) so as to accelerate a drop in the speed of the heat engine (11) when it stops, or - in the event of the gear stick (18) being in a neutral position in which the clutch (K0) has to remain disengaged, said method comprises a step of inhibiting stopping of the heat engine (11).