Vehicle Engine Stop-Start Control Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with stop/start systems, there is a need to control engine auto-starting when the transmission gear lever is shifted out of the 'DRIVE' position to prevent unnecessary engine restarts and ensure rapid restarts when shifting into 'REVERSE', while adhering to safety regulations that require brake application for engine reactivation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that auto-starts the engine when the transmission gear lever is shifted out of 'DRIVE' into another gear, such as 'NEUTRAL' or 'REVERSE', within specific time intervals, and alerts the driver to press the brake for engine reactivation, ensuring the engine remains auto-stopped unless intended for propulsion or other purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the engine is automatically restarted when the gear lever is shifted out of DRIVE, then the vehicle can quickly respond to driver intent, but unnecessary engine restarts occur when the driver intends to park
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine restart behavior based on the target gear position. When shifting to REVERSE, the engine restarts automatically for quick response. When shifting to PARK or NEUTRAL, the engine remains stopped to prevent unnecessary restarts. This dynamic conditional logic resolves the contradiction by making the restart behavior adaptive to driver intent.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors the gear lever position and uses this feedback to determine whether to restart the engine. By detecting the target gear (PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL), the system intelligently decides on engine restart, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring rapid response when needed.
2Loss of energy
If the engine remains auto-stopped when shifting to NEUTRAL, then energy is saved, but the driver may not be able to quickly move the vehicle if REVERSE is needed
Solution Approach 1:
When the driver shifts from DRIVE to NEUTRAL with the intention of then going to REVERSE, the engine remains stopped during the NEUTRAL transition (saving energy). However, the system is prepared to immediately restart the engine when REVERSE is selected, ensuring quick vehicle启动 when needed. This preliminary positioning of the gear lever provides the system with advance notice of potential restart needs.
3Speed
If the engine auto-starts immediately when shifting to REVERSE, then rapid vehicle response is achieved, but safety regulations requiring brake application may be violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a two-stage restart process for REVERSE gear: first, the engine restarts when the gear lever enters REVERSE (providing quick response); second, the system monitors for brake application within a predetermined time interval. This periodic verification ensures safety compliance while maintaining rapid response capability through the initial restart action.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.