Hybrid Vehicle Engine Startup Control via Driver Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern hybrid vehicles with start/stop automatic systems face risks of unintended engine startup when parked, potentially leading to poisoning and uncontrolled vehicle movement, especially when driver presence is not detected accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for monitoring driver presence using intrinsically safe sensors, such as the brake pedal and shift control lever, to automatically start the internal combustion engine only when the driver is not present, ensuring safe operation and preventing uncontrolled vehicle movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the internal combustion engine is automatically started in readiness to drive mode, then the charging condition of the battery is maintained, but the risk of poisoning and uncontrolled vehicle movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors driver presence through sensors (brake pedal, shift control lever, seat belt, ignition switch) and uses this feedback to dynamically control engine startup. The control unit receives signals from multiple sensors and adjusts engine operation based on the detected driver state, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents harmful effects while maintaining battery charge.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor intermediaries are introduced between the automatic startup system and the engine. These sensors (brake pedal sensor, shift control lever sensor, seat belt sensor, ignition switch sensor) act as mediators that detect driver presence and transmit this information to the control unit, which then decides whether to permit engine startup. This intermediary layer prevents direct automatic startup when the driver is absent.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the engine hood sensor is used to inhibit startup, then uncontrolled movement is prevented, but the vehicle may break down in readiness to drive mode due to sensor defects
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple sensors that serve both as driver presence detectors and as safety monitors. The brake pedal sensor, shift control lever sensor, seat belt sensor, and ignition switch sensor collectively perform the function of preventing uncontrolled movement while also ensuring reliable operation in readiness to drive mode. This multi-functional approach eliminates the single-point failure risk of using only one sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring parameters from a single engine hood sensor to multiple parameters including brake pedal position, shift control lever position, seat belt status, and ignition switch state. By monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously, the system achieves more reliable detection of driver presence and prevents both uncontrolled movement and false shutdowns due to single sensor failures.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and an apparatus (9) for operating a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine (4) and an electric motor (5), the internal combustion engine (4) is started automatically in a readiness to drive mode of the hybrid vehicle (1) as soon as it is no longer detected reliably that the driver is present.