Idling Stop Controller Standing Time Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicles equipped with both idling stop and neutral-at-idle controllers, there is a time lag in executing automatic engine stop due to the switchover from neutral-at-idle to idling stop control, leading to delayed fuel efficiency improvements when the stopping and shift-into-neutral conditions are fulfilled immediately after stopping.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a standing time measuring unit that prohibits neutral-at-idle controller operation if the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time or less, allowing the idling stop controller to execute engine stop control promptly without neutral-at-idle intervention, ensuring timely engine stop and improved fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the neutral-at-idle controller is allowed to operate immediately after vehicle stoppage, then the transmission can be shifted into neutral to improve fuel efficiency during idling, but this causes a time lag when the stopping condition is fulfilled because the control mode must switch from neutral-at-idle to idling stop controller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control system's behavior change over time through the standing time measuring unit. The neutral-at-idle controller is dynamically disabled during a predetermined period after vehicle stoppage, and re-enabled after this period elapses. This time-based dynamic control resolves the contradiction by preventing the time lag issue during critical initial stopping phase while still allowing fuel efficiency improvements during sustained idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a predetermined period after vehicle stoppage during which the neutral-at-idle controller is prohibited from operating. This preliminary restriction ensures that when the stopping condition is fulfilled immediately after stoppage, the idling stop controller can execute engine stop without interference or time lag, while still permitting neutral shifting later to improve fuel efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the stopping condition is set to be easily fulfilled to enable frequent engine stop control, then fuel efficiency improves, but the system becomes less reliable because the stopping condition must be less stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control logic into two independent controllers: the neutral-at-idle controller for transmission shifting and the idling stop controller for engine stoppage. By segmenting the control functions and using a standing time measuring unit to manage their interaction, the system can maintain reliable engine stop execution while still achieving fuel efficiency improvements through coordinated operation of both controllers.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle to which a control device is applied includes an idling stop control section for stopping operation of an engine when a predetermined stopping condition is fulfilled while the engine is idling, and a neutral-at-idle control section for shifting a transmission of the vehicle into neutral when a predetermined shift-into-neutral condition is fulfilled. While a post-stoppage elapsed time measured by a timer is shorter than or equal to a predetermined time after the vehicle stops moving, operation of the engine is stopped by the idling stop control section if the predetermined stopping condition is fulfilled but shifting of the transmission into neutral by the neutral-at-idle control section is prohibited even if the shift-into-neutral condition is fulfilled.