Vehicle Start-Stop Controller Distance-Based Time Limit Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine start-stop systems in vehicles with frequent stop-and-go driving situations cause driver annoyance and hinder vehicle maneuverability due to frequent engine stops and restarts, which are not effectively managed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that tracks the distance traveled since the last stop and sets a time limit for engine stop requests, selectively enabling or disabling engine stops based on this relationship to minimize unnecessary engine cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is stopped and restarted each time the vehicle comes to a brief standstill in frequent stop-and-go driving situations, then fuel economy is improved by eliminating engine idling time, but driver annoyance is increased and vehicle maneuverability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine stop/start behavior based on real-time driving conditions. The controller monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, and driving patterns to determine when to enable or disable engine stops, making the system adaptable to frequent stop-and-go situations rather than applying a fixed stop/start rule
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vehicle sensors to continuously monitor driving conditions and adjust engine stop/start decisions accordingly. By detecting patterns like frequent gear shifts or prolonged idle periods, the controller learns driver preferences and modifies engine behavior to reduce annoyance while maintaining fuel efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the engine is stopped and restarted each time the vehicle comes to a brief standstill, then fuel economy is improved by eliminating engine idling time, but vehicle maneuverability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine stop/start behavior based on real-time driving conditions. The controller monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, and driving patterns to determine when to enable or disable engine stops, making the system adaptable to frequent stop-and-go situations rather than applying a fixed stop/start rule
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of driving conditions before commanding an engine stop. By evaluating factors such as upcoming gear shifts, vehicle load, and driving pattern recognition, the controller prevents engine stops that would hinder maneuverability while still capturing fuel savings from appropriate idle eliminations
3Ease of operation
If existing attempts are made to account for undesired engine start/stop events, then some driveability issues are addressed, but the solutions suffer from a number of disadvantages and drawbacks that do not fully resolve the problem
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors and control infrastructure to monitor driving conditions and make engine stop/start decisions. By leveraging already-available data from the vehicle's control network, the system avoids adding complex external monitoring equipment while still achieving intelligent driveability management
Data Source
AI summary
Controls for improved drivability of a vehicle equipped with start/stop logic are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method comprising operating a vehicle system including an internal combustion engine and a controller configured to conditionally stop and re-start the engine. The controller tracks the distance that the vehicle has traveled since the most recent vehicle stop and determines a time limit as a function of that distance. The controller further tracks the time that an engine stop request condition has been true, evaluates that time relative to the time limit, and selectably enables or disables an engine stop based upon the relationship between said time and said time limit.