Stop-Start Mode Control for Battery Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 'stop-and-start' mode in vehicles with internal combustion engines leads to excessive electrical energy consumption and battery load due to frequent engine startups, particularly in urban traffic, causing battery exhaustion and reducing its lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A method managed by an engine control unit that determines the state of charge, motion, and power consumption to enable or disable the 'stop-and-start' mode, optimizing battery usage by controlling the electric starter motor and other electrical consumers, ensuring the battery remains within a safe charge threshold and reducing unnecessary starts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the 'stop-and-start' mode is activated to reduce fuel consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the battery is subjected to intensive use and excessive electrical energy consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit determines in advance whether to enable or disable the stop-and-start mode by evaluating the state of charge of the battery, the motion state of the vehicle, and the power consumption of electrical consumers before the engine stop/start cycle begins. This preliminary assessment prevents battery exhaustion by predicting energy availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the state of charge of the battery, the motion state, and power consumption of electrical consumers, using this feedback to dynamically control the stop-and-start mode. The control unit adjusts engine restart decisions based on real-time battery status and electrical load conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If frequent engine startups occur in urban traffic, then the stop-and-start mode provides continuous fuel savings, but the battery load increases and battery lifespan reduces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel savings frequencyVSAvoidbattery lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary determination of whether to enable stop-and-start mode by assessing battery state of charge, vehicle motion state, and electrical consumer power consumption before allowing engine restarts. This prevents excessive battery load by predicting energy availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the stop-and-start mode operation based on real-time conditions. The control unit modifies engine restart behavior according to varying battery status, vehicle motion patterns, and electrical load demands, making the system adaptable to different driving scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the stop-and-start mode is disabled to protect the battery, then battery load is reduced, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery protectionVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit changes the operational parameters of the stop-and-start mode based on battery state of charge, vehicle motion state, and electrical consumer power consumption. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between fuel savings and battery protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 optimizes battery capacity usage, reduces battery load, and extends its lifespan by minimizing excessive discharge and startups, ensuring reliable engine restarts while conserving energy.

Implementation Method 1

the shaft of an electric starter motor, which is powered by a battery of the motor vehicle, is also connected mechanically to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. In order to start the internal combustion engine, the electric motor sets the crankshaft in rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a battery of the motor vehicle... places a great load on and entails considerable loss of electric charge in the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS7347175B2Method for managing the "stop-and-start" mode in a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2008.03.25 MAGNETI MARELLI POWERTRAIN S P A

AI summary

A method for managing the “stop-and-start” mode in a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine; the method provides for the “stop-and-start” mode to be enabled or disabled as a function of a state of charge (SOC) of a battery of the motor vehicle, as a function of a state of motion of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and as a function of the electric power consumed overall by the electrical consumers of the motor vehicle.