Vehicle Control Device Automatic Engine Stop Deceleration Malfunction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control devices often experience malfunctions during automatic engine stopping and restarting processes, particularly during deceleration, leading to unexpected failures and reduced efficiency in mileage and exhaust gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device that includes means for detecting stopping and deceleration states, controlling automatic stopping and restarting, and a prohibiting mechanism to ensure normal operation by prohibiting automatic stopping during deceleration until a successful stopping process has occurred, and limiting restarts based on vehicle speed and time since restart, thereby preventing malfunctions and optimizing engine operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If automatic stopping process is performed during deceleration, then mileage and exhaust gas emissions are improved, but malfunction occurs in which the automatic stopping process does not operate normally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemileage and exhaust gas emissionsVSAvoidautomatic stopping process operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a test automatic stopping process during stopping (when vehicle speed is zero) before allowing automatic stopping during deceleration. This preliminary action verifies that the stopping control means is functioning properly, preventing malfunctions during actual deceleration operations while still enabling energy-saving automatic stopping when conditions are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If automatic stopping process is performed during stopping, then reliability of automatic stopping process is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic stopping process operationVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same stopping control means is used for both the test automatic stopping process during stopping and the actual automatic stopping process during deceleration. This multi-functional approach verifies reliability without requiring separate test equipment or additional complex control systems, as the existing control infrastructure performs dual purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If automatic restart process is performed frequently, then engine responsiveness is improved, but engine life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine responsivenessVSAvoidengine life
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The restart control means monitors vehicle speed and the timing of automatic stopping events to determine when restart is necessary. By providing feedback-based control that distinguishes between situations requiring immediate restart (maintaining responsiveness) and situations where stopping can be sustained (preserving engine life), the system optimizes the balance between engine responsiveness and durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2568160B1Vehicle control device
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP2568160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2568160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2568160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a vehicle control device having an advantage of reliably carrying out automatic stopping of an internal combustion engine during deceleration of a vehicle. The means for controlling automatic stopping during deceleration performs an automatic stopping process of the engine when the deceleration state of the vehicle is detected by the means for detecting deceleration and it is determined that a stopping condition during deceleration is established. The prohibiting means prohibits the means for controlling automatic stopping during deceleration from performing the automatic stopping process of the engine until the means for controlling automatic stopping during stopping performs the automatic stopping process of the engine and the means for controlling automatic restart performs an automatic restart process of the engine after the vehicle has started moving.