Vehicle Engine Control Adjusting Stop Range for Towing Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems struggle to safely stop the engine during vehicle travel while towing, as it compromises braking performance and safety, and fail to optimize fuel consumption when not towing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus with a towing state detector and engine controller that adjusts engine stopping conditions based on whether the vehicle is towing, reducing the operational range for engine stoppage during towing to ensure safety and increasing it when not towing to improve fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped during vehicle travel to improve fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but braking performance and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the engine stopping conditions adjustable based on vehicle state. The control unit dynamically modifies stopping conditions according to whether the vehicle is towing, allowing the system to adapt between fuel efficiency optimization and safety maintenance. This resolves the contradiction by enabling engine stoppage during normal travel while preventing it during towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of engine stopping conditions based on vehicle state. When towing is detected, the control unit modifies the stopping conditions to prevent engine stoppage, thereby maintaining braking performance. During non-towing travel, the original stopping conditions apply to maximize fuel savings. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between fuel efficiency and braking performance.
2Reliability
If the engine stopping condition is varied to maintain safety during towing, then safety is improved, but fuel consumption optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the travel conditions into towing and non-towing states, applying different engine stopping conditions to each segment. During towing segments, safety-prioritized conditions are applied (preventing engine stoppage). During non-towing segments, fuel-efficient conditions are applied (allowing engine stoppage). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate condition set to the appropriate operational segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different engine stopping condition sets based on the detected vehicle state. When towing is detected, the system transitions to safety-prioritized conditions. When towing ends, it transitions back to fuel-efficient conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and fuel consumption optimization.
3Reliability
If a towing state detection system is added to differentiate between towing and non-towing states, then safety and fuel efficiency are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing engine control unit multi-functional by adding towing state detection and conditional modification capabilities to it. The same control unit that manages engine stopping now also detects towing states and adjusts stopping conditions accordingly. This universality resolves the contradiction by avoiding additional dedicated hardware while achieving safety and fuel efficiency optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the towing detection function and engine stopping control function into a single integrated control system. Rather than adding a separate towing detection system and keeping it separate from engine control, the functions are combined in one control unit. This merging resolves the contradiction by reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize both safety and fuel efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus, configured to control a vehicle, includes an engine that is configured to drive wheels via a power transmission device. The vehicle control apparatus includes a towing state detector and an engine controller. The towing state detector is configured to detect whether the vehicle is in a towing state. The engine controller is configured to stop the engine in a case where a predetermined engine stopping condition is satisfied during traveling of the vehicle. The engine controller is configured to vary, in a case where the towing state detector detects that the vehicle is in the towing state, the predetermined engine stopping condition to reduce an operational range in which the engine is to be stopped compared with an operational range in a case where the towing state detector does not detect that the vehicle is in the towing state.