Vehicle Idle Speed Control for Electrical Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electrical consumers in motor vehicles, such as electric power steering, poses high power demands on the vehicle's electrical system, requiring stable electrical voltage and power, especially during brief high loads, which can lead to instability and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a driving situation detection device to adjust the internal combustion engine's speed between two operating states, increasing it temporarily when a special driving situation is detected, like an imminent turn, to stabilize the vehicle's electrical system voltage and prevent power shortages, thereby optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine operates at a permanently higher speed to compensate for sudden additional load, then electrical system stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting driving situations that precede high-power consumer activation (such as turn signals, wiper activation, seatbelt buckling) and preemptively increasing engine idle speed before the actual load occurs. This allows the electrical system to maintain stability during peak demand without requiring a permanently higher engine speed, thus avoiding continuous energy waste while ensuring power availability when needed.
2Reliability
If the engine idle speed is increased temporarily to meet peak power demand, then electrical system stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the engine idle speed adjustable and time-dependent rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the idle speed based on detected driving situations and actual electrical load conditions, allowing temporary increases only when necessary and returning to optimal idle speed when not needed, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining electrical system stability during critical moments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic consumers are replaced by electrical consumers, then vehicle modernization and functionality are improved, but power demand on the electrical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the high power demand of modern electrical consumers by detecting situations that precede their activation and preemptively increasing engine idle speed. This ensures that sufficient electrical power is available when modern electrical components (such as electric power steering, heated seats, or wipers) are activated, enabling vehicle modernization without compromising electrical system stability.
4Reliability
If the engine speed is increased to stabilize electrical voltage, then electrical system reliability is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting driving situations that precede high-power consumer activation and preemptively increasing engine idle speed before the actual electrical load occurs. This timing optimization allows the engine to generate sufficient electrical power at an optimized idle speed, stabilizing electrical voltage during critical moments while minimizing fuel consumption by avoiding prolonged high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making idle speed adjustment temporary and condition-dependent. The control unit increases idle speed only during detected critical situations and returns it to optimized levels when not needed, thereby maintaining electrical voltage stability when necessary while minimizing fuel consumption during normal operation.
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 ensures a stable and efficient electrical system by anticipating and meeting peak power demands during critical driving maneuvers, reducing energy consumption and preventing electrical system instability.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine which is operated at a first speed in a first operating state and at a second speed in a second operating state
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates in particular to a method for reducing the energy consumption of a motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one vehicle electric system, to which at least one electrical consumer is connected. To achieve a high performance vehicle electric system with a reduced energy consumption, the internal combustion engine is operated in a first operating mode at a first speed. In a second operating mode the internal combustion engine is operated at a second speed that is higher than the first. A device for detecting the driving situation, which is provided in the vehicle, identifies an imminent specific driving situation (304) on the basis of the previous behaviour of the driver (102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110, 111, 201, 205, 206, 210, 212, 213, 302, 303, 401, 403) when controlling the vehicle and/or the behaviour of the vehicle in advance and initiates a switch in operating modes of the internal combustion engine from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.