Vehicle Idling Control Module for Intermittent Engine Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control methods unconditionally prohibit engine stop during incomplete learning of idling rotation speed control, leading to continuous operation against driver expectations and potential discomfort.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an intermittent operation prohibition module that restricts engine operation based on driver-set gearshift positions and parking brake status, allowing intermittent operation during parking but prohibiting it during drivable positions until idling control demand learning is complete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine is unconditionally prohibited from stopping during incomplete learning of idling rotation speed control, then the learning opportunity is ensured, but the driver experiences discomfort due to continuous operation against expectations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelearning completion reliabilityVSAvoiddriver acceptance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the engine stop prohibition conditional rather than fixed. The control module dynamically adjusts the stop prohibition status based on learned conditions (gearshift position, parking brake status, engine stop requests). When conditions indicate the driver expects intermittent operation (parking gear engaged, parking brake applied), the system permits stopping even during incomplete learning, thus adapting to driver expectations while ensuring learning opportunities when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the engine is permitted to stop intermittently during incomplete learning, then driver comfort is improved, but the learning opportunity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver acceptanceVSAvoidlearning completion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different stop permission zones based on operational conditions. Specifically, when the gearshift is in parking position and/or parking brake is applied, the system creates a local zone where stopping is permitted (driver comfort priority). In other conditions (drivable positions without parking brake), the system maintains stop prohibition (learning priority). This localized differentiation allows the system to optimize for different objectives in different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the engine operates continuously to complete learning, then stable idling control is achieved, but energy is wasted and driver expectations are violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidling control stabilityVSAvoidengine energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by allowing the engine to alternate between stopping and starting based on operational conditions and learning progress. Instead of continuous operation, the system permits periodic stopping when conditions indicate driver expectation (parking gear, parking brake applied), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining learning opportunities during periods when the engine runs. This creates an optimized cycle of stop and run based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP1861273B1Vehicle and control method of vehicle
Publication Date: 2010.08.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP1861273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1861273B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a vehicle equipped with both an engine and a motor as the driving power source, in the event of incompletion of learning a control demand for regulation of an idling rotation speed of the engine, intermittent operation prohibition control of the invention permits intermittent operation of the engine (step S120) under the setting of a gearshift lever to a parking position. The intermittent operation prohibition control of the invention prohibits the intermittent operation of the engine (step S140), on the other hand, under the setting of the gearshift lever to a drive position. This arrangement avoids the continuous operation of the engine against the driver's expectation, while prohibiting the intermittent operation of the engine to ensure the opportunity of learning the control demand for regulation of the idling rotation speed of the engine.