Vibration Device for Engine Stop-Start Driver Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers are dissatisfied with the sudden changes in vibration and noise levels when idle stop-start systems shut down and restart the engine, leading to a rejection of the technology despite its environmental and cost-saving benefits.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a vibration device and a controller to replicate the engine's idling vibrations and noise by causing vehicle components to vibrate when the engine is shut down and ceasing vibration when it restarts, ensuring a consistent driving experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is shut down during idle periods to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, then environmental performance is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates due to sudden changes in vibration and noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vibration device to create artificial vibrations that copy the characteristic vibration pattern of an idling engine. This allows the driver to perceive familiar engine vibrations even when the engine is shut down, thereby reducing awareness of the stoppage while maintaining the emission-reducing benefits of the idle stop-start system.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration device acts as an intermediary between the shut-down engine and the driver. It generates artificial vibrations that mediate the transition, providing a sensory bridge that masks the absence of engine vibrations and reduces the driver's perception of engine stoppage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is shut down and restarted frequently to improve fuel efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but driver comfort worsens due to sudden vibration and noise changes
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device replicates the engine's idling vibration characteristics during shutdown periods, creating a continuous vibration experience that masks the engine stoppage. This allows frequent engine cycling for fuel efficiency gains without compromising driver comfort through sudden vibration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration generated by a dedicated vibration device to simulate engine idling vibrations. This mechanical vibration approach directly addresses the sensory experience of the driver, maintaining perceived engine operation even during actual engine shutdowns for fuel efficiency.
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 solution allows vehicles to benefit from idle stop-start systems while minimizing driver awareness of engine stoppage, maintaining fuel efficiency and reduced emissions without the discomfort of sudden vibration and noise changes.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration device to replicate the vibration and noise levels caused when the engine is idling
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reducing driver awareness of engine stoppage by a vehicle are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system includes a stop-start mechanism in communication with an engine operable to cause movement of the vehicle, the stop-start mechanism programmed to shut off the engine at a beginning of a nonoperational period and restart the engine at an end of the nonoperational period. The system also includes a vibration device triggered to cause at least one vehicle component to vibrate when the stop-start mechanism shuts off the engine at the beginning of the nonoperational period, and triggered to cease causing the at least one vehicle component to vibrate when the stop-start mechanism restarts the engine at the end of the nonoperational period.