Methods and systems for adjusting engine operation based on weather data

• US 10,239,518 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2018
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Styles, Daniel Joseph, Kurtz, Eric Matthew, Tennison, Paul Joseph, Van Nieuwstadt, Michiel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Johnny H
• Application Number:
  US15/896,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20180170363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 701102
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/046 with electrical pump drive
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/32 Engine outcoming fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0493 Controlling the air charge temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0418 Air humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/701 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation system or GPS signal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/702 Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/06 Low pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is taken out from the exhaust downstream of the turbocharger turbine and reintroduced into the intake system upstream of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1502 using one central computing unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.

Claims

1. A vehicle method, comprising:

receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more vehicle sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from remote weather data measured at a distance away from the vehicle;

generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on relative accuracies of the first and second measurements with respect to one another and further based on the distance and whether the vehicle is determined to be in a microclimate condition; and

adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimate is based on a severity of the microclimate.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the severity indicates a degree of difference between the microclimate and a surrounding climate of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the estimate is further based on a duration since a last update of the remote weather data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimate is based on a look-up table that includes a relationship between weather data accuracies and distance from the vehicle to the remote weather measurement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the remote weather data is a closest remote weather measurement to the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the microclimate includes a car wash.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the microclimate includes a covered area.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine operating parameter includes EGR flow.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one engine parameter comprises one or more of a fuel injection amount, fuel injection timing, spark timing, air cleaner operation, and air induction pathway.

11. A method, comprising:

in a first mode where wireless communication with a weather service provider is not established, adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on outputs from one or more vehicle sensors;

in a second mode where wireless communication with a weather service provider is established and the vehicle is not determined to be entering a microclimate, adjusting the at least one engine operating parameter based on wirelessly received weather data; and

in a third mode where wireless communication with a weather service provider is established and the vehicle is determined to be entering the microclimate, adjusting the at least one engine operating parameter based on the wirelessly received weather data and outputs from the one or more vehicle sensors.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise an ambient temperature sensor.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise an air charge temperature sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise an ambient pressure sensor.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise an air charge pressure sensor.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise an intake oxygen sensor.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors comprise a humidity sensor.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the weather data includes a plurality of measurements of one or more weather parameters, where the weather parameters comprise an ambient humidity.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the weather data includes a plurality of measurements of one or more weather parameters, where the weather parameters comprise an ambient temperature or pressure.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the weather data includes a plurality of measurements of one or more weather parameters, where the weather parameters comprise a precipitation type, a precipitation amount, and/or a probability of precipitation.