CONTROLLED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN SYSTEM

• US 20050029869A1
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Teran, Roberto Jr., Whitehead, Kiana Danielle, Stoltz, Thomas Joseph, Deniston, Paul Michael, Szuszman, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/604,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20050029869A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/107 Safety-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine

Abstract

A vehicle shutdown system (10) includes an ignition-enabling device (14) that has an ON state and an OFF state. A controller (18) that has multiple functions is coupled to the ignition-enabling device (14). The controller (18) temporarily maintains operation of the controller functions when the ignition-enabling device (14) is switched to the OFF state.

Claims

1. a vehicle shutdown system comprising:

an ignition-enabling device having at least an ON state and an OFF state; and

an engine controller having a plurality of functions and being coupled to said ignition-enabling device, said engine controller at least temporarily maintaining operation of at least a portion of said controller functions when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of functions are selected from at least one of an electronic throttle control function, a camshaft position function, a crankshaft position function, a remote start function, a drive-by-wire function, and an ignition system function.

3. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a throttle-controlled device, said engine controller electronically controlling said throttle-controlled device and at least temporarily preventing shutdown of electronic throttle control when said ignition-enabling device is switched to an OFF state.

4. A system as in claim 3 further comprising a switch coupled to said ignition-enabling device and a fuel supply system, said engine controller disabling said fuel supply system upon said ignition-enabling device being switched to said OFF state.

5. A system as in claim 3 further comprising a switch coupled to said engine controller, said engine controller enabling said switch when said ignition-enabling device is in said ON state and at least temporarily preventing disablement of said switch when said ignition-enabling device is in said OFF state.

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said switch is a power relay.

7. A system as in claim 3 further comprising a throttle actuator position sensor generating a throttle position signal, said engine controller adjusting a position of said throttle-controlled device in response to said throttle position signal.

8. A system as in claim 3 wherein said ignition-enabling device is an ignition start key assembly.

9. A system as in claim 3 wherein said throttle-controlled device is a throttle plate.

10. A system as in claim 3 wherein said engine controller adjusts a position of said throttle-controlled device to be more air flow restrictive than that of said throttle-controlled device in a default position when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

11. A system as in claim 3 wherein said engine controller adjusts a position of said throttle-controlled device to be approximately 1.5°

open relative to a closed position when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

12. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a safety monitor receiving an operation status signal from said engine controller when operation of said at least a portion of said controller functions is maintained and said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

13. A system as in claim 1 wherein said engine controller is at least a portion of a drive-by-wire system controller.

14. A vehicle shutdown system comprising:

an ignition-enabling device having at least an ON state and an OFF state;

a throttle-controlled device; and

a controller coupled to said ignition-enabling device and electronically controlling said throttle-controlled device, said controller at least temporarily preventing shutdown of electronic throttle control when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

15. A method of powering down a vehicle having a controller with a plurality of functions comprising at least temporarily maintaining operation of at least a portion of said controller functions when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

16. A method as in claim 15 further comprising:

electronically controlling a throttle-controlled device;

and

at least temporarily preventing shutdown of electronic throttle control when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein at least temporarily preventing shutdown of electronic throttle control comprises:

adjusting a position of said throttle-controlled device to further restrict the flow of air over that of a default position when said ignition-enabling device is switched to said OFF state; and

enabling said throttle-controlled device to be in said default position when engine speed is approximately equal to zero.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein enabling said throttle-controlled device to be in said default position comprises disabling said controller.

19. A method as in claim 17 wherein adjusting a position of said throttle-controlled device comprises adjusting said throttle-controlled device to be at approximately 1.5°

from a closed position.

20. A method as in claim 16 further comprising enabling a power switch when said ignition-enabling device is in said ON state and temporarily preventing disablement of said power switch when said ignition-enabling device is in said OFF state.