Engine cold start aid malfunction alert

• US 20060272606A1
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Rogelio, Lack, Adam C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.600
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/228 Warning displays
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 19/027 Safety devices, e.g. for diagnosing the glow plugs or the related circuits

Abstract

A motor vehicle engine (10) has a glow plug system (14) for aiding combustion of fuel in combustion chambers of the engine when the engine is cold and an ignition switch (16) is operated to crank the engine. A first circuit signals the cold start aid to commence operation of the cold start aid in anticipation of engine starting. A second circuit indicates a fault in the cold start aid. A third circuit, that includes a warning signal device (38), activates the warning signal device to inform a driver of the vehicle of the indicated fault upon the first circuit having signaled the cold start aid to commence operation and the second circuit having indicated a fault in the cold start aid.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine that has a cold start aid for aiding combustion of fuel in combustion chambers of the engine when the engine is cold and an ignition switch is operated to start the engine;

a first circuit for signaling the cold start aid to commence operation of the cold start aid in anticipation of engine cranking;

a second circuit for indicating a fault in the cold start aid; and

a third circuit, including a warning signal device, for activating the warning signal device to inform a driver of the vehicle of the indicated fault upon the first circuit having signaled the cold start aid to commence operation and the second circuit having indicated a fault in the cold start aid.

2. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ignition switch is selectively positionable to OFF, ON, and CRANK positions, and the first circuit requires that the ignition switch be in ON position in order to signal the cold start aid to commence operation.

3. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cold start aid comprises glow plugs that electrically heat the combustion chambers when the ignition switch is in ON position and the first circuit has signaled the cold start aid to commence operation.

4. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein electric current for the glow plugs is conducted through contacts of a relay whose operation is controlled by the first circuit.

5. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the second circuit indicates a fault in the relay.

6. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the fault is indicated by failure of the relay to operate when the ignition switch is in ON position and the first circuit has signaled the cold start aid to commence operation.

7. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning device comprises a visible indicator that illuminates when activated.

8. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning device comprises a lamp that flashes on and off when activated.

9. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the third circuit comprises a timer that starts upon the first circuit having signaled the cold start aid and the second circuit having indicated a fault, a comparator that compares the time elapsed on the timer with a reference time, and a detector that activate the warming device when the time elapsed on the timer corresponds to the reference time.

10. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein after having activated the warning device, the detector maintains the warning device activated until the ignition switch is operated to OFF position.

11. A method for informing a driver of a motor vehicle of an indicated fault in a cold start aid for starting an internal combustion engine that propels the vehicle so that the driver can avoid draining one or more batteries that crank the engine during cold starting because of the indicated fault, the method comprising:

after the driver has operating an ignition switch from an OFF position to an ON position, signaling the cold start aid to commence operation;

signaling an indicated fault in the cold start aid; and

upon both the cold start aid having been signaled to commence operation and an indicated fault in the cold start aid having been signaled, activating a warning device in the presence of the driver to inform the driver of the indicated fault.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of activating a warning device comprises illuminating a visible indicator within the view of the driver.

13. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of activating a warning device comprises flashing a lamp within the view of the driver.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the step of flashing a lamp within the view of the driver comprises continuing flashing of the lamp until the ignition switch is operated to OFF position.

15. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of signaling an indicated fault in the cold start aid comprises signaling failure of a relay to operate after the ignition switch is operated from OFF position to ON position.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the step of signaling an indicated fault in the cold start aid comprises signaling failure of a glow plug control device to deliver electric current to glow plugs that electrically heat combustion chambers of the engine.