Idle control system and method of mounting

• US 20090016042A1
• Filed: 10/15/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Oakes, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/826
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/322 for improving the stop or idling operation of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2262 related to the period of on/off time of the heater
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/002 in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.

Claims

1. A method of mounting an idle control system including:

providing an idle control system including a housing;

a data storage device within the housing; and

a wire harness coupled to the housing;

coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle such that the housing is supported on the vehicle via the wire harness.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the idle control system also controls at least one HVAC device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one HVAC device includes a fixed and integrated vehicle HVAC device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one HVAC device includes a removable accessory HVAC device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle includes coupling the first wire harness within a passenger cabin of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle includes coupling the first wire harness beneath a dashboard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle includes coupling the first wire harness within an engine compartment of the vehicle

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle includes electrically coupling the idle control system to an ignition system of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step includes the step of providing the housing of the idle control system, the housing having a volume of less than 137 cm³.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling the first wire harness to a vehicle includes coupling the first wire harness to a second wire harness coupled to the vehicle.

11. An idle control system including:

a housing;

a data storage device within the housing;

a wire harness coupled to the housing, the wire harness being composed to sustain a load of the weight of the housing supported thereby.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wire harness is coupled to a vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire harness is coupled to the vehicle within a passenger cabin of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire harness is coupled to the vehicle within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 11, further including instructions for controlling an HVAC device stored on the data storage device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions control activation of a vehicle engine.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the instructions control a removable HVAC device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the HVAC device is a fuel fired block heater.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the HVAC device is a fuel fired cab heater.