Method and Start Control Device for Controlling an Automatic Start-up Process of a Drive Unit

• US 20090292455A1
• Filed: 08/03/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: ABENDROTH, Dirk, STRAEHLE, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/12 responsive to conditions relating to doors or doors locks, e.g. open door
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0801 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/106 Driver presence, e.g. detected by door lock, seat sensor or belt sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method and a start control device are provided for controlling an automatic start-up process of a drive unit of a motor vehicle. The drive unit is automatically started when all of the predetermined start-up conditions are fulfilled. However, even in the event that an absence of the driver is detected, the drive unit automatically starts when the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined limit speed and all other start-up conditions are fulfilled.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an automatic start-up process of a drive unit for a motor vehicle, the drive unit being automatically started when all predetermined start-up conditions are fulfilled, one of which is a requirement that an absence of a driver is not detectable, the method comprising the acts of:

determining that said one start-up condition is not met;

determining whether a speed of the motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined limit speed; and

automatically starting the drive unit even when said one start-up condition is not met when the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than the predetermined limit speed and all other predetermined start-up conditions of the automatic start-up process of the drive unit are met.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the absence of the driver not being detectable is determined by at least one of:

evaluating a driver door contact signal;

evaluating a driver seat belt buckle signal;

evaluating a driver seat occupancy detection signal;

evaluating a foot pedal actuation signal; and

evaluating a camera signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when a plurality of said evaluating signals are used to detect an absence of the driver, the method concludes that the driver is absent when at least a defined number of said evaluating signals indicate the absence of the driver.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of inhibiting the automatic start-up of the drive unit when the absence of the driver is detected upon determining a further condition.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said further condition is at least one of:

actuation of an operating control element operatively configured for inhibiting the automatic start-up of the drive unit;

detecting an automatic car wash mode;

detecting a vehicle towing event; and

detecting a force closure between the drive unit and drive wheels of the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the detecting of the automatic car wash mode occurs by evaluating individual wheel speeds.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the evaluation of individual wheel speeds is performed by determining whether an individual wheel speed is substantially zero and determining whether individual wheel speeds of other wheels significantly differ from zero.

8. A start control device for controlling an automatic start-up process of a switched-off drive unit of a motor vehicle, the start control device comprising:

one or more start-up condition detection units, an automatic start-up process being initiated when all defined start-up conditions are detected, at least one start-up condition being a requirement that an absence of the driver is not detectable;

a motor vehicle speed determination unit that determines when a speed of the motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined limit speed; and

wherein the start control device initiates the automatic start-up process even when the absence of the driver is detected by said one start-up condition if the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than the predetermined limit speed and all other defined start-up conditions are met.