ROADWAY INFORMATION USE FOR ENGINE START/STOP SYSTEM

• US 20120179357A1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Phillips, Anthony Mark
• Application Number:
  US13/004,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20120179357A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/125 Information about other vehicles, traffic lights or traffic congestion
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine. The vehicle includes a starter that engages with the engine to start the engine. The vehicle includes at least one sensor for detecting roadway information. A method of controlling the vehicle includes detecting roadway information with the at least one sensor while the vehicle is moving and the engine is running. The method further includes stopping the engine in the presence of a shutdown condition based on the roadway information, while the vehicle is moving.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, the vehicle including a starter that engages with the engine to start the engine, the vehicle including at least one sensor for detecting roadway information, the method comprising:

detecting roadway information with the at least one sensor while the vehicle is moving and the engine is running;

determining a shutdown condition for the engine, while the vehicle is moving, based on the roadway information; and

stopping the engine in the presence of the shutdown condition, while the vehicle is moving.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a forward-looking device from the group consisting of a camera, radar, and lidar, and wherein determining the shutdown condition further comprises:

identifying an approaching object based on the roadway information from the forward-looking device;

detecting a driver initiated deceleration of the vehicle; and

determining the shutdown condition based on the approaching object and the driver initiated deceleration.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein identifying the approaching object further comprises:

identifying a stop light; and

identifying a state of the stop light.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein identifying the approaching object further comprises:

identifying a road sign.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein identifying the approaching object further comprises:

identifying another vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises an electronic horizon sensor which includes an embedded map database with global positioning system (GPS) information, the electronic horizon sensor providing roadway information based on vehicle location and direction of travel, and wherein determining the shutdown condition further comprises:

identifying an approaching object based on the roadway information from the electronic horizon sensor;

detecting a driver initiated deceleration of the vehicle; and

determining the shutdown condition based on the approaching object and the driver initiated deceleration.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein identifying the approaching object further comprises:

identifying a stop location.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein determining the shutdown condition further comprises:

establishing a vehicle speed threshold;

determining a vehicle speed;

determining the shutdown condition further based on the vehicle speed and the vehicle speed threshold.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the vehicle speed threshold is a function of a distance to the approaching object.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the shutdown condition is prevented when the vehicle speed exceeds the vehicle speed threshold.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the vehicle speed threshold is an adaptive threshold that adapts based on driver behavior.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a receiver for receiving infrastructure/vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and wherein determining the shutdown condition further comprises:

identifying an approaching object based on the roadway information from the receiver;

detecting a driver initiated deceleration of the vehicle; and

determining the shutdown condition based on the approaching object and the driver initiated deceleration.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the shutdown condition further comprises:

establishing a vehicle speed threshold;

determining a vehicle speed;

determining the shutdown condition further based on the vehicle speed and the vehicle speed threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the vehicle speed threshold is a function of a distance to an approaching object detected by the at least one sensor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the shutdown condition is prevented when the vehicle speed exceeds the vehicle speed threshold.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the vehicle speed threshold is an adaptive threshold that adapts based on driver behavior.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after stopping the engine, detecting a driver initiated acceleration request; and

starting the engine in response to the request.

18. A method of controlling an engine of a moving vehicle including a sensor, the method comprising:

detecting roadway information with the sensor while the vehicle is moving and the engine is running; and

stopping the engine in the presence of a shutdown condition based on the roadway information, while the vehicle is moving.

19. A vehicle including an internal combustion engine, the vehicle including a starter that engages with the engine to start the engine, the vehicle including at least one sensor for detecting roadway information, the vehicle including at least one controller configured to:

detect roadway information with the at least one sensor while the vehicle is moving and the engine is running; and

stop the engine in the presence of a shutdown condition based on the roadway information, while the vehicle is moving.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a forward-looking device from the group consisting of a camera, radar, and lidar, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

identify an approaching object based on the roadway information;

detect a driver initiated deceleration of the vehicle; and

determine the shutdown condition based on the approaching object and the driver initiated deceleration.