METHODS FOR UTILIZING STOP SIGN AND TRAFFIC LIGHT DETECTIONS TO ENHANCE FUEL ECONOMY AND SAFETY

• US 20130297124A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mansur, William Najib, Malone, Mark Douglas, Be, Tuan Anh, Tikh, Leonid
• Granted Patent: US 9,069,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4825 Electric machine connected or connectable to gearbox input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/60 Traffic rules, e.g. speed limits or right of way
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 Conjoint control of different elements

Abstract

Methods for operating a vehicle as the vehicle approaches an intersection with a traffic control device are provided herein. One example method includes detecting a traffic control device at an intersection the vehicle is approaching, and releasing and applying a disconnect clutch arranged in a driveline of the vehicle intermediate an engine and a starter/generator based on a type of the detected traffic control device. Because releasing the disconnect clutch disconnects the engine from the vehicle driveline, the engine may be turned off to increase fuel efficiency while the disconnect clutch is released.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising:

adjusting operation of the vehicle in response to whether a detected traffic control device is a stop sign is or a traffic light.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, if the detected traffic control device is a stop sign:

evaluating a current vehicle state, the current vehicle state based on a distance between the vehicle and an intersection associated with the stop sign, a distance between the vehicle and a next forward vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a deceleration rate of the vehicle; and

determining a vehicle control strategy based on the current vehicle state.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein either the control strategy is performed automatically or an operator of the vehicle is advised to take actions based on the control strategy.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the control strategy comprises turning off an engine of the vehicle for a maximum possible duration as the vehicle approaches the intersection and while the vehicle is stopped at the intersection.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the control strategy comprises minimizing energy draw as the vehicle approaches the intersection and while the vehicle is stopped at the intersection.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, if the detected traffic control device is a traffic light:

evaluating a current vehicle state, the current vehicle state based on a distance between the vehicle and an intersection associated with the traffic light, a distance between the vehicle and a next forward vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a deceleration rate of the vehicle;

determining a current traffic light state;

predicting a timing of a traffic light state change; and

determining a vehicle control strategy based on the current vehicle state, the current traffic light state, and the predicted timing of the traffic light state change.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein either the control strategy is performed automatically or an operator of the vehicle is advised to take actions based on the control strategy.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the control strategy comprises calculating a speed at which the vehicle will arrive at the traffic light when the traffic light state is green and controlling the vehicle to travel at that speed.

9. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising:

detecting a traffic control device at an intersection the vehicle is approaching; and

releasing and applying a disconnect clutch arranged in a driveline of the vehicle intermediate an engine and a starter/generator based on a type of the detected traffic control device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein releasing the disconnect clutch disconnects the engine from the driveline, and wherein applying the disconnect clutch connects the engine to the driveline.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising, if the detected traffic control device is a stop sign:

evaluating a current vehicle state, the current vehicle state based on a distance between the vehicle and the intersection, a distance between the vehicle and a next forward vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a deceleration rate of the vehicle;

determining a desired time to release the disconnect clutch based on the current vehicle state; and

releasing the disconnect clutch at the desired time.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

after releasing the disconnect clutch;

converting torque from vehicle wheels into electrical energy via the starter/generator;

storing the electrical energy in an electrical energy storage device; and

applying the disconnect clutch to connect the engine to the driveline after the vehicle has stopped at the intersection for a desired duration.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising, if the detected traffic control device is a traffic light:

evaluating a current vehicle state, the current vehicle state based on a distance between the vehicle and the intersection, a distance between the vehicle and a next forward vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a deceleration rate of the vehicle;

determining a current traffic light state;

predicting a timing of a traffic light state change;

determining whether stopping at the intersection will achieve a desired vehicle performance based on the current vehicle state, the current traffic light state, and the predicted timing of the traffic light state change; and

operating the disconnect clutch based on whether stopping at the intersection will achieve the desired vehicle performance.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein operating the disconnect clutch based on whether stopping at the intersection will achieve the desired vehicle performance comprises:

if stopping at the intersection will achieve the desired vehicle performance, determining a time to release the disconnect clutch to stop the vehicle at the intersection and releasing the disconnect clutch at that time; and

if stopping at the intersection will not achieve the desired vehicle performance,

calculating a speed at which the vehicle will arrive at the intersection when the traffic light state is green; and

traveling at the calculated speed.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the calculated speed may be achieved if the disconnect clutch is released for at least a minimum duration, and if so, releasing the disconnect clutch for at least the minimum duration.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

while the disconnect clutch is released;

converting torque from vehicle wheels into electrical energy via the starter/generator; and

storing the electrical energy in an electrical energy storage device.

17. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising:

detecting a traffic control device at an intersection the vehicle is approaching;

obtaining vehicle data;

evaluating a vehicle state based on the vehicle data;

determining a control strategy for the vehicle, the determination based at least on whether the detected traffic control device is a stop sign or a traffic light; and

enacting the control strategy.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the determination of the control strategy is further based on selection of an automated mode or an operator advising mode by a vehicle operator and selection of one or more of a safety mode and a fuel efficiency mode by the vehicle operator.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein enacting the control strategy comprises releasing and applying a disconnect clutch arranged in a driveline of the vehicle intermediate an engine and a starter/generator, wherein releasing the disconnect clutch disconnects the engine from the driveline, and wherein applying the disconnect clutch connects the engine to the driveline.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein enacting the control strategy further comprises:

if the traffic control device is a stop sign, calculating a maximum possible duration for turning off the engine based on the vehicle state;

if the traffic control device is a traffic light, calculating a maximum possible duration for turning off the engine based on the vehicle state and a traffic light state; and

releasing the disconnect clutch and turning off the engine for the maximum possible duration.