SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREASING FUEL EFFICIENCY
First Claim
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- a body;
a chassis configured to couple to the body;
a wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis;
an engine configured to provide power to the wheel in response to receiving fuel;
an accessory operatively coupled to and configured to derive power from the engine;
an accelerator configured to communicate driver inputs to the engine;
an input device configured to receive a user input; and
an electronic control unit capable of monitoring the plurality of operating ranges of the engine and configured to disengage the accessory to interrupt the power derivation from the engine in response to the engine operating within a predetermined range based on the user input.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The vehicle described herein employs an electronic control unit (“ECU”) and/or accessory control module configured to improve actual fuel economy. The ECU and/or the accessory control module monitors vehicle operating conditions and reduces load from an accessory when the vehicle achieves predetermined operating conditions. The ECU and/or the accessory control module is also configured to engage a fuel cut and a torque converter lock up condition. The lock up condition causes the wheels to drive the motor to avoid engine stall. At a predetermined low level, the ECU and/or the accessory control module can re-engage the accessory and fuel supply and disengage the lock up condition.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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a body; a chassis configured to couple to the body; a wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis; an engine configured to provide power to the wheel in response to receiving fuel; an accessory operatively coupled to and configured to derive power from the engine; an accelerator configured to communicate driver inputs to the engine; an input device configured to receive a user input; and an electronic control unit capable of monitoring the plurality of operating ranges of the engine and configured to disengage the accessory to interrupt the power derivation from the engine in response to the engine operating within a predetermined range based on the user input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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providing a vehicle comprising an engine, an accessory, a wheel, an input device configured to receive a user input, and an electronic control unit comprising an accessory disengagement logic; detecting, by the electronic control unit, a coast condition of the engine; disengaging a fuel supply to the engine; controlling, by the electronic control unit, the engagement between the accessory and the engine, based on an operating parameter of the vehicle and the user input; monitoring the coast down speed of the engine; re-engaging the fuel supply in response to the coast down speed reaching a predetermined level; and re-engaging the accessory in response to re-engaging the fuel supply. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An automobile, comprising:
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a plurality of wheels; a drive shaft operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels; an engine operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to conduct a drive force to at least one of the plurality of wheels in response to the engine operating with a fuel supply; a torque converter operatively coupling the engine to the drive shaft; a fuel source configured to provide a fuel supply to the engine; an accessory operatively coupled to and configured to draw power from the engine; an input device configured to receive a user input; and an electronic control unit in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the fuel source, the accessory, and the input device and configured to disengage the fuel source and the accessory and engage the torque converter to cause at least one of the plurality of wheels to drive the engine in response to the engine achieving a coast condition, the coast condition based on the user input. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification