Idle stop-start control method

• US 6,817,329 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Buglione, Arthur J, Tworkowski, Edmund, Cherry, Jeffrey P
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie, Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US10/292,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.3, 123/179.4, 731/181, 307/10.6
• US Class Current: 123/179.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0225 in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/12 for deceleration F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0833 Vehicle conditions F02N11/0822, F02N11/0825 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/084 State of vehicle accessories, e.g. air condition or power steering
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0802 Transmission state, e.g. gear ratio or neutral state
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

An idle stop-start control method includes initiating a monitoring system, determining if the engine is running, and monitoring the engine to detect a shut-down condition or a sustain condition. The method includes initiating the restarting of an engine based on the condition of input parameters.

Claims

1. A method of starting and shutting down an engine of a vehicle during use thereof to conserve energy, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a plurality of vehicle operating conditions, including a number of times within a preselected time interval that the engine has been shut down;

setting an engine shut-down indicator whenever each of the plurality of vehicle operating conditions is acceptable;

setting an engine sustain indicator whenever any one of the plurality of vehicle operating conditions is unacceptable;

determining whether or not the engine is running;

shutting down the engine whenever the engine is running and the shut-down indicator is set; and

starting the engine whenever the engine is not running and the engine sustain indicator is set.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes engine running temperature.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the engine running temperature is acceptable when greater than about 170°

F. and less than about 240°

F.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes vehicle velocity.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein a velocity of zero is acceptable.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes a coasting condition.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes a current transmission gear.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein current transmission gear is acceptable whenever vehicle transmission is in a forward gear.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes service brake status.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein service brake depression is acceptable.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes load conditions of engine accessories.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein any accessory high load condition is unacceptable.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vehicle operating conditions includes vehicle electrical system status.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a normal vehicle electrical system status is acceptable.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine comprises an internal combustion engine.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine comprises a hybrid combination of electrical and internal combustion energy sources.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating power-up of the vehicle and waiting for a predetermined period of time prior to the step of monitoring.

18. A system for starting and shutting down an engine of a vehicle during use thereof to conserve energy, the system comprising:

a vehicle engine controller; and

a plurality of sensors for monitoring a plurality of vehicle operating conditions, including a number of times within a reselected time interval that the engine has been shut down, the sensors coupled to the vehicle engine controller;

the engine continuer operative to shut down the engine whenever the engine is running and each of the plurality of sensors indicates an acceptable operating condition, and

the engine controller operative to start the engine whenever the engine is not running and any one of the plurality of sensors indicates an unacceptable operating condition.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of the following:

an engine temperature sensor;

a speedometer;

a gear sensor;

a brake pedal position sensor;

an accessory load sensor; and

an electrical system sensor.