Method and system for controlling a belt-driven integrated starter generator

• US 6,987,330 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Degner, Michael W., Momcilovich, Paul Theodore, Huang, Henry Heping
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tran
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US10/249,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40.R, 290/43, 322/10, 123/179.3
• US Class Current: 290/40.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0825 related to prevention of engine restart failure, e.g. disabling automatic stop at low battery state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/08 the gearing being of friction type
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/104 Control of the starter motor torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/02 with belts; with V-belts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method for controlling an engine and a belt-driven integrated starter (B-ISG) connected to the engine. The method includes determining engine running indicators and engine stopped indicators. Based on the indicators, the method controls the engine and the B-ISG for coordinating engine stops and starts with a capability of the B-ISG to start the engine.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an engine and a belt-driven integrated starter generator (B-ISG) connected to the engine, the method comprising:

determining engine running indicators;

shutting down the engine if the determined engine running indicators signify (i) a desire to stop the engine, and (ii) the B-ISG has sufficient electrical power for cranking the engine;

determining engine stopped indicators; and

starting the engine with the assistance of the B-ISG if the determined engine stopped indicators signify (i) a load on the engine is sufficiently low for the B-ISG to start the engine without slipping, and (ii) a desire to start the engine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein shutting down the engine further comprises monitoring for a predetermined period of time the desire to stop the engine.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined period of time is sufficient for conducting a rolling stop.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein shutting down the engine further comprises determining an alternative control strategy and shutting down the engine based on the alternative control strategy, wherein the alternative control strategy is one or both of an energy savings mode and an aggressive operating mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the determined engine running indicators is a vehicle speed, and shutting down the engine further comprises determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a minimum vehicle speed.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a manual restart indicator for automatically starting the engine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the engine running if the determined stopped indicators signify (i) the desire to start the engine and (ii) a crankshaft of the engine turning above a minimum speed, wherein the engine can be shut down again after determining the engine running.

8. A system for implementing a control strategy for controlling a vehicle equipped with an engine and a belt-driven integrated starter generator (B-ISG) connected to the engine, the system comprising:

a control module adapted to control the engine and the B-ISG, the control module having a memory in electrical communication with inputs and outputs of the control module, the control module delivering signals to the outputs for controlling the engine and the B-ISG;

a plurality of sensors for determining engine running indicators and engine stopped indicators, the sensors delivering electrical signals to the inputs of the control module; and

instructions stored in the memory for executing the control strategy, the control strategy comprising starting the engine with the assistance of the B-ISG if the determined engine stopped indicators signify (i) a load on the engine is sufficiently low for the B-ISG to start the engine without slipping, and (ii) a desire to start the engine.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control strategy includes instructions for shutting down the engine if the determined engine running indicators signify (i) a desire to stop the engine, and (ii) the B-ISG has sufficient electrical power to start the engine.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein shutting down the engine further comprises determining for a predetermined period of time the desire to stop the engine.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined period of time is sufficient for conducting a rolling stop.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein one of the determined engine running indicators is a vehicle speed, and shutting down the engine further comprises determining the vehicle speed is greater than a minimum vehicle speed.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein shutting down the engine further comprises determining an alternative control strategy and shutting down the engine based on determining the alternative control strategy, wherein the alternative control strategy is one or both of an energy savings mode and an aggressive operating mode.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the control strategy includes instructions for determining a manual restart indicator for automatically starting the engine.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the control strategy includes instructions for determining the engine running if the determined stop indicators signify (i) the desire to start the engine, and (ii) a crankshaft of the engine turning above a minimum speed, wherein the engine can be shut down again after determining the engine running.

16. A method for determining a state of a vehicle equipped with an engine and a belt-driven integrated starter (B-ISG) connected to the engine and based on the determined state controlling the engine and the B-ISG for increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions by coordinating engine stops and starts with a capability of the B-ISG to start the engine, the method comprising:

determining a key off state if no key is in an ignition;

determining a power on state if (i) the key off state is determined, and (ii) a key in the ignition is turned to an on position;

determining an enable starter state if (i) the power on state is determined, and (ii) the key in the ignition is turned to an ignition start position;

determining an engine running state if (i) the enable starter state is determined, and (ii) an alternator revolution per minute (ARPM) is greater than or equal to a minimum engine running ARPM;

determining a stopping engine state and controlling the engine to shut down if (i) the engine running state is determined, (ii) a brake indicator is determined, (iii) a not wheel indicator is determined, (iv) a vehicle speed (VSS) is less than or equal to a minimum stopping state VSS, and (v) a state of charge (SOC) of the B-ISG indicates the B-ISG has sufficient electrical power for turning the crankshaft;

determining a stopped engine state if (i) the stopping engine state is determined, (ii) the VSS is less than a minimum stopped engine VSS, and (iii) the ARPM is less than a minimum stopped engine ARPM, wherein the stopped engine state indicates the B-ISG is capable of starting the engine without slipping; and

determining an enable B-ISG state and controlling the engine to start with the assistance of the B-ISG if (i) the stopped engine state is determined and (ii) a desire engine start is determined.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a manual restart indicator for automatically starting the engine.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the engine is shut down only after the stopping engine state is determined for a predetermined period of time sufficient for conducting a rolling stop.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the stopping engine state is determined after (i) the engine running state is determined, and (ii) a minimum driving speed is determined.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein shutting down the engine further comprises determining an alternative control strategy and shutting down the engine based on the alternative control strategy, wherein the alternative control strategy is one or both of an energy savings mode and an aggressive operating mode.