Engine control system and method of automatic starting and stopping a combustion engine

• US 7,091,629 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Jeffery Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US10/603,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040262995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.6, 123/179.4
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/103 according to the vehicle transmission or clutch status
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/024 Engine oil temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/061 Battery state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0801 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0803 Parking brake state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0804 Temperature inside the vehicle cabin
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0814 Bonnet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/08 Control of generator circuit during starting or stopping of driving means, e.g. for initiating excitation

Abstract

An engine control system (10) operates off a microprocessor of an engine control module, ECM (62), which will automatically start a combustion engine (12) upon any one of a series of enabler signals (68, 67, 70) indicative of low battery voltage, low cab temperature and/or low engine temperature. The system (10) also includes safety measures which will override the automatic starting of the engine. For instance, the vehicle will not automatically start if a vehicle speed is detected, if the parking brake is not set, if the ignition key (50) is not in the “on” position, or if the hood (56) is open. Moreover, the system (10) is configured not to start if the fuel level is low, thus preventing an unintended depletion of fuel which could strand the vehicle and operator.

Claims

1. A method for automatically starting and stopping an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle having an electronic engine control system in communication with a starter motor and a plurality of fuel injectors, the method comprising:

(a) determining in any sequence that one of the following three conditions exists;

a voltage of a battery is below a predetermined limit, a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined limit, or a temperature of a cab of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined temperature range;

(b) once a positive indication of one of said conditions exists;

confirming that a hood is closed, that a transmission is in neutral, and that a park brake is set;

(c) confirming that a fuel level is above a predetermined level; and

(d) starting the engine.

2. The method of automatically starting and stopping the combustion engine set forth in claim 1 further comprising warning an operator of a pending engine start before step (d).

3. The method of automatically starting and stopping the combustion engine set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

(e) confirming that an ignition switch is in an on position and the engine is idling after step (d); and

(f) automatically shutting down the engine.

15. The method of automatically starting and stopping the combustion engine set forth in claim 3 further comprising the step of confirming that the vehicle is not moving and that the engine temperature is above a prescribed value at step (e).

4. A method of automatically starting and stopping an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle having an electronic engine control system in communication with a starter motor and a plurality of fuel injectors, the method comprising:

(a) determining that one of three conditions exist, a voltage of a battery is below a predetermined limit, a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined limit, or a temperature of a cab of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined temperature range;

(b) confirming that a hood is closed, that a transmission is in neutral, and that a park brake is set;

(c) confirming that a fuel level is above a predetermined level;

(d) starting the engine;

(e) confirming that an ignition switch is in an on position and the engine is idling;

(f) enabling an idle shutdown timer;

(g) initiating a pre-programmed countdown of the shutdown timer to automatic engine shutdown;

(h) confirming that an active switch has been placed in an on position prior to expiration of the countdown; and

(i) automatically shutting down the engine.

5. The method of automatically starting the combustion engine set forth in claim 4 further comprising confirming that the hood is closed, and that the transmission is in neutral, and the park brake is set prior to step (f) and after step (e).

6. The method of automatically starting and stopping the combustion engine set forth in claim 5 further comprising warning an operator of a pending engine start immediately before step (d).

7. The method of automatically starting and stopping the combustion engine set forth in claim 6 further comprising:

confirming the engine did not start after step (d);

initiating a pre-programmed time delay;

attempting a second engine start;

confirming the engine did not start; and

deactivating the engine control system.

8. An engine control system for automatically starting and stopping a vehicle combustion engine at idle via a series of fuel injectors and a starter motor, the engine control system comprising:

a battery having a positive lead;

an engine control module;

a first enabler circuit providing a digital input to the engine control module, the first enabler circuit having a park brake switch, a hood switch, and a neutral gear switch, wherein the park brake switch, the hood switch and the neutral gear switch are wired in series and grounded;

a fuel level switch engaged electrically to the engine control module for indicating a low fuel level condition below a predetermined amount which overrides automatic starting of the engine by the engine control system;

a second enabler circuit extending electrically between the positive lead and the engine control module, the second enabler circuit having an ignition switch having an on position for enabling the engine control system; and

wherein the second enabler circuit has the fuel level switch which is wired in series between the ignition switch and the ECM.

9. An engine control system for automatically starting and stopping a vehicle combustion engine at idle via a series of fuel injectors and a starter motor, the engine control system comprising:

a battery having a positive lead;

an engine control module;

a first enabler circuit providing a digital input to the engine control module, the first enabler circuit having a park brake switch, a hood switch, and a neutral gear switch, wherein the park brake switch, the hood switch and the neutral gear switch are wired in series and grounded;

a fuel level switch engaged electrically to the engine control module for indicating a low fuel level condition below a predetermined amount which overrides automatic starting of the engine by the engine control system; and

wherein the first enabler circuit has the fuel level switch which is wired in series with the park brake switch, the hood switch and the neutral gear switch.

10. The engine control system set forth in claim 9 comprising a low voltage input to the engine control module for initiating an automatic engine start on low battery voltage.

11. The engine control system set forth in claim 9 comprising an engine temperature input for initiating an automatic engine start on low engine temperature.

12. The engine control system set forth in claim 9 comprising:

a thermostat controller;

a thermostat input extended between the thermostat controller and the ECM; and

a thermistor for measuring temperature within a cab of the vehicle and inputting the signal into the thermostat controller which outputs an initiating signal to the engine control module via the thermostat input.

13. An engine control system for automatically starting and stopping a vehicle combustion engine at idle;

the system comprising;

an engine control module for receiving inputs and providing an initiating output for starting and stopping the engine, said engine control module determining in any sequence that one of the following three conditions exists;

a voltage of a battery is below a predetermined limit, a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined limit, or a temperature of a cab of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined temperature range;

an input for sending an initiating signal to the engine control module from a monitoring sensor to allow said engine control system to automatically start said engine by at least in-part closing a starter relay; and

a first safety enabler circuit monitoring a first set of parameters once a positive indication of one of said condition exists whereby each parameter is orientated with a respective grounded switch and opening of any one switch will prevent the engine control module from closing the starter relay thereby prevent starting of said engine; and

wherein one of the switches is orientated with a predetermined level of fuel in a fuel tank for said engine.

14. An engine control system for automatically starting and stopping a vehicle combustion engine at idle;

the system comprising;

an engine control module for receiving inputs and providing an initiating output for starting and stopping the engine determining in any sequence that one of the following three conditions exists;

a voltage of a battery is below a predetermined limit, a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined limit, or a temperature of a cab of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined temperature range;

an input for sending an initiating signal to the engine control module from a monitoring sensor to allow said engine control system to automatically start said engine by closing a starter relay;

a first safety enabler circuit monitoring a first set of parameters once a positive indication of one of said conditions exists such that when any one of said parameters is outside of a predetermined range, the safety enabler circuit will prevent the engine control module from closing the starter relay; and

one of the parameters in said first set of parameters being the level of fuel in a fuel tank for said engine and said predetermined range being above a predetermined level.