Selective auto start/stop delay during low speed maneuvers based on electric power steering current

• US 9,163,602 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Killy, David D., Ender, Tom C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US14/086,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20150142265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/34, 701/102, 701/112, 340/464
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/00 Power-assisted or power-driven steering for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; fluid-pressure servomotors in general F15B
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• 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 2200/0801 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0802 Transmission state, e.g. gear ratio or neutral state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/102 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A vehicle includes an electric power steering (EPS) system coupled to a steering wheel of a vehicle. A current sensor senses EPS current drawn by the EPS system. A engine control module controls operation of an engine of the vehicle and includes an auto start/stop module to selective y start and stop the engine independent from user input to start and stop the engine. The auto start/stop module selectively delays an auto engine stop based on the EPS current.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

an electric power steering (EPS) system coupled to a steering wheel of a vehicle;

a current sensor to sense EPS current drawn by the EPS system; and

an engine control module to control operation of an engine of the vehicle and including;

an auto start/stop module to selectively start and stop the engine independent from user input to start and stop the engine,

wherein the auto start/stop module selectively delays an auto engine stop based on the EPS current.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the current sensor is located between the EPS system and a vehicle battery.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the current sensor is located independent from the EPS system.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auto start/stop module selectively delays the auto engine stop further based on vehicle speed.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auto start/stop module selectively delays the auto engine stop further based on a distance travelled by the vehicle after a brake is applied and vehicle speed is less than a predetermined threshold.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auto start/stop module selectively delays the auto engine stop further based on brake pedal position.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auto start/stop module selectively delays the auto engine stop further based on PRNDL position.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auto start/stop module determines whether activity occurring after a brake pedal is applied and vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value corresponds to a parking maneuver, a non-parking maneuver or a possible parking maneuver.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the auto start/stop module delays engine auto stop when the auto start/stop module determines that the possible parking maneuver has occurred.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the auto start/stop module enables engine auto stop when at least one of:

a distance travelled by the vehicle since the brakes are applied is greater than a first threshold;

a speed of the vehicle is greater than a second threshold; and

a period since the delay began is greater than a third threshold.

11. A method comprising:

sensing current drawn by an electric power steering (EPS) system of a vehicle;

controlling operation of an engine of the vehicle and selectively starting and stopping the engine independent from user input to start and stop the engine; and

selectively delaying an auto engine stop based on the EPS current.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the current is sensed between the EPS system and a vehicle battery.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the current is sensed independent from the EPS system.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising selectively delaying the auto engine stop further based on vehicle speed.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising selectively delaying the auto engine stop further based on a distance travelled by the vehicle after a brake is applied and vehicle speed is less than a predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising selectively delaying the auto engine stop further based on brake pedal position.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising selectively delaying the auto engine stop further based on PRNDL position.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether activity occurring after a brake pedal is applied and vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value corresponds to a parking maneuver, a non-parking maneuver or a possible parking maneuver.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising delaying engine auto stop when the auto start/stop module determines that the possible parking maneuver has occurred.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising enabling engine auto stop when at least one of:

a distance travelled by the vehicle since the brakes are applied is greater than a first threshold;

a speed of the vehicle is greater than a second threshold; and

a period since the delay began is greater than a third threshold.