Start-stop retrofit systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A start-stop retrofit kit, comprising:
- a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle and to automatically stop and start an engine of the vehicle based on the one or more parameters; and
a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to the vehicle, wherein the wire harness comprises;
a first portion configured to plug into an ignition interface of the vehicle;
a second portion configured to plug into a starter motor of the vehicle;
a switch disposed between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the switch is configured to be selectively activated by the start-stop module to deliver signals from the ignition interface to the starter motor to start the engine of the vehicle;
a connection disposed between the first portion and the second portion, in parallel with the switch, wherein the connection is configured to allow the ignition interface to provide signals directly to the starter motor to start the engine without activation of the switch.
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Abstract
A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor.
24 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A start-stop retrofit kit, comprising:
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a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle and to automatically stop and start an engine of the vehicle based on the one or more parameters; and a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to the vehicle, wherein the wire harness comprises; a first portion configured to plug into an ignition interface of the vehicle; a second portion configured to plug into a starter motor of the vehicle; a switch disposed between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the switch is configured to be selectively activated by the start-stop module to deliver signals from the ignition interface to the starter motor to start the engine of the vehicle; a connection disposed between the first portion and the second portion, in parallel with the switch, wherein the connection is configured to allow the ignition interface to provide signals directly to the starter motor to start the engine without activation of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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delivering an activation signal from an ignition interface of a vehicle to a starter motor of the vehicle via a first pathway to activate an engine of a vehicle; delivering a deactivation signal when a processor of a start-stop module determines that the engine is idling, or a brake of the vehicle is applied, or a combination thereof; and delivering a reactivation signal from the ignition interface to the starter motor via a second pathway that is separate from the first pathway to reactivate the deactivated engine when the processor of the start-stop module determines that the brake of the vehicle is released, a transmission of the vehicle is not engaged, or a parameter of a battery of the vehicle is beyond a threshold value, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of retrofitting a vehicle with a start-stop module that includes a wire harness, comprising:
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plugging an on-board diagnostics II (OBDII) connector of the wire harness into an OBDII port of an engine control unit; plugging a brake light connector of the wire harness into a brake light interface of the vehicle; plugging an ignition interface connector of the wire harness into an ignition interface of the vehicle; plugging a starter motor connector of the wire harness into a starter motor of the vehicle, wherein the ignition interface connector and the starter motor connector of the wire harness are directly connected to one another via a first pathway and are separated by a switch via a second pathway, wherein the switch is communicatively coupled to the start-stop module and is configured to start and stop the engine of the vehicle based on control signals from the start-stop module; and plugging a battery sensor connector of the wire harness to a battery sensor of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification