Systems and methods for increasing fuel efficiency
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle having wheels, comprising:
- an engine configured to provide power at an engine speed;
a transmission having a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed for utilizing a first portion of the power provided by the engine to cause rotation of the wheels;
a torque converter coupled between the engine and the transmission, and configured to operate in a normal operation mode or a lock-up mode during which the engine speed is substantially the same as the transmission input speed;
an accessory operatively coupled to the engine and configured to utilize a second portion of the power provided by the engine;
an accelerator pedal configured to detect an acceleration input;
an input device configured to receive or detect a user input indicating a mode of operation of the vehicle including a fuel economy mode;
at least one sensor configured to detect at least one of an environmental condition or a vehicle operating parameter; and
an electronic control unit configured to set a current condition of the vehicle to a coast condition when the mode of operation of the vehicle is the fuel economy mode and the acceleration input indicates that the accelerator pedal is not depressed,wherein when or after the current condition is the coast condition, the electronic control unit is further configured to;
determine whether the torque converter should operate in the lock-up mode based on the at least one of the environmental condition or the vehicle operating parameter, andwhen the torque converter is operating in the lock-up mode, prevent the engine from providing power to the accessory based on at least the engine speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The vehicle described herein employs an electronic control unit (“ECU”) and/or accessory control module configured to improve actual fuel, economy. The ECU and/or the accessory control module monitors vehicle operating conditions and reduces load from an accessory when the vehicle achieves predetermined operating conditions. The ECU and/or the accessory control module is also configured to engage a fuel cut and a torque converter lock up condition. The lock up condition causes the wheels to drive the motor to avoid engine stall. At a predetermined low level, the ECU and/or the accessory control module can re-engage the accessory and fuel supply and disengage the lock up condition.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A vehicle having wheels, comprising:
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an engine configured to provide power at an engine speed; a transmission having a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed for utilizing a first portion of the power provided by the engine to cause rotation of the wheels; a torque converter coupled between the engine and the transmission, and configured to operate in a normal operation mode or a lock-up mode during which the engine speed is substantially the same as the transmission input speed; an accessory operatively coupled to the engine and configured to utilize a second portion of the power provided by the engine; an accelerator pedal configured to detect an acceleration input; an input device configured to receive or detect a user input indicating a mode of operation of the vehicle including a fuel economy mode; at least one sensor configured to detect at least one of an environmental condition or a vehicle operating parameter; and an electronic control unit configured to set a current condition of the vehicle to a coast condition when the mode of operation of the vehicle is the fuel economy mode and the acceleration input indicates that the accelerator pedal is not depressed, wherein when or after the current condition is the coast condition, the electronic control unit is further configured to; determine whether the torque converter should operate in the lock-up mode based on the at least one of the environmental condition or the vehicle operating parameter, and when the torque converter is operating in the lock-up mode, prevent the engine from providing power to the accessory based on at least the engine speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for enhancing energy efficiency of a vehicle having wheels and an engine configured to provide power at an engine speed, the method comprising:
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providing a transmission having a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed for utilizing a first portion of the power provided by the engine to cause rotation of the wheels; providing a torque converter coupled between the engine and the transmission, and configured to operate in a normal operation mode or a lock-up mode during which the engine speed is substantially the same as the transmission input speed; providing an accessory configured to utilize a second portion of the power provided by the engine; detecting, using an accelerator pedal, an acceleration input; detecting, using an input device, a user input indicating a mode of operation of the vehicle including a fuel economy mode; detecting, using at least one sensor, at least one of an environmental condition or a vehicle operating parameter; setting, using an electronic control unit, a current condition of the vehicle to a coast condition when the mode of operation of the vehicle is the fuel economy mode and the acceleration input indicates that the accelerator pedal is not depressed; determining, using the electronic control unit, whether the torque converter should operate in the lock-up mode based on the at least one of the environmental condition or the vehicle operating parameter, the determination being performed when or after the current condition is the coast condition; and preventing, using the electronic control unit, the engine from power to the accessory based on at least one of the second portion of the power provided by the engine, the engine speed, or a time period for the engine speed to stabilize after the engine is prevented from providing power to the accessory. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An automobile, comprising:
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a plurality of wheels; an engine configured to provide power at an engine speed; a transmission having a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed for utilizing a first portion of the power provided by the engine to cause rotation of the plurality of wheels; a torque converter coupled between the engine and the transmission, and configured to operate in a normal operation mode or a lock-up mode during which the engine speed is substantially the same as the transmission input speed; an accessory operatively coupled to the engine and configured to utilize a second portion of the power provided by the engine; an accelerator pedal configured to detect an acceleration input; an input device configured to receive or detect a user input indicating a mode of operation of the automobile including a fuel economy mode; at least one sensor configured to detect at least one of an environmental condition or an automobile operating parameter; and an electronic control unit in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the accessory, and the input device and configured to; determine whether the torque converter should operate in the lock-up mode based on the at least one of the environmental condition or the automobile operating parameter, and when the torque converter is operating in the lock-up mode, prevent the engine from providing power to the accessory based on at least one of the second portion of the power provided by the engine, the engine speed, or a time period for the engine speed to stabilize after the engine is prevented from providing power to the accessory. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification