Engine start stop system based on programmable battery voltage levels

• US 9,932,951 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Idle Smart, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Idle Smart, LLC.
• Inventors: Lynch, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, HAI H
• Application Number:
  US15/291,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20170159633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 1231793, 1231794, 701107, 701112, 701113
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0833 Vehicle conditions F02N11/0822, F02N11/0825 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/061 Battery state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0804 Temperature inside the vehicle cabin
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/123 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation systems or GPS signals
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/125 Information about other vehicles, traffic lights or traffic congestion
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0069 Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A motor vehicle, such as a truck, battery charge monitoring and recharging system. The truck engine start/stop system initiates a battery recharge cycle based on programmable battery voltage levels. The system allows the user to individually program the appropriate voltage recharge levels dynamically to meet optimal standards based on location, environment, and other vehicle settings.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and recharging a motor vehicle battery, comprising:

a computing module, operatively connected to a computing system, an ignition system, and a battery voltage source of a motor vehicle;

a display unit operatively connected to the computing module, the display unit presenting a user interface for providing a user input of a minimum battery voltage threshold for the computing module to monitor;

wherein the computing module initiates an engine start sequence to start an engine of the motor vehicle when the minimum battery voltage threshold has been reached.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the computing module initiates a battery charging event responsive to the engine start sequence.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a hood safety switch in communication with the computing module, wherein the hood safety switch is configured to determine a closed and an open condition of a hood of the motor vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

if the hood safety switch indicates the closed condition of the hood, the engine start sequence is enabled.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein:

if the hood safety switch indicates the open condition of the hood, the engine start sequence is disabled.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a duration control settable via the user interface to specify a running duration of the motor vehicle engine after the engine start sequence.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

operating the motor vehicle engine for the specified running duration.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a cabin temperature sensor in communication with the computing module, the cabin temperature sensor configured to detect a cabin temperature of the motor vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a cabin temperature setting control settable vie the user interface to specify a cabin temperature set point.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

operating the motor vehicle engine beyond the specified running duration until the cabin temperature set point is attained.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

disabling the start sequence until the cabin set point is attained.

12. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

initiating an engine shut down sequence after expiration of the running duration.