Controlling a vehicle equipped with engine start-stop control logic in response to vehicle stop event type

• US 10,829,003 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2018
• Issued: 11/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Thunga Gopal, Arun Prakash, Books, Martin T., Light-Holets, Jennifer Kay, Paquette, Joseph E., O'Brien, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vilakazi, Sizo B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bacon, Anthony L
• Application Number:
  US16/123,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20190001981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/023 Fluid clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/12 using control strategies taking into account route information estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters B60W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/049 Number of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/60 Traffic rules, e.g. speed limits or right of way
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/188 Parking lock mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/30 Auxiliary equipments
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/13 Load or weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 : the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0818 : Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0829 : related to special engine control, e.g. giving priority to engine warming-up or learning
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0833 : Vehicle conditions F02N11/0822, F02N11/0825 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 : Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/123 : Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation systems or GPS signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 : Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Controls for improved performance of a vehicle equipped with start-stop control logic are disclosed. Deviation from nominal engine start-stop control logic for the internal combustion engine occurs when a predetermined mission related type of stop event will occur or is occurring that is different from other stop event types that are controlled by the nominal engine start-stop control logic. At least one of a location and a payload associated with the mission related stop event type is provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event so that operating parameters of the vehicle are controlled accordingly.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

operating a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a controller configured to conditionally stop and re-start the internal combustion engine in response to a vehicle stop event;

determining, by the controller, a stop event type associated with the vehicle stop event; and

stopping the internal combustion engine based on the determined stop event type being a first stop event type that is a non-scheduled stop event and a second stop event type that is a scheduled stop event,

wherein the controller is configured to selectively stop the internal combustion engine during the vehicle stop event with one or more nominal engine start-stop control parameters in response to the first stop event type and stop the internal combustion engine during the vehicle stop event with one or more alternative engine start-stop control parameters that deviate from the one or more nominal engine start-stop control parameters in response to the second stop event type, wherein a location and a payload for each scheduled stop event associated with the second stop event type are each provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location and a stop duration at the location are provided as the input to the controller and the second stop event type is a mission-related stop event of the vehicle for at least one of a payload pick-up and a payload drop-off for the vehicle at the location, wherein the controller is configured to identify the second stop event type as the scheduled stop event via a timetable stored in the controller in conjunction with a GPS verification of the location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the payload associated with each of a plurality of the second stop event types is provided as the input to the controller.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the payload includes at least one of packages and passengers to be carried by the vehicle to or from the location.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a mass of the vehicle associated with the stop event type and adjusting one or more energy consumption control parameters of the vehicle based on a change in the mass of the vehicle from a previous stop event.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adjusting one or more energy consumption control parameters includes adjusting one or more of an energy storage device of the vehicle, a motor-generator of the vehicle, an HVAC system of the vehicle, and one or more accessories of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the mass of the vehicle is determined at least in part based on an automated passenger count for the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the mass of the vehicle is determined at least in part based on a mass estimation algorithm performed by the controller.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the mass of the vehicle is determined at least in part based on a computerized payload and route tracking system that is input into the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the computerized payload and route tracking system includes a driving route, a number of stop locations along the driving route, a stop duration for each stop location, and a payload weight change associated with each stop location.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more alternative engine start-stop control parameters deviate from the nominal engine start-stop control parameters by at least one of the following:

extending a nominal engine stop duration, shortening the nominal engine stop duration, and preventing or inhibiting movement of the vehicle during the vehicle stop event.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the stop event type associated with the vehicle stop event includes comparing clock data with a timetable stored in a memory of the controller.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the stop event type associated with the vehicle stop event includes comparing route data stored in a memory of the controller with GPS data.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first stop event type is a traffic-related stop event.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a hybrid power train with a motor/generator selectively engageable to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with a hybrid clutch.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes a motor/generator system operatively coupled with the internal combustion engine, and an energy storage system operatively coupled with the motor/generator system.

30. The system of claim 15, wherein the second stop event type is a zero-emission travel zone.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a controller operably connectable to an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator of a vehicle wherein the motor/generator is operable to start the internal combustion engine from a nominal control stop commanded by the controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine a stop event type associated with a vehicle stop event and to select a nominal engine start-stop control algorithm for stopping and starting the internal combustion engine in response to a first stop event type that is a non-scheduled stop event and to select an alternative engine start-stop control algorithm for stopping and starting the engine that deviates from nominal engine start-stop control algorithm in response to a second stop event type that differs from the first stop event type and is a scheduled stop event, wherein a location and a payload associated with the second stop event type are each provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the location and a stop duration at the location are provided as the input to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to identify the second stop event type as the scheduled stop event via a timetable stored in the controller in conjunction with a GPS verification of the location.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the payload associated with the vehicle at each of a plurality of second stop event types is provided as the input to the controller.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second stop event type includes a fixed duration and the first stop event type includes a variable duration.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first stop event type is a traffic-related stop event and the second stop event type is a vehicle mission-related stop event.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the vehicle mission-related stop event includes at least one of a delivery of packages, a delivery of passengers, a pick-up of packages, and a pick-up of passengers.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second stop event type is a zero-emission travel zone.

24. A system, comprising:

a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a clutch connecting the internal combustion engine and the transmission, the vehicle including a motor/generator operable to start the internal combustion engine; and

a controller operably connected to the internal combustion engine and the motor/generator, wherein the controller is configured to conditionally execute a nominal control stop of the internal combustion engine in response to a first stop event type for the vehicle that is a non-scheduled stop event, wherein the controller is further configured to execute an alternate control stop of the internal combustion engine that deviates from the nominal control stop in response to a second stop event type for the vehicle that is a scheduled stop event, wherein a location and a payload associated with the second stop event type are each provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at either of the non-schedule or scheduled stop events.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the motor/generator is operable to propel the vehicle when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein a duration for the second stop event type at the location is provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at either of the first or second stop events, wherein the controller is configured to identify the second stop event type as the scheduled stop event via a timetable stored in the controller in conjunction with a GPS verification of the location.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the location, payload and stop duration are received from at least one of a timetable, a delivery schedule, and a computerized payload and route tracking system.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the first stop event type is a traffic-related stop event and the second stop event type is a vehicle mission-related stop event.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the vehicle mission-related stop event includes at least one of a delivery of packages, a delivery of passengers, a pick-up of packages, and a pick-up of passengers.

31. A method comprising:

determining a route based operating requirement for a route of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a controller configured to conditionally stop and re-start an internal combustion engine of the vehicle along the route;

evaluating a capability condition of a plurality of vehicles for carrying out the route based on the route based operating requirement and assigning the vehicle from the plurality of vehicles based on the ability of the vehicle to satisfy the route based operating requirement and

stopping, with the controller, the internal combustion engine along the route with one or more alternative engine start-stop control parameters that deviate from one or more nominal engine start-stop control parameters in response to the route based operating requirement, wherein the route based operating requirement is provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle starts the route.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the route based operating requirement is a zero-emission travel zone and the one or more alternative engine start-stop control parameters stop the engine in response to the vehicle being located in the zero-emission travel zone.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the capability condition includes a state-of-charge/state-of-health of an energy storage device of the vehicle.