Idle stop system

• US 7,558,666 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2008
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erena Digonis
• Original Assignee: Erena Digonis
• Inventors: DiGonis, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Application Number:
  US12/032,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 701/112, 477203-206, 123/179.4, 123/179.2
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/001 Proportional integral [PI] controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0642 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/102 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/106 Driver presence, e.g. detected by door lock, seat sensor or belt sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/2002 using different starting modes, methods, or actuators depending on circumstances, e.g. engine temperature or component wear
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 7/00 Starting apparatus having fluid-driven auxiliary engines or apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An idle stop controller connects to a vehicle computer so as to implement an idle stop on request of the driver from a signal derived from a foot brake, a parking brake, or a voice-activated switch. It also implements an engine restart on request of the driver, and this can be done in several ways.

Claims

1. An idle stop system for a motor vehicle having an onboard computer, the idle stop system comprising:

components added to the vehicle to communicate with the onboard computer;

the added components being arranged to respond to a driver idle stop request by implementing an idle stop when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is warm;

the added components being arranged to implement the idle stop by killing an engine ignition system or stopping flow of fuel to the engine;

the added components being arranged to respond to a driver restart request by restarting the engine whenever a driver'"'"'s seat is occupied;

the added components accomplishing the engine restart by operating a starter motor while turning on the engine ignition system or by operating a starter motor while re-establishing flow of fuel to the engine.

2. The idle stop system of claim 1 wherein the driver idle stop request is made by pressure on a foot brake, or setting a hand brake, or operating a voice-actuated switch.

3. The idle stop system of claim 1 wherein a driver restart request is made by releasing foot brake pressure or releasing a hand brake or operating a voice-actuated switch.

4. The idle stop system of claim 1 wherein the added components arranged to implement an engine restart comprise a starter motor powered by a hydraulic accumulator.

5. The idle stop system of claim 1 wherein the added components arranged to implement an engine restart comprise a motor generator electrically connected to a battery and rotationally connected to the engine.

6. The idle stop system of claim 5 wherein the added components are arranged to assist the engine in accelerating the vehicle into movement.

7. The idle stop system of claim 1 wherein the added components include a hydraulic accumulator powering a hydraulic motor to operate an air conditioner compressor during an idle stop.

8. An idle stop system comprising

an idle stop controller added to a motor vehicle having a computer so that the idle stop controller communicates with the vehicle computer;

the idle stop controller cooperating with the vehicle computer to respond to a driver signal to initiate an idle stop whenever the vehicle is motionless and the engine is warm;

the idle stop controller cooperating with the vehicle computer to implement an idle stop by killing an engine ignition system or stopping flow of fuel to the engine;

the idle stop controller cooperating with the engine computer to respond to a driver signal to restart the engine whenever a driver'"'"'s seat is occupied; and

the idle stop controller cooperating with the engine computer to restart the engine by actuating a starter motor while turning on the engine ignition or restoring flow of fuel to the engine.

9. The idle stop system of claim 8 wherein the driver signal to initiate an idle stop comprises foot brake pressure, or hand brake setting, or operation of a voice-actuated switch.

10. The idle stop system of claim 8 wherein the driver'"'"'s signal to restart the engine comprises release of foot brake pressure or release of a hand brake or operation of a voice actuated switch.

11. The idle stop system of claim 8 including a hydraulic accumulator arranged to operate a compressor motor for a vehicle air conditioning system during an idle stop.

12. The idle stop system of claim 8 including a motor generator rotationally connected to the engine and electrically connected to a battery, the motor generator being arranged for restarting the engine after an idle stop and for using battery power to assist the engine in moving the vehicle after an idle stop.