Idle control of system and method of mounting

• US 8,565,932 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2007
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Oakes, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurari, Erez
• Application Number:
  US11/974,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20090016042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,199 Days
• Field of Search: 700/299
• US Class Current: 700/299
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/322 for improving the stop or idling operation of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2262 related to the period of on/off time of the heater
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/002 in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.

Claims

1. A method of mounting an idle control system including:

providing an idle control system including a housing, a data storage device within the housing, and a wire harness coupled to the housing;

coupling the wire harness to a vehicle;

connecting the idle control system to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the idle control system is configured to start and stop the vehicle without regard to a position of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and

connecting the idle control system to at least one battery of the vehicle with a voltage disconnect switch operable by the idle control system to disconnect vehicle loads from the at least one battery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the idle control system also controls at least one HVAC device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one HVAC device includes a fixed and integrated vehicle HVAC device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one HVAC device includes a removable accessory HVAC device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the wire harness to the vehicle includes coupling the wire harness within a passenger cabin of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the wire harness to the vehicle includes coupling the wire harness beneath a dashboard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the wire harness to the vehicle includes coupling the wire harness within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the first wire harness to the vehicle includes electrically coupling the idle control system to a starter of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a volume of less than 137 cm3.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the wire harness to the vehicle includes coupling the wire harness to a second wire harness coupled to the vehicle and supporting the housing on the vehicle with the wire harnesses.

11. An idle control system including:

a housing;

a data storage device within the housing;

a wire harness coupled to the housing;

a controller within the housing connected to an ignition system of a vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to start and stop an engine of the vehicle without regard to a position of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and

the controller is connected to at least one battery of the vehicle with a voltage disconnect switch, wherein the controller is configured to disconnect vehicle loads from the at least one battery with the voltage disconnect switch.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wire harness is coupled to the vehicle and is composed to sustain a load of the weight of the housing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire harness is coupled to the vehicle within a passenger cabin of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire harness is coupled to the vehicle within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 11, further including instructions for controlling an HVAC device stored on the data storage device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions control activation of a vehicle engine.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the instructions control a removable HVAC device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the HVAC device is a fuel fired block heater.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the HVAC device is a fuel fired cab heater.