User interface for automatic start-stop system and method of controlling the same

• US 9,366,216 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Be, Tuan Anh, Pebley, Kirk, Kwong, Hank L., Walley, George Edmund, Tomik, Filip
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHARPF, SUSAN E
• Application Number:
  US13/617,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20140081561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 701/112, 701/113, 701/51, 701/53, 701/65, 701/70, 701/123, 123/179.3, 123/179.4, 434 29- 71, 340438-461
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0093 of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/228 Warning displays
• 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 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/103 according to the vehicle transmission or clutch status
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Vehicles equipped with an automatic start-stop system may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing an engine from auto-stopping in addition to the status of the automatic start-stop system. The system may identify one or more inhibitors actively preventing an auto-stop event from occurring and select at least one of the active inhibitors based on a priority scheme. The interface may communicate the at least one selected inhibitor to a driver using a display or a speaker, or both.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a controller configured to receive input indicative of vehicle propulsion conditions and a presence of one or more auto-stop inhibitors; and

an interface, in communication with the controller, configured to output a message identifying at least one of the inhibitors, when vehicle propulsion conditions for an auto-stop event are satisfied, according to a priority scheme at least partially based on whether a driver has at least partial control over an inhibitor, the interface including a display having a selectable automatic start-stop display screen that displays the message identifying the at least one inhibitor;

wherein the controller is further configured to receive input indicating a restart action is required to restart an engine and the display is configured to display a pop-up alert conveying the required restart action, wherein the pop-up alert is displayed on any one of a number of selectable information display screens.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display further includes an automatic start-stop indicator that is displayed in one of a plurality of indicator states based on a status of an automatic start-stop system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller latches a current highest priority inhibitor according to the priority scheme to establish a latched inhibitor and the display displays the message identifying the latched inhibitor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the latched inhibitor remains latched for as long as it is active despite a higher priority inhibitor subsequently becoming active.

5. A method comprising:

receiving input indicating an engine is currently auto-stopped and an engine restart is being requested;

identifying a restart action required by a driver to restart the engine; and

outputting a message corresponding to the restart action.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein outputting a message corresponding to the restart action includes displaying the message on a display.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the message is a pop-up alert that is displayed on one of a number of selectable information display screens.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the engine restart request is in response to a request for vehicle propulsion.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the message corresponding to the restart action includes instructions to operate a pedal before the engine is automatically restarted.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the message corresponding to the restart action includes instructions to select a particular gear before the engine is automatically restarted.