GB2427655A - Motor vehicle having an engine stop-start system that can be suspended by the driver - Google Patents

Motor vehicle having an engine stop-start system that can be suspended by the driver Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2427655A
GB2427655A GB0513190A GB0513190A GB2427655A GB 2427655 A GB2427655 A GB 2427655A GB 0513190 A GB0513190 A GB 0513190A GB 0513190 A GB0513190 A GB 0513190A GB 2427655 A GB2427655 A GB 2427655A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
mode
stop
engine
start system
operable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0513190A
Other versions
GB0513190D0 (en
GB2427655B (en
Inventor
Themi Petridis
Don Kees
Steve Mcgonigle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=34856289&utm_source=***_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=GB2427655(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Ford Global Technologies LLC filed Critical Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority to GB0513190A priority Critical patent/GB2427655B/en
Publication of GB0513190D0 publication Critical patent/GB0513190D0/en
Priority to DE102006029914.0A priority patent/DE102006029914B4/en
Publication of GB2427655A publication Critical patent/GB2427655A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2427655B publication Critical patent/GB2427655B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N11/00—Starting of engines by means of electric motors
    • F02N11/08—Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
    • F02N11/0814—Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
    • F02N11/0818—Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode
    • F02N11/0822—Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode related to action of the driver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N11/00—Starting of engines by means of electric motors
    • F02N11/08—Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N11/00—Starting of engines by means of electric motors
    • F02N11/04—Starting of engines by means of electric motors the motors being associated with current generators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D2200/00—Input parameters for engine control
    • F02D2200/60—Input parameters for engine control said parameters being related to the driver demands or status
    • F02D2200/604—Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N11/00—Starting of engines by means of electric motors
    • F02N11/10—Safety devices
    • F02N11/101—Safety devices for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
    • F02N11/103—Safety devices for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement according to the vehicle transmission or clutch status
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N2200/00—Parameters used for control of starting apparatus
    • F02N2200/08—Parameters used for control of starting apparatus said parameters being related to the vehicle or its components
    • F02N2200/0801—Vehicle speed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N2250/00—Problems related to engine starting or engine's starting apparatus
    • F02N2250/06—Engine stall and related control features, e.g. for automatic restart
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/40—Engine management systems

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)

Abstract

A motor vehicle 5 having an internal combustion engine 10 controlled by a stop-start system is disclosed. The stop-start system is operable in a first mode in which the engine 10 is automatically stopped and started when one or more predetermined vehicle operating conditions exist and is further operable in a second mode in which the engine 10 is run continuously irrespective of whether the one or more predetermined vehicle operating conditions are present. A driver input device 19 eg a momentary switch, is provided to permit a driver of the motor vehicle 5 to change the operation of the stop-start system from the first mode to the second mode and vice-versa. For example, the driver may wish to suspend the stop-start system when parking with forward and reverse motion of the vehicle, when the power assisted steering is wanted when the engine is stopped or when the air conditioning is required at any time while the vehicle is occupied. If the engine is stalled while in the second mode of operation it can be restarted still in the second mode provided this is done soon after stalling.

Description

205-0311
A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING A STOP-START SYSTEM
This invention relates to a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and in particular to a motor vehicle having a system to automatically stop and start the internal combustion engine without driver intervention.
It is known to provide a motor vehicle with a stop- start system for automatically stopping and starting an internal combustion engine used to provide motive power for the motor vehicle. A stop-start system automatically stops the engine whenever it is determined that there is an opportunity to do so in order to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions from the engine.
It is a problem with such stop-start systems that they may stop the engine in circumstances when the driver of the motor vehicle does not wish the engine to be stopped or when it is not worthwhile from a fuel saving aspect to repetitively stop and start the engine. For example, when parking a motor vehicle in which forward and reverse motion of the motor vehicle is required, it is inconvenient and saves little fuel if the engine is stopped during the parking manoeuvre only to be restarted almost immediately.
Furthermore, in vehicles fitted with power assisted steering or air conditioning using an engine driven pump, the power assisted steering or air conditioning cannot function when the engine is stopped. This may be a problem if the driver wishes to turn the wheels while stationary in preparation for the next movement or if the climatic conditions are such that it is undesirable to stop the air conditioning at any time while the vehicle is occupied. In such circumstances it is clearly undesirable to stop the engine whenever the vehicle comes to a stop.
205-0311 It is an object of this invention to provide an improved stopstart system for a motor vehicle and a method for controlling a stopstart system.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a stop-start system operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously, the stop-start system comprising an electronic control unit operably connected to the engine for stopping and starting the engine and to a driver input device selectively operable by a driver of the motor vehicle to indicate that stop-start operation is to be suspended, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to change the stop-start system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the driver input device is operated to indicate that stop-start operation is to be suspended.
The electronic control unit may be operable to change the stop-start system from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation when the driver input device is operated to indicate that stop-start operation is to be resumed.
The driver input device may be a momentary switch.
If the stop-start system is in the second mode of operation and the electronic control unit determines that the engine has stalled, the electronic control unit may be operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation when the engine is restarted.
The electronic control unit may be operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation only 205-0311 if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
The electronic control unit may be operable to place s the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
The motor vehicle may further comprise a driver operable on-off device and the predetermined period of time starts when the on-off device is placed in an off state and ends when the on-off device is placed in an on state.
The on-off device may be a key operable ignition 1.5 switch.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling a stop-start system having an electronic control unit used to control the operation of an internal combustion engine fitted to a motor vehicle, the stop-start system being operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and being operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously, wherein the method comprises determining whether a driver request to place the stopstart system in the second mode has been received and, if a request has been received, placing the stop-start system in the second mode of operation.
The method may further comprise determining whether a driver request to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation has been received and, if a request has been received, switching the stop-start system from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation.
The method may further comprise detecting whether the engine has stalled when operating in the second mode and, if 205-0311 the engine has stalled, retaining the stop-start system in the second mode when the engine is restarted.
The method may further comprise retaining the stop- start system in the second mode of operation only if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
The method may further comprise placing the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
The method may further comprise placing the stop-start system in the second mode if predetermined conditions for activation of stop-start operation have not been met.
Determining whether a driver request has been received may comprise monitoring the output from a driver operable input device.
The driver input device may be a momentary switch.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which:- Fig.1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle having a stop- start system according to the invention; and Fig.2 is a chart showing the steps used in a method in accordance with the invention for inhibiting the shutdown of an internal combustion engine fitted to the motor vehicle.
With reference to Fig.1 there is shown a motor vehicle having an engine 10 driving a multi-speed transmission 11.
An engine starter in the form of an integrated starter- generator 13 is driveably connected to the engine 10 and in this case is connected by a flexible drive in the form of a 205-0311 drive belt or chain drive 14 to a crankshaft of the engine 10. It will be appreciated that during starting of the engine 10 the starter-generator 13 drives the crankshaft of the engine 10 and that at other times the starter-generator is driven by the engine 10 to generate electrical power.
The starter-generator 13 is connected to a source of electrical energy in the form of a battery 15 and is used to start the engine 10 and which is recharged by the starter- generator when it is operating as an electrical generator.
A driver operable on-off device in the form of a key operable ignition switch 17 is used to control the overall operation of the engine 10. That is to say, when the engine is running the ignition switch 17 is in an on' position and when the ignition switch 17 is in an off' position the engine 10 is not able to run. The ignition switch 17 also includes a third momentary position used to manually start the engine 10. It will be appreciated that other devices may be used to provide this functionality and that the invention is not limited to the use of an ignition switch.
An electronic control unit 16 is connected to the starter-generator 13, to the engine 10, to a gear selector sensor 12 used to monitor whether the transmission 11 is in neutral or in gear, to a road speed sensor 21 used to measure the rotational speed of a road wheel 20, to a brake pedal position sensor 24 used to monitor the position of a brake pedal 23, to an clutch pedal position sensor 26 used to monitor the position of a clutch pedal 25 and to a driver input device in the form of a momentary switch 19.
The term "momentary switch" as meant herein is a device that is normally in one state and is changed to an alternate state only when it is being operated by a user. That is to say, the switch could be normally off and be changed to an on state when actuated or could be normally on and be moved to an off state when actuated. In either case, actuation of the switch 19 results in a pulse or spike that can be used 205-0311 by the electronic control unit 16 for control purposes. In this case the momentary switch is in the form of a push button (not shown) that when pressed by a driver of the motor vehicle 5 closes an electrical contact to provide a 12 volt pulse to the electronic control unit 16.
The electronic control unit 16 receives several signals from the engine 10 including a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine 10 from a speed sensor (not shown) and sends signals to the engine used to control shutdown and start-up of the engine 10. In this case the engine 10 is a spark ignited engine 10 and the signals sent from the electronic control unit 16 are used to control a fuel supply system (not shown) for the engine 10 and an ignition system (not shown) for the engine 10. If the engine 10 were to be a diesel engine then only the fuel supply to the engine would be controlled.
During normal engine running the electronic control unit 16 is operable to control the fuel supplied to the engine 10 and to adjust the ignition system so that sparks are supplied to the engine 10 at the correct timing to produce the desired engine torque.
The electronic control unit 16 also controls the operation of the stopstart system which is operable in two modes, a first or stop-start running mode and a second or continuous running mode. However, it will be appreciated that one or more separate electronic controllers could be used to control the normal running of the engine 10 and the electronic controller 16 may only control the stop-start operation of the engine 10.
In the first or stop-start mode the engine 10 is selectively stopped and started by the electronic control unit 16 without driver intervention when one or more 205-0311 predetermined vehicle operating conditions exist as is well known in the art.
For the purpose of this example, the engine 10 is stopped, in the case when the transmission is a manual transmission 11, when the motor vehicle is sensed not to be moving using the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 21 and when either the transmission 11 is determined to be in neutral and the clutch pedal 25 is sensed to be released or, in the case of a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, when the motor vehicle is sensed not to be moving and when the brake pedal 23 is held depressed. The engine 10 is automatically restarted when it is determined that the clutch pedal 25 has been depressed or, in the case of an automatic transmission when the brake pedal 23 is released.
When the stop-start system is operating in the second mode the engine 10 is run continuously so long as the ignition switch 17 remains in the on' position.
The electronic control unit 16 is further operable to determine whether it is appropriate to run the engine 10 in the first mode by checking one or more engine operating parameters such as coolant temperature, whether any catalytic converters associated with the engine are lit-off and whether the engine is rotating within a predetermined speed range. For example, if the coolant temperature is less than say 65 C or the catalytic converter is not lit-off or the engine speed is greater than say 1100 revolutions per minute (RPM) then entry to the first mode is barred and the electronic control unit 16 is operable to place the stop- start system in the second mode irrespective of the vehicle operating conditions. If during the period when the engine 10 is barred from entry to the first mode the switch 19 is operated to de- activate operation in the first mode then, even when the conditions are such that operation in the 205-0311 first mode is permitted, it will not be selected because the switch 19 has been actuated.
As soon as it is determined that the engine operating conditions have been met then the default condition is to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation where it will stay unless an input is received from a driver of the motor vehicle 5 indicating that they wish to suspend stop-start operation.
When the driver presses the momentary switch 19 the electronic control unit 16 senses the change in state of the momentary switch 19 and is operable to change the mode of operation of the stop-start system from its current mode to the opposite mode that is to say, in this case, from the first mode to the second mode.
If the engine 10 is already in the second mode due to the fact that the engine operating conditions required for operation in the first mode have not been met then further operation of the momentary switch 19 will have no effect but otherwise the further operation of the momentary switch 19 will toggle the stop-start system from the second mode to the first mode and vice-versa. That is to say, every time the momentary switch 19 is actuated the operating mode of the stop-start system is toggled from its current mode to the other mode provided that operation of the stop-start system in both modes is permitted.
It will be appreciated that this driver controlled engagement and disengagement of stop-start operation is useful for both manual and automatic transmission vehicles and that with such an arrangement a driver can disengage the stop-start operation of the engine 10 whenever it is desirable to do so.
205-0311 If the transmission 11 is a manual transmission then the electronic control unit 16 can advantageously be further operable to determine whether the engine 10 has stalled. In the case of this example this is achieved by assuming that, if the engine was running and the ignition key 17 has not be turned off, and the rotational speed of the engine 10 is determined from the engine speed sensor to be zero and the transmission 11 is determined from the gear selector sensor 12 to be in gear then the engine 10 has stalled. However, it will be appreciated that, other methods may be used to determine whether the engine 10 has stalled and the invention is not limited to the use of such a method.
When the engine 10 is determined to have stalled then it is desirable to retain the stop-start system in its current mode of operation if the stopstart system is in the second mode of operation. Therefore upon determining that a stall has occurred while in the second mode of operation the electronic control unit 16 is operable to remember the mode of operation when the engine 10 stalled and use this second mode of operation when the engine 10 is restarted, provided that there is not a significant delay between a key-off event following a stall and the restart. If there is a significant delay between the key-off event following a stall and engine restart then the default state of the stopstart system is the first mode of operation and this will be used.
Therefore, in the case when a driver stalls the engine 10 when in the second mode of operation and then restarts the engine 10 within the predetermined time period the second mode of operation is retained and the driver does not unexpectedly find that the engine 10 has reverted back to the first mode and the engine 10 has been automatically stopped by the stop-start system.
205-0311 - 10 - Although the measurement of motor vehicle speed is described above with reference to the use of a road wheel sensor 21 because such sensors are often already present on a motor vehicle as part of a brake anti-lock system it will be appreciated that other suitable means can be used to determine the speed of the vehicle such as, for example, a sensor measuring the rotational speed of an output shaft from the transmission 11.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to an embodiment in which the engine is started using a starter generator it will be appreciated that it is not limited to use with a starter generator and that it could be equally applied to a motor vehicle having an alternator or a dynamo to generate electrical power and a separate starter motor to restart the engine.
The method of operation of the stop-start system will now be described in greater detail with reference to Fig.2 The method starts at step 50 which is a normal key-off event and then advances to step 60 when the ignition switch 17 is moved to an on position in which an initial inhibit flag state of zero is set and then following a momentary movement of the ignition switch 17 to a start position advances to step 70 in which the engine 10 is started. The method then advances to step 130 and, provided the conditions for stop-start operation have been met then advances to step 150.
At step 150 the electronic control unit 16 is operable to control the engine 10 in the first mode of operation that is to say in the stop-start mode. The method then advances to step 155 where it is determined whether the ignition switch 17 is switched on, if it is then the method advances to step 160 where it is determined whether the momentary switch 19 has been actuated. If the momentary switch 19 has 205-0311 - 11 - not been actuated the current flag state is retained at step and so the flag value remains at zero.
The method then returns via step 130 to step 140 where the state of the inhibit flag is retested. The method will then continue to recycle through steps 130, 140, 155, 160 and 180 until either the ignition switch 17 is moved to an off' state or the momentary switch 19 is actuated. If the ignition switch 17 is moved to an off' state then at step 155 the method returns to step 50. If the momentary switch 19 has been actuated then at step 160 this will be detected and the state of the inhibit flag will be toggled from its current value of zero to a value of unity at step 170. In this case when the method then returns via step 130 to step 140 the test at step 140 will be failed and the method will advance to step 200 and not step 150.
At step 200 the electronic control unit 16 is operable to control the engine 10 in the second mode of operation.
That is to say the engine 10 is run continuously while the ignition switch 17 remains in the on' state.
From step 200 the method advances to step 210 where it is determined whether the engine has stalled.
If at step 210 it is determined that the engine has not stalled the method advances to step 155 where it is determined whether the ignition switch 17 is still on and if it is the method advances to step 160 where it is determined whether the momentary switch 19 has been actuated. If the momentary switch 19 has not been actuated the current flag state is retained at step 180 and so remains set at a value of unity.
The method then returns to step 140 where the state of the inhibit flag is retested. The method will then continue to recycle through steps 140, 200, 210, 155, 160 and 180 205-0311 - 12 - until the ignition switch 17 is moved to an off' state, the momentary switch 19 is actuated or the engine has stalled.
If the ignition switch is moved to an off' state then at step 155 the method returns to step 50.
If the momentary switch 19 has been actuated, then this will be detected at step 160 and the state of the inhibit flag will be toggled from its current value of unity to a value of zero at step 170. In this case, when the method then returns to step 140, the test at step 140 will be passed and the method will advance to step 160 and not to step 200.
If it is determined at step 210 that the engine 10 has stalled, then the method moves to step 100 with an inhibit flag value of unity which will be retained at step 120 provided the engine 10 is restarted within the predetermined time period thereby ensuring that operation in the second mode is continued after the re-start when step 140 is reached.
Step 100 corresponds to an off' or key-off' state of the ignition switch 17 following a stall. Whenever the ignition switch 17 is moved to the off' state following a stall a timer is started indicative of the nonoperating time of the engine 10. This timer will continue to run until at step 110 the ignition switch 17 is moved to an on' or key-on' state. The timer is then halted and the total elapsed time is stored as a timer value in a memory forming part of the electronic control unit 16. Assuming that the ignition switch 17 is then moved to a start position the engine 17 will be started by the starter-generator 13 under the control of the electronic control unit 16. If the engine 10 has not been started the process halts until an engine start is confirmed.
205-0311 - 13 - The method then advances to step 120 where the stored elapsed time timer value from the timer is compared with a predetermined time period. If the predetermined time period is set to 10 seconds and the timer counts in seconds then if the stored elapsed time timer value is greater than 10 the electronic control unit 16 is operable to set an inhibit flag to zero but if the timer value is less than 10 then the electronic control unit 16 is operable to retain the current inhibit flag state. The value of the predetermined time period is chosen such that if the engine of the vehicle 5 is accidentally stalled and then restarted the existing flag state will be retained but if the engine 10 has been stopped following a stall for longer than the predetermined period of time then a default state in which the stop-start system will operate in the first mode is automatically selected.
This is to ensure that the first mode is normally selected and to prevent the engine 10 being run permanently in the second mode of operation.
That is to say, whenever the driver keys off from engine running not following a stall or the motor vehicle is left parked or the time between key-off and key-on following a stall is greater than the predetermined period, the stop- start system will reset to the default first mode of operation if the conditions for stop-start running are met at step 130. Typically the predetermined time period will be between 5 and 60 seconds although other values can be used if required.
At step 130 it is determined whether the conditions for activation of the first mode of operation or stop-start running are met. It is not desirable to use the first mode of operation when the engine 10 is warming up from cold and so various engine operating parameters such as engine coolant temperature, engine speed and catalyst state are compared with predetermined values to determine whether it is desirable to enter the first mode of operation. If one 205-0311 - 14 - or more of these conditions are not met then the method advances from step 130 to step 200 but if they are all met then the method advances from step 130 to step 140 where it is determined which of the two modes of operation Lo use.
In this case the determination of which of the two modes of operation is done by testing the inhibit flag against a set point of unity. If the inhibit flag has a value less than unity (that is to say zero) then the test is passed and the method advances to step 150 but if the inhibit flag has a value of unity or greater then the test is failed and the method advances to step 200.
The method then continues from the steps 150 or 200 as described above.
The method therefore provides a method for permitting a driver of the motor vehicle 5 to suspend operation in the first mode of operation while ensuring that the vehicle is not permanently operated in the second mode of operation and in addition ensuring that, if the engine 10 is stalled while in the second mode of operation, the engine 10 can be restarted in the second mode provided this is done soon after it stalls.
It will be appreciated that the steps shown are provided for example purposes and that in practice they may be arranged in a different order or may be replaced by alternative steps providing the same effect. In particular, the method is not limited to the use of a flag having values of unity or zero and that other methods for indicating the required mode of operation can be used.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more embodiments it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and that modifications to the 205-0311 - 15 - disclosed embodiments or alternative embodiments could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

  1. 205-0311 - 16 - Claims 1. A motor vehicle having an internal combustion
    engine and a stop-start system operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously, the stop-start system comprising an electronic control unit operably connected to the engine for stopping and starting the engine and to a driver input device selectively operable by a driver of the motor vehicle to indicate that stop-start operation is to be suspended, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to change the stop-start system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the driver input device is operated to indicate that stop- start operation is to be suspended.
  2. 2. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to change the stop-start system from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation when the driver input device is operated to indicate that stop-start operation is to be resumed.
  3. 3. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the driver input device is a momentary switch.
  4. 4. A motor vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, if the stop-start system is in the second mode of operation and the electronic control unit determines that the engine has stalled, the electronic control unit is operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation when the engine is restarted.
  5. 5. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation only if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
    205-0311 - 17 -
  6. 6. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
  7. 7. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a driver operable on-off device and the predetermined period of time starts when the on-off device is placed in an off state and ends when the on-off device is placed in an on state.
  8. 8. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the on-off device is a key operable ignition switch.
  9. 9. A method for controlling a stop-start system having an electronic control unit used to control the operation of an internal combustion engine fitted to a motor vehicle, the stop-start system being operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and being operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously, wherein the method comprises determining whether a driver request to place the stop-start system in the second mode has been received and, if a request has been received, placing the stop-start system in the second mode of operation.
  10. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method further comprises determining whether a driver request to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation has been received and, if a request has been received switching the stop-start system from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation.
  11. 11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the method further comprises detecting whether the engine has stalled when operating in the second mode and, if the engine 205-0311 - 18 - has stalled, retaining the stop-start system in the second mode when the engine is restarted.
  12. 12. A method for controlling a stop-start system io substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
    12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises retaining the stop-start system in the second mode of operation only if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
    13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the method further comprises placing the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
    14. A method as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the method further comprises placing the stop-start system in the second mode if predetermined conditions for activation of stop-start operation have not been met.
    15. A method as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14, wherein determining whether a driver request has been received comprises monitoring the output from a driver operable input device.
    16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the driver input device is a momentary switch.
    17. A motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
    18. A method for controlling a stop-start system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. ii
    Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a stop-start system operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously, the stop-start system comprising an electronic control unit operably connected to the engine for stopping and starting the engine and to a driver input device io selectively operable by a driver of the motor vehicle to indicate that stop-start operation is to be suspended, the electronic control unit being operable to change the stop- start system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the driver input device is operated to indicate that stop- start operation is to be suspended wherein, if the stop-start system is in the second mode of operation and the electronic control unit determines that the engine has stalled, the electronic control unit is operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation when the engine is restarted.
    2. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic control unit is operable to retain the stop-start system in the second mode of operation only if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
    3. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the electronic control unit is operable to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
    4. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 or in claim 3 wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a driver operable on-off device and the predetermined period of time starts when the on-off device is placed in an off state and ends when the on-off device is placed in an on state.
    205-0311GB 5. A method for controlling a stop-start system having an electronic control unit used to control the operation of an internal combustion engine fitted to a motor vehicle, the stop-start system being operable in a first mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and started and being operable in a second mode in which the engine is run continuously wherein the method comprises determining whether a driver request to place the stop-start system in the second mode has been received and, if a request has been received, placing the stop-start system in the second mode of operation and detecting whether the engine has stalled when operating in the second mode and, if the engine has stalled, retaining the stop-start system in the second mode when the engine is restarted.
    6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the method further comprises retaining the stop-start system in the second mode of operation only if the engine is restarted within a predetermined period of time.
    7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the method further comprises placing the stop-start system in the first mode of operation if the engine is restarted after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
    8. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the method further comprises placing the stop-start system in the second mode if predetermined conditions for activation of stop-start operation have not been met.
    9. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 wherein determining whether a driver request has been received comprises monitoring the output from a driver operable input device.
    10. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9 wherein the method further comprises determining whether a 205-0311GB driver request to place the stop-start system in the first mode of operation has been received and, if a request has been received switching the stop-start system from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation.
    11. A motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB0513190A 2005-06-29 2005-06-29 A motor vehicle having a stop-start system Expired - Fee Related GB2427655B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0513190A GB2427655B (en) 2005-06-29 2005-06-29 A motor vehicle having a stop-start system
DE102006029914.0A DE102006029914B4 (en) 2005-06-29 2006-06-29 Motor vehicle with a stop-start system and a method for controlling a stop-start system

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GB0513190A GB2427655B (en) 2005-06-29 2005-06-29 A motor vehicle having a stop-start system

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GB2427655A true GB2427655A (en) 2007-01-03
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NL1039142C2 (en) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-06 Marinus Pieter Bruijn Method and device to control a motor of an existing vehicle.
EP2653705A4 (en) * 2010-12-16 2015-07-01 Volvo Constr Equip Ab Engine idling control device of excavator and method thereof
US9273583B2 (en) 2009-12-21 2016-03-01 Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company Exhaust system for a vehicle having a “stop-start” compression ignition engine
EP3006724A1 (en) * 2014-10-10 2016-04-13 MAN Truck & Bus AG Device and method for supporting a driver of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle

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DE102008031341B4 (en) * 2008-07-02 2019-03-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for influencing an engine stop automatic of a motor vehicle
DE102009027904A1 (en) * 2009-07-22 2011-01-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for switching on and off of operating modes of an internal combustion engine, start / stop system for a motor vehicle, and method for operating an internal combustion engine.
GB2560747B (en) * 2017-03-24 2020-06-10 Ford Global Tech Llc A start-stop system

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DE2517906A1 (en) * 1975-04-23 1976-10-28 Opel Adam Ag Automatic switch system to temporally stop IC engine - engine is started by clutch pedal dependent switch and stopped by slow running valve
DE2950586A1 (en) * 1979-07-13 1981-06-19 Werner 6531 Schweppenhausen Frickhofen Control system for energy saving system for vehicle IC engine - has switches and indicator lamps connected to clutch and accelerator pedal
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US9273583B2 (en) 2009-12-21 2016-03-01 Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company Exhaust system for a vehicle having a “stop-start” compression ignition engine
EP2653705A4 (en) * 2010-12-16 2015-07-01 Volvo Constr Equip Ab Engine idling control device of excavator and method thereof
NL1039142C2 (en) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-06 Marinus Pieter Bruijn Method and device to control a motor of an existing vehicle.
EP3006724A1 (en) * 2014-10-10 2016-04-13 MAN Truck & Bus AG Device and method for supporting a driver of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle

Also Published As

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DE102006029914B4 (en) 2014-03-06
GB0513190D0 (en) 2005-08-03
DE102006029914A1 (en) 2007-01-04
GB2427655B (en) 2008-01-30

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Effective date: 20200629