WO2019190524A1

WO2019190524A1 - Methods and systems for conditional disabling of vehicle idle stop system

Info

Publication number: WO2019190524A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/025129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Epstein
Original assignee: Steven Epstein
Priority date: 2018-03-29
Filing date: 2018-03-29
Publication date: 2019-10-03

Abstract

Systems and methods for disabling an idle stop controller from stopping an engine from idling. Known idle stop control mechanisms may stop the idling of an engine of a motor vehicle to conserve fuel when engine power is not needed. The present invention prevents the stopping of an idling engine whenever a turn signal is actuated to maximize safety concerns. In addition, the invention may restart the previously stopped engine when a turn signal is actuated.

Description

Methods and Systems for Conditional Disabling of Vehicle Idle Stop System

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention generally relates to vehicle idle stop systems and more specifically to the conditional disabling of vehicle idle stop systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Vehicle idle stop systems are now well known. Generally, such systems are used to stopping the idling of a vehicle engine to conserve fuel when engine power is not immediately needed to move the vehicle, such as when the vehicle is at rest for a predetermined period of time. It is further known with such systems that the operator may restart the vehicle engine by simply actuating the accelerator, but with a slight, but at times highly significant, delay in regaining engine power and acceleration control of the vehicle. The known idle stop systems may also generally be controlled with an on/off switch that, when switched off, allows the operator to turn the idle stop system off completely.

[0003] Certain driving situations require an improvement over the known systems. For example, as a driver approaches an intersection with a turn signal on and then comes to a full stop for the predetermined amount of time, known systems will turn the vehicle engine off. As discussed above, restarting the engine is accomplished by actuating the accelerator or by releasing the brake, albeit with a delay to get the engine started and enable the vehicle into full responsiveness. This delay period may be highly significant and can result in otherwise- avoidable accidents, such as for example when the operator fails to notice an oncoming vehicle in his/her lane. The improved non-delayed ability to turn the vehicle with full acceleration and responsiveness can be the difference between an accident and no accident, as well as the difference between a very serious accident and a much less serious accident. [0004] Thus, it would be advantageous to enable the automatic disabling of the idle stop system when the vehicle’s turn signal is actuated. Alternatively, it would be advantageous to restart an engine that was turned off by the idle stop system because, e.g., the vehicle was at rest for the predetermined amount of time, if the operator actuates the turn signal.

[0005] The present invention overcomes these deficiencies and provides, inter alia, the above-referenced improvements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Systems and methods for disabling an idle stop controller from stopping an engine from idling. Known idle stop control mechanisms may stop the idling of an engine of a motor vehicle to conserve fuel when engine power is not needed. The present invention prevents the stopping of an idling engine whenever a turn signal is actuated to maximize safety concerns. In addition, the invention may restart the previously stopped engine when a turn signal is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0011] With reference to the Figures, embodiments of a system and method for conditional disabling of a vehicle stop system is provided.

[0012] Various methods and systems are known to stop an engine from idling, and turn the engine off, when a certain condition(s) is sensed. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Numbers 6,482,127 to Katou, 6,405,259 to Kuroda et al., 6,532,926 to Kuroda et al., 6,702,718 to Tani et al., and 6,817,319 to Buglione et al., and 7,558,666 to DiGonnis for a non-exhaustive listing, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, each of these known systems and methods all comprise a mechanism to sense a driving condition of the vehicle and turn the engine off if the driving condition is categorized as a non-idle condition. Generally, such idle stop systems comprise a plurality of engine-stop conditions that may be sensed or detected.

[0013] However, no known system monitors the turn signal actuation status as a potential disabling condition for the idle stop mechanisms and/or systems.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment in flow chart form for a system and/or method for conditionally disabling an idle stop system in a vehicle. Thus, the engine is started and currently running 10. If, while the engine is running, whether at idle or not, the turn signal is actuated to an“on” position, i.e., indicating a turn either to the right or to the left 12, then the idle stop controller and/or vehicle computer if the idle stop programming is integrated therein, is conditionally disabled and the vehicle engine continues to run 14. The conditional disablement continues in effect so long as the turn signal status is detected by the idle controller and/or vehicle computer as“actuated” or“on”. Thus, when the turn signal status is detected as moving from“actuated” to“off’ 16, then the conditional disablement of the idle stop system is removed 18 and the engine may be shut off by the idle stop system.

[0015] Turning to Figure 2, another embodiment is illustrated in flow chart form. In this case, the vehicle engine may be stopped by the idle stop controller system 50, e.g., the vehicle is at rest at a red light. During this condition, if the operator actuates the turn signal to“on” 52, then the engine is automatically restarted 54 and the idle stop controller system is again conditionally disabled until the turn signal state is modified from“on” to“off”.

[0016] Thus, a non-limiting schematic diagram is shown in Figure 3 for one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the inventive system 100 may comprise a vehicle computer 102 which is in two-way operative communication with the turn signal mechanism 104, the idle stop controller 106 (which may be in other embodiments integrated in whole or in part into the vehicle computer), the vehicle computer 106, the vehicle engine 108 and the electric starter mechanism 110. Further, idle stop controller 106 is shown in two-way communication with the vehicle engine 108 and the electric starter 110 in communication with the engine 108.

[0017] Thus, when a change in the status of the turn signal mechanism 104 from“off” to “actuated” is detected by the vehicle computer 102 and/or the idle stop controller 106, the engine 108 is prevented from turning off if the engine 108 is running when the turn signal 104 status change is detected, even if the vehicle comes to a stop and idles for a lengthy period of time. In other words, the turn signal actuation signal detection takes precedent and/or overrides the idle stop programming in the vehicle computer 102 and/or the idle stop controller 106, preventing the engine from being turned off. Thus, generally, idle stop systems may comprise a plurality of engine-stop conditions that may be sensed or detected, wherein the conditional disabling of the idle stop system overrides all of the plurality of engine-stop conditions until the turn signal is sensed or detected as turned or switched to“off⁵.

[0018] Alternatively, if the vehicle engine 108 has been turned off by the idle stop controller 106 when the change in status of the turn signal mechanism 104 from“off’ to“actuated” is detected by the vehicle computer 102 and/or the idle stop controller 106, then the engine 108 is automatically restarted by the electric starter 110 in response to a“restart” signal issued by the vehicle computer 102 and/or idle stop controller 106.

[0019] The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for conditionally disabling a motor vehicle’s idle stop system, comprising: detecting the switching of a turn signal on the vehicle from off to on;

conditionally disabling the idle stop system from turning the vehicle engine off; and continuing to conditionally disable the idle stop system until the turn signal is detected to be switched off.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is running prior to the detecting of the switching of the turn signal from off to on.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is not running and has been shut off by the idle stop system prior to the detecting of the switching of the turn signal from off to on.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the idle stop system comprises a plurality of engine-stop conditions and wherein the conditional disabling of the idle stop system overrides all of the plurality of engine-stop conditions.

5. A method for conditionally disabling a motor vehicle’s idle stop system, the vehicle comprising an engine that has been shut off by the idle stop system, comprising:

detecting the switching of a turn signal on the vehicle from off to on;

automatically restarting the engine; and

conditionally disabling the idle stop system from turning the engine off until the turn signal is detected to be switched off.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the idle stop system comprises a plurality of engine-stop conditions and wherein the conditional disabling of the idle stop system overrides all of the plurality of engine-stop conditions.

7. A method for restarting a motor vehicle engine that has been shut off by the vehicle’s idle stop system, comprising:

detecting the switching of a turn signal on the vehicle from off to on;

conditionally disabling the vehicle’s idle stop system; and

automatically restarting the engine.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the idle stop system comprises a plurality of engine-stop conditions and wherein the conditional disabling of the idle stop system overrides all of the plurality of engine-stop conditions.