Systems and methods of engine stop/start control of an electrified powertrain

#The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of engine stop/start control of powertrain systems for a vehicle.

#In a vehicle, the powertrain or powertrain system refers to the components that provide the power to propel the vehicle. These components include the engine, transmission, the drive/propeller shaft, differentials, and a final drive. In operation and for an internal combustion engine, the engine combusts a fuel to generate mechanical power in the form of a rotating crankshaft. The transmission receives the rotating crankshaft and manipulates the engine speed (i.e., the rotation of the crankshaft) to control a rotation speed of the drive/propeller shaft, which is also coupled to the transmission. The rotating drive shaft is received by a differential, which transmits the rotational power to a final drive (e.g., wheels) to effect a movement of the vehicle. In an automobile, the differential enables the wheels, on a shared axle, to rotate at different speeds (e.g., during a turn, the outer wheel spins faster relative to the inner wheel to allow the vehicle to maintain its speed and line of travel).

#In regard to a hybrid vehicle, conventional hybrid engine systems generally include both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine that are capable of powering the drivetrain in order to propel the car. A hybrid vehicle can have various configurations. For example, in a parallel configuration both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine are operably connected to the drivetrain/transmission to propel the vehicle. In a series configuration, the electric motor is operably connected to the drivetrain/transmission and the internal combustion engine indirectly power the drivetrain/transmission by powering the electric motor.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intelligent transportation system, according to an example embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the controller used with the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.

#FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of controlling the stop/start function for an engine in a vehicle, according to an example embodiment.

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are contemplated herein.

#Referring to the Figures generally, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods of engine stop/start control based on internal vehicle information, static external vehicle information (e.g., information that may change with distance but not with time), and dynamical external vehicle information (e.g., information that may change with time and distance) for at least a partial hybrid vehicle (e.g., a vehicle that has an electrified powertrain). According to the present disclosure, a controller may be communicably coupled with one or more external data providing sources (e.g., a telematics system provider, another vehicle via a Vehicle-to-Vehicle network, a Vehicle-to-X network, etc.), such that the controller may receive data and have a knowledge of one or more upcoming conditions for the vehicle. Based on these conditions, the controller may determine whether the engine is desired to work during a temporary stop of the vehicle. In response, the controller may selectively disable or enable a stop/start function or feature for the engine. For example, the controller may receive data indicating that the vehicle is traveling on an uphill grade and in response determine to disable the stop/start function so that the engine can contribute the torque needed for traversing the uphill grade. In another example, the controller may receive data indicative of an upcoming hill and in response plan on disabling the stop/start function at the location of the hill. In a further example, the controller may receive data indicating of an upcoming turn where power steering is needed and in response disable the stop/start function. In still a further example, the controller may receive data indicative of traffic conditions (e.g., traffic lights, stop sign, etc.) and in response disable or enable the stop/start function. In yet another example, the controller may receive data indicative of ambient weather conditions (e.g., ambient temperature) and in response disable or enable the stop/start function. In this regard and beneficially, the systems, methods, and apparatuses may avoid the over consumption of the battery life while at the same-time power loss due to engine idling may be minimized.

#As used herein, the phrase “state of charge” (SOC) refers to the charge level of the battery (i.e., a current battery capacity versus the maximum battery capacity, usually expressed as a percentage). As also used herein, the phrase “battery life” refers to a cycle life of a battery (i.e., how many charge-discharge cycles a battery can endure before not satisfying specific performance criteria). Specific performance criteria (e.g., battery capacity, and/or state of health (SOH)) may include any predefined acceptable operating range for the battery. As used herein, “battery capacity” refers to the amount of charge a battery can deliver for a specific amount of time (expressed in ampere-hours). For example, a 100 ampere-hours capacity refers to a battery that can deliver 5 amperes for 20 hours (5 amperes*20 hours=100 ampere-hours). For example, a battery that is only capable of 75 ampere-hours from its original 100 ampere-hours may be deemed to not meet the minimum performance criteria of 80 ampere-hours. Also, as used herein, the phrase “state of health” (SOH) refers to the current state of battery life. In other words, the SOH refers to the amount of charge a battery can hold (typically, expressed as a percentage in relation to an original amount of charge capacity of the battery). The acceptable performance criteria may be defined in regard to other variables and/or characteristics of the battery as well.