System and method for engine idle stop control
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsYanan Zhao, Mathew Alan Boesch, Sangeetha Sangameswaran
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling engine idle stop in a hybrid vehicle balance the extra electrical load imposed on the vehicle during engine stop with the electrical energy saved to achieve net fuel savings. Predictive information is used to determine potential vehicle stops and corresponding stop durations during a time window. To achieve net fuel savings, the engine stop duration time must be long enough for the electrical energy savings to cover electrical load added to the system. If the predicted stop duration time is long enough to yield net fuel savings, engine stop may be initiated. If not, engine stop may be inhibited.
Claims20
A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
- a starter motor configured to start the engine;
- and
- a controller configured to inhibit engine stop during a vehicle stop event in response to a predicted vehicle stop duration time being below a minimum engine stop time, wherein the minimum engine stop time is based on electrical load of components started in response to the engine stop and electrical load of the starter motor to restart the engine.
A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
- a starter motor configured to start the engine;
- and
- a controller configured to initiate engine stop during a vehicle stop event in response to a predicted vehicle stop time exceeding a corresponding engine stop threshold based on vehicle energy consumption with the engine on relative to vehicle energy consumption with the engine off during the vehicle stop event.
A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a starter motor, comprising:
- controlling engine stop during a vehicle stop event in response to a comparison of a predicted vehicle stop duration relative to a minimum engine stop time, wherein the minimum engine stop time is based on vehicle energy consumption with the engine running relative to vehicle energy consumption with the engine off during the engine stop and restart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.