# US 8,784,266 B2 · Method for operating an automatic start/stop system in a vehicle

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- Number: US 8,784,266 B2
- Document ID: US8784266B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/450,664
- Filed: 2012-04-19
- Published: 2012-10-25
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2011-04-20
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Urs Christen; Markus Kees; Gilberto Burgio; Rainer Busch; Thomas Rambow; Uwe Gussen
- Inventors: Urs Christen; Markus Kees; Gilberto Burgio; Rainer Busch; Thomas Rambow; Uwe Gussen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784266B2

## CPC

- F02N 11/0818: {Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode}
- B60W 10/02: including control of driveline clutches
- B60W 10/06: including control of combustion engines
- B60W 30/18072: {Coasting}
- F02N 11/08: Circuits specially adapted for starting of engines
- B60W 2030/1809: {Without torque flow between driveshaft and engine, e.g. with clutch disengaged or transmission in neutral}
- B60W 2510/182: Brake pressure, e.g. of fluid or between pad and disc
- B60W 2540/12: Brake pedal position
- B60W 2540/18: Steering angle
- F02N 2200/0805: Detection of vehicle emergency state, e.g. from ABS, ESP, external sensors
- F02N 2200/0808: Steering state, e.g. state of power assisted steering
- F02N 2200/102: Brake pedal position
- Y02T 10/40: Engine management systems
- F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods for operating an automatic start/stop system in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an automatic clutch, wherein the automatic start/stop system automatically opens the clutch as a function of propulsion requests, wherein the automatic opening of the clutch is prohibited in certain driving situations such as detected hazardous situations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for operating a start/stop system in a vehicle having an engine and automatic clutch comprising:
issuing, when the start/stop system is operating, a prohibit open clutch command in response to (i) the automatic clutch being closed and (ii) a change in brake line pressure over time or a change in brake pedal stroke over time being greater than a threshold value such that the automatic clutch remains closed and automatic stopping of the engine is precluded for a predetermined period of time.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time depends on a speed of the vehicle.

### Claim 3

A method for operating a start/stop system in a vehicle having an engine and automatic clutch comprising:
issuing, when the start/stop system is operating, a prohibit open clutch command in response to the automatic clutch being closed and a change in steering wheel angle over time being greater than a threshold value such that the automatic clutch remains closed and automatic stopping of the engine is precluded for a predetermined period of time.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined period of time depends on a speed of the vehicle.

### Claim 5

A method for operating a start/stop system in a vehicle having an engine, drivetrain, and automatic clutch arranged to couple the engine and drivetrain when closed, the method comprising:
issuing, when the start/stop system is operating, a prohibit close clutch command in response to the automatic clutch being open and a change in steering wheel angle over time being greater than a threshold value such that the automatic clutch remains open and the engine remains decoupled from the drivetrain for a predetermined period of time.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined period of time depends on a speed of the vehicle.