阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆的自动启停系统 (Automatic start-stop system for vehicle ) 是由 J·埃克伦德 丁迪 于 2020-03-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于车辆(1)的自动启停系统(3)。该自动启停系统(3)具有控制单元(4)和控制装置(7),该控制单元(4)带有自动启停功能(5),自动启停功能(5)对车辆(1)的发动机(6)的起动和停止进行控制,通过该控制装置(7),能够由该车辆的操作者来暂时停用自动启停功能(5)。控制单元(4)被配置为能够在暂时停用的预定期间后重新启用自动启停功能(5)。自动启停功能(5)的暂时停用的预定期间能够利用控制装置(7)进行选择。(An automatic start-stop system (3) for a vehicle (1). The automatic start/stop system (3) has a control unit (4) and a control device (7), the control unit (4) having an automatic start/stop function (5), the automatic start/stop function (5) controlling the starting and stopping of an engine (6) of the vehicle (1), by means of which control device (7) the automatic start/stop function (5) can be temporarily deactivated by an operator of the vehicle. The control unit (4) is configured to be able to re-enable the automatic start-stop function (5) after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation. The predetermined period of the temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function (5) can be selected by means of a control device (7).)

1. An automatic start-stop system (3) for a vehicle (1), having a control unit (4) and a control device (7), the control unit (4) being provided with an automatic start-stop function (5), the automatic start-stop function (5) controlling the starting and stopping of an engine (6) of the vehicle (1), and by means of the control device (7) the automatic start-stop function (5) being temporarily deactivatable by an operator of the vehicle (1), the control unit (4) being configured to be able to reactivate the automatic start-stop function (5) after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation, characterized in that the predetermined period of temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function (5) is selectable by means of the control device (7).

2. Automatic start-stop system for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (4) is configured to be able to re-enable the automatic start-stop function (5) after a predetermined period of time, which can be selected with the control means (7).

3. Automatic start-stop system for vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that said time period can be selected in the interval from 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

4. Automatic start-stop system for vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that said time period can be selected in the interval from 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

5. Automatic start-stop system for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (4) is configured to be able to re-enable the automatic start-stop function (5) after the vehicle has travelled a predetermined distance, which is selectable by means of the control device (7).

6. Automatic start-stop system for vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that the distance can be selected in the interval from 50 to 1000 meters.

7. Automatic start-stop system for vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that the distance can be selected in the interval from 100 to 500 meters.

8. Automatic start-stop system for a vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined period of temporary deactivation can be increased stepwise by means of the control device (7).

9. Automatic start-stop system for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic start-stop function (5) can be switched off and on with the control device (7).

10. An automatic start-stop system for a vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function (5) can be selected by keeping the control means (7) in the state in which the automatic start-stop function is off for a predetermined period of time.

11. Automatic start-stop system for vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (7) is a button that can be pressed to temporarily deactivate the automatic start-stop function (5).

12. A vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) comprising an automatic start-stop system (3) according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. A method for controlling an automatic start-stop system (3) of a vehicle (1), the method comprising the steps of:

-a step (200) of temporarily deactivating an automatic start-stop function (5) of the automatic start-stop system (3) by means of a control device (7) that can be operated by an operator of the vehicle (1); and

-a step (400) of re-enabling, by the control unit (4), said automatic start-stop function after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation,

-a step (100) of selecting, by means of said control means (7), a predetermined period of said temporary deactivation of said automatic start-stop function (5).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the automatic start-stop function (5) is re-enabled after a predetermined period of time, which period of time can be selected by means of the control device (7).

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the automatic start-stop function (5) is re-enabled after the vehicle has travelled a predetermined distance, which can be selected with the control device (7).

Technical Field

The invention relates to an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle and to a method for controlling an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle.

Background

Automatic start-stop systems for vehicles are commonly used to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of internal combustion engines by reducing the idle time of the engine. The system will automatically start and stop the engine if certain predetermined conditions are met. Generally, when it is predicted that the vehicle will be stationary for a long time, the engine is stopped. For example, when the vehicle waits at a traffic light or when the vehicle frequently stops in traffic congestion, the operation of the engine is stopped.

However, the effectiveness of such automatic start-stop systems depends on traffic conditions. The time that the vehicle actually remains stationary will have a large impact on the effectiveness of the system. Not only does this increase emissions if the system is frequently started and stopped, but it can cause driver annoyance when the driver requests acceleration due to delays in the power response. Furthermore, the large number of repeated stops and starts will cause increased wear on several components (such as the battery, starter motor) and will have an effect on the lubrication of the engine.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle, wherein the use of the system can be improved.

This object is achieved by an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle, wherein the automatic start-stop system has a control unit with an automatic start-stop function that controls the starting and stopping of an engine of the vehicle, and control means by which the automatic start-stop function can be temporarily deactivated by an operator of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to reactivate the automatic start-stop function after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation, and wherein the predetermined period of temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function can be selected by means of the control means.

The invention is based on the following insight: with this automatic start-stop system, when the automatic start-stop function is inconvenient or unsuitable for use due to traffic conditions, the operator or driver can pause the automatic start-stop function without having to turn off the automatic start-stop function. By automatically re-enabling the automatic start-stop function by means of the control unit, the risk that the function is not used afterwards, caused by the driver forgetting to re-enable the function, is eliminated. Since the operator can select the period of temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function, the automatic start-stop function can be suspended in a manner suitable for the current traffic situation. By means of the invention, the operator of the vehicle can prefer not to switch off the automatic start-stop function.

By "selectable by means of the control device" is meant that the predetermined period of temporary deactivation is set by means of one or more output signals from the control device and that the operator therefore has the opportunity to adjust the predetermined period of temporary deactivation by manipulating the control device. For example, the operator may use multiples of the default value or select a value within an interval.

According to an embodiment of the automatic start-stop system, the control unit is configured to enable the automatic start-stop function again after a predetermined period of time, which predetermined period of time can be selected by the control means. Thus, if the vehicle is approaching a slow moving traffic segment, the operator may disable the automatic stopping of the engine and not have to actively re-enable the automatic start stop function or remember the current status of the automatic start stop function.

For example, the time period may be selected in the interval of 5 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably in the interval of 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

According to a further embodiment, the control unit is configured to be able to re-enable the automatic start stop function after the vehicle has travelled a predetermined distance, which predetermined distance can be selected by means of the control device. Thus, the automatic start/stop system can be used efficiently when the driver knows the traffic load. For example, when the distance of a traffic merge is known and the time spent in the traffic merge is unknown, a distance-based re-activation of the automatic start-stop function is beneficial.

For example, the distance can be selected in the interval of 50 to 1000 meters, preferably in the interval of 100 to 500 meters.

According to a further embodiment, the predetermined period of temporary deactivation can be increased stepwise by means of the control means. Thus, the duration of the temporary deactivation state may be adjusted by the operator to accommodate the predicted upcoming traffic condition.

According to a further embodiment, the automatic start-stop function can be switched off and on by means of the control device, and the temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function can be selected, preferably by holding the control device in a state, such as pressing a button, for a predetermined period of time, so that the automatic start-stop function is switched off. Thus, the need for additional hardware may be eliminated, and user-friendly control inputs may be provided to the operator.

According to yet another embodiment, multiple presses of the button may be used to switch between enabling the automatic start stop function and temporarily disabling the automatic start stop function, while holding the button pressed for a predetermined period of time may allow the automatic start stop function to fail.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is a further object to provide a method for controlling an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle, by means of which the use of the system can be improved.

This object is achieved by a method for controlling an automatic start-stop system of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the steps of: temporarily deactivating an automatic start-stop function of an automatic start-stop system by a control device that is manipulable by an operator of the vehicle; and, re-enabling the automatic start-stop function by the control unit after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation; and wherein the method comprises the step of selecting with the control means a predetermined period of temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising an automatic start/stop system according to the invention.

The advantages of the method and the vehicle are similar to the advantages already discussed above with reference to the different embodiments of the automatic start stop system.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the claims.

Drawings

With reference to the drawings, several embodiments of the invention cited as examples will be described in more detail below.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an automatic start-stop system and a vehicle provided with the same, and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing a method for controlling an automatic start stop system of a vehicle.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1, an enlarged portion 2 of the interior of the vehicle 1 and a schematic view of an automatic start-stop system 3. The automatic start-stop system 3 has a control unit 4, the control unit 4 having an automatic start-stop function 5, the automatic start-stop function 5 controlling the starting and stopping of an engine 6 of the vehicle 1. The automatic start stop function 5 is used to automatically start and stop the engine 6 if some predetermined conditions are met, for reducing the time the engine 6 is idling.

The automatic start-stop system 3 further comprises a control device 7 arranged in the vehicle 1, by means of which control device 7 the operator of the vehicle 1 can temporarily deactivate the automatic start-stop function 5. When the automatic start stop function 5 is deactivated, no automatic stopping or starting of the vehicle 1 will be performed by the control unit 4. The control unit 4 is configured to be able to re-enable the automatic start-stop function 5 after a predetermined period of temporary deactivation. Thereafter, the engine 6 is automatically started and stopped again according to a predetermined condition. The predetermined period during which the automatic start-stop function 5 is temporarily deactivated can be selected by means of the control device 7.

For example, the control device 7 may be a button that can be pressed to temporarily deactivate the automatic start-stop function 5. The selected temporary deactivation predetermined period and/or the remaining part of the temporary deactivation period may be shown on the display screen.

Alternatively, the control device 7 may also be arranged for switching off and on the automatic start-stop system 3 or the automatic start-stop function 5. For example, the temporary deactivation of the automatic start-stop function 5 can be selected by keeping the control device 7 in a state in which the automatic start-stop function is switched off for a predetermined period of time. Thus, a short press of the button 7 will turn off the automatic start stop function 5, whereas a long press of the button 7 will deactivate the automatic start stop function 5.

Alternatively, the predetermined period of temporary deactivation may be increased stepwise by means of the control means, for example by repeatedly pressing the button 7.

Alternatively, pressing the button 7 multiple times may be used to switch between enabling the automatic start stop function and temporarily disabling the automatic start stop function 5, and keeping the button 7 pressed for a predetermined period of time may allow disabling the automatic start stop function 5.

In another embodiment, the control means may instead be integrated in a touch screen where the predetermined period of temporal inactivity is selectable and visible on the display means.

The control unit 4 may be configured to be able to reactivate the automatic start-stop function 5 after a predetermined period of time, which can be selected with the control means 7, and/or the control unit 4 may be configured to be able to reactivate the automatic start-stop function 5 after the vehicle 1 has travelled a predetermined distance, which can be selected with the control means 7.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart describing an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling the automatic start-stop system 3 of the vehicle 1. With regard to the components used to perform the method, reference is also made to the above description and to fig. 1.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 100, a request signal is received from a control device 7 that can be operated by an operator of the vehicle 1 to deactivate the automatic start stop function 5 of the automatic start stop system and to select a predetermined period during which the automatic start stop function 5 is temporarily deactivated.

The method further comprises a step 200 of temporarily deactivating the automatic start stop function 5 of the automatic start stop system 3. Such deactivation may optionally be subject to further conditions. Thereafter, the method comprises a step 300 of checking whether a predetermined period of temporary deactivation has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed (i.e. if "yes" in fig. 2), the method comprises a step 400, wherein the automatic start-stop function 5 is re-enabled by the control unit 4 after the predetermined period of temporary deactivation. Such re-enabling may optionally be subject to other conditions. Otherwise, i.e. if "no" in fig. 2, the automatic start-stop function 5 is maintained in the deactivated state.

The method may comprise the steps of: the automatic start-stop function is reactivated after a predetermined period of time, which can be selected by means of the control means, and/or after a predetermined distance, which can be selected by means of the control means, has been travelled by the vehicle.

The control unit 4 may comprise one or more microprocessors and/or one or more storage devices or any other components for executing a computer program for performing the method. The control unit 4 is therefore preferably provided with a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of any of the exemplary embodiments of the method described above. The control unit 4 may be a separate component or may be integrated in another controller of the vehicle 1.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the foregoing description and drawings; on the contrary, those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.