Systems and methods for operating an engine that may be rotated by an electric machine during engine starting are described. In one example, an amount of electric current that is available to rotate the engine via the electric machine may be adjusted in response to an indication that a vehicle that includes the engine may be parked in a geographical area that may be flooded.

A method for operating a motor vehicle with a start/stop system (2) for a combustion engine (4) of a motor vehicle (1) with a device (3) for detecting an area ahead of the vehicle, wherein the start/stop system (2) stops the combustion engine (4) if a speed of the motor vehicle (1) depending on at least one signal relating to the driving dynamic of the vehicle (1) falls below a limit value, wherein the combustion engine (4) is not stopped if a road unevenness that requires decelerated driving over is detected in the area ahead of the vehicle by means of the device for detecting the area ahead of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. The systems and methods disclosed may apply to series or parallel hybrid driveline configurations. In one example, engine cranking torque may be adjusted in response to a variety of operating conditions so that the engine may be started faster or slower.

A driver assistance apparatus for a vehicle may be provided with Idle Stop and Go (ISG), and the driver assistance apparatus may include: an interface configured to receive information; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: receive, through the interface, driving information of the vehicle; and based on a determination that the vehicle is stopped in a first state in which the ISG is enabled or that the vehicle is stopped in a second state in which a gearshift of the vehicle is engaged in a Park (P) mode and an engine of the vehicle is turned on, perform a stopping operation for the vehicle based on the driving information of the vehicle.

A technique for simplifying the structure of an idling stop device. The idling stop device 100 includes a deceleration detector 200 which detects decelerations of a vehicle. The idling stop device 100 also includes an estimation part 350 which acquires, based on the deceleration detected by the deceleration detector 200, first deceleration when a vehicle is decelerated to a preset speed of less. Based on the acquired first deceleration, the estimation part 350 estimates a first brake pressure applied to the vehicle when the vehicle is decelerated to the preset speed or less.

A vehicle equipped with an automatic stop/restart system for an internal combustion engine includes a hydraulic continuously variable transmission and a parking mechanism. The continuously variable transmission changes power of the internal combustion engine using hydraulic pressure boosted by rotational driving force of the internal combustion engine. The parking mechanism holds the vehicle stationary by locking, with a locking member, the rotation of a power transmitting member between the internal combustion engine and driving wheels when a shift position is in a parking range. In an automatic stop state of the internal combustion engine, when the shift position is in the parking range and brakes are turned off, an electronic control unit executes restart if an inclination angle of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and maintains the automatic stop state if the inclination angle is smaller than the predetermined value.

A vehicle system and method for remote start operation in the vehicle system are provided. The method includes responsive to receiving a remote start request and while the vehicle is stationary, automatically engaging a wheel-arresting device coupled to a wheel in the vehicle. The method also includes when an electronically actuated clutch is automatically disengaged and subsequent to the automatic engagement of the wheel-arresting device, implementing remote start operation in an engine, where the wheel-arresting device is distinct from a secondary vehicle brake.

Systems and methods for operating an engine that may be selectively automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, the method adjusts an amount of time that the engine may be inhibited from automatically stopping based on driver inputs such as driver demand pedal position, vehicle speed, and braking torque.

Systems and methods for determining whether to use engine start-stop systems during trail or other off-road driving are provided. Systems and methods may utilize various vehicle sensors (e.g., lidar, forward-facing cameras, accelerometers, sonar sensors, etc.) to detect when it is appropriate to command engine stop for fuel economy while driving off-road. To determine appropriateness, the vehicle may evaluate obstacles, ground clearance, and/or vehicle inclination. A method may include measuring accelerations/inclinations of a vehicle, comparing an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disabling a start-stop system of the vehicle based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold. A system may include an accelerometer configured to measure accelerations of a vehicle, and a logic device configured to compare an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disable a start-stop system based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold.

The present disclosure describes a method of forming an intermediate spacer structure between a gate structure and a source/drain (S/D) contact structure and removing a top portion of the intermediate spacer structure to form a recess. The intermediate spacer structure includes a first spacer layer, a second spacer layer, and a sacrificial spacer layer between the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial spacer layer to form an air gap between the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer and spinning a dielectric layer on the air gap, the first spacer layer, and the second spacer layer to fill in the recess and seal the air gap. The dielectric layer includes raw materials for a spin-on dielectric material.