Method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle

Abstract

A method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle includes sending a message to an operator of the vehicle requesting the operator to perform an action for enabling activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system, and provided that such a requested action is identified to have been performed, enabling activation of the auto-stop start function.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle, the method comprising: sending a message to an operator of the vehicle, the message comprising a request for the operator to perform an action to enable activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system, wherein the action of the request comprises applying a brake pressure above a predetermined threshold; and identifying that the operator has applied the brake pressure above the predetermined threshold and, in response, enabling the auto-stop start function.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring a velocity of the vehicle and, provided that the measured vehicle velocity is below a threshold value, sending the message to the operator.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising sending the message provided that the vehicle has stopped.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the action of the request further comprises application of the brake pressure above the predetermined threshold for a time period longer than a predetermined time period.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message is displayed on a display of the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the auto-stop start function comprises turning off an engine of the vehicle.

7. A control unit for controlling an auto-stop start system, wherein the control unit is configured to send a message to an operator of the vehicle, the message comprising a request for the operator to perform an action to enable activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system, wherein the action of the request comprises applying a brake pressure above a predetermined threshold; and identify that the operator has applied the brake pressure above the predetermined threshold and, in response, enable activation of the auto-stop start function.

8. A vehicle comprising a control unit according to claim 7.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising program code for performing the method according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling an auto-stop start system,

(4) FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a further embodiment of a method for controlling an auto-stop start system,

(5) FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a further embodiment of a method for controlling an auto-stop start system, and

(6) FIG. 4 shows a vehicle having an auto-stop start system and a control unit for controlling the auto-stop start system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a flow chart illustrating one example embodiment of a method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle. The method comprises the step of sending 100 a message to an operator or driver of the vehicle requesting the operator to perform an action for enabling activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system. Thereafter, the method comprises the step of checking 200 if such a requested action has been performed. Provided that such a requested action is identified to have been performed, i.e. if “YES” in FIG. 1, the method comprises the step of enabling 300 activation of the auto-stop start function. Otherwise, i.e. if “NO” in FIG. 1, the loop is closed and/or repeated until the requested action has been performed.

(8) FIG. 2 shows a further example embodiment of the method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle. The method comprises the step of measuring 10 a velocity of the vehicle. Thereafter, the method comprises the step of checking 20 if the measured vehicle velocity is below a threshold value. Provided that the measured vehicle velocity is below the threshold value, i.e. if “YES” in FIG. 2, the method comprises the step of sending 100 the message to the operator of the vehicle requesting the operator to perform an action for enabling activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system. Otherwise, i.e. if “NO” in FIG. 2, the loop is closed and/or repeated until the requested action has been performed. Thereafter, the subsequent method steps 200, 300 are similar to the steps already described with reference to FIG. 1.

(9) The vehicle velocity threshold value can be for example 10 km/h, preferably 5 km/h or requiring the vehicle to be stopped, i.e. the vehicle velocity should be 0 km/h.

(10) FIG. 3 shows a further example embodiment of the method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle. The method comprises the step of measuring 30 a brake pressure of the vehicle and sending 100′ a message to an operator of the vehicle requesting the operator to apply a requested brake pressure based on the measured brake pressure. Thereafter, the subsequent method steps 200, 300 are similar to the method steps already described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(11) The example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 can be combined with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. In such a case, the method suitably comprises the step of measuring the brake pressure after a vehicle velocity below the vehicle velocity threshold value has been measured.

(12) For the embodiment examples described herein, the method preferably comprises the step of sending the message requesting the operator to operate the vehicle in a predetermined way for enabling activation of the auto-stop start function. For example, the operator can be requested to apply a brake pressure above a threshold value and/or to increase a brake pressure for enabling activation of the auto-stop start function. Optionally, the operator can be requested to apply the requested brake pressure during a time period longer than a predetermined time period for enabling activation of the auto-stop start function.

(13) The message to the operator can be displayed on a display of the vehicle, which display can be arranged on the dashboard of the vehicle, and/or be communicated by a sound from a loudspeaker of the vehicle.

(14) Although the auto-stop start system could comprise other functions, the auto-stop start function that the operator of the vehicle is able to activate by performing a requested action, preferably comprises the step of turning off an engine of the vehicle. The engine can be an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle. Thus, the operator is able to allow activation of auto-stop of the engine for avoiding unnecessary idling of the engine or reject such activation of auto-stop.

(15) In addition, the auto-stop start system could have an activated state wherein the message to the operator can be sent and a non-activated state (turned off) wherein such a message cannot be sent to the operator.

(16) FIG. 4 shows a vehicle 50 having an auto-stop start system 51 and a control unit 52 for controlling the auto-stop start system 51. The control unit 52 is configured to send a message to an operator or driver of the vehicle requesting the operator to perform an action for enabling activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system, and provided that such a requested action is identified to have been performed, enable activation of the auto-stop start function.

(17) The control unit 52 may comprise one or more microprocessors and/or one or more memory devices or any other components for executing computer programs to perform the method. Thus, the control unit is preferably provided with a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of any example embodiment of the method described hereinabove. The control unit can be a separate component or be integrated in another controller of the vehicle.

(18) As further schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 52 can be arranged to transmit signals to a display unit 53 for controlling the display unit 53 and thereby communicate the message to the operator of the vehicle. The control unit 52 is also arranged to control the engine 54 of the vehicle 50 in a way enabling the engine 54 to be turned off provided that one or more predetermined conditions are fulfilled. The conditions can be associated with signals from one or more sensors 55, 56 of the vehicle 50. Such a sensor 55 can be used for checking if the requested action has been performed by the operator. For example, a sensor 55 for measuring the current brake pressure of a service brake of the vehicle 50 can be used for deciding on enabling activation of the auto-start stop function of the auto-stop start system 51. Other sensors 56 can be used for other conditions not requested by the message. For example, a sensor 56 for measuring the velocity of the vehicle 50 can be used for deciding on whether or not the message should be sent.

(19) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.