Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates in general to a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a system and method for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle. 5
BACKGROUND
[0002] The 20th century witnessed a tragic effect on pollution existent in the world leading to deteriorating air quality index owing to massive carbon monoxide emissions. The massive carbon monoxide emissions have been linked with rapid industrialization across the globe in the 20th Century. Rapid industrialization in the 10 20th century further raised concerns on a fuel shortage crisis in the near future along with the increased emissions.
[0003] To reduce greenhouse effect many manufacturers in developing innovative solutions to improve the vehicle efficiency. Recent development in the precincts of vehicle engineering is purposed around improving fuel efficiency, which has 15 led to research and development in the areas of a vehicle start-stop system. The vehicle start-stop system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine of the vehicle with a view to improving the fuel efficiency and consequently reducing the exhaust emissions.
[0004] In developed vehicle start-stop systems also known as idle stop-start 20 technology, the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are reduced by turning off of the internal combustion engine under conditions of vehicle idling and deceleration at low vehicle speeds.
[0005] With the development of vehicle start-stop systems, users have an adverse rising concern relating to the long-term use of vehicle start-stop systems which 25 may induce additional wear-tear in the components of the internal combustion engine. In some instances, visible defects of vehicle start-stop systems were provided where there was premature bearing wear and reduced driving cycle or cycle life of the internal combustion engine. To address concerns of durability, life cycle and wear of the internal combustion engine, there is a requirement to 30
institute solutions configured to optimize the operation of the vehicle start-stop systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features 5 described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[0007] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present invention provides a system for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle, the system comprising: the prime mover being configured to propel the vehicle. In an 10 embodiment, the prime mover being integrated with an idle start-stop unit (ISS unit). The ISS unit is configured to control a supply of charge to the prime mover. The system additionally comprising a control unit configured to: receive one or more vehicle related parameters; detect an idling state of the vehicle based on the one or more vehicle related parameters; determining a location of the vehicle and 15 an associated traffic information; and controlling operation of the ISS unit based on the determined location of the vehicle and the associated traffic information.
[0008] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present invention additionally provides a method for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by a control unit, one or more vehicle 20 related parameters; detecting, by the control unit, an idling state of the vehicle based on the one or more vehicle related parameters; determining, by the control unit, a location of the vehicle and an associated traffic information; and controlling operation of the ISS unit, by the control unit, the controlling operation of the ISS unit being based on the determined location of the vehicle and the 25 associated traffic information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which
are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and therein.
[00010]
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which is related to a vehicle. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the depicted embodiment(s). In the figures, the same or similar numbers 5 are used throughout to reference features and components.
[00011] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a signal flow diagram of a system for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00012] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a method for automatic controlling of a 10 prime mover of a vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00013] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are 15 discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the embodiments may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable 20 approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
[00014] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate 25 that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. 30
[00015] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those 5 skilled in the art.
[00016] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the 10 principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00017] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. It 15 is contemplated that the concepts of the present subject matter may be applied to any kind of vehicle within the scope of this subject matter. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the present subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.
[00018] The present invention is illustrated with a vehicle. However, a person 20 skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limited to an internal combustion engine driven vehicle as illustrated and represented in the figures and detailed description and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be extended to various types of vehicles having an energy storage unit such as battery packs and even hybrid vehicles. 25
[00019] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a system and method for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle to improve the charge efficiency in the vehicle.
[00020] To this end, the present subject matter comprises a prime mover integrated with an ideal Start Stop unit (hereinafter referred to as ISS) where the 30 prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, a battery pack or a
combination thereof. The system for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle additionally comprises a control unit the control unit being configured to control the operation of the ISS unit based on the determined location of the vehicle and the associated traffic information. [00021] In conventional vehicle layouts, where the prime mover is integrated with 5 the ISS unit, the ISS unit is automatically turned ON upon detection of an idling state of the vehicle. In this configuration existent in conventional vehicle layouts, the ISS unit operates based on a preset time limit of idling where upon the supply of charge to the prime mover is cut off. A drawback associated with the preset time based approach of the ISS unit is that in the event of ISS unit being turned 10 ON upon idling and the vehicle being restarted, the prime mover requires a rich mixture of charge which leads to excessive charge consumption, negating the benefits associated with implementation of the ISS unit.
[00022] In accordance with the present configuration, a control unit is configured to detect an idling state of the vehicle based on one or more vehicle related 15 parameters, determine a location of the vehicle, and additionally determine the associated traffic information. Based on the received data, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the ISS unit. The control unit upon assessment of a high traffic zone linked to the location of the vehicle controls and ISS unit to be turned on, and upon assessment for low traffic zone permits idling 20 of the vehicle over the duration of vehicle halt by turning off the ISS unit.
[00023] Thereby, the integration of traffic information associated with location of the vehicle in turning ON and turning OFF of the ISS unit leads to improved charge economy or amount of charge saved and consequently reduced exhaust emissions of the vehicle. 25
[00024] It is an object of the present subject matter to improve the durability and cycle life of the components of the prime mover.
[00025] In existing vehicles employing ISS unit in a conventional framework, upon idling of the vehicle being detected the ISS unit is turned on. A noted and established disadvantage associated with the same permeates in the form of 30 premature bearing wear and reduce cycle life of components of the prime mover.
The existent wear in the components of the prime mover inadvertently leads to higher costs associated with maintenance, repair and part replacement in the prime mover of the vehicle. [00026] In accordance with the present disclosure, the present configuration of the control unit in
controlling operation of the ISS unit based on the determined 5 location of the vehicle and the associated traffic information alleviates the occurrences of unnecessary ISS ON and OFF. The optimization of the occurrences of the ISS turning ON and OFF based on the associated traffic information reduces the stress laid on the components of the internal combustion engine leading to optimum cycle life and limited wear. Thereby, the present 10 configuration addresses the exact drawback or technical problem existing in the conventional ISS unit integrated prime movers.
[00027] It is an object of the present subject matter to apprise a user of the amount of charge saved by disclosed integration and operation of the ISS unit.
[00028] In accordance with the present configuration, the control unit is 15 configured to transmit a signal to an instrument cluster of the vehicle. The signal transmitted by the control unit is indicative of the amount of charge saved and this value is displayed on the instrument cluster of the vehicle. The amount of charge saved is determined by controlling the operation of the ISS unit in a high traffic zone and a low traffic zone. In the high traffic zone, the amount of charge saved is 20 calculated by determining the amount of charge that would be supplied to the prime mover over the duration of halt of the vehicle. In a low traffic zone, the amount of charge saved is calculated by determining the amount of charge that would’ve been consumed when turning ON the prime mover of the vehicle after ISS being turned ON during vehicle idling. 25
[00029] In an embodiment, the instrument cluster comprises a thin film transistor which is configured to enable a digital display of the amount of charge saved to indicate to charge economy by controlling operation of the ISS unit in accordance with the present configuration. An intimation or apprising of the amount of charge saved to the user enables a perception of charge economy thereby encouraging 30 future use.
[00030] In an exemplary embodiment the control unit is communicatively coupled to one or more personal digital assistant of the user where the signal indicative of the amount of charge saved is transmitted onto the one or more personal digital assistant of the user.
[00031] In another embodiment the amount of charge saved is displayed in an 5 analogue form to the user to indicate to charge economy by controlling operation of the ISS unit in accordance with the present configuration.
[00032] The present configuration of determination of the amount of charge saved can be linked to a driving pattern of the user in an external server. In an embodiment, based on processing of the driving pattern a designated amount of 10 insurance can be linked with the vehicle.
[00033] On the ancillary, the signal indicative of the amount of charge saved transmitted by the control unit can be associated with a user reward system where economical usage of the vehicle can be rewarded appropriately.
[00034] It is an object of the present subject matter to integrate an enhanced ISS 15 unit applicable in internal combustion engine driven vehicles, electric driven vehicles as well as hybrid vehicles.
[00035] The present subject matter relating to automatic control of a prime mover of a vehicle can we applicable and adaptive to various types of vehicles comprising internal combustion engine-based vehicles, electric energy-based 20 vehicles and a combination thereof.
[00036] In conventional vehicle layouts employing the ISS unit, the operability of the ISS unit is limited to monitoring and modulating of the fuel injected into the internal combustion engine during ISS on and ISS off. The limited scope of the ISS unit in conventional vehicle layouts limits the applicability or operability of 25 the ISS unit to internal combustion engine-based vehicles alone.
[00037] In accordance with the present disclosure, the control unit transmitting the signal indicating the amount of charge saved is configured to calculate the amount of charge in terms of volume of fuel supplied as well as percentage of charge that would have been consumed by the prime mover of the vehicle. Thereby the 30 present configuration of automatic control of the prime mover of the vehicle is
deemed applicable to internal combustion engine-based vehicles, electric vehicles as well as hybrid vehicles. [00038] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be 5 devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00039] The present subject matter may be implemented in any form of vehicles. 10 However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, the present invention, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments depicting a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, an energy storage unit such as battery packs or a combination of internal combustion engine and an energy storage unit. 15
[00040] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a signal flow diagram of a system for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00041] With reference to Figure 1, 100 denotes a system for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle, 102 denotes a vehicle, 104 denotes a 20 prime mover, 106 denotes an idle-start stop unit (ISS unit), 108 denotes a charge supply unit, 110 denotes a control unit and 112 denotes an integrate network.
[00042] The system 100 for automatic controlling of a prime mover 104 of a vehicle 102 comprises a vehicle 102 and an integrated network 112. The vehicle 100 comprises a prime mover 104 configured to propel vehicle. The prime mover 25 104 comprises an ISS unit 106 and a charge supply unit 108. Additionally, the vehicle 102 comprises a control unit 110. The integrated network 112 comprises at least one of a server 112a, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication 112b, a vehicle-to-everything communication 112c, and a satellite 112d.
[00043]
In and aspect, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to the ISS unit 106 of the prime mover 104. Further, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to and integrated network 112. The ISS unit 106 of the prime mover 104 is operatively coupled to a charge supply unit 108, with the charge supply unit 108 is disposed in the vehicle 102. 5
[00044] The vehicle 102 comprises one or more wheels, a transmission assembly operatively coupled to the prime mover 104, an energy storage unit configured to supply the charge to the prime mover 104 through the charge supply unit 108. The vehicle 102 is configured to enhance mobility with the prime mover 104 being configured to effectively convert the energy supplied in the form of a charge to 10 another form of energy capable of being manifested to enable propulsion of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 102 in accordance with the present disclosure is applicable to 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers and other forms of multi-axle vehicles comprising a prime mover 104.
[00045] In an aspect, the vehicle 102 comprises a steering wheel (not shown), the 15 steering wheel being configured to orient the direction of propulsion of the vehicle 102.
[00046] The prime mover 104 refers to a machine configured to convert one form of received energy into useful work. In an embodiment, the prime mover 104 refers to an internal combustion engine configured to convert chemical energy of 20 a fuel supplied into useful work manifested as mechanical propulsion of the vehicle 102 through a transmission assembly (not shown). In another embodiment, the prime mover 104 refers to a combination of an energy storage unit and a motor unit configured to convert the electrical energy supplied by the energy storage unit into useful work manifested in the form of mechanical 25 propulsion of the vehicle 102 by the motor. In another embodiment, the prime mover 104 refers to a combination of an internal combustion engine, an energy storage unit and a motor unit. The useful work provided by the prime mover 104 is transmitted onto one or more wheels of the vehicle 102 through a transmission
assembly. The transmission assembly may comprise at least one of a chain assembly, a sprocket assembly, a gear assembly or a belt drive mechanism.
[00047] The charge supply unit 108
associated with the prime mover 104 is configured to optimise the amount of charge being supplied to the prime mover 104 during vehicle operation. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the 5 vehicle operation is deemed operative in at least two conditions. The first condition being the running condition of the vehicle and a second condition being an idling condition. The charge supply unit 108 is configured to optimise the amount of charge being supplied to the prime mover 104 when operating in the at least two conditions. 10
[00048] In the running condition of the vehicle 102, based on some vehicle related parameters such as vehicle torque requirements, power requirements, vehicle speed and prime mover 104 speed, the amount of charge being supplied to the prime mover 104 is optimised. In the running condition of the vehicle 102, the charge supply unit 108 is configured to adjust the charge being supplied to the 15 prime mover 104. In a vehicle idling condition, the charge supply unit 108 is configured to supply a preset amount of charge to the prime mover 104. In an embodiment, the preset amount of charge is based on one or more of vehicle parameters to optimise the idling condition of the vehicle 102.
[00049] In operation, the prime mover 104 receives a charge. The charge me be at 20 least one of a fuel or and electric voltage or current. In the event the prime mover 104 is an internal combustion engine, the charge being the fuel is supplied through a fuel injection system which is referred to as the charge supply unit 108. In the event the prime mover 104 is a combination of an energy storage unit and a motor unit, a combination of a DC-DC enable and a DC-DC converter is configured to 25 optimise at least one of the current, voltage and power output being available to the motor unit. In an embodiment, the combination of DC-DC enable and a DC-DC converter is referred to as the charge supply unit 108.
[00050] The ISS unit 106 refers to an intelligent system configured to automatically shut-down and restart the prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102 upon 30
sensing the vehicle idling condition.
The ISS unit (106) being configured to control a supply of charge to the prime mover (104). The ISS unit 106 reduces the charge consumption of the vehicle 102 whereby reducing the associated exhausted emissions. [00051]
The instrument cluster (not shown) of the vehicle 102 is interchangeably 5 referred to as a speedometer comprises a user display interface and one or more tell-tales configured to indicate one or more vehicle parameters. The instrument cluster serves as an interface existent between the user and the vehicle 102 in indication of vehicle operating conditions as well as internal diagnostic parameters of the vehicle 102. 10
[00052] In an embodiment, the instrument cluster comprises a thin film transistor display configured to digitally display one or more vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed, prime mover speed, prime mover temperature, available charge in the prime mover. In an exemplary embodiment, the instrument cluster being configured to indicate the amount of charge saved in accordance with the present 15 configuration of the control unit 110 in controlling the operation of the ISS unit 106 based on the determined location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information.
[00053] The control unit 110 comprises of suitable logic, circuitry interfaces, and/or code that is configured to receive one or more vehicle related parameters. 20 The control unit 110 may be configured to detect an idling state of the vehicle 102 based on the one or more vehicle related parameters. The control unit 110 may be configured to determining a location of the vehicle 102 and an associated traffic information. The control unit 110 may be configured to controlling operation of the ISS unit 106 based on the determined location of the vehicle 102 and the 25 associated traffic information.
[00054] The control unit 110 may be configured to include a memory may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to store the set of instructions, which are executed by the processor unit. w In an embodiment, the memory may be configured to store one or more programs, routines, or scripts 30
that may be executed in coordination with the processor unit. The memory may be implemented based on a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a storage server, and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card for storing various vehicle related parameters. The control unit 110 may additionally comprise one or more processor units configured to enable
5 arithmetic and logical applications of the control unit 110. [00055] In an aspect, the control unit 110 comprises a processor unit (not shown), a memory unit (not shown), an input/output unit (not shown) and a transceiver (not shown). In an aspect, the control unit 110 is communicatively connected to a Global Positioning System (GPS) provided in the vehicle 102 to precisely provide
10 the location of the vehicle 102 in terms of latitude and longitude.
[00056] In an aspect, the processor unit may be communicatively coupled to the memory, the transceiver, and the input/output unit. The transceiver may be communicatively coupled to the integrated network 112 through the communication network. 15
[00057] In an aspect, the processor unit of the control unit may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to execute a set of instructions stored in the memory. The processor unit may be implemented based on a number of processor technologies known in the art. The processor unit may work in coordination with the transceiver, the input/output unit to receive one or 20 more vehicle related parameters. Further, the processor unit is configured to detect an idling state of the vehicle 102 based on the one or more vehicle related parameters. In an embodiment, the processor unit is configured to determine a location of the vehicle 102 and an associated traffic information. The processor unit accordingly controls operation of the ISS unit 106 based on the determined 25 location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information.
[00058] Examples of the processor unit include, but not limited to, an X86-based processor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CIBC) processor, and/or other processor. 30
[00059] The transceiver of the control unit 110 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to transmit and receive one or more data from the integrated network 112, the instrument cluster of the vehicle 102 or a personal digital assistant of the user configured to transmit traffic information associated with a location of the vehicle 102.
5
[00060] The transceiver may implement one or more known technologies to support wired or wireless communication with the communication network. In an embodiment, the transceiver may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, a 10 coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, and/or a local buffer. The transceiver may communicate via wireless communication with networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use any of a 15 plurality of communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e,g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g 20 and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for email, instant messaging, and/or Short Message Service (SMS).
[00061] In an aspect, a communication channel is established between the control unit 110 and the ISS unit 106 of the prime mover 104 of the vehicle. The ISS unit is communicatively coupled to the charge supply unit 108. The communication 25 channel existent between the ISS unit 106, the charge supply unit 108, the prime mover 104 and the control unit 110 can be established using one of a wired and a wireless communication channel. The wired communication channel comprises at least one of CAN, LIN, I2C (inter-integrated circuit), SPI (serial peripheral interface bus), fibre optic cable, and FlexRay. While the wireless communication 30
channel comprises at least one of ethernet, Local area Network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth and even Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
5 (e,g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n). [00062] In an aspect, the control unit 110 is configured to receive one or more vehicle related parameters. The one or more vehicle related parameters being at least one of a vehicle speed, a wheel speed, a prime mover speed, a charge consumption value, a vehicle gear input, a vehicle diagnosis input and a prime
10 mover temperature.
[00063] In an aspect, the control unit 110 based on the one or more vehicle related parameters detects an idling state of the vehicle 102.
[00064] The idling state of the vehicle 102 is based on the one or more vehicle related parameters where each of the one or more vehicle related parameter is 15 compared against a pre-set value for each parameter referenced to an idling state of the vehicle 102. For instance, in the event of vehicle idling state the vehicle speed and wheel speed is less than 5km/hr, the prime mover speed is less than 1000rpm and the charge consumption value at idling is a pre-set amount of charge. In another instance, the prime mover temperature is over 40°C. In another 20 embodiment, the vehicle diagnosis input refers to an input indicative of an error state of the vehicle in the event of which even idling may adversely affect operating conditions of the vehicle as well as user safety.
[00065] Upon an idling state of the vehicle 102 being detected, the location of the vehicle 102 is detected and transmitted to the integrated network 112. The 25 integrated network 112 comprises backend data pertaining to traffic information associated with the location of the vehicle 102. Thereby, the control unit 110 determines the location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information to further process the same to control the operation of the ISS unit 106. The control
unit 110 then controls the operation of the ISS unit 106 based on the determined location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information. [00066] In an aspect, the associated traffic information comprises at least a traffic density and a determined time of halt of the vehicle 102 associated with the traffic density.
5
[00067] In an aspect, the controlling operation of the ISS unit 106 comprises: turning ON the ISS unit 106 for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 at the location of the vehicle 102 being indicative of a high traffic zone. The high traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 being greater than a pre-defined 10 threshold value. In another aspect, the controlling operation of the ISS unit 106 comprises turning OFF the ISS unit 106 for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 at the location of the vehicle 102 being indicative of a low traffic zone. The low traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 being lesser than the 15 pre-defined threshold value.
[00068] In an aspect, the pre-defined threshold value being determined based on the estimated amount of time the vehicle 102 will be halted at that location with an intent to optimize the amount of charge consumed by the prime mover 104.
[00069] In an aspect, based on the communication indicative of controlling 20 operation received by the control unit 110 the ISS unit 106 is configured to: stop the supply of charge to the prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102 when the ISS unit 106 is turned ON by the control unit 110, and enable the supply of a pre-set amount of charge to the prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102 when the ISS unit 106 is turned OFF by the control unit 110. In an embodiment, the pre-set amount 25 of charge being an amount of charge supplied to the prime mover 104 to continue idling of the prime mover 104.
[00070] In an aspect, an integrated network 112 is communicatively coupled to the vehicle 102, and more precisely the control unit 110 of the vehicle 102. In an
aspect, the location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information being retrieved from at least one of a server 112a, a satellite communication system 112b, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system 112c and a vehicle-to-everything communication system 112d. [00071] In operation, the control unit 110 transmits a location of the vehicle 102
5 and in return receives the associated traffic information from the integrated network 112. The integrated network 112 comprises at least one of a server 112a, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication network 112b, a vehicle-to-everything communication network 112c and a satellite network 112d. The control unit 110 based on the received associated traffic information processes the same to classify 10 the route into the high traffic zone and the low traffic zone.
[00072] In an aspect, the server 112a refers to a computing device or a software framework hosting an application, or a software services. The server 112a may be implemented to execute procedures such as, but not limited to, programs, routines, or scripts stored in one or more memories for supporting the hosted application or 15 the software service. In an embodiment, the server 112a may be configured to perform one or more predetermined operations such as transmitting an associated traffic information pertaining to a location of the vehicle 102. The server 112a may be realized through various types of application servers such as, but are not limited to, a Java application server, a .NET framework application server, a 20 Base4 application server, a PHP framework server, or any other application server framework.
[00073] In an aspect, vehicle-to-vehicle communication network 112b refers to an ability or configuration of the vehicle 102 to wirelessly communicate and exchange information with surrounding vehicles. Typically, the information 25 exchanged through vehicle-to-vehicle communication network 112b comprises a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and a direction of heading of the vehicle 102. In accordance with the present configuration, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network 112b establishes not only preciseness of the location of the vehicle 102 which was earlier transmitted through the control unit 110 of the vehicle, but also 30
provides information on the vehicles present in the vicinity of the vehicle 102 based on which an indication to the traffic information is provided. Owing to the range of the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network 112b being more than 300m appropriate information in surrounding environment of the vehicle 102 can be accurately fetched by the integrated network 112 to the control unit 110.
5 [00074] In an aspect, the vehicle-to-everything communication network 112c is a wireless communication network existent between the vehicle 102 and any entity which may be affected by the vehicle 102. In another aspect, the vehicle-to-everything communication network 112c incorporates V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure), V2N (vehicle-to-network), V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle), V2P
10 (vehicle-to-pedestrian) as well as V2D (vehicle-to-device). Conventionally, the vehicle-to-everything communication network 112c comprises a Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) using underlying radio communication provided by 802.11p. In an aspect, the vehicle-to-everything communication network 112c communicates with the vehicles present in the vicinity along with the traffic timer 15 posts in determining the time of halt of the vehicle 102.
[00075] In another aspect, the satellite network 112d refers to a telecommunication system using artificial satellites to provide communication links between coordinates of the Earth. The satellite network 112d performs a vital function of data transmission to the control unit 110 of the vehicle 102 to 20 receive surrounding information pertaining to traffic for the vehicle 102.
[00076] In an aspect, the integrated network 112 can be adapted to comprise at least one of vehicle to infrastructure, vehicle to network, vehicle to pedestrian network, a cooperative intelligent transport system, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-Building (V2B), also known as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), Vehicle-to-25 Load (V2L), Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) and even Vehicle-to-Cloud (V2C).
[00077] In an aspect, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to an instrument cluster disposed in the vehicle 102. In an embodiment, the control unit (110) being configured to transmit a signal indicative of an amount of charge saved achieved by the controlling operation of the ISS unit 106. In an 30
embodiment, the amount of charge saved being displayed on the instrument cluster when the an amount of charge saved exceeds a pre-set value.
[00078]
In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-set value is 100ml of charge in the event the prime mover 104 is an internal combustion engine and at least 1% of state of charge in the event the prime mover 104 is an energy storage unit. 5
[00079] In an aspect, the amount of charge saved is determined by controlling operation of the ISS unit 106 in the high traffic zone and the low traffic zone. In an embodiment, in the high traffic zone, measuring the pre-set amount of charge over a duration of halt of the vehicle 102 in the high traffic zone. In an embodiment, in the low traffic zone, measuring the amount of charge consumed 10 by the prime mover 104 to turn ON the prime mover 104 after turning ON of the ISS unit 106 during vehicle idling.
[00080] In an aspect, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to an electronic device of the user such as a personal digital assistant of the user, where the amount of charge saved is displayed to the user. In an embodiment, the 15 electronic device of the user is connected to a rider reward system implemented in fleet management models in businesses. In an aspect, based on the charge economy and the deciphered riding patterns of the drivers a rider reward system is executed. The deciphered riding patterns in accordance with the present subject matter also provides an insight onto the compliance with traffic rules as the 20 system 100 and method 200 is location and associated traffic information based. In another embodiment, the electronic device of the user is connected to an insurance server model where based on the processed riding pattern an amount of insurance coverage for the vehicle and rider is tabulated.
[00081] In an aspect, the electronic device of the user may refer to a computing 25 device used by a user. The electronic device may comprise of one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories may include computer readable code that may be executable by the one or more processors to perform predetermined operations. Examples of the electronic device may
include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a tablet, or any other computing device. [00082] A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to realizing the integrated network 112 and the electronic device as separate entities. In an embodiment, the integrated network
5 112 may be realized as an application program installed on and/or running on the electronic device without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[00083] The communication network established between at least one of the integrated network 112, the control unit 110 of the vehicle 102 and the electronic device of the user may be performed in accordance with various wired and 10 wireless communication protocols. Examples of such wired and wireless communication protocols include, but are not limited to, Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), ZigBee, EDGE, infrared IR), IEEE 802.11, 802.16, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G cellular 15 communication protocols, and/or Bluetooth (BT) communication protocols. The communication network 218 may include, but is not limited to, the Internet, a cloud network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a telephone line (POTS), and/or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). 20
[00084] The following paragraphs represent a series of events used for illustration purposes depicting an operation of the disclosed system 100 for controlling a prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102. The same shall not be construed as limitative but rather should explicitly serve as an illustration of the present system 100.
[00085] As an illustration, upon a successful starting of the vehicle 102 the 25 vehicle 102 is construed to be operating in the running condition. In the event a traffic signal comes in line with the route of the vehicle 102, an idling condition or state of the vehicle 102 may be operated. The idling state of the vehicle 102 is based on one or more vehicle related parameters. Conventionally, the idling state of the vehicle 102 is initiated when a pre-set period of time passes over which the 30
one or more vehicle related parameters indicative of idling state of the vehicle is continuously maintained following which the ISS unit 106 may turn ON or OFF the prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102. [00086] In conventional vehicle layouts employing ISS unit 106, the ISS unit is automatically turned ON after the pre-set period of time over which idling occurs.
5 For instance, the pre-set period of time is 10 seconds.
[00087] In accordance with the present configuration, the location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information is processed in determining whether the ISS unit 106 should be ON or OFF.
[00088] For instance, in high traffic zones where the period of halt is expected to 10 be about 60 seconds, then the ISS unit 106 is turned ON and charge supply to the prime mover 104 is cut off. In this scenario, suppose 5ml of charge was supplied per second to the prime mover 104 during idling, in this case 5ml * 50 second, being roughly 250 ml of charge is saved by turning ON the ISS unit 106 with the same being displayed on the instrument cluster of the vehicle 102. 15
[00089] For instance, in low traffic zones where the period of halt is expected to be 15 seconds, the ISS unit 106 is turned ON and the charge supply to the prime mover 104 is cut off. In this scenario, the amount of charge saved is 5ml*5 second, being roughly 25 ml of charge is saved. However, for turning ON the prime mover 106 a charge of rich content is required to be provided which is say 20 about 40ml per second. In the low traffic zone scenario the advantage or charge consumption which was alleviated by the ISS unit 106 is completely disrupted leading to higher charge consumption. The present subject matter addresses this exact issue persistent in the prior art.
[00090] The present subject matter based on an assessed time of halt 25 communicates with the ISS unit 106.
[00091] In an exemplary embodiment, a predictive artificial based algorithm may be incorporated in the control unit 110 to precisely determine a period of halt ensuing the vehicle 102 to more accurate control the operation of the ISS unit 106.
[00092]
Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a method for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00093] The method 200 starts at step 202 and proceeds to step 204. At step 204, the control unit 110 receives one or more vehicle related parameters. The one or 5 more vehicle related parameters being at least one of a vehicle speed, a wheel speed, a prime mover speed, a charge consumption value, a vehicle gear input, a vehicle diagnosis input and a prime mover temperature.
[00094] At step 206, the control unit 110 detects an idling state of the vehicle based on the one or more vehicle related parameters. The idling state of the 10 vehicle 102 is based on the one or more vehicle related parameters where each of the one or more vehicle related parameter is compared against a pre-set value for each parameter referenced to an idling state of the vehicle 102.
[00095] At step 208, the control unit 110 determines a location of the vehicle 102 and an associated traffic information. At step 210, the control unit 110 controls 15 operation of the ISS unit 106, where the controlling operation of the ISS unit 106 is based on the determined location of the vehicle 102 and the associated traffic information.
[00096] In an aspect, the controlling operation 210 of the ISS unit 106 comprises: turning ON the ISS unit 106 for performing idle start-stop operation when the 20 associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 at the location of the vehicle 102 being indicative of a high traffic zone. The controlling operation 210 if the ISS unit 106 further comprises turning OFF the ISS unit 106 for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 at the location of the vehicle being indicative of a low traffic zone. In an embodiment, 25 The high traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 being greater than a pre-defined threshold value. In an embodiment, and the low traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle 102 being lesser than the pre-defined threshold value.
[00097] In an aspect, the associated traffic information comprises at least a traffic density and a determined time of halt of the vehicle 102 associated with the traffic density.
[00098] In an aspect, the ISS unit 106 is configured to: stop the supply of charge to the prime mover 104 of the vehicle when the ISS unit 106 is turned ON by the 5 control unit 110. In an embodiment, the ISS unit 106 further enable the supply of a pre-set amount of charge to the prime mover 104 of the vehicle 102 when the ISS unit 106 is turned OFF by the control unit 110. The pre-set amount of charge being an amount of charge supplied to the prime mover 104 to continue idling of the prime mover 104. The method 200 ends at step 212. 10
[00099] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but 15 not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[000100] The disclosed claimed limitations and the disclosure provided herein provides a vehicle. The claimed invention in an aspect provides a system and method for automatic controlling of a prime mover of a vehicle. 20
[000101] The present subject matter is purposed to improve the accuracy and preciseness of ISS unit functionality in a vehicle in pursuit of reducing fuel consumption and associated exhaust emissions by way of processing by the control unit classification of riding routes into a high traffic zone and a low traffic zone. The ISS unit functionality is operated conjunctively with the determined 25 location of the vehicle and the associated traffic information.
[000102] In an aspect, teachings derived from the present configuration of the system and method for automatic controlling of prime mover of a vehicle can be extended to provide the charge economy or amount of charge saved and displayed on the instrument cluster of the vehicle applicable in different riding modes of the 30
vehicle. For instance, a comparative analysis of the amount of charge saved during riding and idling conditions in power mode and economy mode of the vehicle may be communicated to the user. [000103] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with another does not imply that all such components are 5 required, On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention,
[000104] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore 10 intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[000105] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, 15 other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[000106] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, 20 modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications. 25
[000107] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 5 , Claims:We claim,
1. A system (100) for automatic controlling of a prime mover (104) of a vehicle (102), the system (100) comprising:
the prime mover (104) being configured to propel the vehicle (102), wherein the prime mover (104) being integrated with an idle start-5 stop unit (ISS unit) (106),
wherein the ISS unit (106) being configured to control a supply of charge to the prime mover (104); and
a control unit (110), the control unit (110) being configured to:
receive one or more vehicle related parameters; 10
detect an idling state of the vehicle (102) based on the one or more vehicle related parameters;
determining a location of the vehicle (102) and an associated traffic information; and
controlling operation of the ISS unit (106) based on the 15 determined location of the vehicle (102) and the associated traffic information.
2. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling operation 20 of the ISS unit (106) comprises:
turning ON the ISS unit (106) for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) at the location of the vehicle (102) being indicative of a high traffic zone,
wherein the high traffic zone being when the associated 25 traffic information of the vehicle (102) being greater than a pre-defined threshold value; and
turning OFF the ISS unit (106) for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) at the location of the vehicle (102) being indicative of a low traffic zone, 30
wherein the low traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) being lesser than the pre-defined threshold value.
3. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of 5 the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the associated traffic information comprises at least a traffic density and a determined time of halt of the vehicle (102) associated with the traffic density.
4. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of 10 the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location of the vehicle (102) and the associated traffic information being retrieved from at least one of a server (112a), a satellite communication system (112b), a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system (112c) and a vehicle-to-everything communication system (112d). 15
5. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ISS unit (106) being configured to:
stop the supply of charge to the prime mover (104) of the vehicle 20 (102) when the ISS unit (106) is turned ON by the control unit (110); and
enable the supply of a pre-set amount of charge to the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) when the ISS unit (106) is turned OFF by the control unit (110), wherein the pre-set amount of charge being an amount of charge supplied to the prime mover (104) to continue idling of the 25 prime mover (104).
6. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (110) being communicatively coupled to an instrument cluster disposed in the 30 vehicle (102), wherein the control unit (110) being configured to transmit
a signal indicative of an amount of charge saved achieved by the controlling operation of the ISS unit (106), wherein the amount of charge saved being displayed on the instrument cluster when the an amount of charge saved exceeds a pre-set value.
5
7. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the amount of charge saved being determined by controlling operation of the ISS unit (106) in the high traffic zone and the low traffic zone,
wherein in the high traffic zone, measuring the pre-set amount of 10 charge over a duration of halt of the vehicle (102) in the high traffic zone; and
wherein in the low traffic zone, measuring the amount of charge consumed by the prime mover (104) to turn ON the prime mover (104) after turning ON of the ISS unit (106) during vehicle idling. 15
8. The system (100) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle related parameters being at least one of a vehicle speed, a wheel speed, a prime mover speed, a charge consumption value, a vehicle gear input, a 20 vehicle diagnosis input and a prime mover temperature.
9. A method (200) for automatic controlling of a prime mover (104) of a vehicle (102), the method (200) comprising:
receiving (204), by a control unit (110), one or more vehicle 25 related parameters;
detecting (206), by the control unit (110), an idling state of the vehicle (102) based on the one or more vehicle related parameters;
determining (208), by the control unit (110), a location of the vehicle (102) and an associated traffic information; and 30
controlling operation (210) of the ISS unit (106), by the control unit (110), the controlling operation (210) of the ISS unit (106) being based on the determined location of the vehicle (102) and the associated traffic information.
5
10. The method (200) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 9, wherein controlling operation of the ISS unit (106) comprises:
turning ON the ISS unit (106) for performing idle start-stop operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) at 10 the location of the vehicle (102) being indicative of a high traffic zone,
wherein the high traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) being greater than a pre-defined threshold value; and
turning OFF the ISS unit (106) for performing idle start-stop 15 operation when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) at the location of the vehicle being indicative of a low traffic zone,
wherein the low traffic zone being when the associated traffic information of the vehicle (102) being lesser than the pre-defined threshold value, 20
wherein the associated traffic information comprises at least a traffic density and a determined time of halt of the vehicle (102) associated with the traffic density.
11. The method (200) for automatic controlling of the prime mover (104) of 25 the vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ISS unit (106) being configured to:
stop the supply of charge to the prime mover (104) of the vehicle when the ISS unit (106) is turned ON by the control unit (110); and
enable the supply of a pre-set amount of charge to the prime mover 30 (104) of the vehicle (102) when the ISS unit (106) is turned OFF by the
control unit (110), wherein the pre-set amount of charge being an amount of charge supplied to the prime mover (104) to continue idling of the prime mover (104).
5
Dated this: 31st August, 2023.