Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and system for controlling an engine in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventionally, hybrid vehicles are provided with an automatic stop/start controller to automatically stop and start an engine to improve fuel economy. To start and stop the drive motor usually a so-called engine starter switch is used. After switching on the ignition, for example by turning the ignition key, then the driver can start the engine by pressing the starter switch.
[0003] A typical automatic stop/start controller system includes both an engine and a motor as a driving source for a vehicle. The controller stops the engine while the vehicle is stopped, and starts the engine to generate a driving force after the vehicle is started by the motor.
[0004] Generally, vehicle fuel economy is a very important aspect to be considered, while buying a vehicle by a user. Most importantly, fuel economy becomes more crucial parameter for those users whose livelihood depends on the vehicle wherein the vehicle is used for commercial transportation. Further, the increasing cost of fossil fuels has created an urgent need to look for ways to economize the fuel used in the vehicles. There are many mechanisms available to switch off the vehicle, when not in use or when the vehicle is in idling condition to save fuels. Many conventional designs comprise of a mechanical starter motor system to switch OFF the vehicle using the starter switch for switching off the vehicle. But in the above-mentioned system, it is difficult to achieve sufficient frequency for ON-OFF cycles required to crank the engine. Therefore, the user has to make a lot of attempts in order to start or crank the engine. Apart from this, the existing mechanical starter motor system includes a number of mechanical parts which makes it slower, bulky and costly.
[0005] Further, in hybrid vehicles, an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) uses the electricity that is generated with the help of regenerative braking to keep the dual battery setup charged. The kinetic energy which is produced when the vehicle slows down or while decelerating is converted into electrical energy. This is then stored in the dual battery set up which helps in Torque Assist. By using Torque Assist functionality, the energy that is stored in the dual battery set up is utilized by the ISG to assist the engine during acceleration which helps in reducing the load on the engine, thus increasing the fuel efficiency. Consequently, this lightens the load on the engine by shutting off the engine when at standstill. Hence, this not only helps save fuel but also supports the engine in providing optimal acceleration and performance. helps in enhancing the fuel efficiency is brake energy regeneration.
[0006] Therefore, in existing vehicles, several manually operating switches are utilized. This design mainly comprises of two or more switches, one of which is used to start the vehicle namely the engine starter switch and the other is used as a torque assist switch. This is confusing to the user because the user must operate multiple switches to turn on and turn off the engine or to enable torque assist while driving the vehicle, and it becomes even more difficult task when the user is stuck in traffic which requires quick and careful movements of the vehicle. In another type of starter motor system, the vehicle is provided with a manual or an automatic start stop system configured to switch off the vehicle entirely. In such systems, when the vehicle engine is turned off during idle condition or in traffic, other vehicle loads such as a head lamp, one or more tail lights, one or more indicators, and the like are also switched off. This causes the problem of complete vehicle shut down and it becomes extremely difficult for the user at night without any form of illumination and thus increases the chances of an accident.
[0007] Moreover, having multiple switches for multiple functionalities results in increasing the part count, weight and cost of the vehicle as two different switches are required for starting of the engine and another switch for enabling torque assist functionality. Further, post starting of the vehicle, the engine start switch becomes idle and is of no use unless again cranking of the vehicle is required.
[0008] Therefore, there arises a need for an improved system and method for controlling an engine having a single switch which can be used for both enabling the torque assist feature and for starting the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which is related to a hybrid vehicle being one embodiment of the present subject matter. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the depicted embodiment(s) and is applicable to all kinds of vehicles such as two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled or four-wheeled hybrid vehicles, mild hybrid vehicles and the like. In the figures, the same or similar numbers are used throughout to reference features and components.
[00010] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling an engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a flow diagram of the method for controlling the engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

SUMMARY
[00012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for controlling an engine with a single switch for better accessibility and comfort.
[00013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for an already existing engine starter to act as a torque assist switch as well, thereby eliminating the need for two different switches.
[00014] It has been recognized that adding an additional switch to enable the torque assist feature adds cost, requires space on the handlebar, and requires an additional input to the controller. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to switch ON/OFF the engine and enable torque assist feature without an additional switch.
[00015] As per another object of the present invention, the present subject matter discloses an improved method and system for controlling an engine to economize fuel consumption.
[00016] The present invention discloses a method for controlling an engine of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the steps of pressing, by a user of said vehicle, a switch, for a time duration; determining, by a control unit, one or more engine speed values; and enabling, by said control unit, one of a torque assist functionality and cranking of said engine based on said one or more engine speed values and said time duration.
[00017] In another embodiment, the switch being one of an engine starter switch and a vehicle parking assist switch.
[00018] In yet another embodiment, the method of controlling the engine includes comparing, by said control unit, said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value; verifying, by said control unit, said time duration for which said switch being pressed, and comparing said time duration with a predetermined time duration; and enabling said torque assist functionality by said control unit, based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration.
[00019] In another embodiment, the method of controlling the engine includes enabling said cranking of said engine by said control unit, based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch being lesser than said predetermined time duration.
[00020] In yet another embodiment, the method of controlling the engine includes said one or more engine speed values being fed as an input to said control unit from an engine speed sensor.
[00021] In another embodiment, switching on of said vehicle being enabled through an ignition key.
[00022] The present subject matter also discloses a system for controlling an engine of a vehicle, where said system has a switch being configured to be pressed by a user of said vehicle for a time duration; and a control unit. The switch is configured to act as a torque assist functionality switch; and the control unit is configured to enable torque assist functionality on based on one or more engine speed values and said pressing of switch for said time duration.
[00023] In yet another embodiment, the control unit is configured to compare said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value and compare said time duration of pressing said switch with a predetermined time duration; and the control unit is configured to enable said torque assist functionality based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration.
[00024] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to enable cranking of said engine based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch being lesser than said predetermined time duration.
[00025] In yet another embodiment, the control unit is configured to control an integrated starter generator.
[00026] In another embodiment, the one or more engine speed values being fed as an input to said control unit from an engine speed sensor.
[00027] In yet another embodiment, an ignition key is used to switch on said vehicle.
[00028] In another embodiment, the switch being one of an engine starter switch and a vehicle parking assist switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00029] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[00030] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.
[00031] 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 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. The method and system may be implemented in any type of vehicle.
[00032] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00033] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling an engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. An engine (101) is integrally connected to an integrated starter generator unit (102). The integrated starter generator unit is electronically connected to a control unit (103). The control unit (103) is a microcontroller which generates signals to communicate electronically. The control unit (103) is mounted onto a cabin (not shown) for support and connectivity. The control unit (103) is further connected to a battery unit (104) which is mounted at a portion on a chassis (not shown) of the vehicle. The battery unit controls one or more DC loads (108). The one or more DC loads (108) includes one or more battery-controlled headlamps, one or more taillights, one or more indicators and the like. The control unit (103) is further electronically configured to control and crank the engine (101) of the vehicle by communicating electronically with a switch (105), an ignition key (106) and a fuel pump unit (107). The switch (105) is configured to be turned ON by pressing or pushing to start the engine (101) of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the switch (105) could also be a parking assist switch. The ignition key (106) is configured to turn ON to start the ignition of the engine (101) of the vehicle. The fuel pump unit (107) is configured to be electronically controlled by the control unit (103) to send signal to either supply fuel to start the engine (101) or otherwise. In this system, once the control unit (103) does not send any signal to the ignition control unit (107), the vehicle goes into an Off condition and the engine (101) of the vehicle along with the DC loads (108) are turned off.
[00034] Initially, after inserting key in the ignition key (106) by a user, the user presses the switch (105) for a time duration. Further, the switch (105) is configured to act as a torque assist functionality switch; and the control unit (103) is configured to enable torque assist functionality on based on one or more engine speed values and said pressing of switch (105) for said time duration. The control unit (103) is further configured to compare said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value and compare said time duration of pressing said switch (105) with a predetermined time duration. Further, the control unit (103) is configured to enable (215) said torque assist functionality based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration.
[00035] The control unit is further configured to enable (220) cranking of said engine (101) based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being lesser than said predetermined time duration. In an embodiment, the one or more engine speed values is fed as an input to said control unit (103) from an engine speed sensor (not shown).
[00036] Fig.2 exemplarily illustrates a flow diagram of the method for controlling the engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. It discloses a method for controlling an engine (101) of a vehicle having the following steps including pressing (205), by a user of said vehicle, a switch (105), for a time duration; determining (210), by a control unit (103), one or more engine speed values; and enabling (215, 220), by said control unit (103), one of a torque assist functionality and cranking of said engine (101) based on said one or more engine speed values and said time duration. In an embodiment, the switch (105) is one of an engine starter switch and a vehicle parking assist switch.
[00037] In yet another embodiment, the method includes comparing, by said control unit (103), said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value; verifying, by said control unit (103), said time duration for which said switch (105) being pressed, and comparing said time duration with a predetermined time duration; and enabling (215) said torque assist functionality by said control unit (103), based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration. Herein, the threshold engine speed value being equal to 200RPM. Therefore, if the one or more engine speed value is greater than 2000RPM, and the switch (105) is pressed for a particular time duration, then the torque assist functionality is enabled.
[00038] In another embodiment, the method of controlling the engine (101) includes enabling (220) said cranking of said engine (10) by said control unit (103), based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being lesser than said predetermined time duration.
[00039] In yet another embodiment, the one or more engine speed values being fed as an input to said control unit (103) from an engine speed sensor. In another embodiment, switching on of said vehicle is enabled through an ignition key (106).
[00040] Therefore, a single switch (105) is configured to act both as an engine start switch and as torque assist switch which can be enabled by pressing the switch (105) above a threshold engine speed value for a predetermined duration. Thus, it is an advantage of the present invention that provides a method and system for controlling an engine with a single switch for better accessibility and comfort.
[00041] Moreover, as compared to existing systems and method which uses two different switches for starting the engine and for enabling torque assist functionality, the present invention on the contrary provides a system and method for an already existing engine starter to act as a torque assist switch as well, thereby eliminating the need for two different switches. The disclosed method and system provides an improved method and system for controlling an engine to economize fuel consumption as well.
[00042] Thus, the need of adding an additional switch to enable the torque assist feature that involves additional cost, requires space on the handlebar, and requires an additional input to the controller is eliminated completely. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to switch ON/OFF the engine and enable torque assist feature without an additional switch.
[00043] While certain features of the claimed subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter.
List of reference signs:
101: Engine
102: Starter Generator
103: Control unit
104: Battery unit
105: Engine starter switch
106: Ignition key
107: TCI unit/ECU unit/Fuel pump
108: DC loads
, Claims:We claim:
1. A method for controlling an engine (101) of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
pressing (205), by a user of said vehicle, a switch (105), for a time duration;
determining (210), by a control unit (103), one or more engine speed values; and
enabling (215, 220), by said control unit (103), one of a torque assist functionality and cranking of said engine (101) based on said one or more engine speed values and said time duration.

2. The method of controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (105) being one of an engine starter switch and a vehicle parking assist switch.
3. The method of controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
comparing, by said control unit (103), said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value;
verifying, by said control unit (103), said time duration for which said switch (105) being pressed, and comparing said time duration with a predetermined time duration; and
enabling (215) said torque assist functionality by said control unit (103), based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration.

4. The method of controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
enabling (220) said cranking of said engine (10) by said control unit (103), based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being lesser than said predetermined time duration.
5. The method of controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more engine speed values being fed as an input to said control unit (103) from an engine speed sensor.
6. The method of controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein switching on of said vehicle being enabled through an ignition key (106).
7. A system for controlling an engine (101) of a vehicle, said system comprising:
a switch (105), said switch (105) being configured to be pressed by a user of said vehicle for a time duration; and
a control unit (103),
wherein said switch (105) being configured to act as a torque assist functionality switch; and
wherein said control unit (103) being configured to enable torque assist functionality on based on one or more engine speed values and said pressing of switch (105) for said time duration.
8. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein
said control unit (103) being configured to compare said one or more engine speed values with a threshold engine speed value and compare said time duration of pressing said switch (105) with a predetermined time duration; and
said control unit (103) being configured to enable (215) said torque assist functionality based on said compared one or more engine speed values being greater than or equal to said threshold engine speed value and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being more than or equal to said predetermined time duration.

9. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control unit (103) being configured to enable (220) cranking of said engine (10) based on said compared one or more engine speed values being equal to zero and said time duration of pressing said switch (105) being lesser than said predetermined time duration.
10. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control unit (103) being configured to control an integrated starter generator (102).
11. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said one or more engine speed values being fed as an input to said control unit (103) from an engine speed sensor.
12. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein an ignition key (106) being used to switch on said vehicle.
13. The system for controlling the engine (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (105) being one of an engine starter switch and a vehicle parking assist switch.