IP Library Granted Patent US 10,100,799
Granted Patent B2
US 10,100,799 · App. 15/749,353 · Granted Oct 16, 2018

Process for managing the re-start of an internal combustion engine in a start and stop system

Inventors: Roberto Bernardini (Pontedera, IT); Jury Cantini (Pontedera, IT); Jeanpaul Milani (Pontedera, IT)
Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
F02N11/0844F02N19/005F02B75/16F02B2075/027F02N2019/007F02N2019/008F02N2200/021F02N2200/044Y02T10/48
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,100,799
App. No.
15/749,353
Granted
Oct 16, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process for managing the re-start of an internal combustion engine in a Start and Stop system using an electric motor managed by an electric motor control unit (EMU), a first step of direct evaluation of the rotation regime of the crankshaft being provided by an internal combustion engine control unit (ECU) through a sensor put on the crankshaft: if the rotation regime is above a threshold corresponding to the sensor accuracy loss, in case of re-opening of the throttle valve said control unit of the combustion engine (ECU) continues to provide fuel and ignition; otherwise a crankshaft positioning step is provided by the electric motor control unit (EMU) comprising: a forward crankshaft rotation by a predetermined forward rotation angle; a detection of a possible piston stall state followed, in negative case, by an additional forward crankshaft rotation until reaching a maximum predetermined forward rotation angle; an inverse crankshaft rotation by a predetermined angle; and a detection of a possible piston stall state followed, in negative case, by an additional inverse crankshaft rotation until reaching a maximum predetermined inverse rotation angle.

Claims (15)

1. A process for managing a re-start of an internal combustion engine in a Start and Stop system using an electric motor acting on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and managed by an electric motor control unit (EMU), a first step of direct evaluation of the rotation regime of the crankshaft being provided through a rpm sensor directly placed on the crankshaft and connected to a combustion engine control unit (ECU) of the internal combustion engine: if the rotation regime is above a predetermined threshold, in case of re-opening of the throttle valve a control unit of the combustion engine (ECU) continues to provide fuel and ignition to the engine; if the rotation regime is below said predetermined threshold a crankshaft positioning step and an ignition step are provided, activated after a starting command, said predetermined threshold corresponding to a signal accuracy loss of said rpm sensor, wherein said crankshaft positioning step by the electric motor control unit (EMU) comprises:

a forward crankshaft rotation by a predetermined forward rotation angle;

a detection of a possible piston stall state followed, in negative case, by an additional forward crankshaft rotation until reaching a maximum predetermined forward rotation angle;

an inverse crankshaft rotation by a predetermined angle; and

a detection of a possible piston stall state followed, in negative case, by an additional inverse crankshaft rotation until reaching a maximum predetermined inverse rotation angle.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined threshold does not exceed 150 rpm.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said piston stall state is detected by a control unit of the engine (EMU) which receives data related to a current supply to the electric motor by an electric sensor.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said piston stall state is detected by a control unit of the engine (EMU) which receives a piece of information related to a number of phase pulses detected by phase sensors of a stator of the electric motor.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a stator of the electric motor is equipped with a sensor providing a signal representing a rotation direction of a rotor with respect to the stator which is sent to a control unit of the internal combustion engine (ECU) regulating fuel supply and ignition of the internal combustion engine.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined forward rotation angle of said first forward rotation is comprised between 350° and 700°.

7. The process according to claim 4 , wherein said forward rotation maximum angle is determined by a number N of phase pulses detected by said phase sensors.

8. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined inverse rotation angle of said first forward rotation is comprised between 350° and 700°.

9. The process according to claim 4 , wherein said inverse rotation maximum angle is determined by a number M of phase pulses detected by said phase sensors.

10. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising an ignition step providing a forward crankshaft rotation to determine the starting of the internal combustion engine.

11. The process according to claim 10 , wherein, if the starting has not been implemented, the positioning procedure is repeated only by the inverse crankshaft rotation for the positioning step until ignition or execution of a predetermined number X of attempts, at the end thereof the system will signal a failure situation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2018
From: BERNARDINI, ROBERTO; CANTINI, JURY; MILANI, JEANPAUL
To: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 045697/0527 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT 102015000041504 · Aug 3, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180223787A1 · Aug 9, 2018