IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,577,903
Granted Patent B2
US 12,577,903 · App. 18/891,298 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Method for detecting slip in a belt driven integrated starter system

Inventors: Tobias Emig (Gelsenkirchen, DE); Ke Fan (Würselen, DE); Tianyuan Zhou (Beijing, CN)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
F02B77/081
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,577,903
App. No.
18/891,298
Granted
Mar 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for detecting belt slip in a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the starter system including a belt-driven integrated starter generator. A control unit of the motor vehicle evaluates a belt slip as detected if a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value. The belt slip value is determined to belong to a defined time window T, which opens after a start of the internal combustion engine. This determination takes into account at least one change in velocity over time value of the starter generator within the time window T. A motor vehicle with a control unit designed to carry out the method is also included.

Claims (45)

1 . A method for detecting belt slip in a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the starter system comprising a belt-driven integrated starter generator, the method comprising:

evaluating, via a control unit of the motor vehicle, the belt slip when a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value,

wherein the determined belt slip value is determined to belong to a defined time window T, the defined time window T opening after a start of the internal combustion engine, and

the determined belt slip value takes into account at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator within the defined time window T.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the defined time window T is set for slip detection after a start of the internal combustion engine, and the control unit repeats at least the following until a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value or the time window T is exceeded:

determining the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator;

determining a slip number assigned to the respective determined change in velocity over time value;

adding up the slip numbers determined so far to a resulting belt slip value; and

comparing the determined belt slip value with the limit value.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein an assignment between the respective determined change in velocity over time value over time of the belt-driven integrated starter generator and the slip number is stored in the control unit.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the slip number is an incremental value.

5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein an assignment between the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator and the slip number is configured to be retrieved by the control unit from another data source.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is determined by measuring a first speed value RPM_a within the defined time window T and measuring a second speed value RPM_b after an expiration of a defined time sampling interval Ti_Sample, wherein the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is calculated by an equation:

(RPM_ a −RPM_ b )/ Ti _Sample.

7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the first speed value RPM_a and the second speed value RPM_b are measured based on a shaft speed of the belt-driven integrated starter generator.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the defined time window T defines a period of time between a beginning of starting the internal combustion engine and before an ignition of the internal combustion engine.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein an end of the defined time window T is determined from a feedback of an engine ignition signal.

10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein an end of the defined time window T is determined from a calibrated duration based on an engine stop position.

11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit initiates countermeasures if the determined belt slip value exceeds the limit value.

12 . A motor vehicle including a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle with a belt-driven integrated starter generator and a control unit designed to carry out a method for detecting belt slip according to claim 1 .

13 . A method for detecting belt slip in a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the starter system comprising a belt-driven integrated starter generator, the method comprising

evaluating, via a control unit of the motor vehicle, a belt slip when a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value,

wherein the determined belt slip value is determined to belong to a defined time window T, the defined time window T opens after a start of the internal combustion engine, and

the determined belt slip value takes into account at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator within the defined time window T,

the defined time window T is set for slip detection after a start of the internal combustion engine, and the control unit repeats at least:

determining the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator;

determining a slip number assigned to the respective determined change in velocity over time value;

adding up the slip numbers determined so far to a resulting belt slip value; and

comparing the determined belt slip value with the limit value until a determined belt slip value exceeds the limit value or the defined time window T is exceeded.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is determined by measuring a first speed value RPM_a within the defined time window T and measuring a second speed value RPM_b after an expiration of a defined time sampling interval Ti_Sample, wherein the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is calculated by an equation: (RPM_a−RPM_b)/Ti_Sample.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the first speed value RPM_a and the second speed value RPM_b are measured based on a shaft speed of the belt-driven integrated starter generator.

16 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein an assignment between the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator and the slip number is stored in the control unit.

17 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein an assignment between the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator and the slip number is configured to be retrieved by the control unit from another data source.

18 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the defined time window T defines a period of time between a beginning of starting the internal combustion engine and before an ignition of the internal combustion engine.

19 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit initiates countermeasures if the determined belt slip value exceeds the limit value.

20 . A method for detecting belt slip in a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the starter system comprising a belt-driven integrated starter generator, the method comprising

evaluating, via a control unit of the motor vehicle, a belt slip when a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value,

wherein the determined belt slip value is determined to belong to a defined time window T, the defined time window T opens after a start of the internal combustion engine, and

the determined belt slip value takes into account at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator within the defined time window T,

the defined time window T is set for slip detection after a start of the internal combustion engine, and the control unit repeats at least:

determining the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator;

determining a slip number assigned to the respective determined change in velocity over time value;

adding up the slip numbers determined so far to a resulting belt slip value; and

comparing the determined belt slip value with the limit value until a determined belt slip value exceeds the limit value or the defined time window T is exceeded,

the at least one change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is determined by measuring a first speed value RPM_a within the defined time window T and measuring a second speed value RPM_b after an expiration of a defined time sampling interval Ti_Sample, the first speed value RPM_a and the second speed value RPM_b are measured based on a shaft speed of the belt-driven integrated starter generator, wherein the respective determined change in velocity over time value of the belt-driven integrated starter generator is calculated by an equation: (RPM_a−RPM_b)/Ti_Sample.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2024
From: EMIG, TOBIAS; FAN, KE; ZHOU, TIANYUAN
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068658/0613 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102023125454.5 · Sep 20, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250092820A1 · Mar 20, 2025
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