Automated start-stop systems and methods for internal combustion engines
An automated start/stop system for a vehicle comprises an auto-stop module, a diagnostic module, and an auto-start module. The auto-stop module selectively initiates an auto-stop event and shuts down an engine while the vehicle is running. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in a clutch pedal position sensor of the vehicle. The auto-start module, while the vehicle is running and the engine is shut down, selectively initiates an auto-start event after the fault has been diagnosed when current drawn by a starter motor is less than a predetermined maximum starting current.
1. An automated start/stop system for a vehicle, comprising:
an auto-stop module that selectively initiates an auto-stop event and shuts down an engine while the vehicle is running;
a diagnostic module that selectively diagnoses a fault in a clutch pedal position sensor of the vehicle; and
an auto-start module that, while the vehicle is running and the engine is shut down, selectively initiates an auto-start event after the fault has been diagnosed when current drawn by a starter motor is less than a predetermined maximum starting current.
2. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 wherein the auto-start module selectively disables the initiation of the auto-start event based on an engine speed.
3. The automated start/stop system of claim 2 wherein the auto-start module selectively disables the initiation of the auto-start event until the engine speed is equal to zero.
4. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 wherein the auto-start module selectively disables the initiation of the auto-start event when the current is greater than the predetermined maximum starting current.
5. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 further comprising a driver request module that selectively determines a driver torque request based on at least one of an accelerator pedal position, a cruise control input, and an opening of a throttle valve,
wherein the auto-start module selectively disables the initiation of the auto-start event when the driver torque request is greater than a zero pedal torque.
6. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 wherein the auto-start module selectively initiates the auto-start event further based on whether brakes of the vehicle are being applied.
7. The automated start/stop system of claim 6 wherein the auto-start module selectively disables the initiation of the auto-start event until the brakes of the vehicle are applied.
8. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 wherein the initiation of the auto-start event includes enabling of provision of fuel to the engine, engaging the starter motor with a flywheel of the engine, and applying current to the starter motor.
9. The automated start/stop system of claim 1 wherein the auto-stop module, when the engine and the vehicle are running after the fault has been diagnosed, selectively initiates the auto-stop event and shuts down the engine based on at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine speed.
10. The automated start/stop system of claim 9 wherein the auto-stop module initiates the auto-stop event and shuts down the engine when the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined stopped vehicle speed and the engine speed is less than a predetermined auto-stop speed.
11. An automated start/stop method for a vehicle, comprising:
selectively initiating an auto-stop event and shutting down an engine while the vehicle is running;
selectively diagnosing a fault in a clutch pedal position sensor of the vehicle; and,
while the vehicle is running and the engine is shut down, selectively initiating an auto-start event after the fault has been diagnosed when current drawn by a starter motor is less than a predetermined maximum starting current.
12. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 further comprising selectively disabling the initiation of the auto-start event based on an engine speed.
13. The automated start/stop method of claim 12 further comprising selectively disabling the initiation of the auto-start event until the engine speed is equal to zero.
14. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 further comprising selectively disabling the initiation of the auto-start event when the current is greater than the predetermined maximum starting current.
15. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 further comprising;
selectively determining a driver torque request based on at least one of an accelerator pedal position, a cruise control input, and an opening of a throttle valve; and
selectively disabling the initiation of the auto-start event when the driver torque request is greater than a zero pedal torque.
16. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 further comprising selectively initiating the auto-start event further based on whether brakes of the vehicle are being applied.
17. The automated start/stop method of claim 16 further comprising selectively disabling the initiation of the auto-start event until the brakes of the vehicle are applied.
18. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 wherein the initiation of the auto-start event includes enabling of provision of fuel to the engine, engaging the starter motor with a flywheel of the engine, and applying current to the starter motor.
19. The automated start/stop method of claim 11 further comprising, when the engine and the vehicle are running after the fault has been diagnosed, selectively initiating the auto-stop event and shutting down the engine based on at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine speed.
20. The automated start/stop method of claim 19 further comprising initiating the auto-stop event and shutting down the engine when the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined stopped vehicle speed and the engine speed is less than a predetermined auto-stop speed.