Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Michael Irby

Hanyang B Chen

Anthony Thomas Spoto

Stuart C Salter

Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy

Gabriel Jim

Karen Price

Kirk Pebley

Zeljko Deljevic

Ronald Patrick Brombach

Eric Michael Rademacher

James C Rollinson

James Weinfurther

Alan Francis Judge

Jeff Raymond Mohr

Matthew Loiselle

Jason Baker

Ben Chen

David J Dainelis

William David Treharne

Josephine S Lee

Todd Ansbacher

Christopher Semanson

Mark Edward Shields

Ravi Atluru

Jeffrey Raymond Mohr

David W Linden

Douglas George Rosner

Frederick Shell

Anthony Hartman

Onboard engine control for vehicles is disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a moving average of duty cycle periods for a power component of a vehicle for recent power load events, each of the duty cycle periods having both on-time portions and off-time portions; and when the on-time portions of the moving average are above a predetermined percentage, an engine of the vehicle remains in an on-state condition, further wherein when a current off-time period of the power component exceeds a value equal to a predetermined multiplier applied to the off-time portions, the engine is placed in an off-state condition.

Onboard engine control for vehicles

A vehicle determines a first resistance of a starter motor and a starter cable connected thereto based at least in part on the first voltage of a power source. The vehicle determines a predicted minimum battery voltage based at least in part on the first resistance of the starter motor and the starter cable. The vehicle, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage satisfying a threshold, enables a vehicle stop-start function, and, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage failing to satisfy the threshold, disables the vehicle stop-start function.

System and method for controlling vehicle stop-start function based on measured and predicted cranking voltages and adaptive adjustment of circuit resistance

An electrical system in a vehicle has a battery is configured to supply electrical current when a driver ignition key is in a Key-Off state. A. A plurality of electrical loads are each configurable to receive the electrical current flowing from the battery during the Key-Off state depending upon predetermined Key-Off-Load (KOL) Modes. A vehicle locator determines a geographic location of the vehicle. A sleep-time database records daily Key-On and Key-Off events according to changes between the Key-On state and the Key-Off state, wherein each Key-Off event is associated with a respective geographic location from the vehicle locator. An analyzer identifies Key-Off events sharing a repetitive time span and a common geographic location. A scheduler activates a timed KOL sequence according to the identified Key-Off events so that repetitive time slots of vehicle usage can be used to reduce battery drain during times when vehicle usage is less likely.

History-based and location-based control of vehicle key-off loads

A monitoring method includes, among other things, within a vehicle, providing a first electrical system with an auxiliary battery, and a second electrical system with a primary battery. The method further includes electrically coupling the first electrical system to the second electrical system, electrically loading the auxiliary battery and the primary battery, and comparing an electrical parameter of the auxiliary battery to a threshold value to assess a state of the auxiliary battery.

Vehicle battery monitoring method and assembly

Systems and methods for monitoring the health of a vehicle battery are described, in which an example vehicle includes a vehicle battery, one or more vehicle battery sensors, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a battery health metric of the vehicle battery, wherein the battery health metric is based on a battery service time, a battery state of charge, and a battery temperature. The processor is also configured to perform a battery refresh operation on the vehicle battery responsive to determining that the battery health metric is above a refresh threshold. And the processor is further configured to activate a vehicle alert responsive to determining that the battery health metric is above an end-of-life threshold.

Vehicle battery health measurement and control systems and methods

A power system for a vehicle comprises a first power supply network configured to operate at a first voltage. The first power supply network comprises a first alternator, a starter motor, and a battery conductively connected to the first alternator and the starter motor. The system further comprises a second power supply network configured to operate at a second voltage. The second power supply network comprises a second alternator, a power supply receptacle configured to output power to an external accessory, and a capacitive energy storage device conductively connected to the second alternator and the power supply receptacle. A directional conduction device interconnects the first power supply network and the second power supply network.

Vehicle auxiliary power supply system

A monitoring method includes, among other things, within an electrified vehicle, providing an accessory battery that is configured to power an electrical bus, and a traction battery that is configured to power the electrical bus. The method further includes loading the electrical bus with electrical loads of the electrified vehicle when an amount of power provided to the electrical bus by the traction battery is reduced. After the loading, the method compares an electrical parameter of the accessory battery to a threshold value to assess a condition of the accessory battery.

Vehicle battery monitoring assembly and monitoring method

Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a minimum battery state of charge (SOC) threshold for automatic engine stopping is adjusted responsive to a temperature of a battery. An engine of the vehicle may be automatically started responsive to a battery SOC discharge amount that is greater than a threshold. The approach may allow a battery to discharge a greater number of times so that battery life may be extended.

Methods and systems for controlling a stop/start engine

Systems and methods for monitoring the health of a vehicle battery. A method includes determining an initial amp-hour value for a vehicle battery of a vehicle. The method also includes measuring a net integrated amp-hour value added into the vehicle battery during a first time period. The method further includes determining that the initial amp-hour value plus the net integrated amp-hour value is greater than a threshold percentage of a rated capacity of the vehicle battery. And the method still further includes responsively providing an alert to a driver.

Methods and systems for vehicle battery cell failure detection and overcharge protection

A vehicle includes an engine having a throttle body, a battery, e.g., a 12-volt battery, and a battery-charging system electrically connected to the battery and configured to convert mechanical motion of the engine into electricity to charge the battery. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, in response to an opening of the throttle body being less than an opening threshold and a state of charge of the battery (battery SOC) being less than a first charge threshold, set the battery-charging system to output a first power, wherein the charge threshold is based on a measured capacity of the battery and a measured key-off load. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the opening being less than the opening threshold and the battery SOC exceeding the first charge threshold but being less than a second charge threshold, set the battery-charging system to output a second power that is less than the first power.

Battery-charging system and control strategy

A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Vehicle thermal management systems and methods

A powertrain control system may include an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a maximum difference in battery voltage values remaining less than a threshold value during a period in which a number of engine stop-start cycles exceeds a limit, enable an automatic stop-start system of the engine.

Powertrain control based on auxiliary battery characteristics

A vehicle operates an internal combustion engine according to an automatic start-stop function to reduce fuel consumption. A first DC bus is adapted to connect to a plurality of DC loads. A primary battery is coupled between the first DC bus and a ground. A first alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the first DC bus. A second DC bus is connected to a positive terminal of an auxiliary battery. A negative terminal of the auxiliary battery is connected to the first DC bus. A second alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the second bus at a voltage corresponding to a sum of voltages of the primary and auxiliary batteries. An inverter receives electrical power from the second DC bus to generate an AC output adapted to connect to accessory AC loads.

DC/AC inverter system supplied by integrated power networks to increase output power with robust auto stop control

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle charge control for protection against cold crank failure. An example vehicle includes a battery and a body control module. The body control module is to obtain state of charge information of the battery, obtain temperature information, and estimate a next crank time based on the state of charge information and the temperature information.

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Monroe, MI, United States of America

Michael Irby