Patent · US Expired

Engine control system and method

US6358180B1 · kind B1 · utility

76Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2000
Grant dateMar 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S903/918
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An engine control system and method is disclosed, which reduces driver's feeling of unease relating to the operation of driving a vehicle which is idle-controlled so as to reduce the exhaust gas discharge, thereby improving the driving operability. The method comprising the steps of detecting a switch of the driving mode of the vehicle from a first normal driving range to a second normal driving range different from the first normal driving range; detecting whether the engine is currently in a stopped state due to an automatic stop operation; detecting whether a brake for stopping the vehicle is currently being operated; and automatically starting the engine if it is determined that the engine is currently in a stopped state due to the automatic stop operation, and that the driving mode has been switched to the second normal driving range, and that the brake is not currently being operated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.