DE102008042669A1 - Operating mode controlling method for e.g. combustion engine of car, involves detecting actuation state of accelerator pedal, switching off drive, and resuming operation of drive, when length of time does not lie above minimum period - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves operating a drive, and detecting speed (v) of a vehicle. Length of time (T) that is elapsed till the end of actuation of a brake pedal is detected. The detection is made whether the length of the time lies above a minimum period by comparing the length of time with a minimum period. An actuation state of an accelerator pedal is detected. The drive is switched off, when the length of time lies above the period and the accelerator pedal is not operated during length of time. The operation of drive is resumed, when the length of time does not lie above the minimum period. An independent claim is also included for a device for controlling a drive of a vehicle, comprising a controller.

Description

State of the art

The Invention is based on internal combustion engine driven vehicles and their operation control. In general, in vehicles, the drive for acceleration and overcoming the air and rolling resistance used when accelerating or occur when driving at a constant speed. transport Limited Thus, situations arise where the drive is not moving contributes to the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle rolls out. Becomes an internal combustion engine used, so fuel is consumed even when the drive no movement power generated.

So far motor vehicles are used in which the driver all Turning on and off processes themselves performs this by turning a Ignition key or through an additional button, with which the driver control the operating state of the drive can. Automated methods, for example, detect coupling operations Manual transmissions based on the set idling that the engine can be turned off. The internal combustion engine is restarted, when the clutch is pressed again becomes.

A however, such automatic control is based on clutch signals, for example, do not occur in vehicles with automatic transmission. In principle, the problem arises with the automatic control, that with rare switching on and off of the internal combustion engine this in situations, in which can be dispensed with the internal combustion engine, so that an unfavorable energy balance results. However, if the engine is always off or restarted if he does not charge even for a short time is, then there are severe signs of wear on the engine and especially at the starter, which leads to higher maintenance costs and reduced Lead life. The invention is particularly concerned with the problem of frequent turn-on leads to high wear and with the correct control of the switch-off process.

There in vehicles with automatic transmission the situations in which the Turning off combustion engine is bad of the situations is to be separated, in which the internal combustion engine should continue, An optimization of the internal combustion engine control is difficult. These Difficulty arises from the fact that the operation of a clutch pedal or a lever is not ready to assess the situation. Especially when automatic transmissions every time then the internal combustion engine is stopped when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is pressed, results in a significantly increased Load of the starting system due to the higher number of starts.

Especially for start / stop systems with automatic transmission or hybrid vehicles the optimization of the internal combustion engine control is difficult.

It It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a control mechanism provide the drive, such as the internal combustion engine, in appropriate situations and in other appropriate situations continue operation, causing the number of starts in usual Traffic situations is suitably reduced without the ride comfort to impair.

Disclosure of the invention

The Invention allows a fuel-saving control mode of the internal combustion engine, wherein the number of starts is not increased is and thus the maintenance and the load of the drive is reduced. At the same time it is not necessary for an operator manual control activities executing, which increases ride comfort and operating errors are avoided. Likewise, wrong decisions avoided by the user. At the same time, the concept is without further usable in vehicles with automatic transmission, as clutch signals are not necessary for control. In particular, shutdowns are in situations avoided, due to the short duration of the rest situation a shutdown does not make sense.

The The concept underlying the invention is not just the fact the operation the brake itself, but a period of time after the completion of the operation of Capture brake and as a measure of control to use the internal combustion engine.

According to the invention, short pauses in operation following a brake operation are separated from long pauses in operation, a period of time following the operation of the brake being maintained during which the engine is not switched off. Thus, it is prevented that the drive (ie, for example, a combus- tion engine or a fuel cell drive) is switched off immediately after the end of the brake application, although it requires the traffic situation that should be accelerated after a short break after the end of the brake operation again. In particular, the method is directed to situations in which the vehicle is stationary (at least after the end of the braking operation), wherein according to the invention prevents the engine or the drive immediately after the end of the brake application is turned off by providing a period during which a turn-off is blocked. However, if there is no acceleration desired after the end of the time period (during which time no acceleration request was made, for example via the actuation of an accelerator pedal), then the internal combustion engine is switched off.

Becomes thus during the time that begins with the end of the brake application, neither brake pedal still accelerator pedal pressed, If the motor or the drive is directly (or even after a specified subsequent Time interval) independently switched off by further conditions. For example, a parent Operation control be provided after the end of the brake (or even while the operation the brake) emits a stop signal, but the invention prevents that the stop signal affects the drive by the process is still waiting for the duration of the drive while the time remaining to operate. The invention further preferably before, even while of pressing the brake pedal to prevent a turn-off by the Internal combustion engine during the brake operation incessantly is operated.

The Time is used to assess the driving situation, with short drive stops, for example the accelerator pedal is actuated relatively shortly after the brake is applied, whereas when driving, the brake pedal is released at standstill will be without during a subsequent period of time, the accelerator pedal is actuated. Since in the situation of the drive stop the accelerator pedal within the Time after the end of the operation the brake pedal is pressed the engine is not switched off, whereas at the end of a journey, in which no accelerator pedal operation more follows, the engine is switched off at the end of the period. In other words, the operation of the accelerator pedal interrupts the a shutdown process (= time duration) based shutdown process (i.e. H. the wait interval precedes the shutdown), for example, by the Duration extended will or counting reset the time to zero becomes. Furthermore, the pressing the accelerator pedal thereby lead to the end of the shutdown that the accelerator pedal operation leads to a vehicle speed that is detected as well and the shutdown in addition in derogation. In other words, the method is preferred combined with a speed query, so that the procedure essentially only at standstill and after the expiration of the time period stops the drive, and at speeds greater than a threshold, which essentially corresponds to the standstill, a shutdown of the Drive basically is suppressed and the drive continues to operate until the Speed essentially corresponds to standstill.

Preferably if the procedure is only carried out when the vehicle has a speed under a Minimum speed is. Thus, preferably, it becomes continuous or in the comparison of the time duration or when detecting the actuation state or detected immediately before shutdown the speed (and optionally performing the shutdown prevented).

Therefore, according to the invention the operation of a Detects brake pedal, for example, by detecting the pressure in Brake circuit or by detecting the degree of actuation using a sensor, the connected to the brake pedal (or to the brake system). moreover is preferably according to the invention distinguished whether the operation is continuous (and thus an expected longer Standstill marked) or if the operation is carried out at intervals, between which the actuation of the brake pedal is interrupted (as it is, for example, in short Abbremsmanövern the case is that caused by the traffic flow). According to the invention activity of the brake pedal detected, so that when determining the time duration a timer or a counter reset again is when an actuation is detected. The duration can be detected by means of a timer or by means of a counter with a fixed count clock or by similar Devices.

to Assessment of the time duration is the detected time period (after the operation start of the brake pedal or after the brake pedal has been released again) compared with a threshold in the form of a minimum duration, the for example, stored, predetermined or calculated. Because of this Comparing the internal combustion engine is switched off only if the duration over the minimum duration and operation will continue if it has been recorded that the duration does not exceed the minimum duration. One of the prerequisites of the procedure is a running internal combustion engine or an active hybrid drive or any drive of a motor vehicle, since the invention is essentially based on the process of switching off refers. Preferably, the internal combustion engine (or the hybrid drive) immediately switched off when it has been detected that the duration exceeds the minimum duration lies, d. H. in direct connection with the end of the period during which no brake pedal operation present. If the brake pedal during the duration of the time pressed, so the duration is reset, either at the beginning or at the end of the repeated operation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment tion form of the invention, in addition to the operation of the brake pedal, a further criterion used to assess whether the engine should be turned off, namely the speed. Thus, preferably, the speed of the vehicle is detected, especially at low speeds, the shutdown prevention realized by the time period is provided, so that at low speeds, the system implements the invention and prevents shutdown during the period. In other words, it is detected via the determination of the speed in which traffic situation the vehicle is located, wherein at high speeds it is obvious that an actuation of the brake pedal is most likely to be associated with an adaptation to a traffic flow and there is no situation in which the drive is switched off should. Above a minimum speed (for example, 0.1 km / h), either the time duration is significantly increased or the shutdown process according to the invention completely prevented, for example, by blocking the shutdown or blocking a timer, so that it does not continue running.

Preferably is the step of switching off the drive combined with a previous review of the Speed, so the procedure only then the drive, z. B. the internal combustion engine turns off, if given for a that the duration is over the minimum duration, and second, the speed is low is, for example, below a predefined threshold, which essentially marks the stoppage. These two criteria can combined so that the speed of the Minimum duration used for comparison with the time period becomes. At high speeds, the threshold for shutdown To set particularly high, the time will increase with increasing speed elevated, for example leaps and bounds. In addition to a continuous increase the duration can also be set to a very high value, when the speed is over is a certain threshold, and can usually be one unreachable value (for example, 99999) Seconds) when the speed is below a certain one Threshold is located. Thus, by such a setting depending on the duration from the speed of the invention shutdown only below activated at a certain speed; above a certain Speed (above a threshold) becomes the time duration chosen so high that it is only achieved with particularly long operating periods. Preferably, the accelerator operation is also taken into account by pressing the Accelerators either the counter reset the duration is, or the shutdown either unconditionally or for a predetermined period of time is prevented by locking.

In a further embodiment the speed is used to control the process in such a way that the internal combustion engine is then switched off when the brake pedal after a certain period of time is no longer actuated and simultaneously while a period of time while whose pressed is, no negative acceleration occurs. Thus, the case plays with a speed of zero (standstill) a special role, because the operation the brake without stopping corresponds to standstill. As the brake usually to reduce the speed is used and at a standstill This can not be further reduced, an actuation of Brakes without negative acceleration only mean that the vehicle parked and parked as usual the brake operation only at standstill corresponds to a speed of zero. Therefore is according to a embodiment by measuring the acceleration detects whether the speed is essentially zero. If so, the time taken to trigger the Turn-off is necessary, set to a common value, so normal operation breaks the brake pedal, as they are common at the completion of a driving cycle, for Turn off the internal combustion engine, whereas only short confirmation breaks no shutdown. Is the speed too big, like or greater than the minimum speed, then the duration is assigned a value, which rises sharply and preferably leaps and bounds with speed, preferably to an unrealistically high value to shutdown to prevent. As a period of time can Values of at least 2 seconds, at least 5 seconds, at least 10 seconds, at least 20 seconds, at least 40 seconds or at least 60 seconds.

The Speed signal can be through its own speed sensor be detected or is preferably from already existing speedometers or displays provided. Basically, one is in the vehicle provided speedometer and / or provided by a navigation device Speed measurement usable. According to one embodiment, the Speed then determined when the brake pedal is released is, d. H. when the operation ends has been. In a further embodiment The speed is then determined when the time has expired becomes. In general, the speed can be detected during the time period or after the end of the operation of the brake pedal or to the expiration of a predetermined duration, which coincides with the actuation end starts.

In addition to automatic shutdown, how If the invention provides, the method according to the invention can also provide for restarting the drive, ie the internal combustion engine, whereby the position of an accelerator pedal is detected as a criterion. Thus, if the beginning of an actuation of the accelerator pedal is detected, the internal combustion engine is preferably started un indirectly if it had previously been switched off. For this purpose, an operating level or a position of the accelerator pedal is detected, similar to the detection of the brake pedal. However, in this embodiment, as in other embodiments, it is preferably dispensed with that further operating parameters are detected. The start request can thus be entered by pressing the accelerator pedal, or, alternatively, by (preferably short) re-pressing the brake pedal, ie by "tapping", whereby the engine is started. In particular, for the execution of the method according to the invention, for example, a gear position or an operation of a clutch pedal is not relevant for the shutdown of the engine, since for example in automatic transmissions, the gear position based on the position of a clutch pedal (or a clutch lever) can not be detected. Automatic transmissions have neither clutch pedal nor shift lever. In other embodiments, buttons or switches are conceivable, which are arranged for example on the dashboard or on the steering wheel and detect the driver's desire to operate by pressing a button. In particular, such input means are not used in the control according to the invention, so that switching off and in particular also switching on the internal combustion engine (ie the drive) is independent of such inputs.

The Invention is preferably realized by means of a microprocessor, which, for example, also has other functions, for example the driving mode control of a vehicle, wherein the inventive method is provided by software, optionally in combination with Hardware, the software being on a microprocessor or a Microcontroller expires. In this way, the method can be implemented in the form of code that is part of the program that is on the drive mode control expires. Instead of programmable variants are also hardware-related Variants conceivable in which the steps of comparing and the Time tracking does not involve software and internal clocking, but by individual logic circuits that detect a period of time and output as a signal or this time duration with a time duration compare and output a corresponding signal. The duration can basically be predetermined. It can be as described above from the speed depend or independently be provided by this and then in particular either by a calculation unit provided by a look-up table, whose results are optionally interpolated by a threshold comparator, or by other methods that depend on the time duration, for example Provide or calculate the speed. The specification of the duration is preferably also provided within the drive mode control in the form of a section of code that implements the respective functions. Furthermore, the time period or the look-up table within a Memory, for example, provided within a working memory which is in contact with a processor.

Consequently comprises a device according to the invention an input with which a signal can be detected, the degree of activation or the position of the brake pedal reproduces. The signal can be be an analog or digital signal or a pulse width modulated Signal, preferably digital signals with fixed word width be used. Such signals can be transmitted via a CAN bus or LIN bus in usual Transmit manner become. In addition to the input, the device preferably comprises a Control output, with the internal combustion engine or its control is connected to turn off the engine if necessary (or to start). Furthermore, the device comprises a time standard, for example a counter with a fixed clock that increments one counter every clock cycle fixed increment increased. The time duration signal output by the time standard corresponds to the past one Time since the end of the last (uninterrupted) operation of the Brake pedal and is also in digital or analog form, preferably in the form of a digital word in binary form with a fixed word width. For example, when using a digital counter corresponds the time duration signal the count. The counter is preferably reset, when brake pedal or accelerator pedal are pressed, for example at the beginning of the operation or at the end of the operation. The time standard can be an additional Timer, or may be a clock generator of a processor, running on the software. In this case, a part of the software sets the method according to the invention around. The time standard is preferably connected to the input, for example via a standard Data bus or via other lines.

In addition, the device preferably comprises a comparator connected to the timer, for example in the form of a bus, in the form of lines or, in the case of software-related implementation, in the form of a memory in which the time standard stores a value and the comparator stores it Read value. The comparator compares the time duration signal with a period of time that is programmed, retrieved from memory, or by a computing device is provided. Like other components, the calculator may be provided by code that runs on a common processor. The output of the comparator in the form of the comparison result may also be output as a digital or analog signal and is preferably a fixed-word-length digital value written in a memory.

The Device preferably further comprises a control output, the outputs a signal that corresponds to the comparison result. Therefore the control output outputs an off signal when the comparison result a time duration signal greater than or equal indicates the duration of time, the off-signal to the drive, i. H. transferred to the internal combustion engine, to the fuel cell or their fuel supply is to implement the content of the signal.

Around furthermore, as described above, to take into account the speed a speed input is provided which determines the speed of the vehicle detected. In the case of a software-based implementation the speed input corresponds to a port that is addressed or a memory cell in which a digital value is stored which corresponds to the speed. Depending on the speed If necessary, the time period is provided, calculated or read out of a look-up table, wherein a calculation unit takes over this task. The Calculation unit may also be a section of code that is on the Processor expires and the minimum duration according to the speed determined. As already noted, being at high speeds or speeds> 0 km / h shutdown the invention with it suppressed, that a particularly long period of time is given, which is usually is not achieved. The switching off of the internal combustion engine according to the invention thus takes place primarily at low speeds, with at high speeds, the threshold for shutting down the drive is increased in such a way that the period of time can not be achieved de facto, for example if the minimum duration is greater than a value is chosen maximum of one counter, which provides the time standard is achieved.

The The apparatus may further include logic that includes an end of the operation of the Detected by the brake pedal, and the calculation unit activates accordingly, that this is based on a trigger signal that gives off the logic, the Assigning speed to a duration. Such logic can be provided permanently connected or is preferably as a threshold or look-up table deposited in a memory.

Next considering the foot brake pedal for determination according to the invention, whether the drive can be turned off (or re-activated) can further alternatively, and preferably in combination, a hand-operated parking brake or their operation to be viewed as. The operation the hand parking brake, for example, an electric hand parking brake is preferably with the detected operation of the foot brake pedal logically linked, for example, such that the operation of the hand parking brake the foot brake pedal is equal and thus either the hand-parking brake, the foot brake pedal or both to press are to delay a drive stop. As "pressing the brake pedal" applies in this Case the operation the hand parking brake, the foot brake pedal, or both components. If an automatically activated brake is provided, for example in automatic transmissions to keep the vehicle at a complete stop to keep, then preferably the active state of the automatic activated brake indicated to the driver by optical, acoustic and / or haptic signals, such as a display, d. H. a Indicator lights, a pointer, an indicator in a monitor or in a head-up display or by a flare of a Park brake switch. As a result, the driver detects that already braked will, so the actuation the brake only serves to turn off after a period of time to avoid. In addition to the control of the active state according to the invention via brake pedal (or hand parking brake lever) can also other activities considered be, for example, the operation of Switches that are explicitly used to control the active state of the drive are provided. For example, a motor-off and / or a motor-on switch (which may also be combined in a switch) can detect such actuation and emit a signal, the actuation resulting in that the drive immediately according to operation is started or turned off, without the time period according to the invention to be seen. This switch can be on the dashboard or on the steering wheel be arranged. According to one execution the drive is not directly in the provided by actuation Operating state transferred, but it is provided a period of time that starts with the operation and a given length having. The time duration may coincide with the duration of the method according to the invention, as far as their beginning by the operation of a motor-off switch or motor ON switch tripped becomes. The duration can be displayed, for example as a countdown of one Numeric display. The operation of the engine-off switch is preferably from a minimum speed ignored to filter out incorrect entries.

The period during which the invention, the shutdown is prevented, one can given length, which is stored in a memory or which can be adjusted via an adjustment device, which is operated by the driver, and over which the time duration. The adjuster may be provided by a rotary wheel (or by an up and down button) provided on a steering column lever or on the instrument panel. Alternatively, the length of the time period can be set by a navigation device, an on-board computer or a combined instrument or a monitor, in particular by an input device of these components. The navigation device may also provide the length depending on a distance to a destination, with the time decreasing with the distance, since at short distances the final shutdown is more likely than with long distances.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawings and in the following Description closer explained.

It shows

1 an exemplary course of the speed or an actuating signal, and

2 a further exemplary course of the speed or a brake actuation signal.

Embodiments of the invention

In 1 is an exemplary course of speed v, thick line, as well as a signal of brake B, thin line, shown over time.

To At time t1, the vehicle is still running, d. H. v> 0. During the Driving as well as after the time of the standstill is the brake actuated. For one thing leads the operation the brake before time t1 to decelerate, see. Speed curve, and is used between the times t1 and t2 to the vehicle remains stationary, d. H. does not roll. A corresponding traffic situation like braking in front of a red traffic light, for example to a Hang, is conceivable. Until the time t2, a time period T does not run, simultaneously is during the operation the brake of the internal combustion engine is not switched off. With others Word becomes the combustion engine (or another drive) while the operation the brake pedal in principle not switched off, stop signals or the like are not converted. At the time t2, the operation ends the brake. From here on the period T while the operation according to the invention continued the drive is, the engine is until the time t4, d. H. until the end of Time duration T, not switched off. During the period T will be Stop signals ignored or blocked their realization.

At time t3, which is within the period T, the accelerator pedal is depressed (the brake pedal is not depressed), so that the speed v increases. At the end of time T, ie at time t4, the vehicle is not at a standstill, v> threshold, the threshold being a very low driving speed, for example <1 km / h, or substantially stationary (about 0 km / h). equivalent. The 1 shows that in the prior art method, the drive would be switched off already at the time t1, although a drive request follows relatively soon. According to the invention, the shutdown during the period T is prevented in order to prevent very short operating pauses of the internal combustion engine, which are unfavorable in particular for the starting mechanism. Here, the operation of the brake pedal, see. Signal B, used to assess the situation: If the vehicle is at a standstill and the brake is depressed, it is assumed that the standstill is only temporary. However, if the brake pedal is not depressed while the vehicle is at a standstill, such as when the car is to be turned off, then the drive is turned off.

The Shutdown, for example, when waiting at a railroad crossing or performed in a different driving situation where the engine is for a time interval to be issued, which is known to be at least a certain period of time lasts. An example of situations where only a short wait, without the engine off is to wait, is waiting for a crosswalk. Because the vehicle is only briefly at a standstill and the brake is only briefly stepped before the accelerator pedal is stepped on, the invention provides to switch off herauszuzögern and when the accelerator pedal is activated or early End of brake pedal operation to stop the switch off again. Of short or something longer breaks, which are traffic-related, situations in which differ the car completely exhibited is to be issued or, for example, if the driver the car leaves and locks, in which case the drive is completely shut down and a restart is a user input (for example activity the ignition key or a start button for starting the vehicle from a completely off Status).

Thus, according to one embodiment, time duration T indicates a tradeoff, on the one hand, between the advantage of immediate shutdown due to fuel economy and, on the other hand Advantage by avoiding frequent start-up and shut-down processes, which burden the starter mechanism and reduce its service life. The time duration T can thus be dimensioned according to the robustness of the starter mechanism or according to the energy expenditure of a starting process. However, the time duration is preferably predetermined by the driver. According to one embodiment, T is preferably measured after the period of time that is usually or maximum required for the change from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, with an additional safety period. This ensures, for example, in situations that provide a driving mode change, such as waiting at a pedestrian crossing, ensures that between the end of the standstill (release the brake) and the beginning of the acceleration (operation of the accelerator pedal), the drive is not incorrectly issued. As already described, the suppression of the shutdown can be avoided, for example, by operating a dedicated motor-off button.

The 2 shows a speed profile and a course of the operation of the brake pedal in a further driving situation for a more detailed explanation of the invention.

Until time t1 or t2, the speed is greater than a threshold v1 or greater than zero. Therefore, it is assumed that a moving vehicle, whereby a shutdown of the engine is locked. The speed v is plotted with a thick line, whereas the operation of the brake pedal is shown with a thin line B. By operating the brake pedal until the time t2, the speed v decreases to a threshold value v1, for example, 1 km / h at time t1, or to a speed of substantially 0 at time t2. In 2 Thus, two different alternative ways of detecting the standstill are provided, ie detecting a speed substantially equal to zero (see t2) and detecting a speed below a predetermined threshold v1 at time t1.

At speeds above the respective limits, a shutdown of the engine is prevented, whereas at speeds below the respective relevant limit speed (v1 or 0), the delayed switch-off mechanism according to the invention is triggered. The delayed switch-off mechanism is determined by the time period T during which the operation of the drive is continued. In the 2 shown time duration T extends to time t3, wherein at time t3, the speed v is below the limit (ie equal to 0 or less than v1), which at time t3 (in addition to detecting the speed), the drive is turned off. Thus, until the time t3, the operation of the drive is continued, on the one hand between the beginning and t1 or t2, because in this time interval the speed is greater than the threshold or the brake pedal has entered, and on the other hand between t2 and t3, as in this interval, the time has not yet expired. With the expiration of the time period T at time t3, the drive is thus switched off. It should also be noted that during the time point T the accelerator pedal has not been stepped on, wherein an actuation of the accelerator pedal would delay the switch-off time by a further period of time, for example with a length corresponding to the time period T.

Between At time t3 and t4, therefore, the engine is not in operation, wherein at the time t4 the accelerator pedal is depressed, thereby starting from the time t4 the speed increases. At time t4 is thus a driving desire by pressing of the accelerator pedal, which causes the engine to start without delay becomes. Since from time t4 the speed v is greater than a threshold or greater than 0 is the step of the invention the shutdown inhibited. In other words, the step according to the invention becomes the shutdown is performed only when the vehicle is at a standstill is the accelerator pedal at least one time before the relevant Time not activated has expired and the time since the end of the operation of the brake pedal is. In other words, until the time t3, the engine is turned on, is switched off at time t3 and switched on again at time t4, wherein from the time t4, the operation is continued. The history the brake pedal actuation, the accelerator pedal operation and similar before the beginning of the time interval T is preferably not relevant for the execution the method according to the invention. Rather, the end of the operation of the brake pedal at time t2 relevant to the beginning of the time period T marks.

Preferably starts a timer for the time T during the interim actuation of a brake pedal during the (first) time T again and starts with the operation new time interval with the length T, while the turn-off is suppressed according to the invention. This is for the driver if applicable, more comprehensible than if an operation between t2 and t3 at the end of t3 the time T is appended again.

At time t4 in 2 The acceleration request of the driver is implemented by starting the engine and subsequent coupling operations. The start request can be entered by pressing the accelerator pedal, or, alternatively, by briefly pressing the brake pedal, ie by "tapping", whereby the engine is started. However, the following driving speed becomes controlled by pressing the accelerator pedal. Thus, the engine can be restarted by tapping the brake pedal, wherein after starting the vehicle is preferably controlled so that it is still at a standstill, whereas the operation of the accelerator pedal, the car is accelerated according to operation. Instead of a brief operation of the brake pedal to (only) start the engine (without starting), the driver's request can also be entered via an activation button, for example via an engine start button on the steering wheel or on the dashboard.

Basically the method described above and the device described above for the Control of drives used to drive an internal combustion engine or include a fuel cell drive, as for example in the use of an electric motor other benchmarks apply and the Start / stop operation does not lead to the problems, as in internal combustion engines or fuel cells occur. All features based on combustion engines and their operation are described, can equally for fuel cell drives or components thereof, bsp. the fuel supply by pump, be used. The drive is preferably a drive for passenger vehicles, Trucks, and similar Vehicles controlled by an operator, d. H. basically too Boats or planes. The method can be used in vehicles with automatic start-stop, where also shorter breaks in which the Drive is not loaded, cause the engine to stop. in the Generally, the procedure is for Driving techniques applicable in which an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell that provides drive power, in addition to manual Shutdown can also be switched on and off automatically. When suitable drive types are all drives with internal combustion engine, the have no further electric motor to drive, or drive types with internal combustion engine and electric motor, which combined to drive can be For example, hybrid types with electric auxiliary motor, with serial hybrid technology or Parallel hybrid technology. In particular, the drive can also be a fuel cell drive with a fuel cell, an associated controllable fuel supply and an electric motor operated by the fuel cell becomes.

Claims (10)

Method for controlling the operating mode of a Drive a vehicle, with the steps: Operate the drive; Detecting the speed (v) of the vehicle, and Carry out the following steps: Detecting a time duration (T) since the end of an operation a brake pedal has passed; Capture if the time duration (T) over a minimum duration is by comparing the time duration (T) with a minimum duration; Detecting the operating state of the accelerator pedal; Switch off of the drive when it has been detected that the time period (T) exceeds the Minimum duration and the accelerator pedal during the period (T) is not was pressed; Continue the Operation of the drive, if the time duration (T) does not exceed the Minimum duration is. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of the Drive continued when an actuation of the Accelerator was detected within the period (T), the Operating the drive includes: operating the drive according to the actuation state of the accelerator pedal. Method according to claim 1, wherein the time duration (T) a length of at least or equal to 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec, 30 sec, 45 sec, 1 min, 1.5 min, 2 min, 3 min, 4 min, 5 min, 7.5 min or 10 min has, and the length is specified or comprises a share that is covered by a Charge state of a car battery or a target-related Distance that will dictate by a navigation device depends on that at a higher Charge state a shorter Proportion is provided as at a lower state of charge, or that at a longer goal-related Distance, which is a longer one Distance to the destination, a longer proportion is provided, as with a shorter one Distance. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of turning off is performed only when the speed (v) is below a minimum speed (v1) and predetermined minimum speed is substantially equal to a detected speed (v) of 0 km / h Speed (v) of the vehicle is detected by a speed sensor representing a wheel speed, or by an acceleration signal that is combined with an actuation signal representing the operation of a brake pedal such that at an acceleration of substantially 0 represented by the acceleration signal m / s ² and simultaneous actuation signal representing an actuation, a speed (v) of 0 km / s is provided. The method of claim 1, wherein the speed (v) during the operation of the brake pedal, at the beginning of the operation of the brake pedal, on End of the operation of the brake pedal while the time period (T), or at the end of the time period (T) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive is started when the operating state of the accelerator pedal actuation of the accelerator pedal, and if the drive has been switched off prior to actuation of the accelerator pedal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of switching off regardless of gearbox positions or a user input solely for the purpose of controlling the operation the drive is used, carried out becomes. Device for controlling a drive of a drive a vehicle, wherein the drive is the drive as a drive unit of the vehicle, comprising: an input to capture a degree of actuation of a Brake pedal; an input for detecting an operation degree of a Accelerator pedal; an input for detecting a speed (v); one Time standard, which is connected to the entrance and is set up, a period of time (T) after the end of an operation of the brake pedal due to recorded degree of actuation capture; a comparator connected to the time standard and is set, the time duration (T) with one at an input the device or in a memory of the controller present Minimum duration and output a comparison result; and one Control output of a controller of the device used to drive and connection to the drive is established, whereby the controller, if the comparison result of the comparator is a period of time (T) greater than indicating the minimum duration, and the speed (v) below a Minimum speed is an off signal via the control output, and which, if the comparison result is a time duration signal not greater than indicates the minimum duration, an on signal or no off signal over the Outputs control output. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a speed comparator includes, with the input for detecting a speed (v) and connected to the controller, and set up is, the detected speed (v) having a predetermined value, a stored value or one present at a velocity input Compare value to give a standstill signal to the controller, if the detected speed (v) is not greater than the value. Device according to claim 8, comprising a logic which is connected to the entrance, and is set up to the detected degree of actuation of the brake pedal one end of the operation to determine and which is connected to the controller in order to occur the end of the operation to transmit a trigger signal to the calculation unit that controls caused to detect the speed (v) at the entrance is applied.