Abstract:
A vehicle carbon monoxide detection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle internal combustion engine; a controller interfacing with the vehicle internal combustion engine; a carbon monoxide sensor interfacing with the controller, the carbon monoxide sensor adapted to detect a level of carbon monoxide. The controller is adapted to prevent and terminate operation of the vehicle internal combustion engine if the level of carbon monoxide detected by the carbon monoxide sensor exceeds a threshold carbon monoxide level. A vehicle and a vehicle carbon monoxide detection method are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a carbon monoxide detection system and method for hybrid electric vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electrical generators are commonly used as a mobile source of electrical power for electrical accessories. Frequently, electrical generators may be carried on trucks and other vehicles to provide electrical power for accessories used by contractors, campers and upfitters and the like. However, electrical generators, as well as the internal combustion engine of HEVs, may generate carbon monoxide during use. In closed or unventilated areas, it may be desirable or necessary to monitor the carbon monoxide levels during operation of an HEV or an electrical generator which is carried by the HEV. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, a carbon monoxide detection system and method for hybrid electric vehicles may be desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a vehicle carbon monoxide detection system for a vehicle. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle internal combustion engine; a controller interfacing with the vehicle internal combustion engine; a carbon monoxide sensor interfacing with the controller, the carbon monoxide sensor adapted to detect a level of carbon monoxide. The controller is adapted to prevent and terminate operation of the vehicle internal combustion engine if the level of carbon monoxide detected by the carbon monoxide sensor exceeds a threshold carbon monoxide level. 
         [0005]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are further generally directed to a vehicle. An illustrative embodiment of the vehicle includes a vehicle chassis, a vehicle internal combustion engine carried by the vehicle chassis, an electric motor drivingly engaged by the vehicle internal combustion engine and at least one wheeled drive axle drivingly engaged by the vehicle internal combustion engine. A vehicle carbon monoxide detection system includes a vehicle internal combustion engine; a controller interfacing with the vehicle internal combustion engine; and a carbon monoxide sensor interfacing with the controller. The carbon monoxide sensor is adapted to detect a level of carbon monoxide. The controller is adapted to prevent and terminate operation of the vehicle internal combustion engine if the level of carbon monoxide detected by the carbon monoxide sensor exceeds a threshold carbon monoxide level. 
         [0006]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are further generally directed to a vehicle carbon monoxide detection method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes generating electrical power from an electric motor by operating a vehicle internal combustion engine drivingly engaging the electric motor, monitoring ambient levels of carbon monoxide around a vehicle, comparing a detected level of carbon monoxide to a threshold carbon monoxide level and neutralizing operation of a vehicle internal combustion engine if the detected level of carbon monoxide exceeds the threshold carbon monoxide level. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an HEV which includes an illustrative embodiment of the vehicle carbon monoxide detection system; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a vehicle carbon monoxide detection method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is non-limiting and is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0011]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative embodiment of the vehicle carbon monoxide detection system, hereinafter system, is generally indicated by reference numeral  116 . The system  116  may be suitable for implementation in conjunction with an electric vehicle  100  such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), for example and without limitation. Generally, the electric vehicle  100  may include a vehicle chassis  101  having a front drive axle  104  and a rear drive axle  110 . The front drive axle  104  may be fitted with a pair of front wheels  103 . The rear drive axle  110  may be fitted with a pair of rear wheels  109 . 
         [0012]    An internal combustion engine  102  may drivingly engage at least one of the front drive axle  104  and the rear drive axle  110 . An electric motor (E machine)  108  may be drivingly engaged by the engine  102 . A rechargeable vehicle battery  132  may be connected to the electric motor  108  via an inverter  134 . The vehicle battery  132  may be capable of being recharged with electrical power at a charging destination (not shown) via suitable plug-in electrical equipment, as is known to those skilled in the art. The electric vehicle  100  may be adapted for propulsion by the front wheels  103  via the front drive axle  104  and/or by the rear wheels  109  via the rear drive axle  110  through engagement of the internal combustion engine  102 . The electric vehicle  100  may additionally or alternatively be adapted for propulsion by the front drive wheels  103  via the front drive axle  104  and/or by the rear wheels  109  via the rear drive axle  110  through engagement of the electric motor  108 . A drive shaft  114  may drivingly connect the internal combustion engine  102  and the E machine  108  to the rear drive axle  110 . 
         [0013]    A generator port  128  may electrically interface with the vehicle battery  132 . The generator port  128  may additionally interface with the electric motor  108 . The generator port  128  may be provided on the exterior of the vehicle chassis  101  or in any other suitable location inside or outside the vehicle  100 . A power cord  129  may electrically interface with the generator port  128 . In some embodiments, the power cord  129  may be selectively extendable and retractable with respect to the generator port  128 . In other embodiments, the generator port  128  may be fitted with an electrical outlet (not shown) into which the power cord  129  can be plugged. Accordingly, the power cord  129  may be part of an electrical accessory  130  which is external to the vehicle  100  and can be powered by operation electrical current from the vehicle battery  132 . 
         [0014]    The electrical accessory  130  may include an electrically-powered tool, apparatus or any electrically-operated system which requires an external source of electrical power. In some applications, the electrical accessory  130  may include a building or other structure which is in need of electrical power. A VSC (vehicle system controller)  118  can operate the vehicle  100  in an electrical generator mode in which the vehicle transmission is placed in park. The engine  102  drives the electric motor  108 , which generates electrical power that is routed to the generator port  128  and to the vehicle battery  132 . The generated electrical power which is routed to the generator port  128  is distributed to the electrical accessory  130  through the power cord  129 . The generated electrical power which remains is routed to the vehicle battery  132  and maintains the SOC (state of charge) of the vehicle battery  132 . Once the SOC of the vehicle battery  132  is full, the VSC  118  may automatically terminate operation of the engine  102 . The vehicle battery  132  may then provide electrical power to the electrical accessory  130  through the generator port  128  and the power cord  129 . After the SOC of the vehicle battery  132  is depleted to a low level, the VSC  118  again operates the engine  102  to again replete the SOC of the vehicle battery  132 . 
         [0015]    A vehicle carbon monoxide (CO) detection system  116  is onboard the vehicle chassis  101  of the vehicle  100 . The vehicle CO detection system  116  may include a controller such as the VSC (Vehicle System Controller)  118  for the vehicle  100 . The VSC  118  may interface with the internal combustion engine  102  for control thereof. A CO sensor  120  interfaces with the VSC  118 . In some embodiments, at least one audible and/or visual alarm  122  may interface with the VSC  118 . The alarm  122  may be provided on the exterior of the vehicle chassis  101  or in any other suitable location inside or outside the vehicle  100 . 
         [0016]    The CO sensor  120  of the vehicle CO detection system  116  may be adapted to detect the concentration or level of carbon monoxide in the air around the vehicle  100 . The CO sensor  120  may be further adapted to transmit the measured level of carbon monoxide to the VSC  118 . The VSC  118  may be programmed to store a threshold CO level and compare the measured level of carbon monoxide which was received from the CO sensor  120  to the threshold CO level. The VSC  118  may be programmed to prevent operation or terminate further operation of the internal combustion engine  102  in the electric generator mode in the event that the VSC  118  determines that the measured level of carbon monoxide exceeds the threshold CO level. In some embodiments, the VSC  118  may be further programmed to activate the alarm  122  in the event that the VSC  118  determines that the measured level of carbon monoxide exceeds the threshold CO level. 
         [0017]    In exemplary application of the system  116 , the electrical accessory  130  may be a home, business or other building or structure which is in need of electrical power. The vehicle  100  may be parked in a garage or other enclosed or semi-enclosed space (not shown) adjacent to the building or structure. The electrical accessory  130  may be electrically connected to the generator port  128  through the power cord  129 . The engine  102  is operated to drive the electric motor  108 , which produces electrical current which flows to the electrical accessory  130  through the generator port  128  and the power cord  129  to operate the electrical accessory  130 . Remaining electrical current flows to the vehicle battery  132  through the inverter  134  to maintain the SOC of the vehicle battery  132 . When the SOC of the vehicle battery  132  is replenished, the VSC  118  may terminate further operation of the engine  102 . The vehicle battery  132  may continue to provide electrical current to the electrical accessory  130  through the generator port  128  and the power cord  129 . As the vehicle  100  remains parked for extended periods of time, the VSC  118  may periodically operate the internal combustion engine  102  to produce electrical current which maintains the state of charge (SOC) of the vehicle battery  132 . 
         [0018]    During its operation, the engine  102  may produce carbon monoxide which may accumulate in the garage or other enclosed area in which the vehicle  100  is parked. Accordingly, the CO sensor  120  monitors the level, concentration or quantity of carbon monoxide in the area which surrounds the vehicle  100 . In the event that it determines that the measured level of carbon monoxide exceeds the threshold CO level, the VSC  118  prevents operation or terminates further operation of the engine  102 . Therefore, the ambient levels of carbon dioxide in the area of the vehicle  100  may fall to levels which are safe for persons in the area of the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, the VSC  118  may additionally activate the alarm  122  to alert persons in the vicinity of the vehicle  100  to the presence of the carbon monoxide levels around the vehicle  100 . This may warn persons to stay away from the vehicle  100  or notify an owner or operator of the vehicle  100  or other person to take corrective measures for reduction of the carbon dioxide levels. 
         [0019]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a flow diagram  200  of an illustrative embodiment of a vehicle carbon monoxide detection method is shown. The method begins at block  202 . In block  204 , an internal combustion vehicle engine of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) may be operated. The vehicle engine drives an electric motor which is coupled to the engine. The electric motor generates electrical power that for an electrical accessory and maintains SOC of a vehicle battery. In block  206 , carbon monoxide levels in the area around the HEV may be monitored. 
         [0020]    In block  208 , the detected CO level may be compared to a threshold CO level. In the event that the detected CO level exceeds the threshold CO level in block  210 , operation of the vehicle engine may be neutralized (prevented or terminated) in block  212 . An alarm may additionally be activated in block  213 . In the event that the detected CO level does not exceed the threshold level in block  210 , the vehicle engine is periodically operated in block  214  to maintain the state of charge (SOC) of the vehicle battery in the HEV. 
         [0021]    Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.