Vehicle control method and device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle control method and device and a vehicle. The vehicle comprises an engine with methanol fuel as power. The control method comprises the following steps: obtaining a first quality factor for representing the content of a first impurity in the methanol fuel and a second quality factor for representing the content of a second impurity in the methanol fuel; determining whether the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor; and under the condition that the methanol fuel quality is abnormal, the engine is controlled to execute an engine protection strategy. Real-time monitoring of the quality of the methanol fuel and real-time protection of the engine can be achieved, the risk of engine damage caused by the quality problem of the methanol fuel can be reduced, and therefore the safety performance of a vehicle with the methanol fuel as power is optimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to a vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Methanol fuel, as a hydrogen carrier, is a green fuel with a wide range of applications. However, current quality assurance measures and testing technologies for methanol fuel in production, transportation, and refueling are still under development, making it difficult to strictly guarantee its quality. This results in inconsistent quality of methanol fuel on the market. The risk of engine damage and other vehicle malfunctions caused by methanol fuel quality issues cannot be ignored, and the resulting safety risks to driving also hinder the widespread adoption of methanol fuel.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, related technologies use methods such as marking the locations of qualified methanol refueling stations and acquiring vehicle locations in real time to determine whether a vehicle is refueling within a designated area, thus providing basic control over the methanol refueling instructions. However, this technology cannot achieve real-time monitoring of the quality of the methanol fuel already refueled, resulting in the inability to implement real-time engine protection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle to reduce the risk of engine damage due to methanol fuel quality issues, thereby improving the safety of vehicles powered by methanol fuel.

[0005] This application provides a vehicle control method, the vehicle including an engine powered by methanol fuel; the control method includes: obtaining a first quality factor for characterizing the content of a first impurity in the methanol fuel, and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of a second impurity in the methanol fuel; determining whether the methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor; and controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy in the event of abnormal methanol fuel quality.

[0006] Optionally, determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on a first quality factor and a second quality factor includes: determining a methanol quality coefficient based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor; and determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient.

[0007] Optionally, the methanol quality coefficient is determined based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, including using the product of the first quality factor and the second quality factor as the methanol quality coefficient.

[0008] Optionally, the methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with the first quality factor and also positively correlated with the second quality factor; determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel is of abnormal quality when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel is of normal quality when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the first coefficient threshold.

[0009] Optionally, if the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold, the methanol fuel quality is determined to be abnormal, including: if the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the second coefficient threshold, the methanol fuel quality is determined to be severely abnormal; wherein the second coefficient threshold is greater than the first coefficient threshold.

[0010] Optionally, the engine is controlled to perform an engine protection strategy, including: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to a second coefficient threshold; and controlling the engine to shut down when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the second coefficient threshold.

[0011] Optionally, controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining the engine's torque limiting coefficient based on the methanol quality coefficient; The product of the torque limiting coefficient and the engine's current maximum torque is used as the first target torque; the first target torque is used as the maximum torque that the engine is allowed to operate at; wherein, the torque limiting coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, and the torque limiting coefficient is negatively correlated with the methanol quality coefficient.

[0012] Optionally, determining whether methanol fuel has quality abnormalities based on a first quality factor and a second quality factor includes: determining methanol quality abnormalities if the first quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor or the second quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor; and determining that methanol has no quality abnormalities if the first quality factor is less than or equal to the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor and the second quality factor is less than or equal to the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor.

[0013] Optionally, if the first quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor, or if the second quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor, the methanol quality is determined to be abnormal, including: if the first quality factor is greater than the upper limit threshold of the first quality factor, or if the second quality factor is greater than the upper limit threshold of the second quality factor, the methanol quality is determined to be severely abnormal; wherein the upper limit threshold of the first quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor, and the upper limit threshold of the second quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor.

[0014] Optionally, controlling the engine to perform an engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the first quality factor is greater than the lower threshold of the first quality factor and less than or equal to the upper threshold of the first quality factor, or when the second quality factor is greater than the lower threshold of the second quality factor and less than or equal to the upper threshold of the second quality factor; and controlling the engine to shut down when the first quality factor is greater than the upper threshold of the first quality factor or the second quality factor is greater than the upper threshold of the second quality factor.

[0015] Optionally, controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining a first torque limiting coefficient based on a first quality factor, and determining a second torque limiting coefficient based on a second quality factor; using the smaller of the first and second torque limiting coefficients and the engine's current maximum torque as a second target torque; and using the second target torque as the maximum torque allowed for engine operation; wherein the torque limiting coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, the first torque limiting coefficient and the first quality factor are negatively correlated, and the second torque limiting coefficient and the second quality factor are negatively correlated.

[0016] Optionally, the first impurity is an ionic impurity; the second impurity is an organochlorine impurity; obtaining a first quality factor for characterizing the content of the first impurity in methanol fuel, and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of the second impurity in methanol fuel, includes: obtaining a first polarization current signal of methanol fuel; determining the first quality factor based on the first polarization current signal; obtaining a second polarization current signal of methanol fuel after applying an electrical signal to the methanol fuel; and determining the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal.

[0017] Optionally, determining the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal includes: determining the second quality factor based on the difference between the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal; or, determining the third quality factor based on the second polarization current signal and determining the second quality factor based on the difference between the third quality factor and the first quality factor.

[0018] This application provides a vehicle control device, including one or more processors, for implementing the vehicle control method described above.

[0019] This application provides a vehicle, including: a control device for the vehicle and an engine electrically connected to the control device, wherein the engine includes an engine powered by methanol fuel.

[0020] The vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle provided in this application acquire a first quality factor and a second quality factor to characterize the content of two different impurities in the methanol fuel refueled in the vehicle. Determining whether the methanol fuel quality is abnormal based on the first and second quality factors helps ensure the real-time nature and accuracy of the methanol quality monitoring process. Furthermore, in the event of detected methanol quality abnormality, the engine is automatically controlled to execute an engine protection strategy. This enables real-time monitoring of methanol fuel quality and real-time engine protection, which helps reduce the risk of engine damage due to methanol fuel quality issues, thereby optimizing the safety performance of vehicles powered by methanol fuel. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided in another embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided in another embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure label: 10: Vehicle controller; 201: Generator; 202: Engine; 203: Fuel system; 211: Generator controller; 212: Engine management system; 301: Power battery; 311: Battery management system; 401: Drive motor; 411: Drive motor controller; 50: Common CAN. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] This application provides a vehicle including an engine powered by methanol fuel. The vehicle can be a methanol range-extended vehicle or a pure methanol fuel vehicle.

[0025] Combination Figure 1 As shown, a methanol range-extended vehicle is used as an example for illustration. The vehicle includes a vehicle controller 10, a range extender system, a power battery system, and a drive motor system. The range extender system, the power battery system, and the drive motor system are all electrically connected to the vehicle controller 10, and the range extender system and the power battery system are used to controllably supply power to the drive motor system.

[0026] Specifically, the range extender system includes a range extender and a range extender control system. The range extender includes a generator 201, an engine 202 powered by methanol fuel, and a fuel system for supplying methanol fuel to the engine 202. The range extender control system is electrically connected to the vehicle controller 10 and includes a generator controller 211 and an engine management system 212. The generator controller 211 controls the generator 201, and the engine management system 212 controls the engine 202 and the fuel system. The power battery system includes a power battery 301 and a battery management system 311, which is connected to the vehicle controller 10. The drive motor system includes a drive motor 401 and a drive motor controller 411, which is connected to the vehicle controller 10.

[0027] In some embodiments, the vehicle controller 10 communicates with the battery management system 311 via a common CAN (Controller Area Network) 50, and with the engine management system 212 and the generator controller 211 via an internal CAN. The vehicle controller 10 receives hard-wired signals such as remaining battery power, remaining fuel level, vehicle fault signals, generator fault signals, engine fault signals, and accelerator pedal signals from the external common CAN 50 and the internal CAN, and determines whether the range extender needs to be started based on at least some of these signals, and controls the power generation of the range extender.

[0028] The aforementioned vehicle includes a vehicle control unit, which includes one or more processors for implementing vehicle control methods. In some embodiments, the control unit is an engine management system 212 within the range extender. In some embodiments, the vehicle control unit is another controller of the vehicle connected to the range extender, such as the vehicle controller 10, etc.

[0029] The vehicle also includes at least one methanol quality sensor connected to the vehicle's control unit for detecting the content of a first impurity and a second impurity in the methanol fuel.

[0030] Combination Figure 2 As shown, this application embodiment provides a vehicle control method, including steps S11 to S13.

[0031] Step S11: Obtain a first quality factor for characterizing the content of a first impurity in methanol fuel, and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of a second impurity in methanol fuel.

[0032] After obtaining the contents of the first impurity and the second impurity in methanol fuel using a methanol quality sensor, a first quality factor corresponding to the content of the first impurity and a second quality factor corresponding to the content of the second impurity are determined according to preset rules.

[0033] The methanol quality sensor runs multiple times in a set working cycle, which helps to ensure the accuracy of the content of the first impurity and the content of the second impurity.

[0034] Step S12: Determine whether the methanol fuel has an abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

[0035] Step S13: In the event of abnormal methanol fuel quality, control the engine to execute an engine protection strategy.

[0036] The vehicle control method provided in this application acquires a first quality factor and a second quality factor to characterize the content of two different impurities in the methanol fuel added to the vehicle. Determining whether the methanol fuel quality is abnormal based on the first and second quality factors helps ensure the real-time nature and accuracy of the methanol quality monitoring process. Furthermore, in the event of detected methanol quality abnormality, the engine is automatically controlled to execute an engine protection strategy. This enables real-time monitoring of methanol fuel quality and real-time engine protection, reducing the risk of engine damage due to methanol fuel quality issues and thus optimizing the safety performance of vehicles powered by methanol fuel.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first impurity is an ionic impurity, and the second impurity is an organochlorine impurity. Ionic and organochlorine impurities are key factors affecting methanol fuel quality, and selecting ionic and organochlorine impurities as monitoring targets helps ensure the accuracy of methanol fuel quality assessment.

[0038] This section provides a more detailed explanation of the process for obtaining a first quality factor used to characterize the content of a first impurity in methanol fuel and a second quality factor used to characterize the content of a second impurity in methanol fuel. (Combined with...) Figure 3 As shown, the aforementioned step S11 includes steps S111 to S114.

[0039] Step S111: Obtain the first polarization current signal of methanol fuel.

[0040] The first polarization current signal is transmitted from the methanol quality sensor to the vehicle's control unit.

[0041] Step S112: Determine the first quality factor based on the first polarization current signal.

[0042] Step S113: After applying an electrical signal to the methanol fuel, the second polarization current signal of the methanol fuel is obtained.

[0043] Step S114: Determine the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal.

[0044] The polarization current signal of methanol fuel directly reflects the content of ionic impurities in the methanol fuel. To facilitate subsequent judgment, a quality factor is used as a parameter to reflect the polarization current signal, i.e., the content of ionic impurities in the methanol fuel. The polarization current signals of methanol fuel with different ionic impurity contents are measured experimentally beforehand to determine the correspondence between the polarization current signal and the ionic impurity content, and based on this, the correspondence between the polarization current signal and the first quality factor is determined. Thus, the first quality factor corresponding to the current first polarization current signal can be determined based on this correspondence. After measuring the first polarization current signal, an electrical signal is applied to the methanol fuel to convert the organic chlorine in the methanol fuel into chloride ions. The polarization current signal obtained again at this time, i.e., the aforementioned second polarization current signal, reflects the content of organic chlorine before conversion to chloride ions. Considering that the original content of ionic impurities in the methanol fuel also affects the second polarization current signal, it is necessary to combine the first and second polarization current signals to determine the second quality factor that reflects the content of organic chlorine impurities.

[0045] Specifically, in some embodiments, determining the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal includes: determining the second quality factor based on the difference between the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal. When the second polarization current signal is obtained, the ions in the methanol fuel include both the original ionic impurities and chloride ions converted from organochlorine impurities. Therefore, the difference obtained by subtracting the first polarization current signal from the second polarization current signal can accurately reflect the content of organochlorine impurities in the methanol fuel. In some embodiments, determining the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal includes: determining a third quality factor based on the second polarization current signal, and determining the second quality factor based on the difference between the third quality factor and the first quality factor. That is, after determining the third quality factor corresponding to the second polarization current signal, the first quality factor is subtracted from the third quality factor, and the difference is used as the second quality factor, thereby reflecting the content of organochlorine impurities in the methanol fuel.

[0046] The following explains the specific methods for determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the first and second quality factors.

[0047] Combination Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, step S12, which determines whether the methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, includes steps S1211 and S1212.

[0048] Step S1211: Determine the methanol quality coefficient based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

[0049] Step S1212: Determine whether the methanol fuel has an abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient.

[0050] In this way, the methanol quality coefficient can reflect the magnitude and change of the first and second quality factors. The process of judging the quality of methanol fuel can be realized by only one parameter, the methanol quality coefficient, which helps to simplify the subsequent judgment logic.

[0051] In some embodiments, a correspondence is established between the first quality factor, the second quality factor, and the methanol quality coefficient. This correspondence can be directly represented by a one-to-one correspondence between data, and the methanol quality coefficient corresponding to the current first and second quality factors can be directly determined by looking up a table. As shown in Table 1, if the first quality factor is known to be Q11 and the second quality factor to be Q21, the corresponding methanol quality coefficient is determined to be K11; if the first quality factor is known to be Q12 and the second quality factor to be Q22, the corresponding quality coefficient is determined to be K22, and so on. For values ​​not directly disclosed in the existing data table, they can be determined by interpolation based on the disclosed values.

[0052] Table 1

[0053] In some embodiments, this correspondence can also be expressed by a formula. The first quality factor and the second quality factor are used as independent variables, and the methanol quality coefficient is used as the dependent variable, changing in value with changes in the first and second quality factors. During implementation, the methanol quality coefficient is directly calculated based on the current first and second quality factors and this formula.

[0054] In some embodiments, the methanol quality coefficient is determined based on a first quality factor and a second quality factor, including using the product of the first and second quality factors as the methanol quality coefficient. In this way, the methanol quality coefficient accurately reflects the magnitude and changes of the first and second quality factors, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the judgment on methanol fuel quality based on the methanol quality coefficient.

[0055] In some embodiments, the methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with both a first quality factor and a second quality factor. Determining whether methanol fuel has an abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel has an abnormal quality when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel has no quality abnormality when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the first coefficient threshold. A larger methanol quality factor indicates that at least one of the first and second quality factors is larger, suggesting that the content of the first or second impurity in the methanol fuel is too high. This allows for accurate judgment of the quality of methanol fuel.

[0056] Furthermore, in some embodiments, determining that the methanol fuel quality is abnormal when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold includes: determining that the methanol fuel quality is severely abnormal when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a second coefficient threshold, wherein the second coefficient threshold is greater than the first coefficient threshold. Determining that the methanol fuel quality is generally abnormal when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to the second coefficient threshold is equivalent to further distinguishing severe quality abnormalities based on existing quality abnormalities, thus providing a more refined distinction of methanol fuel quality and facilitating improved accuracy in subsequent control.

[0057] In some embodiments, controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to a second coefficient threshold; and controlling the engine to shut down when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the second threshold. This is equivalent to achieving engine protection by controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol fuel quality is generally abnormal, and by controlling the engine to shut down when the methanol fuel quality is severely abnormal. This further refines the engine protection strategy based on the abnormal methanol fuel quality, making the current engine protection strategy more adaptable to current actual needs, thereby improving the accuracy of the engine protection strategy and optimizing the engine protection effect. Controlling the engine to reduce output power can be achieved by limiting the engine's maximum torque, controlling the engine idle speed, etc.

[0058] This section explains the specific implementation method for controlling the engine to reduce output power. Controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining the engine's torque limiting coefficient based on the methanol quality coefficient; using the product of the torque limiting coefficient and the engine's current maximum torque as the first target torque; and using the first target torque as the maximum allowable torque for the engine. The torque limiting coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, and it is negatively correlated with the methanol quality coefficient. This allows for different degrees of torque limiting corresponding to different methanol quality coefficients, achieving refined control over the process of reducing engine output power. During implementation, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the torque limiting coefficient is pre-defined, and the torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current methanol quality coefficient is determined based on this relationship. In some embodiments, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the torque limiting coefficient can be directly represented by a one-to-one numerical correspondence, and the torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current methanol quality coefficient can be determined by looking up a table. As shown in Table 2, K1 corresponds to the aforementioned second coefficient threshold; K2 corresponds to the aforementioned first coefficient threshold. Given a methanol quality coefficient of K1.1, the corresponding torque limiting coefficient is determined to be K1.1%; given a methanol quality coefficient of K1.2, the corresponding torque limiting coefficient is determined to be K1.2%, and so on. For values ​​not directly disclosed in existing data tables, they can be determined through interpolation based on the disclosed values.

[0059] Table 2

[0060] In some embodiments, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the torque limiting coefficient can also be expressed by a formula. This formula uses the methanol quality coefficient as the independent variable and the torque limiting coefficient as the dependent variable, and the torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current methanol quality coefficient can be determined based on this formula.

[0061] In other embodiments, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the first and second quality factors can also be set as follows: the methanol quality coefficient is negatively correlated with the first quality factor and negatively correlated with the second quality factor. In this case, the process of determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient changes accordingly. Specifically, determining whether methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel is of abnormal quality when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a third coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel is of normal quality when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the third coefficient threshold.

[0062] Furthermore, determining methanol fuel quality abnormality when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the third coefficient threshold includes determining severe methanol fuel quality abnormality when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the fourth coefficient threshold. The fourth coefficient threshold is less than the third coefficient threshold. Controlling the engine to execute engine protection strategies includes: reducing engine output power when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the third coefficient threshold but greater than the fourth coefficient threshold; and shutting down the engine when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the fourth coefficient threshold. The specific execution process of the engine protection strategy is the same as when the methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with both the first and second quality factors, and will not be elaborated here.

[0063] Combination Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the aforementioned step S12, which determines whether the methanol fuel is of abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, includes steps S1221 and S1222.

[0064] Step S1221: If the first quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor, or the second quality factor is greater than the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor, the methanol quality is determined to be abnormal.

[0065] Step S1222: If the first quality factor is less than or equal to the lower limit threshold of the first quality factor and the second quality factor is less than or equal to the lower limit threshold of the second quality factor, it is determined that there is no quality abnormality in methanol.

[0066] If the first quality factor is greater than its lower limit, it indicates that the content of the first impurity is too high; if the second quality factor is greater than its lower limit, it indicates that the content of the second impurity is too high. Both indicate that the current methanol quality is abnormal. Judging the first and second quality factors separately helps to reduce missed judgments, thereby improving the accuracy of the methanol fuel quality judgment process.

[0067] Furthermore, in some embodiments, determining methanol quality anomalies when the first quality factor is greater than a lower threshold of the first quality factor, or when the second quality factor is greater than a lower threshold of the second quality factor, includes: determining severe methanol quality anomalies when the first quality factor is greater than an upper threshold of the first quality factor, or when the second quality factor is greater than an upper threshold of the second quality factor. Wherein, the upper threshold of the first quality factor is greater than the lower threshold of the first quality factor, and the upper threshold of the second quality factor is greater than the lower threshold of the second quality factor. Determining general methanol quality anomalies when the first quality factor is less than or equal to the upper threshold of the first quality factor and the second quality factor is less than or equal to the upper threshold of the second quality factor is equivalent to further distinguishing severe quality anomalies based on existing methanol fuel quality anomalies, thus providing a more refined distinction in methanol fuel quality and improving the accuracy of quality anomaly monitoring. Simultaneously, subsequent control based on this information helps improve the accuracy of subsequent control measures.

[0068] In some embodiments, controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when a first quality factor is greater than a lower threshold and less than or equal to an upper threshold, or when a second quality factor is greater than a lower threshold and less than or equal to an upper threshold; and controlling the engine to shut down when the first quality factor is greater than an upper threshold or the second quality factor is greater than an upper threshold. This provides a specific way to determine the engine protection strategy based on the first and second quality factors. Essentially, it's equivalent to protecting the engine by reducing output power when methanol fuel quality is generally abnormal, and protecting the engine by shutting it down when methanol fuel quality is severely abnormal. This helps ensure that the engine protection strategy aligns with current actual needs, improves the accuracy of the engine protection strategy, and thus optimizes the engine protection effect.

[0069] In some embodiments, controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining a first torque limiting coefficient based on a first quality factor, and determining a second torque limiting coefficient based on a second quality factor; multiplying the smaller of the first and second torque limiting coefficients by the engine's current maximum torque as a second target torque; and using the second target torque as the maximum allowable torque for the engine to operate. The torque limiting coefficients are less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0; the first torque limiting coefficient and the first quality factor are negatively correlated; and the second torque limiting coefficient and the second quality factor are negatively correlated. This allows for different degrees of torque limiting on the engine based on different conditions of the first and second quality factors, achieving refined control over the process of reducing engine output power. This improves the accuracy of the engine protection strategy and optimizes the engine protection effect. After determining the torque limiting coefficients based on the first and second quality factors respectively, limiting torque based on the smaller torque limiting coefficient makes the current torque limiting process more consistent with actual engine protection needs. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the specific process of controlling the engine to reduce output power may also be performed as follows: after determining the first torque limiting coefficient according to the first quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient according to the second quality factor, the target torque is determined according to the first torque limiting coefficient and the second torque limiting coefficient respectively, and the smaller target torque is used as the final determined maximum torque that the engine is allowed to operate.

[0070] Similar to the aforementioned torque limiting process, this implementation requires pre-setting the relationship between the first quality factor and the first torque limiting coefficient, as well as the relationship between the second quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient. The torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current first and second quality factors is then determined based on these pre-set relationships. In some embodiments, the relationship between the first quality factor and the first torque limiting coefficient, and the relationship between the second quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient, can be represented by a one-to-one numerical correspondence. The first and second torque limiting coefficients are determined by looking up tables. Table 3 shows the correspondence between the first quality factor and the first torque limiting coefficient, and Table 4 shows the correspondence between the second quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient. For values ​​not directly disclosed in existing data tables, they can be determined through interpolation based on the disclosed values.

[0071] Table 3

[0072] Table 4

[0073] In some embodiments, the relationship between the first quality factor and the first torque limiting coefficient, and the relationship between the second quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient, can be expressed by formulas. Using the first quality factor as the independent variable and the first torque limiting coefficient as the dependent variable, the first torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current first quality factor is determined according to the formula. Similarly, using the second quality factor as the independent variable and the second torque limiting coefficient as the dependent variable, the second torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current second quality factor can be determined according to the formula.

[0074] Regarding threshold settings, the various thresholds and torque limiting coefficients in this application can be determined based on vehicle performance and reliability assessments, including the overall power performance of the range-extended vehicle under numerous combinations of quality factors. For methanol range-extended vehicles with different power configurations, the relevant thresholds need to be adaptively adjusted. For example, compared to methanol range-extended vehicles, the thresholds for pure methanol fuel vehicles powered entirely by methanol fuel require stricter control, i.e., more sensitive quality identification to avoid missed detections. In methanol range-extended vehicles, if the battery capacity is large, the thresholds can be appropriately relaxed.

[0075] In some embodiments, after determining whether the methanol fuel quality is abnormal based on a first quality factor and a second quality factor, the vehicle control method further includes: issuing a methanol fuel quality abnormality warning when the methanol fuel quality is abnormal. This allows users and relevant personnel to be promptly informed of the current abnormality and to take timely action. The methanol fuel quality abnormality warning can be issued through warning lights, warning sounds, displays, or by sending warning messages to terminal devices. Furthermore, different warning types are selected for different quality abnormality situations. That is, different warning types are selected for the aforementioned general abnormality and serious abnormality situations. This allows users and relevant personnel to accurately determine the current abnormality.

[0076] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle, It is characterized in that The vehicle includes an engine powered by methanol fuel; the control method includes: Obtaining a first quality factor for characterizing the content of a first impurity in the methanol fuel, and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of a second impurity in the methanol fuel; determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor; In the case where the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal, the engine is controlled to execute an engine protection strategy.

2. The control method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: determining a methanol quality factor according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor; Whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality is determined according to the methanol quality coefficient.

3. The control method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The determining of the methanol quality coefficient according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor comprises: The product of the first quality factor and the second quality factor is used as the methanol quality coefficient.

4. The control method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with the first quality factor and positively correlated with the second quality factor; The determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the methanol quality coefficient includes: When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold, determining that the methanol fuel quality is abnormal; When the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the first coefficient threshold, it is determined that the methanol fuel has no quality abnormality.

5. The control method according to claim 4, It is characterized in that When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold, determining that the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal includes: When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a second coefficient threshold, determining that the quality of the methanol fuel is seriously abnormal; The second coefficient threshold is greater than the first coefficient threshold.

6. The control method according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to the second coefficient threshold; When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the second coefficient threshold, the engine is controlled to stop.

7. The control method according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The controlling the engine to reduce output power comprises: Determining a torque limit coefficient of the engine according to the methanol quality coefficient; Taking the product of the torque limit coefficient and the current maximum torque of the engine as the first target torque; Taking the first target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to run; The torque limit coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, and the torque limit coefficient is negatively correlated with the methanol quality coefficient.

8. The control method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: When the first quality factor is greater than a first quality factor lower limit threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than a second quality factor lower limit threshold, determining that the methanol quality is abnormal; When the first quality factor is less than or equal to the first quality factor lower limit threshold, and the second quality factor is less than or equal to the second quality factor lower limit threshold, it is determined that the methanol has no quality abnormality.

9. The control method according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The step of determining that the methanol quality is abnormal when the first quality factor is greater than a first quality factor lower limit threshold or the second quality factor is greater than a second quality factor lower limit threshold comprises: When the first quality factor is greater than a first quality factor upper limit threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than a second quality factor upper limit threshold, determining that the methanol quality is seriously abnormal; The first quality factor upper threshold is greater than the first quality factor lower threshold, and the second quality factor upper threshold is greater than the second quality factor lower threshold.

10. The control method according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy comprises: When the first quality factor is greater than a first quality factor lower limit threshold and less than or equal to the first quality factor upper limit threshold, or when the second quality factor is greater than a second quality factor lower limit threshold and less than or equal to the second quality factor upper limit threshold, controlling the engine to reduce output power; When the first quality factor is greater than a first quality factor upper limit threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than a second quality factor upper limit threshold, the engine is controlled to stop.

11. The control method according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The controlling the engine to reduce output power comprises: Determine a first torque limit coefficient according to the first quality factor, and determine a second torque limit coefficient according to the second quality factor; taking the product of the smaller one of the first torque limit coefficient and the second torque limit coefficient and the current maximum torque of the engine as the second target torque; taking the second target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to run; The torque limit coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, the first torque limit coefficient is negatively correlated with the first quality factor, and the second torque limit coefficient is negatively correlated with the second quality factor.

12. The control method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first impurity is an ionic impurity; the second impurity is an organic chlorine impurity; The step of obtaining a first quality factor for characterizing the content of a first impurity in the methanol fuel and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of a second impurity in the methanol fuel comprises: Obtaining a first polarization current signal of methanol fuel; determining a first quality factor according to the first polarization current signal; After applying an electrical signal to the methanol fuel, obtaining a second polarization current signal of the methanol fuel; A second quality factor is determined according to the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal.

13. The control method according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The determining a second quality factor according to the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal comprises: determining a second quality factor according to a difference between the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal; or A third quality factor is determined according to the second polarization current signal, and a second quality factor is determined according to a difference between the third quality factor and the first quality factor.

14. A control device for a vehicle, It is characterized in that The method comprises one or more processors for implementing the vehicle control method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vehicle, It is characterized in that It comprises a vehicle control device as claimed in claim 14 and an engine electrically connected to the control device, wherein the engine is powered by methanol fuel.

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