Vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle

Abstract

The present application provides a vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle. 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 based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor; and controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy if the methanol fuel has abnormal quality. The present application enables real-time monitoring of methanol fuel quality and real-time protection of the engine, 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.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to a vehicle control method, a control device, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Methanol fuel, as a hydrogen carrier, is a green fuel with a wide range of applications. However, quality assurance measures and quality testing technologies for methanol fuel production, transportation, and refueling are still under development, making it difficult to strictly guarantee its quality. This results in varying levels of quality in the market. The risk of vehicle failures, such as engine damage, caused by methanol fuel quality issues is significant, and the safety risks associated with driving also hinder the widespread adoption of methanol fuel.

[0003] To address this issue, related technologies use a method called "marking the locations of qualified methanol refueling stations" and acquiring the vehicle's location in real time to determine whether the vehicle is refueling within a specified range. This allows for basic control over the amount of methanol being refueled. However, this technology cannot monitor the quality of the methanol fuel being refueled in real time, making it impossible to provide real-time engine protection. Summary of the Invention

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

[0005] The present application provides a vehicle control method, the vehicle including an engine powered by methanol fuel; the control method including: 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 quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor; in the case of abnormal quality of the methanol fuel, controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy; wherein, controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes controlling the engine to reduce output power; controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining a first torque limit coefficient based on the first quality factor, and determining a second torque limit coefficient based on the second quality factor; multiplying the smaller of the first torque limit coefficient and the second torque limit coefficient by the current maximum torque of the engine as a second target torque; and using the second target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to operate; wherein, the torque limit coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, the first torque limit coefficient and the first quality factor are negatively correlated, and the second torque limit coefficient and the second quality factor are negatively correlated.

[0006] Optionally, determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: determining a methanol quality coefficient according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor; and determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality according to the methanol quality coefficient.

[0007] Optionally, determining the methanol quality coefficient according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: taking 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 positively correlated with the second quality factor; determining whether the methanol fuel has quality abnormalities based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel has quality abnormalities when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel has no quality abnormalities when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the first coefficient threshold.

[0009] Optionally, 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; wherein the second coefficient threshold is greater than the first coefficient threshold.

[0010] Optionally, 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 coefficient threshold.

[0011] Optionally, determining whether the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: determining that the methanol quality is abnormal when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor lower limit threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor lower limit threshold; and determining that the methanol has no quality abnormality 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.

[0012] Optionally, 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 includes: 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; wherein the first quality factor upper limit threshold is greater than the first quality factor lower limit threshold, and the second quality factor upper limit threshold is greater than the second quality factor lower limit threshold.

[0013] Optionally, controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the first quality factor is greater than the 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 the second quality factor lower limit threshold and less than or equal to the second quality factor upper limit threshold; controlling the engine to shut down when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor upper limit threshold, or when the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor upper limit threshold.

[0014] Optionally, the first impurity is an ionic impurity; the second impurity is an organic chlorine impurity; obtaining a first quality factor for characterizing the content of the first impurity in the methanol fuel, and a second quality factor for characterizing the content of the second impurity in the methanol fuel, includes: obtaining a first polarization current signal of the methanol fuel; determining the first quality factor based on the first polarization current signal; after applying an electrical signal to the methanol fuel, obtaining a second polarization current signal of the methanol fuel; and determining the second quality factor based on the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal.

[0015] 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 a difference between the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal; or determining a third quality factor based on the second polarization current signal, and determining the second quality factor based on a difference between the third quality factor and the first quality factor.

[0016] The present application provides a vehicle control device, including one or more processors, for implementing the above-mentioned vehicle control method.

[0017] The present application provides a vehicle, comprising: the above-mentioned vehicle control device and an engine electrically connected to the control device, wherein the engine includes an engine powered by methanol fuel.

[0018] The vehicle control method, control device, and vehicle provided in this application obtain a first quality factor and a second quality factor to characterize the content of two different impurities in the methanol fuel being filled with the vehicle. Determining whether the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor helps ensure the real-time and accuracy of the methanol quality monitoring process. Furthermore, if abnormal methanol quality is detected, the engine is automatically controlled to execute an engine protection strategy. This enables real-time monitoring of methanol fuel quality and real-time protection of the engine, helping to reduce the risk of engine damage due to methanol fuel quality issues, thereby optimizing the safety performance of vehicles powered by methanol fuel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a vehicle control method provided by another embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Reference numerals:

[0025] 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: Public CAN. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] An embodiment of the present application provides a vehicle including an engine powered by methanol fuel. The vehicle may be a methanol range-extended vehicle or a pure methanol fuel vehicle.

[0028] Combine Figure 1 As shown, a methanol-powered range-extended vehicle is used as an example. The vehicle includes a vehicle controller 10, a range extender system, a power battery system, and a drive motor system. The range extender system, power battery system, and drive motor system are all electrically connected to the vehicle controller 10. The range extender system and power battery system are controlled to provide energy to the drive motor system.

[0029] 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 providing 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 is used to control the generator 201, and the engine management system 212 is used to control 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.

[0030] In some embodiments, the vehicle controller 10 communicates with the battery management system 311 via a public CAN (Controller Area Network) 50, and communicates 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 the remaining battery level, remaining fuel level, vehicle fault signals, generator fault signals, engine fault signals, and accelerator pedal signals on the external public CAN 50 and the internal CAN, and uses at least some of these signals to determine whether to start the range extender and to control the power generation of the range extender.

[0031] The aforementioned vehicle includes a vehicle control device, which includes one or more processors for implementing the vehicle control method. In some embodiments, the control device is the engine management system 212 within the range extender. In some embodiments, the vehicle control device is another vehicle controller connected to the range extender, such as the vehicle controller 10.

[0032] The vehicle further includes a methanol quality sensor connected to at least the vehicle control device for detecting the content of the first impurity and the second impurity in the methanol fuel, and at least one methanol quality sensor is provided.

[0033] Combine Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a vehicle control method, including steps S11 to S13.

[0034] Step S11 : 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.

[0035] After obtaining the content of the first impurity and the content of the second impurity in the methanol fuel through the 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 a preset rule.

[0036] The methanol quality sensor operates multiple times in a set working cycle, which is beneficial to ensuring the accuracy of the content of the first impurity and the content of the second impurity.

[0037] Step S12: determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

[0038] Step S13: When the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal, the engine is controlled to execute an engine protection strategy.

[0039] By using the vehicle control method provided in the embodiments of the present application, a first quality factor and a second quality factor are obtained to characterize the content of two different impurities in the methanol fuel being filled with the vehicle. Determining whether the methanol fuel quality is abnormal based on the first and second quality factors helps ensure the real-time and accuracy of the methanol quality monitoring process. Furthermore, if abnormal methanol quality is detected, the engine is automatically controlled to execute an engine protection strategy. This enables real-time monitoring of methanol fuel quality and real-time protection of the engine, helping to reduce the risk of engine damage due to methanol fuel quality issues, thereby optimizing the safety performance of vehicles powered by methanol fuel.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first impurity is an ionic impurity, and the second impurity is an organochlorine impurity. Ionic impurities and organochlorine impurities are key factors affecting the quality of methanol fuel. Selecting ionic impurities and organochlorine impurities as monitoring targets helps ensure the accuracy of methanol fuel quality assessment.

[0041] Here, a more detailed description is given of the process of obtaining 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. Figure 3 As shown, the aforementioned step S11 includes steps S111 to S114.

[0042] Step S111: obtaining a first polarization current signal of methanol fuel.

[0043] The first polarization current signal is transmitted by the methanol quality sensor to a control device of the vehicle.

[0044] Step S112: determining a first quality factor according to the first polarization current signal.

[0045] Step S113 : After applying an electrical signal to the methanol fuel, a second polarization current signal of the methanol fuel is obtained.

[0046] Step S114 : determining a second quality factor according to the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal.

[0047] The polarization current signal of methanol fuel can directly reflect the content of ionic impurities in the fuel. To facilitate subsequent determination, a quality factor (QF) is used as a parameter to reflect the polarization current signal, specifically, the ionic impurity content in the fuel. Polarization current signals of methanol fuels with varying ionic impurity contents are experimentally measured to determine the corresponding relationship between the polarization current signal and the ionic impurity content. Based on this relationship, the corresponding relationship between the polarization current signal and the first QF is determined. Based on this corresponding relationship, the first QF corresponding to the current first polarization current signal can be determined. After measuring the first polarization current signal, an electrical signal is applied to the methanol fuel to convert the organic chlorine in the fuel into chloride ions. The resulting polarization current signal of the methanol fuel, i.e., the aforementioned second polarization current signal, reflects the content of the organic chlorine before the conversion to chloride ions. Considering that the existing ionic impurity content in the fuel also affects the second polarization current signal, the first and second polarization current signals must be combined to determine the second QF, which reflects the content of the organic chlorine impurities.

[0048] Specifically, in some embodiments, determining the second quality factor based on the first and second polarization current signals includes determining the second quality factor based on the difference between the first and second polarization current signals. When obtaining the second polarization current signal, the ions in the methanol fuel include both existing 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 accurately reflects the content of organochlorine impurities in the methanol fuel. In some embodiments, determining the second quality factor based on the first and second polarization current signals 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. Specifically, after first 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 to reflect the content of organochlorine impurities in the methanol fuel.

[0049] The following describes a specific method for determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

[0050] Combine Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the step S12, determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, includes steps S1211 and S1212.

[0051] Step S1211 : determining a methanol quality factor according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

[0052] Step S1212: Determine whether the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal based on the methanol quality coefficient.

[0053] In this way, the size and changes of the first quality factor and the second quality factor can be reflected by the methanol quality coefficient. The quality of methanol fuel can be judged based on only one parameter, the methanol quality coefficient, which is conducive to simplifying the subsequent judgment logic.

[0054] In some embodiments, a correspondence is established between the first and second quality factors and the methanol quality coefficient. This correspondence can be directly represented by a one-to-one correspondence between the data, and the methanol quality coefficient corresponding to the current first and second quality factors can be directly determined by table lookup. As shown in Table 1, if the first quality factor is Q11 and the second quality factor is Q21, the corresponding methanol quality coefficient is determined to be K11; if the first quality factor is Q12 and the second quality factor is Q22, the corresponding quality coefficient is determined to be K22, and so on. For values ​​not directly disclosed in existing data tables, they can be determined through interpolation calculation based on the disclosed values.

[0055] Table 1:

[0056]

[0057] In some embodiments, this correspondence can also be expressed as a formula. The first and second quality factors serve as independent variables, and the methanol quality coefficient serves as a dependent variable. The value of the methanol quality coefficient changes with changes in the first and second quality factors. During implementation, the methanol quality coefficient is directly calculated using the current first and second quality factors and this formula.

[0058] In some embodiments, determining the methanol quality coefficient based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes multiplying the first quality factor and the second quality factor as the methanol quality coefficient. In this way, the methanol quality coefficient accurately reflects the values ​​and changes of the first quality factor and the second quality factor, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the judgment of methanol fuel quality based on the methanol quality coefficient.

[0059] In some embodiments, the methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with the first quality factor and the second quality factor. Determining whether the methanol fuel has quality abnormalities based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel has quality abnormalities if the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel has no quality abnormalities if the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the first coefficient threshold. A larger methanol quality factor indicates a larger at least one of the first quality factor and the second quality factor, indicating an excessively high content of the first or second impurity in the methanol fuel. This allows for accurate assessment of the quality of methanol fuel.

[0060] Furthermore, in some embodiments, when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a first coefficient threshold, determining that the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality includes determining that the methanol fuel has a severe quality abnormality when the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a second coefficient threshold. The second coefficient threshold is greater than the first coefficient threshold. When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to the second coefficient threshold, determining that the methanol fuel has a moderate quality abnormality. This allows for further differentiation of severe quality abnormalities from abnormal quality, further refining the distinction between methanol fuel quality and improving the accuracy of subsequent control.

[0061] 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 coefficient 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 achieving engine protection by controlling the engine to shut down when the methanol fuel quality is severely abnormal. In this way, the engine protection strategy is further refined based on the abnormal quality of the methanol fuel, 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, and other methods.

[0062] The specific implementation method for controlling engine output power reduction is described herein. Controlling engine output power reduction includes: determining the engine's torque limit coefficient based on the methanol quality coefficient; multiplying the torque limit coefficient and the engine's current maximum torque as a first target torque; and using the first target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to operate. 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. Thus, varying degrees of torque limit are applied to varying methanol quality coefficients, enabling refined control of the process of controlling engine output power reduction. During implementation, a relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the torque limit coefficient is pre-set, and the torque limit 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 limit coefficient can be directly represented by a one-to-one numerical value, with the torque limit coefficient corresponding to the current methanol quality coefficient being determined by lookup in a table. As shown in Table 2, K1 corresponds to the second coefficient threshold described above, and K2 corresponds to the first coefficient threshold described above. If the methanol quality coefficient is known to be K1.1, the corresponding torque limit coefficient is determined to be K1.1%; if the methanol quality coefficient is known to be K1.2, the corresponding torque limit coefficient is determined to be K1.2%, and so on. Values ​​not directly disclosed in existing data tables can be determined by interpolation based on the disclosed values.

[0063] Table 2:

[0064] Methanol quality factor K1 K1.1 K1.2 K1.3 … K1.i … K2 Torque limit coefficient 0 K1.1％ K1.2％ K1.3％ … K1.i% … 100％

[0065] In some embodiments, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the torque limit coefficient can also be expressed as a formula. The formula uses the methanol quality coefficient as an independent variable and the torque limit coefficient as a dependent variable. The torque limit coefficient corresponding to the current methanol quality coefficient can be determined according to the formula.

[0066] In other embodiments, the relationship between the methanol quality coefficient and the first quality factor and the second quality factor can also be set such that 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 the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality based on the methanol quality coefficient changes accordingly. Specifically, determining whether the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality based on the methanol quality coefficient includes: determining that the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality if the methanol quality coefficient is greater than a third coefficient threshold; and determining that the methanol fuel has no quality abnormality if the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the third coefficient threshold.

[0067] Furthermore, when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to a third coefficient threshold, determining that the methanol fuel quality is abnormal includes: determining that the methanol fuel quality is severely abnormal when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to a fourth coefficient threshold. The fourth coefficient threshold is less than the third coefficient threshold. Controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol quality coefficient is less than or equal to the third coefficient threshold and greater than the fourth coefficient threshold; and controlling the engine to shut down 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 the execution process when the methanol quality coefficient is positively correlated with both the first quality factor and the second quality factor, and will not be further described here.

[0068] Combine Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the aforementioned step S12, determining whether the methanol fuel has abnormal quality based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, includes step S1221 and step S1222.

[0069] In step S1221 , when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor lower limit threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor lower limit threshold, it is determined that the methanol quality is abnormal.

[0070] In step S1222 , 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.

[0071] If the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor lower limit, the first impurity level is too high. If the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor lower limit, the second impurity level is too high, indicating abnormal methanol quality. Separately assessing the first and second quality factors helps reduce missed assessments, thereby improving the accuracy of methanol fuel quality assessment.

[0072] Furthermore, in some embodiments, when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor lower threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor lower threshold, methanol quality is determined to be abnormal. This includes determining that the methanol quality is severely abnormal when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor upper threshold, or the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor upper threshold. 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. When the first quality factor is less than or equal to the first quality factor upper threshold, and the second quality factor is less than or equal to the second quality factor upper threshold, methanol quality is determined to be moderately abnormal. This is equivalent to further distinguishing cases of severe quality abnormality based on abnormal methanol fuel quality, making further detailed distinctions in methanol fuel quality to enhance more accurate quality abnormality monitoring. Furthermore, subsequent control based on this information can help improve the accuracy of subsequent control.

[0073] In some embodiments, controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes: controlling the engine to reduce output power when the first quality factor is greater than the 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 the second quality factor lower limit threshold and less than or equal to the second quality factor upper limit threshold; and controlling the engine to shut down when the first quality factor is greater than the first quality factor upper limit threshold, or when the second quality factor is greater than the second quality factor upper limit threshold. This provides a specific method for determining the engine protection strategy based on the first quality factor and the second quality factor, which is equivalent to controlling the engine to reduce output power when the methanol fuel quality is generally abnormal, and controlling the engine to shut down when the methanol fuel quality is seriously abnormal. This is conducive to ensuring that the engine protection strategy is consistent with current actual needs, improving the accuracy of the engine protection strategy, and thus optimizing the engine protection effect.

[0074] In some embodiments, controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: determining a first torque limit coefficient based on a first quality factor, and determining a second torque limit coefficient based on a second quality factor; multiplying the smaller of the first and second torque limit coefficients by the engine's current maximum torque as a second target torque; and using the second target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to operate. 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. In this way, varying degrees of engine torque limitation are applied to the engine in response to different conditions of the first and second quality factors, enabling refined control of the process of controlling engine output power reduction, thereby improving the accuracy of the engine protection strategy and optimizing the engine protection effect. After determining the torque limit coefficients based on the first and second quality factors, torque limitation is performed based on the smaller torque limit coefficient, enabling the current torque limitation process to better meet actual engine protection requirements. It can be understood that, in some embodiments, the specific process of controlling the engine to reduce output power can also be executed as follows: determining a first torque limit coefficient based on a first quality factor, determining a second torque limit coefficient based on a second quality factor, and then determining a target torque based on the first torque limit coefficient and the second torque limit coefficient respectively, with the smaller target torque being used as the final maximum torque allowed for the engine to operate.

[0075] Similar to the aforementioned torque limiting process, in the implementation process here, it is necessary to pre-set 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, and determine the torque limiting coefficient corresponding to the current first quality factor and the second quality factor based on the pre-set relationship. In some embodiments, 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, can be reflected in the form of one-to-one corresponding numerical values, and the first torque limiting coefficient and the second torque limiting coefficient can be determined by looking up the table. For example, Table 3 shows the corresponding relationship between the first quality factor and the first torque limiting coefficient, and Table 4 shows the corresponding relationship between the second quality factor and the second torque limiting coefficient. For values ​​that are not directly disclosed in existing data tables, they can be determined by interpolation calculation based on the disclosed values.

[0076] Table 3:

[0077] First quality factor Q11 Q11.1 Q11.2 Q11.3 … Q11.i … Q12 The first torque limit coefficient 0％ x1.1％ x1.2％ x1.3％ … x1.i% … 100％

[0078] Table 4:

[0079] Second quality factor Q21 Q21.1 Q21.2 Q21.3 … Q21.i … Q22 Second torque limit coefficient 0％ x2.1％ x2.2％ x2.3％ … x2.i% … 100％

[0080] In some embodiments, 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, can be expressed in the form of a formula. 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. 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.

[0081] Regarding threshold setting, the various thresholds and torque limit coefficients in this application can be determined based on the vehicle performance and reliability evaluation such as the extended-range vehicle dynamics of the vehicle under a large number of different quality factor combinations. For methanol-range extended-range vehicles with different power configurations, the relevant thresholds need to be adaptively adjusted. For example, compared with methanol-range extended-range vehicles, the various thresholds on pure methanol fuel vehicles that are completely powered by methanol fuel need to be strictly controlled, that is, more sensitive quality identification is required to avoid missed judgments. In methanol-range extended-range vehicles, if the power battery is large, the various thresholds can be adaptively relaxed.

[0082] In some embodiments, after determining whether the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality based on the first and second quality factors, the vehicle control method further includes: issuing a methanol fuel quality abnormality alert if the methanol fuel has a quality abnormality. This allows users and relevant personnel to promptly understand the current abnormality so that they can take appropriate action. The methanol fuel quality abnormality alert can be issued through a warning light, an audible tone, a display, or a prompt message sent to a terminal device. Furthermore, different alert types are selected for different quality abnormalities. Specifically, different alert types are selected for the aforementioned general abnormality and severe abnormality. This allows users and relevant personnel to accurately determine the current abnormality.

[0083] 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 understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," etc. may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this disclosure, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

Claims

1. A vehicle control method, 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; When the quality of the methanol fuel is abnormal, controlling the engine to execute an engine protection strategy; The controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes controlling the engine to reduce output power; the controlling the engine to reduce output power includes: Determine a first torque limiting coefficient according to the first quality factor, and determine a second torque limiting coefficient according to the second quality factor; taking the product of the smaller 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; using the second target torque as the maximum torque allowed for the engine to operate; The torque limit coefficient is less than 1 and greater than or equal to 0, the first torque limit coefficient and the first quality factor are negatively correlated, and the second torque limit coefficient and the second quality factor are negatively correlated.

2. The control method according to claim 1, 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 based on 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, characterized in that: Determining the methanol quality coefficient according to the first quality factor and the second quality factor includes: 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, 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, 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, characterized in that: The controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes: When the methanol quality coefficient is greater than the first coefficient threshold and less than or equal to the second coefficient threshold, controlling the engine to reduce output power; 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 1, 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.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The 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, includes: 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.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The controlling the engine to execute the engine protection strategy includes: 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.

10. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first impurity is an ionic impurity; the second impurity is an organic chlorine impurity; The obtaining of 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.

11. The control method according to claim 10, characterized in that: The determining a second quality factor according to the first polarization current signal and the second polarization current signal includes: 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.

12. A vehicle control device, characterized in that: The method comprises one or more processors for implementing the vehicle control method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises the control device of claim 12 and an engine electrically connected to the control device, wherein the engine is powered by methanol fuel.

Images