Methods, systems, media, and products for controlling a range extender

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method, system, medium and product for controlling a range extender, relating to the technical field of range extenders, wherein the method is applied to a range extender hybrid vehicle with a range extender, and the method comprises: after receiving a clear power instruction of the range extender, setting the target torque of the engine to zero; implementing override control on the generator, setting the control mode of the generator to a speed control mode, and dynamically adjusting the target speed of the generator based on the bus voltage signal at the output end of the generator controller in the speed control mode; during the implementation of the override control, when the bus voltage signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the pre-set clear power end condition, ending the override control, setting the control mode of the generator controller to a non-control mode, so that the actual speed of the engine decreases to idle speed. The method adjusts the control mode of the generator according to the clear power instruction, and dynamically adjusts the target speed of the generator, which can realize the rapid clear power of the range extender.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure pertains to the field of range extender technology, specifically relating to a method, system, medium, and product for controlling a range extender. Background Technology

[0002] In range-extended hybrid vehicles, the range extender typically includes an engine and a generator, and may also include a coupling. The vehicle's driving and braking functions are both handled by the drive motor. During driving, the drive motor's required electrical energy is provided by the range extender or the battery. During braking, the drive motor generates negative torque, and the drive motor controller generates negative current to charge the battery.

[0003] During the power generation process of the range extender, when there is a high demand for regenerative braking, in order to avoid the sum of the regenerative braking power and the power generation power exceeding the charging limit of the power battery, the power generation power of the range extender needs to be quickly reduced to zero. This ensures that the power battery has more energy recovery space, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle, reducing the wear and tear on the vehicle's braking system, and extending the service life of the power battery.

[0004] There is currently no control strategy in the relevant technologies that can quickly eliminate the power generated by the range extender. This results in the energy recovery demand of the power battery not being fully met when there is a need for high-power regenerative braking, which in turn affects the economy and braking performance of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a method, system, medium, and product for controlling a range extender, aiming to at least partially solve the technical problem of poor energy recovery of power batteries due to the inability to quickly clear the power of the range extender.

[0006] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a method for controlling a range extender, applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle having a range extender, the range extender including an engine, a generator, and a generator controller, the method comprising:

[0007] Upon receiving the power clearing command from the range extender, the engine control mode is set to torque control mode, and the engine target torque is set to zero.

[0008] An unauthorized control is implemented on the generator, configured to set the generator's control mode to a speed control mode, and in this speed control mode, dynamically adjust the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the output of the generator controller, thereby clearing the power of the range extender by increasing the generator's target speed; and...

[0009] During the implementation of the overriding control, the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine are monitored. When the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, the overriding control is terminated, and the control mode of the generator controller is set to the uncontrolled mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed.

[0010] In at least one embodiment of the method provided in this disclosure, the range-extended hybrid vehicle includes a power battery connected to the generator controller, and the method further includes:

[0011] During the power generation process of the range extender, vehicle data is acquired;

[0012] Based on the vehicle data, the charging power of the power battery and the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle are obtained; and,

[0013] When the charging power of the power battery is triggered by power limiting or the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle drops to zero, first information is output to characterize that the range extender has entered the power clearing operation process, and a power clearing command for the range extender is generated.

[0014] The method provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure further includes:

[0015] During the implementation of the aforementioned unauthorized control, the bus electrical signal is monitored;

[0016] In response to a negative signal value from the bus electrical signal, second information is issued to indicate that the range extender is in generating mode, and the target speed of the generator is controlled to increase; and,

[0017] In response to the signal value of the bus electrical signal changing from negative to positive, a third message is issued to indicate that the range extender has cleared its generating power.

[0018] In the method provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the bus electrical signal is the bus current, and the power clearing termination condition includes:

[0019] The signal value of the bus electrical signal is greater than or equal to a first set value, wherein the first set value is used to indicate that the generator is not generating electricity;

[0020] The actual torque of the engine is less than a second set value, wherein the second set value is used to indicate that the engine stops outputting power; and

[0021] The timing time for the bus current signal value being greater than or equal to a first set value and the actual torque of the engine being less than a second set value exceeds a set time, wherein the set time is used to exclude sudden changes in the bus current signal.

[0022] In at least one embodiment of the method provided in this disclosure, the unauthorized access control includes:

[0023] The control mode of the generator is switched from the current mode to the speed control mode, wherein the speed control mode is different from the current mode and the speed control mode is set with multiple control cycles;

[0024] The bus electrical signal is acquired, and a target speed for the first control cycle of the plurality of control cycles is generated based on the bus electrical signal to control the operation of the generator in the first control cycle.

[0025] In each current control cycle following the first control cycle, the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator are acquired, and the rising slope of the target speed is generated based on the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator; and,

[0026] The target speed of the current control cycle is generated based on the target speed of the previous control cycle and the rising slope, so as to control the operation of the generator in the current control cycle.

[0027] In at least one embodiment of the method provided in this disclosure, the unauthorized access control further includes:

[0028] Monitor the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator; and,

[0029] When the speed deviation continues to increase and the speed deviation at the current moment is greater than a preset speed deviation threshold, the upward slope is corrected based on the speed deviation at the current moment, so that the upward slope decreases.

[0030] In at least one embodiment of the method provided in this disclosure, the first set value is greater than or equal to zero; and,

[0031] The second setting is configured to be related to the maximum net torque of the engine, and the second setting is less than a set percentage of the maximum net torque of the engine;

[0032] The set time is configured to be related to the signal transmission period of the bus electrical signal, and the set time is greater than one signal transmission period.

[0033] In at least one embodiment of the method provided in this disclosure, the method further includes:

[0034] After the unauthorized control ends, in response to receiving the power generation command from the range extender, the control mode of the engine is set to speed control mode, and the control mode of the generator is set to torque control mode.

[0035] Obtain the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle; and,

[0036] The target torque of the generator in the torque control mode is set based on the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle.

[0037] At least one embodiment of this disclosure also provides a system for controlling a range extender, applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle having a range extender, the range extender including an engine, a generator, and a generator controller, the system comprising:

[0038] The preprocessing unit is configured to, upon receiving the power clearing command from the range extender, set the engine control mode to torque control mode and set the engine's target torque to zero.

[0039] A first control unit is configured to perform unauthorized control on the generator, wherein the unauthorized control is configured to set the generator's control mode to a speed control mode, and in the speed control mode, dynamically adjust the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the output terminal of the generator controller, so as to clear the power of the range extender by increasing the generator's target speed; and

[0040] The second control unit is configured to monitor the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine during the implementation of the overriding control, and to terminate the overriding control when the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, and set the control mode of the generator controller to the uncontrolled mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed.

[0041] At least one embodiment of this disclosure also provides a storage medium storing a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method provided in any embodiment of this disclosure.

[0042] At least one embodiment of this disclosure also provides a product including a program or instructions, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method provided in any embodiment of this disclosure.

[0043] Compared to related technologies, the method, system, medium, and product for controlling a range extender provided in this disclosure determine the timing of the range extender's required power clearing based on the power clearing command, adjust the generator's control mode, and adjust the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the generator controller's output terminal. This enables rapid power clearing of the range extender and significantly improves the power management efficiency of the range extender in range-extended hybrid vehicles. Through intelligent and automated control methods, this method can quickly respond to various operating conditions, effectively avoid safety hazards caused by sudden power output changes, optimize the overall performance of range-extended hybrid vehicles, ensure that the power battery has more energy recovery space, reduce wear on the vehicle's braking system, and extend the power battery's lifespan. Therefore, this method is of great significance for promoting the development and progress of range-extended hybrid vehicle technology, solving the technical problem of poor power battery energy recovery due to the inability of related technologies to quickly clear the power of the range extender.

[0044] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0046] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a range extender, provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the hybrid power system composition of a range-extended hybrid vehicle provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0048] Figure 3 A flowchart of another method for controlling a range extender provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0049] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating yet another method for controlling a range extender provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0050] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling a range extender, provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0051] Figure 6 A structural block diagram of a system for controlling a range extender provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0052] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a program product provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure label:

[0054] 1- Engine; 2- Coupling; 3- Generator; 4- Generator controller; 5- Power battery; 6- Drive motor; 7- Drive motor controller; 8- Busbar at the output terminal of the generator controller; 10- System for controlling the range extender; 11- Pre-processing unit; 12- First control unit; 13- Second control unit; 21- Processor; 22- Memory; 23- Input device; 24- Output device. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be particularly noted that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Similarly, the following embodiments are only some, not all, embodiments of the present disclosure, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0056] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in the embodiments of this disclosure are 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 as "first," "second," and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature.

[0057] In the description of this disclosure, "multiple" means at least two, such as two or three, unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited.

[0058] In this disclosure, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0059] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or components inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0060] The term "program product" as used herein refers to a software product that primarily implements its solutions through computer programs, and is not limited to running on a particular type of electronic device or electronic apparatus.

[0061] The term "electronic device" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, means configured to receive / transmit communication signals via a wired connection (such as via a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Digital Driver Line (DSL), digital cable or direct cable connection, and / or another data connection / network) and / or via a wireless interface (e.g., for a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network or an AM-FM broadcast transmitter, and / or another communication terminal). A communication terminal configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal," a "wireless terminal," or a "mobile terminal." Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular phones; personal communication system (PCS) terminals that can combine cellular wireless telephones with data processing, fax, and data communication capabilities; PDAs that may include wireless telephones, pagers, Internet / intranet access, web browsers, notebooks, calendars, and / or Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers; and conventional laptop and / or handheld receivers or other electronic devices that include wireless telephone transceivers.

[0062] In this disclosure, the term "engine controller" or ECU is used to control engine operation.

[0063] The term "generator controller" (GCU) used in this disclosure is used to control the operation of the generator.

[0064] In this disclosure, the term "range extender system controller" (RCU) coordinates the operation of the GCU and ECU, and monitors the relevant status of the GCU and ECU.

[0065] In this disclosure, the term "vehicle control unit" (VCU) coordinates the high-voltage power supply to and from the battery control system of the range-extended hybrid vehicle and coordinates the power generation of the range-extending system.

[0066] The term "range extender" in embodiments of this disclosure includes an engine, a generator, and a generator controller, and may also include a coupling.

[0067] In this disclosure, the term "bus" refers to a crucial component in a range-extended hybrid electric vehicle used to connect high-voltage electrical equipment and transmit high-voltage electrical energy. Buses typically possess high conductivity and mechanical strength to ensure the stability and reliability of power transmission.

[0068] In this disclosure, the term "idle" refers to the lowest engine speed at which the engine operates stably under no load.

[0069] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a range extender according to at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The method is applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle having a range extender, which includes an engine, a generator, and a generator controller. Figure 1 As shown, the method may include the following steps S10-S30.

[0070] Step S10: After receiving the power clearing command from the range extender, set the engine control mode to torque control mode and set the engine target torque to zero.

[0071] Step S20: Implement unauthorized control on the generator, wherein the unauthorized control is configured to set the generator control mode to speed control mode, and in speed control mode, dynamically adjust the target speed of the generator based on the bus electrical signal (also known as the generator signal) at the output end of the generator controller, so as to clear the power of the range extender by increasing the target speed of the generator.

[0072] Step S30: During the implementation of unauthorized control, monitor the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine, and when the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, end the unauthorized control and set the control mode of the generator controller to the uncontrolled mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed.

[0073] It should be noted that steps S10-S30 are used to control the range extender to perform rapid power clearing. This method can be applied to the vehicle controller (VCU) or range extender system controller (RCU) of a range-extended hybrid vehicle; the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. The bus position of the generator controller output terminal is as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0074] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide systems, media (storage media), and products (program products) corresponding to the methods described above.

[0075] The method provided by at least one embodiment of this disclosure is applicable to any existing scenario requiring rapid power clearing of the range extender in a range-extended hybrid vehicle. For example, when a range-extended hybrid vehicle needs to immediately reduce power output during emergency braking or a sudden malfunction, this method can respond quickly by adjusting the control modes and target parameters of the engine and generator to achieve rapid power clearing of the range extender, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, this method can also be applied during vehicle maintenance or testing when it is necessary to simulate the performance of the range extender under different operating conditions. By flexibly adjusting the control strategy, it can meet diverse testing needs, significantly improving the safety and reliability of range-extended hybrid vehicles, while also providing strong support for vehicle performance optimization and maintenance testing.

[0076] Compared to related technologies, the method proposed in this disclosure determines the timing of the range extender's power clearing requirement based on the power clearing command, adjusts the generator's control mode, and adjusts the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the generator controller's output. This enables rapid power clearing of the range extender and significantly improves the power management efficiency of the range extender in range-extended hybrid vehicles. Through intelligent and automated control methods, this method can quickly respond to various operating conditions, effectively avoid safety hazards caused by sudden power output changes, optimize the overall performance of range-extended hybrid vehicles, ensure that the power battery has more energy recovery space, reduce wear on the vehicle's braking system, and extend the power battery's lifespan. Therefore, this method is of great significance for promoting the development and progress of range-extended hybrid vehicle technology, solving the technical problem of poor power battery energy recovery caused by the inability of related technologies to quickly clear the range extender's power.

[0077] In step S10, the range extender power clearing command indicates that the range extender hybrid vehicle has a rapid power clearing requirement for the range extender. When the vehicle controller recognizes the rapid power clearing requirement for the range extender, it generates a power clearing command for the range extender. Under this power clearing command, the target torque of the engine is first set to zero, so that the engine stops outputting power.

[0078] In step S20, under the power clearing command, the target torque of the engine is set to zero, and the target speed of the generator is also controlled in an unauthorized manner. The unauthorized control aims to switch the control mode from the current mode, which is not the speed control mode, to the speed control mode, and dynamically adjust the target speed of the generator so that the range extender can quickly clear the power.

[0079] For step S30, when the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the power clearing termination condition, the target speed of the generator no longer exceeds the authority, the control mode of the generator controller also switches from its current control mode to the no-control mode, the actual speed of the engine freely drops back to idle speed, and the power clearing is completed.

[0080] To better understand unauthorized control, an example of unauthorized control during power clearing is given below. In this example, when the range-extended hybrid vehicle is in operation, the power demand of the vehicle controller is 100 kW. At this time, the engine control mode is speed control mode with a target speed of 1200 rpm, and the generator control mode is torque control mode with a target torque of 800 N·m. When braking occurs, the power demand of the vehicle controller immediately becomes 0 kW. At this time, the engine control mode is switched to torque control mode with a target torque of 0 N·m, and the generator control mode is switched to speed control mode. The generator's target speed is no longer equal to the target speed corresponding to 0 power demand set in the vehicle controller. The target speed corresponding to 0 power is generally about 100 rpm higher than the engine's idle speed. For example, if the engine's idle speed is 700 rpm, the target speed corresponding to 0 power is 800 rpm. After using the method of this embodiment, the generator's target speed is now equal to the target speed obtained based on the bus current value at the output terminal of the generator controller in step S20, which is the unauthorized control of the generator's target speed.

[0081] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hybrid power system composition of a range-extended hybrid vehicle provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, engine 1, coupling 2, generator 3, and generator controller 4 together constitute the range extender. The bus 8 at the output end of the generator controller is located on the connection line between the generator output end and the controller. In the range-extended hybrid system, the entire vehicle's drive and braking are handled by the drive motor 6. During drive, the range extender or the power battery 5 can provide electrical energy. During braking, the drive motor 6 is controlled to generate negative torque, and the drive motor controller 7 generates negative current, feeding electrical energy back to the power battery 5. When the charging power of the power battery 5 is limited, the generating power of the range extender needs to be immediately reset to zero to prevent the sum of the braking regenerative power and the generating power from exceeding the charging limit allowed by the power battery 5.

[0082] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another method for controlling a range extender provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, in Figure 1 Based on this, in order to optimize the energy management of range-extended hybrid vehicles during the power clearing operation, the method may further include the following steps S01-S03.

[0083] Step S01: Acquire vehicle data during the range extender's power generation process.

[0084] Step S02: Obtain the charging power of the power battery and the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle based on the vehicle data.

[0085] Step S03: When the charging power of the power battery is triggered by power limiting or the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle drops to zero, output the first information to characterize the range extender entering the power clearing operation process, and generate the power clearing command of the range extender.

[0086] Specifically, steps S01-S03 further optimize the energy management of range-extended hybrid vehicles, ensuring effective management of the battery's charging status during range extender power generation and preventing the range extender from continuously operating unnecessarily. This improvement not only enhances energy efficiency but also effectively extends the lifespan of key components in range-extended hybrid vehicles. When the battery's charging power is triggered by power limiting or the range-extended hybrid vehicle's power generation demand drops to zero, the system responds quickly, outputting initial information to instruct the range extender to enter a power clearing operation and automatically generating corresponding power clearing commands. This process achieves precise control of the range extender's operation, avoiding energy waste and component wear, and providing drivers with a more reliable and efficient travel experience.

[0087] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating yet another method for controlling a range extender, provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, in Figure 1 In order to visually display the progress of the power clearing operation and ensure the effectiveness of the power clearing operation, the method further includes the following steps S40-S60.

[0088] Step S40: During the implementation of unauthorized control, monitor the bus electrical signal at the output terminal of the generator controller.

[0089] Step S50: In response to the negative signal value of the bus electrical signal, a second message is issued to indicate that the range extender is in the power generation state, and the target speed of the generator is controlled to increase.

[0090] Step S60: In response to the signal value of the bus electrical signal changing from negative to positive, a third message is issued to indicate that the range extender has cleared its generating power.

[0091] The bus electrical signal can be either current or voltage. A negative bus electrical signal value indicates that the range extender is still generating electricity, while a positive signal value indicates that the range extender is consuming power. Steps S40-S60 enable real-time monitoring and response to the bus electrical signal, ensuring the stability and safety of the range extender during power clearing operations. When the bus electrical signal is abnormal (negative), the system can quickly identify and adjust, increasing the generator's target speed to maintain stable power generation. When the bus electrical signal returns to normal (positive), the system accurately determines that the range extender has completed power clearing and issues the corresponding third information to proceed to the next step. This series of steps not only improves the range extender's efficiency but also enhances the reliability and safety of the entire system, providing a strong guarantee for the driver's driving experience.

[0092] In some embodiments, the bus electrical signal is selected as the bus current (also known as the generator current). The bus current, as a crucial parameter reflecting the power clearing status of the range extender, is essential for improving overall system performance through real-time monitoring and precise control. By setting the bus electrical signal to the bus current, the system can more directly obtain the current changes of the range extender during power clearing operations. This setting improves the system's response speed to the range extender's operating status. When the bus current is negative, the system can quickly identify that the range extender is in generator mode and take corresponding measures to adjust the generator's target speed to maintain stable power generation. When the bus current changes from negative to positive, the system can accurately determine that the range extender has completed power clearing and issue a third message for the next step. This series of control strategies based on bus current not only further optimizes the range extender's operating efficiency but also improves the reliability and safety of the entire system.

[0093] As an exemplary implementation, when there is a power clearing requirement, the output bus current of the generator controller is -300 A, and the actual generator speed is 1300 rpm. This indicates that the range extender is still generating power at a high current. Based on this current, the target speed of the generator is adjusted. After PID control, the target speed of the generator is obtained as 1600 rpm. The generator controller will immediately adjust the bus current to increase the speed. The output bus current of the generator controller quickly changes from negative to positive. When the bus current becomes positive, it means that the range extender has cleared the generated power. In this example, by increasing the target speed of the generator, the output bus current of the generator controller is quickly changed from negative to positive, achieving the goal of rapid power clearing.

[0094] In some embodiments, to accurately determine whether the range extender has completed the power clearing operation, the power clearing termination condition in step S30 is configured as follows: the bus electrical signal value is greater than or equal to a first set value, the actual engine torque is less than a second set value, and the timing time for both the bus electrical signal value being greater than or equal to the first set value and the actual engine torque being less than the second set value exceeds a set time. The first set value indicates that the generator is not generating electricity. The second set value indicates that the engine has stopped outputting power. The set time is used to exclude sudden changes in the bus current signal, and the set time is a time threshold for excluding sudden changes in the bus current signal. By monitoring both the bus electrical signal and the actual engine torque, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the range extender has completed the power clearing operation. When the bus electrical signal value reaches or exceeds the first set value, it indicates that the range extender's output current has decreased to a certain extent, indicating the initial completion of power clearing. When the actual engine torque is less than the second set value, it further confirms the reduction in engine load, which usually means that the range extender has gradually stopped providing additional power output. Only when both conditions are met simultaneously and the duration exceeds the preset time will the system ultimately determine that the power clearing operation has ended. This decision-making logic effectively avoids misjudgments caused by instantaneous fluctuations or interference, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the control strategy. Furthermore, through this design, the system can manage the range extender's operating status more precisely, further improving the overall system performance and stability.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the first setting value is greater than or equal to zero, the second setting value is configured to be related to the engine's maximum net torque and less than a set percentage of the engine's maximum net torque, and the setting time is configured to be related to the signal transmission cycle of the bus electrical signal and greater than one signal transmission cycle. For example, the first setting value can be set to 0 or a value close to 0 to quickly clear the bus current to zero, achieving the requirement of rapid power clearing. Furthermore, if the engine's maximum net torque is 1000 N·m, the second setting value can be 10% of the maximum net torque, representing that the engine's actual torque has been essentially cleared. In addition, the signal transmission cycle of the bus current is 20 ms, with a delay of 5 cycles, i.e., the setting time is set to 100m. Through such specific numerical settings, the system can flexibly adjust the threshold and judgment time of the power clearing operation according to the actual needs under different operating conditions. When the first setting value approaches 0, the system can respond quickly and promptly cut off the bus current, avoiding unnecessary energy loss. Meanwhile, the second setpoint is set to 10% of the engine's maximum net torque, ensuring a significant reduction in engine load while avoiding potential damage to the engine from excessive torque reduction. Furthermore, the setting time is matched to the signal transmission cycle of the bus electrical signal, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the decision logic. This design not only improves the efficiency of power clearing operations but also enhances the system's stability and reliability, providing strong support for the intelligent control of the range extender.

[0096] In some embodiments, in order to accelerate the power clearing operation process, the overstepping control in step S20 is refined to include the following sub-steps S201-S204.

[0097] Sub-step S201: Switch the generator control mode from the current mode to the speed control mode. The speed control mode is different from the current mode and has multiple control cycles.

[0098] Sub-step S202: Obtain the bus electrical signal, and generate the target speed of the first control cycle in multiple control cycles based on the bus electrical signal, so as to control the operation of the generator in the first control cycle.

[0099] Sub-step S203: In each current control cycle after the first control cycle, obtain the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator, and generate the rising slope of the target speed based on the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator.

[0100] Sub-step S204: Generate the target speed of the current control cycle based on the target speed of the previous control cycle and the rising slope, so as to control the operation of the generator in the current control cycle.

[0101] In this process, the target speed for the first control cycle is obtained through PID control based on the bus current at the generator controller's output. Subsequent control cycles adjust the target speed based on the rising slope, which is determined by the speed deviation. Substeps S201-S204 enable more precise control of the engine, ensuring stable generator operation under various conditions. In substep S201, switching the generator's control mode adapts it to different operating requirements, and the multiple control cycle settings for the speed control mode provide a basis for rapid adjustment. In substep S202, generating the target speed based on the bus electrical signal ensures the generator operates at a suitable speed in the first control cycle. In substep S203, acquiring the actual engine and generator speeds and calculating the speed deviation allows for real-time monitoring of the generator's operating status, providing a basis for adjusting the target speed. In substep S204, generating the target speed for the current control cycle based on the initial target speed and rising slope of the previous control cycle enables gradual adjustment of the generator speed, avoiding sudden changes that could impact the system. This unauthorized control method not only improves system stability but also optimizes generator operating efficiency.

[0102] In some embodiments, in order to avoid affecting the reliability of the coupling, the unauthorized control in step S20 further includes the following sub-steps S205-S206.

[0103] Sub-step S205: Monitor the speed deviation between the actual engine speed and the actual generator speed.

[0104] Sub-step S206: When the speed deviation continues to increase and the speed deviation at the current moment is greater than the preset speed deviation threshold, the upward slope is corrected based on the speed deviation at the current moment, so that the upward slope is reduced.

[0105] The ramp rate is initially determined based on the speed deviation, and then corrected based on changes in the speed deviation. A rapid increase in the generator's actual speed can cause a speed deviation between the engine's and generator's actual speeds, affecting the reliability of the coupling. Therefore, the ramp rate needs to be corrected based on the speed deviation. Sub-steps S205-S206 effectively prevent significant deviations between the generator's and engine's actual speeds, protecting both the engine and generator from overload damage. Furthermore, this strategy, by dynamically adjusting the ramp rate based on the speed deviation, significantly improves the range extender's adaptability and stability under complex operating conditions, ensuring smooth and efficient system operation. This design not only optimizes the driver's experience but also extends the equipment's lifespan.

[0106] As an exemplary embodiment, in this example, the calculated target speed of the generator is 1800 rpm, and the upward slope of the target speed is 1000 rpm. During the upward process, the speed deviation between the actual engine speed and the actual generator speed gradually increases. If the speed deviation exceeds a certain value, the upward slope of the target speed is corrected based on the speed deviation. For example, if the speed deviation exceeds 10 rpm, the speed deviation in step S206 is updated to 12 rpm, and the corrected upward slope is 800 rpm. If the speed deviation is 15 rpm, the upward slope is 600 rpm. While ensuring the reliability of the coupling, the power is cleared as quickly as possible.

[0107] In some embodiments, in order to ensure a smooth output of range extender power during power generation, the method further includes the following steps S70-S90.

[0108] Step S70: After the overriding control ends, in response to receiving the generator command from the range extender, the engine control mode is set to speed control mode and the generator control mode is set to torque control mode.

[0109] Step S80: Obtain the power generation requirement of the range-extended hybrid vehicle.

[0110] Step S90: Based on the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle, set the target torque of the generator in torque control mode.

[0111] Steps S70-S90 enable refined control of the range extender, ensuring efficient and stable power generation. In step S70, the engine and generator control modes are adjusted to speed control and torque control modes, respectively. This setting helps achieve smooth power output during power generation, avoiding energy loss or system instability caused by improper control modes. In step S80, the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle is acquired in real time, providing accurate data support for subsequent torque setting and ensuring that the power generation process meets the vehicle's actual needs. In step S90, based on the acquired power generation demand, the target torque of the generator is dynamically adjusted. This strategy not only improves power generation efficiency but also helps protect the generator from overload damage, further extending the equipment's lifespan. In summary, through the refined control of steps S70-S90, the performance of the range extender during power generation is significantly improved.

[0112] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling a range extender, provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5As shown, when the range extender receives the power clearing command, the engine's target torque is first set to zero, and the generator's target speed is controlled in an unauthorized manner. When the bus current value at the output terminal of the generator controller is greater than or equal to the first set value, and the actual engine torque is less than the second set value and remains so for a certain period of time, the generator's target speed no longer exceeds the authority, the generator controller's control mode is switched to the uncontrolled mode, and the engine's actual speed freely drops back to idle speed, thus completing the power clearing process.

[0113] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of a system for controlling a range extender, provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The system is applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle with a range extender, which includes an engine, a generator, and a generator controller. Figure 6 As shown, the system 10 for controlling the range extender includes a preprocessing unit 11, a first control unit 12, and a second control unit 13.

[0114] The preprocessing unit 11 is configured to send a first control command to the generator controller to set the torque and speed of the generator to zero when the range-extended system is connected to a high-voltage power supply and the range-extended hybrid vehicle has a power generation demand.

[0115] The first control unit 12 is configured to perform unauthorized control on the generator. The unauthorized control is configured to set the generator control mode to speed control mode, and in speed control mode, dynamically adjust the target speed of the generator based on the bus electrical signal at the output end of the generator controller, so as to clear the power of the range extender by increasing the target speed of the generator.

[0116] The second control unit 13 is configured to monitor the bus electrical signal at the output terminal of the generator controller and the actual speed of the engine during the implementation of the overstepping control, and terminate the overstepping control when the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, and set the control mode of the generator controller to the uncontrolled mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed.

[0117] The specific execution methods of each unit in the above system embodiments have been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0118] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method embodiments described above.

[0119] This disclosure also provides a program product, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the program product includes one or more processors 21 and memory 22. Figure 7 Take a processor 21 as an example.

[0120] The controller may also include an input device 23 and an output device 24.

[0121] The processor 21, memory 22, input device 23, and output device 24 can be connected via a bus or other means. Figure 7 Taking the example of a connection between China and Israel via a bus.

[0122] The processor 21 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or combinations of the above types of chips. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0123] The memory 22, as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store non-transitory software programs, non-transitory computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / modules corresponding to the methods in the embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 21 executes various functional applications and data processing of the server by running the non-transitory software programs, instructions, and modules stored in the memory 22, thereby implementing the steps of the above-described method embodiments.

[0124] The memory 22 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system and applications required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created by the use of the processing device operated by the server. Furthermore, the memory 22 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-transitory memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-transitory solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, the memory 22 may optionally include memory remotely located relative to the processor 21, and these remote memories may be connected to a network connection device via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0125] Input device 23 can receive input digital or character information, and generate key signal inputs related to driver settings and function control of the server's processing unit. Output device 24 may include display devices such as a display screen.

[0126] One or more modules are stored in memory 22, and when executed by one or more processors 21, they perform actions such as... Figure 1 The method shown.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes described in the above method embodiments. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory (FM), hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD), etc.; the storage medium can also include combinations of the above types of memory.

[0128] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0129] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a range extender, applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle having a range extender, said range extender comprising an engine, a generator, and a generator controller, characterized in that, The method includes: Upon receiving the power clearing command from the range extender, the engine control mode is set to torque control mode, and the engine target torque is set to zero. An unauthorized control is implemented on the generator, wherein the unauthorized control is configured to set the generator's control mode to a speed control mode, and in the speed control mode, dynamically adjust the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the output terminal of the generator controller, so as to clear the power of the range extender by increasing the generator's target speed; and, During the implementation of the above-mentioned over-authorization control, the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine are monitored. When the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, the above-mentioned over-authorization control is terminated and the control mode of the generator controller is set to the non-control mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed. The unauthorized access control includes: The control mode of the generator is switched from the current mode to the speed control mode, wherein the speed control mode is different from the current mode and the speed control mode is set with multiple control cycles; The bus electrical signal is acquired, and a target speed for the first control cycle of the plurality of control cycles is generated based on the bus electrical signal to control the operation of the generator in the first control cycle. In each current control cycle following the first control cycle, the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator are acquired, and the rising slope of the target speed is generated based on the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator. The target speed of the current control cycle is generated based on the target speed of the previous control cycle and the rising slope, so as to control the operation of the generator in the current control cycle; Monitor the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator; and, When the speed deviation continues to increase and the speed deviation at the current moment is greater than a preset speed deviation threshold, the upward slope is corrected based on the speed deviation at the current moment, so that the upward slope decreases.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The range-extended hybrid vehicle includes a power battery connected to the generator controller, and the method further includes: During the power generation process of the range extender, vehicle data is acquired; Based on the vehicle data, the charging power of the power battery and the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle are obtained; and, When the charging power of the power battery is triggered by power limiting or the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle drops to zero, first information is output to characterize that the range extender has entered the power clearing operation process, and a power clearing command for the range extender is generated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: During the implementation of the aforementioned unauthorized control, the bus electrical signal is monitored; In response to a negative signal value from the bus electrical signal, second information is issued to indicate that the range extender is in generating mode, and the target speed of the generator is controlled to increase; and, In response to the signal value of the bus electrical signal changing from negative to positive, a third message is issued to indicate that the range extender has cleared its generating power.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bus electrical signal is the bus current, and the power clearing termination condition includes: The signal value of the bus electrical signal is greater than or equal to a first set value, wherein the first set value is used to indicate that the generator is not generating electricity; The actual torque of the engine is less than a second set value, wherein the second set value is used to indicate that the engine stops outputting power; and The timing time for the bus current signal value being greater than or equal to a first set value and the actual torque of the engine being less than a second set value exceeds a set time, wherein the set time is used to exclude sudden changes in the bus current signal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first set value is greater than or equal to zero; and, The second setting is configured to be related to the maximum net torque of the engine, and the second setting is less than a set percentage of the maximum net torque of the engine; The set time is configured to be related to the signal transmission period of the bus electrical signal, and the set time is greater than one signal transmission period.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the unauthorized control ends, in response to receiving the power generation command from the range extender, the control mode of the engine is set to speed control mode, and the control mode of the generator is set to torque control mode. Obtain the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle; and, The target torque of the generator in the torque control mode is set based on the power generation demand of the range-extended hybrid vehicle.

7. A system for controlling a range extender, applied to a range-extended hybrid vehicle having a range extender, said range extender comprising an engine, a generator, and a generator controller, characterized in that, The system includes: The preprocessing unit is configured to, upon receiving the power clearing command from the range extender, set the engine control mode to torque control mode and set the engine's target torque to zero. A first control unit is configured to perform unauthorized control on the generator, wherein the unauthorized control is configured to set the generator's control mode to a speed control mode, and in the speed control mode, dynamically adjust the generator's target speed based on the bus electrical signal at the output terminal of the generator controller, so as to clear the power of the range extender by increasing the generator's target speed; and The second control unit is configured to monitor the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine during the implementation of the overstepping control, and terminate the overstepping control when the bus electrical signal and the actual speed of the engine meet the preset power clearing termination condition, and set the control mode of the generator controller to the uncontrolled mode so that the actual speed of the engine drops to idle speed; The unauthorized access control includes: The control mode of the generator is switched from the current mode to the speed control mode, wherein the speed control mode is different from the current mode and the speed control mode is set with multiple control cycles; The bus electrical signal is acquired, and a target speed for the first control cycle of the plurality of control cycles is generated based on the bus electrical signal to control the operation of the generator in the first control cycle. In each current control cycle following the first control cycle, the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator are acquired, and the rising slope of the target speed is generated based on the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator. The target speed of the current control cycle is generated based on the target speed of the previous control cycle and the rising slope, so as to control the operation of the generator in the current control cycle; Monitor the speed deviation between the actual speed of the engine and the actual speed of the generator; and, When the speed deviation continues to increase and the speed deviation at the current moment is greater than a preset speed deviation threshold, the upward slope is corrected based on the speed deviation at the current moment, so that the upward slope decreases.

8. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A program product comprising a program or instructions, characterized in that, When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images