Control method, unit and program product for generator of new energy vehicle
By monitoring the power switching status of the generator in real time in new energy vehicles, the problem of power waste caused by generator failure is solved, and the efficient utilization of power batteries is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410567473.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-11
AI Technical Summary
A failure in the engagement of the engine, generator, and/or generator causes the generator to continuously consume power from the battery. Existing technologies have failed to effectively detect and stop the generator from rotating in a timely manner, resulting in wasted power.
A generator control method is provided, which detects whether the generator switches from power battery power to engine power within a limited time. If the switch is not made, the generator stops rotating. The method combines the detection of current sign and absolute value changes by a current sensor to detect faults in real time and control the generator to stop rotating.
It effectively avoids the useless consumption of power battery electricity, promptly detects and handles engagement faults of the engine and generator, and prevents power waste.
Smart Images
Figure CN120922104A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of new energy vehicle technology, and in particular to a control method, unit, and program product for a generator used in new energy vehicles. Background Technology
[0002] New energy vehicles include, but are not limited to, pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and / or range-extended electric vehicles. Some of these new energy vehicles may include an engine (e.g., an internal combustion engine), a generator connected to the engine, and a power battery electrically connected to the generator. The generator can use the power from the power battery to rotate as a starter motor to assist in starting the engine, and after the engine starts, it can use the power from the engine to rotate to generate electricity.
[0003] However, malfunctions can occur in the engine, generator, and / or the engagement between the engine and generator. When the generator acts as a starter motor to assist the engine in starting, these malfunctions will cause the generator to continuously rotate using power from the battery, thus rapidly depleting the battery's power. For example, if the engine itself malfunctions, and the fault signal related to the engine malfunction is lost during transmission, the engine malfunction may go undetected, causing the generator to continue dragging the engine. Alternatively, the generator may be inseparably engaged with the engine via a torsional damper, belt, or other means, or separably engaged via a clutch mechanism, to transmit rotational motion between the generator and engine through frictional engagement. However, the interfaces of the friction plates of the torsional damper, belt, or clutch mechanism may slip due to wear or lubrication issues, preventing the generator from starting the engine properly. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide improved control methods, units and program products for generators used in new energy vehicles.
[0005] Therefore, according to one aspect of this application, a control method for a generator in a new energy vehicle is provided. The new energy vehicle includes an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, and a power battery electrically connected to the generator. The control method includes the following steps: receiving an engine start request; controlling the generator to rotate using power from the power battery based on the engine start request; determining whether the generator switches from rotating using power from the power battery to rotating using power from the engine within a limited time period; and stopping the rotation of the generator when it is determined that the generator has not switched from rotating using power from the power battery to rotating using power from the engine within the limited time period.
[0006] According to another aspect of this application, a control unit for a generator in a new energy vehicle is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing executable instructions thereon, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to perform the aforementioned control method for a generator in a new energy vehicle.
[0007] According to another aspect of this application, a computer program product is provided, which includes executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement a control method for a generator used in a new energy vehicle.
[0008] The control method, unit, and program product for generators in new energy vehicles provided in this application can detect in real time that a fault has occurred in the engine, generator, and / or the engagement between the engine and generator, and control the generator to stop rotating in a timely manner, thereby avoiding the useless consumption of power battery electricity. Attached Figure Description
[0009] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. In the accompanying drawings:
[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a new energy vehicle according to an embodiment of this application, wherein a control unit for a generator for a new energy vehicle is shown.
[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a generator for a new energy vehicle according to an embodiment of this application;
[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the current change during the switching of a generator for a new energy vehicle from rotating using electricity from a power battery to rotating using power from an engine, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a control method for a generator in a new energy vehicle according to an embodiment of this application; and
[0014] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a generator in a new energy vehicle according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0015] Various exemplary embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application.
[0016] Technologies and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0017] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0018] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.
[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, according to embodiments of this application, the new energy vehicles of this application (hereinafter referred to as vehicles) include, but are not limited to, pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and / or range-extended electric vehicles. Such vehicles generally include: an engine 10; a generator 20, for example, for a P0 hybrid vehicle, the generator 20 is configured as a belt-driven integrated unit for starting and generating electricity, i.e., a BSG; and for a P1 hybrid vehicle, the generator 20 is configured as an integrated unit for starting and generating electricity, i.e., an ISG; a power battery 30, for example, with a voltage of 300V to 700V and a battery capacity of 15 to 30 kWh, also referred to as a high-voltage battery; and a drive motor 40. The drive motor 40 can provide power to drive the vehicle's wheels 60. The power battery 30 is rechargeable and can be used to provide power to the generator 20 and the drive motor 40. The generator 20 can utilize the power from the power battery 30 to rotate, acting as a starter motor to assist in starting the engine 10. After the engine 10 starts, it can also utilize the power from the engine 10 to rotate, generating electricity to charge the power battery 30, or together with the power battery 30, provide power to the drive motor 40, or provide power to the drive motor 40 alone. Thus, during driving, when the power battery 30 has sufficient power (or charge), the vehicle can run using only the power of the power battery 30. When the power battery 30 has insufficient power or requires more power, the generator 20 can start the engine 10 to achieve purposes such as range extension.
[0020] Continue to refer to Figure 1It also shows other relevant components of a vehicle, taking a range-extended electric vehicle as an example, wherein the generator 20 can be inseparably engaged with the engine 10 (e.g., its flywheel) via a torsional damper 21, the interior of which may have multiple friction plates to transmit rotational motion between the generator 20 and the engine 10 through frictional engagement. It is understood that the engine 10 can also be engaged with the generator 20 either inseparably or separably through other mechanisms. For example, in a P0 hybrid vehicle, the generator 20 can be engaged with the engine 10 inseparably via a belt, while in a P2 hybrid vehicle, the generator 20 can be separably engaged with the engine 10 via a clutch mechanism to transmit rotational motion between the generator 20 and the engine 10 through frictional engagement. When the clutch mechanism is in the engagement mode, so that the engine 10 and the generator 20 are engaged in a controlled manner, the rotational motion of one of the generator 20 and the engine 10 can be transmitted to the other of the generator 20 and the engine 10 in a desired proportion. When the clutch mechanism is in the disengagement mode, so that the engine 10 and the generator 20 are disengaged in a controlled manner, the generator 20 can rotate independently relative to the engine 10.
[0021] Generally, other relevant components of the vehicle include a so-called all-in-one controller 33, which includes a control chip 50 and power devices. The control chip 50 is configured to receive, send, and process various relevant signals to control the generator 20 and the drive motor 40. The power devices further include a generator inverter circuit 22 (i.e., an AC / DC module), a power distribution unit 42, and a drive motor inverter circuit 32 (i.e., a DC / AC module). After the engine 10 starts, the power generated by the generator 20 is transmitted to the generator inverter circuit 22 to convert the AC power into DC power, and then further transmitted to the power distribution unit 42, which distributes the power to the power battery 30 for charging. The power from the power battery 30 and / or the power generated by the generator 20 can also be further transmitted via the power distribution unit 42 to the drive motor inverter circuit 32 to convert the DC power into AC power, and then further transmitted to the drive motor 40, which drives the wheels 60 via the drive reduction mechanism 31. The power from the power battery 30 can also be distributed to other electrical devices 61 (shown in dashed boxes), such as refrigeration devices, concrete mixing devices, and other on-vehicle equipment.
[0022] In addition, a current sensor 34 is provided inside the all-in-one controller 33. The current sensor 34 can be used to detect the sign and absolute value of the current transmitted between the generator 20 and the power battery 30. That is, it detects the sign and absolute value of the current in the electrical circuit in the all-in-one controller 33 used to transmit DC power, so as to generate a related current signal.
[0023] In addition, other relevant components of the vehicle include an engine temperature sensor 35, which can be used to detect the temperature of the engine 10, such as the temperature of the coolant in the engine 10 (i.e., the coolant used to cool the engine 10), in order to generate a relevant temperature signal.
[0024] Continue to refer to Figure 1 The control unit 51 for the generator 20 of the vehicle includes: a processor; and a memory storing executable instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform... Figure 2 The control method for the generator 20 in a vehicle. The control unit 51 can be part of the vehicle's overall controller (VCU), a separate component, or a virtual unit formed by multiple parts distributed within other different controllers in the vehicle. For example, an all-in-one controller 33 is used to control the generator 20 and the drive motor 40, an engine 10 controller is used to control the engine 10, a battery management system controller is used to control the battery, etc. The control unit 51, as part of the overall vehicle controller, communicates with each controller and sensor to implement... Figure 2 The steps of the control method for the generator 20 of a vehicle are shown in the figure.
[0025] In step 101, an engine start request is received, which includes a target speed and speed mode requirement for the generator 20. Generally, the target speed for the generator 20 is 600 RPM to 800 RPM, which is essentially equivalent to the target speed for normal starting of the engine 10. Based on the speed mode requirement, the control unit 51 controls the rotational speed of the generator 20 to achieve the target speed. For example, if the vehicle requires greater starting power or higher torque during vehicle operation, and the power battery 30 cannot provide the required starting power or torque, the control unit 51 will receive an engine start request. As another example, as mentioned above, if the power battery 30 is low on power, the engine 10 will need to provide power to the drive motor 40 or charge the power battery 30; in this case, the control unit 51 will also receive an engine start request. For example, if the vehicle has been parked for too long, or if the brakes were applied too hard in the previous driving cycle, and the pressure in the pressure tank is too low, the mechanical air pump needs to be activated to pressurize the pressure tank. In this case, the engine 10 needs to be started to drive the mechanical air pump, and the control unit 51 will also receive the engine start request, and so on.
[0026] In step 102, based on the engine start request, the generator 20 is controlled to rotate at a target speed using power from the battery 30. For a range-extended electric vehicle, the generator 20 transmits its rotational motion to the engine 10 via the torsional damper 21 in an attempt to start the engine 10. For a P2 hybrid vehicle, the control unit 51 first controls the clutch mechanism to switch to engagement mode, and then controls the generator 20 to transmit its rotational motion to the engine 10 via the clutch mechanism.
[0027] In step 103, it is determined whether the generator 20 switches from rotating using the power of the power battery 30 to rotating using the power of the engine 10 within a limited time period.
[0028] If it is determined that the generator 20 has switched from rotating using the power of the power battery 30 to rotating using the power of the engine 10 within a limited time period, it indicates that the generator 20 has started generating electricity and the engine 10 has started successfully. In step 104, the operating state of the generator 20 will remain unchanged, that is, the rotation of the generator 20 will be maintained.
[0029] However, if it is determined that the generator 20 does not switch from rotating using power from the battery 30 to rotating using power from the engine 10 within the specified time, it indicates that the generator 20 has been continuously used as a starter motor and driving the engine 10, and the engine 10 has not started successfully. In this case, in step 105, the rotation of the generator 20 will be stopped. For example, the supply of power to the generator 20 shaft via the battery 30 can be stopped. The reasons why the engine 10 cannot start successfully may be varied. For example, the engine 10 itself may malfunction, and the fault signal related to the malfunction may be lost during transmission, causing the malfunction of the engine 10 to go undetected, resulting in the generator 20 continuously driving the engine 10. Another example is that the interfaces of the friction plates, belts, or clutch mechanism of the torsional damper 21, which engage in frictional contact, may slip due to wear, lubrication issues, etc., preventing the generator 20 from starting the engine 10 normally. In these cases, the generator 20 will rapidly consume a large amount of power from the battery 30.
[0030] Because the current detected by the current sensor 34 in the electrical circuit in the all-in-one controller 33 for transmitting DC power can have one of positive or negative signs when the generator 20 rotates using power from the power battery 30 (e.g., as... Figure 3 The positive sign shown), while when the generator 20 rotates using power from the engine 10, it can have the other of the positive and negative signs (e.g., as shown). Figure 3 (The negative sign is shown). Therefore, in step 103, based on the change in the sign of the current within a limited time period, it can be determined that the generator 20 has switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery 30 to rotating using power from the engine 10 within the limited time period, thus proceeding to step 104. Conversely, in step 103, based on the absence of a change in the sign of the current within the limited time period, it can be determined that the generator 20 has not switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery 30 to rotating using power from the engine 10 within the limited time period, thus proceeding to step 105.
[0031] The time limit is very short, for example, less than 1 to 2 seconds. To make more accurate use of the time limit, the starting point T0 of the time limit (e.g., Figure 3 (As shown) The calculation begins from the absolute value of the current being greater than or equal to the first current threshold A1. The first current threshold A1 can, to some extent, indicate the magnitude of the current that should flow through the generator 20 when the generator 20 is rotating at the target speed for the generator 20.
[0032] Optionally, the duration of the time limit varies with the temperature of the engine 10 detected by the engine temperature sensor 35; the higher the temperature of the engine 10, the shorter the time limit should be. Alternatively or supplementarily, the first current threshold A1 varies with the temperature of the engine 10; the higher the temperature of the engine 10, the smaller the first current threshold A1 should be. In other words, the first current threshold A1 indicates the magnitude of the current that should flow through the generator 20 when the generator 20 is rotating at a target speed for the generator 20 at a certain temperature of the engine 10 detected by the engine temperature sensor 35.
[0033] Step 104 further includes, for example: Figure 4 Step 201, as shown, determines whether the generator 20 is adequately utilizing the power rotation from the engine 10 based on whether the absolute value of the current at the end of a defined time period T1 is less than a second current threshold A2. The second current threshold A2 indicates the magnitude of the current that should flow through the generator 20 when the engine 10 is rotating at a target speed for normal engine starting. When the absolute value of the current is less than the second current threshold A2, it can be determined that the generator 20 is not adequately utilizing the power rotation from the engine 10. However, in order for the vehicle to continue operating as desired, the generator 20 can be kept rotating in step 202, and an alarm signal indicating that the generator 20 and / or engine 10 are not functioning properly can be further sent. Since the target speed for the generator 20 may be substantially equivalent to the target speed for normal engine starting, the second current threshold A2 (its absolute value) can be substantially equal to the first current threshold A1 (its absolute value), but this is not mandatory. It is understandable that when the absolute value of the current is greater than or equal to the second current threshold A2, it can be determined that the generator 20 is fully utilizing the power from the engine 10 to rotate, and in step 203, only the rotation of the generator 20 is maintained.
[0034] Alternatively or supplementarily, in step 103, the sign of the integral of the current over a defined time period may be positive or negative (e.g., as shown in the figure). Figure 3 If the integral has a positive or negative sign and the absolute value of the integral is greater than or equal to the first integration threshold, it is determined that the generator 20 has not switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery 30 to rotating using power from the engine 10 within the limited time period, and thus proceeds to step 105. Meanwhile, in step 103, the process can proceed to step 105 based on the following: the integral of the current within the limited time period has one of the positive or negative signs and the absolute value of the integral is greater than or equal to the first integration threshold; or the integral of the current within the limited time period is zero; or the integral of the current within the limited time period has the other of the positive or negative signs (e.g., as shown in the figure). Figure 3(The negative sign shown) indicates that within a limited time period, the generator 20 has switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery 30 to rotating using power from the engine 10, thus proceeding to step 104.
[0035] Step 104 further includes, for example: Figure 5 Step 301, as shown, further determines whether generator 20 is adequately utilizing the power rotation from engine 10. Based on the integral of the current over a defined time having one of positive or negative signs, or the integral of the current over a defined time being zero, or the integral of the current over a defined time having the other of positive or negative signs and the absolute value of the integral being less than a second integral threshold, it is determined that generator 20 is not adequately utilizing the power rotation from engine 10. Therefore, in step 302, generator 20 is kept rotating and an alarm signal indicating that generator 20 and / or engine 10 are not operating normally is sent. The first integral threshold and the second integral threshold can be selected empirically and are independent of each other. It is understood that based on the integral of the current over a defined time having the other of positive or negative signs and the absolute value of the integral being greater than or equal to the second integral threshold, it can be determined that generator 20 is adequately utilizing the power rotation from engine 10, and in step 303, only the rotation of generator 20 is kept. It is understood that the first integral threshold and the second integral threshold can be determined based on at least one of a first current threshold A1 and a second current threshold A2.
[0036] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, for the same generator in the same vehicle, in Figure 4 The endpoint T1 of the defined duration in the illustrated embodiment may differ from that in Figure 5 The endpoint T2 of the limited duration in the embodiment shown is because Figure 4 The time limit in the illustrated implementation may place more emphasis on considering the changes in the current signal at one or more time points during acquisition, while... Figure 5 The time limit in the embodiments shown may place more emphasis on considering the overall trend of current signal variation over a relatively long period of time.
[0037] Continue to refer to Figure 2To avoid unnecessary downtime caused by accidental events, for multiple engine start requests received within a certain period of time, if it is determined in step 105 that the generator 20 has not switched from using power from the power battery 30 to using power from the engine 10 within a limited time period based on the first engine start request, a second determination is made based on the engine start request to determine whether the generator 20 has switched from using power from the power battery 30 to using power from the engine 10 within the limited time period. When it is determined in step 106 that the generator 20 has not switched from using power from the power battery 30 to using power from the engine 10 within the limited time period after a preset number of determinations, a signal indicating that the generator 20 and / or the engine 10 has malfunctioned is sent in step 107.
[0038] In one embodiment of this application, a machine-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores executable instructions that can run on a processor. When the executable instructions are run by the processor, the processor causes the processor to execute the control method for the generator 20 of the new energy vehicle described above.
[0039] In one embodiment of this application, a computer program product is also provided, which includes executable instructions that can run on a processor. When executed by the processor, the executable instructions implement the above-described control method for the generator 20 of a new energy vehicle.
[0040] The present application has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, the above description and the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood as exemplary and not as limiting the present application. Various modifications or alterations can be made to the present application without departing from its spirit, and such modifications or alterations do not depart from the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A control method for a generator (20) in a new energy vehicle, the new energy vehicle comprising an engine (10), a generator (20) coupled to the engine (10), and a power battery (30) electrically connected to the generator (20), Its features are, The control method includes the following steps: Receive engine start request; Based on the engine start request, control the generator (20) to rotate using the power from the power battery (30); Determine whether, within a limited time period, the generator (20) switches from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10); and When it is determined that the generator (20) has not switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within a limited time period, the rotation of the generator (20) is stopped.
2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The new energy vehicle also includes a current sensor (34), which is configured to detect the sign and absolute value of the current transmitted between the generator (20) and the power battery (30), and the starting point of the limited duration is from when the absolute value of the current is greater than or equal to a first current threshold (A1).
3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The engine start request includes a target rotational speed for the generator (20), and the first current threshold (A1) indicates the magnitude of the current that should flow through the generator (20) when the generator (20) rotates at the target rotational speed for the generator (20).
4. The control method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The new energy vehicle also includes an engine temperature sensor (35), which is configured to detect the temperature of the engine (10), and the defined duration varies with the temperature and / or the first current threshold (A1) varies with the temperature.
5. The control method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the generator (20) switches from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within a limited time period further includes: Based on the fact that the sign of the current does not change within the specified time period, it is determined that the generator (20) did not switch from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within the specified time period.
6. The control method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the generator (20) switches from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within a limited time period further includes: Based on the change in the sign of the current within the defined time period, it is determined that within the defined time period, the generator (20) has switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10); and The control method further includes: When it is determined that the generator (20) has switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within the specified time period, based on the fact that the absolute value of the current is less than the second current threshold (A2) at the end of the specified time period (T1), it is determined that the generator (20) has not fully utilized the power from the engine (10). Therefore, the generator (20) is kept rotating and an alarm signal indicating that the generator (20) and / or the engine (10) is not working properly is sent.
7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second current threshold (A2) indicates the magnitude of the current that should flow through the generator (20) when the engine (10) is rotating at a target speed for normal starting of the engine (10).
8. The control method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the generator (20) has switched from rotating with power from the power battery (30) to rotating with power from the engine (10) within a limited time period, wherein the current has one of positive and negative signs when the generator (20) rotates with power from the power battery (30), and the current has the other of positive and negative signs when the generator (20) rotates with power from the engine (10), further includes: determining that the generator (20) has not switched from rotating with power from the power battery (30) to rotating with power from the engine (10) within the limited time period based on the fact that the integral of the current within the limited time period has one of positive and negative signs and the absolute value of the integral is greater than or equal to a first integral threshold.
9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the generator (20) has switched from using electricity from the power battery (30) to using power from the engine (10) within a limited time period further includes: determining that the generator (20) has switched from using electricity from the power battery (30) to using power from the engine (10) within the limited time period based on the following: the integral of the current within the limited time period has one of positive and negative signs and the absolute value of the integral is less than a first integral threshold; or the integral of the current within the limited time period is zero; or the integral of the current within the limited time period has the other of positive and negative signs. The control method further includes: When it is determined that the generator (20) has switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within the specified time period, based on the fact that the integral of the current within the specified time period has one of positive and negative signs, or the integral of the current within the specified time period is zero, or the integral of the current within the specified time period has the other of positive and negative signs and the absolute value of the integral is less than a second integral threshold, it is determined that the generator (20) has not fully utilized the power rotation from the engine (10). Therefore, the generator (20) is kept rotating and an alarm signal indicating that the generator (20) and / or the engine (10) is not working properly is sent.
10. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Further includes: In response to multiple engine start requests received within a certain period of time, if it is determined multiple times that the generator (20) has not switched from rotating using electricity from the power battery (30) to rotating using power from the engine (10) within a limited time period, a signal indicating that the generator (20) and / or the engine (10) has malfunctioned is sent.
11. A control unit for a generator (20) in a new energy vehicle, comprising: processor; and A memory storing executable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform a control method for a generator (20) for a new energy vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A computer program product comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement a control method for a generator (20) for a new energy vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.