Vehicle Battery Charge Control via Engine Efficiency Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling battery charging operations in vehicles do not consider engine efficiency or power generation efficiency, leading to increased useless fuel consumption and potential noise interference with the battery control system.
Innovation Solution
A charge control system that divides engine speed into regions based on efficiency, using a setting unit to set a target state of charge (SOC) for the battery, a determining unit to assess deceleration states, and a controlling unit to manage generator rotation for optimal power generation, thereby reducing fuel consumption and mitigating processing loads on engine control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional battery charging control methods are used without considering engine efficiency, then battery charging operations can be performed, but useless fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the target state of charge (SOC) based on engine operating conditions. The control system modifies charging parameters (target SOC) according to engine load and speed, enabling the system to optimize fuel consumption by charging the battery more aggressively when the engine is operating efficiently and less aggressively when efficiency is poor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the controller for estimating battery storage conditions is located distant from the battery, then the control system can be implemented, but the battery is likely to be affected by noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery control functions (SOC estimation, charging control) into a single integrated control unit located close to the battery. This consolidation eliminates noise interference by placing the controller adjacent to the battery while combining multiple control functions into one unit, thus avoiding the need for separate distant controllers and their associated communication links that are susceptible to noise.
3Power
If high engine speed operation is used for power generation control, then power generation can be increased, but the processing load on the engine control microcomputer becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by separating battery charging control from engine control. The battery control unit independently manages SOC estimation and charging decisions, while the engine control unit focuses on engine management. This segmentation allows power generation control to proceed without imposing heavy processing loads on the engine control microcomputer, as the battery control unit handles the computationally intensive SOC calculations and control decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus controls a state of charge (SOC) of a battery mounted on a vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine driving a generator mounted on the vehicle. The generator charges the battery. In the apparatus, a setting unit sets a target value directed to controlling the SOC of the battery such that the target value is higher as an efficiency of the internal combustion engine depending on the number of rotations of the engine is higher. A determining unit determines whether the vehicle is in a decelerated state. A controlling unit controls a state of rotation of the generator to enable the generator i) to perform regeneration when it is determined that the vehicle is in the decelerated state and ii) to perform generation to enable the SOC of the battery to be the target value when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the decelerated state.