Constant Power Control for Hybrid Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle fuel efficiency technologies, such as hybrid vehicles and cruise control systems, face limitations in maximizing fuel efficiency due to fluctuations in engine power output, leading to suboptimal performance and increased fuel consumption, especially under varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an electronic control unit (ECU) to maintain engine power within upper and lower power thresholds, allowing for consistent power output, adjusting power levels based on vehicle speed and terrain to optimize fuel efficiency by controlling engine and motor-generator power in hybrid vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cruise control systems are used to maintain constant speed, then fuel efficiency is improved, but power output fluctuations are not adequately addressed leading to suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the controlled parameter from constant speed (cruise control) to constant power output. The ECU continuously adjusts engine and motor-generator power to maintain a target power level, thereby optimizing fuel efficiency while ensuring consistent performance under varying road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the ECU monitors actual power output from the engine and motor-generator, compares it to the target power level, and adjusts the power sources accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures both fuel efficiency and performance consistency.
2Productivity
If engine power is allowed to fluctuate under varying road conditions, then vehicle responsiveness is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to suboptimal engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the contribution of each power source (engine and motor-generator) based on real-time conditions while maintaining constant total power output. This allows the vehicle to respond to road conditions changes without causing fuel-wasting power fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid power system serves multiple functions: the engine provides primary power, the motor-generator supplements power when needed, and together they maintain constant total power output. This multi-functional approach optimizes fuel consumption while preserving vehicle responsiveness.
3Power
If traditional hybrid systems with battery and motor-generator are used, then additional propulsion power is available, but fuel efficiency is not maximized due to lack of constant power control
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU continuously monitors the power output from the engine and motor-generator, comparing actual power to target power levels. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the operation of each power source to maintain constant total power, thereby maximizing fuel efficiency while preserving the hybrid system's propulsion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from speed-based control to power-based control. By maintaining constant power output rather than constant speed, the hybrid system optimizes fuel efficiency while still providing available propulsion power when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for increasing fuel efficiency of a vehicle includes a power source designed to convert a fuel into power and an input device designed to receive user input corresponding to a request to operate in a constant power mode. The system further includes at least one sensor designed to detect vehicle data corresponding to a current power of the power source and a memory designed to store an upper power threshold and a lower power threshold. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that is designed to determine the current power of the power source based on the detected vehicle data and to control the power source such that the current power remains between the upper power threshold and the lower power threshold when the user input corresponds to the request to operate in the constant power mode.