eCAT Energy Management for Hybrid Battery Overcharge During Regeneration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid vehicle systems face challenges in managing battery state of charge during regeneration events, leading to reduced deceleration performance and drivability issues, as the regeneration rate must be decreased to prevent battery overcharge, which can negatively impact customer experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrically heated catalyst (eCAT) that consumes electrical energy from the battery or electric machine to maintain or decrease the battery's state of charge, thereby preventing the need to reduce regeneration and deceleration rates, and supporting aftertreatment demands by managing energy distribution during regeneration events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the regeneration rate is increased to store more electrical energy in the battery, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the battery state of charge exceeds the upper threshold causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The eCAT acts as an intermediary energy consumer between the battery and the regeneration process. By introducing this intermediate component, the system can absorb excess electrical energy that would otherwise overcharge the battery, while still allowing high regeneration rates to maintain drivability. The eCAT converts electrical energy to thermal energy for catalyst heating, serving as a buffer that protects the battery from overcharge while capturing kinetic energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the state parameters of the battery by using the eCAT to consume electrical energy and maintain the battery state of charge within a predetermined range. By adjusting the eCAT power consumption based on real-time battery state monitoring, the system transforms the battery's energy state to prevent overcharge while maximizing regeneration capture.
2Reliability
If the regeneration rate is decreased to protect the battery from overcharge, then the battery safety is improved, but the vehicle deceleration performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The eCAT serves as a mediator that allows the system to maintain high regeneration rates for improved deceleration performance while simultaneously protecting battery safety. By introducing this intermediate energy consumption pathway, the system can operate the electric machine at high negative torque levels during regeneration without risking battery overcharge, as the eCAT absorbs the excess energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The eCAT provides self-service by automatically consuming electrical energy from the battery or direct regeneration to maintain battery state of charge within safe operating limits. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need to reduce regeneration rate for battery protection, as the eCAT autonomously manages energy balance to preserve both battery safety and deceleration performance.
3Quantity of substance
If torque substitution is used to reduce battery state of charge before regeneration, then the future regeneration capacity is improved, but the current engine efficiency deteriorates due to additional load
Solution Approach 1:
The eCAT enables continuous useful action by allowing regeneration to proceed at full capacity throughout the entire regeneration event, rather than requiring preliminary torque substitution phases. The eCAT continuously consumes electrical energy during regeneration, maintaining battery state of charge within optimal ranges, which eliminates the need for pre-regeneration battery management maneuvers and maintains engine efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The eCAT performs self-service energy management during regeneration, automatically adjusting its power consumption to maintain battery state of charge within predetermined ranges. This eliminates the need for external torque substitution maneuvers, as the eCAT autonomously manages battery charge levels, allowing the engine to operate at optimal efficiency points throughout the regeneration event.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the battery state of charge is maintained at high levels to extend drivable range, then the vehicle range is improved, but the regeneration rate must be clipped reducing energy recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The eCAT acts as an intermediary that resolves the conflict between maintaining high battery charge for extended range and maximizing energy recovery. By introducing this intermediate energy consumption pathway, the system can maintain battery state of charge at high levels for extended drivable range while simultaneously capturing kinetic energy through high regeneration rates, as the eCAT absorbs the excess energy that would otherwise require regeneration clipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the energy balance parameters by using the eCAT to adjust battery charge levels in real-time. This allows the system to maintain battery state of charge within optimal ranges for extended range while maximizing regeneration capture, transforming the energy management strategy from static high-charge maintenance to dynamic balance between range and energy recovery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach maintains consistent deceleration rates and drivability without clipping regeneration, protecting the battery and enhancing customer experience by effectively managing energy storage and consumption within the hybrid system.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically heated catalyst (eCAT) that consumes electrical energy from the battery or electric machine
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing a state of charge of a hybrid vehicle battery using an eCAT. Electrical energy is provided to a hybrid system for storage at the battery of the hybrid system. A first state of charge of the battery of the hybrid system is determined. Upon determining that the first state of charge is within a predetermined upper range, a determination is made as to whether to increase energy supplied to one or more hybrid vehicle components, the one or more hybrid vehicle components comprising at least the eCAT. At least a portion of the electrical energy is consumed at the eCAT.