Electric Drive System Engine-Speed Control for Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle propulsion systems consume unnecessary fuel and experience engine wear due to operating at higher speeds than required, leading to inefficiencies and increased wear, particularly when varying power outputs are needed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determines a headroom target for the engine speed, allowing for adjustments to maintain desired power output while reducing engine speed to improve efficiency and fuel consumption, utilizing machine learning and a controller to dynamically adjust engine speed based on real-time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine operates at higher speeds to provide margin of propulsion power, then the vehicle can support various load transients and accelerations, but the vehicle consumes unnecessary fuel and experiences increased engine wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine speed based on real-time power needs rather than operating at fixed high speeds. The controller continuously monitors actual power consumption and available power, adjusting engine speed downward when the headroom target is satisfied, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining the ability to support load transients when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the engine by adjusting speed based on calculated headroom targets. By comparing real-time power consumption with available power and determining appropriate headroom targets, the system optimizes engine speed to minimize fuel consumption while ensuring sufficient power margin for transient loads.
2Reliability
If the engine operates at higher speeds to provide margin of propulsion power, then the vehicle can support various load transients and accelerations, but the engine experiences increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine speed based on real-time power needs rather than operating at fixed high speeds. The controller continuously monitors actual power consumption and available power, adjusting engine speed downward when the headroom target is satisfied, thereby reducing engine wear while maintaining the ability to support load transients when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the engine by adjusting speed based on calculated headroom targets. By comparing real-time power consumption with available power and determining appropriate headroom targets, the system optimizes engine speed to minimize wear while ensuring sufficient power margin for transient loads.
3Loss of energy
If the engine speed is reduced to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the engine may not provide sufficient power for required traction output
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by continuously monitoring actual power consumption and comparing it with available power. The controller adjusts engine speed based on the calculated headroom target, ensuring that speed reduction does not compromise the ability to provide required traction output. The feedback loop maintains the balance between fuel efficiency and power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the headroom target by comparing real-time power consumption with available power before reducing engine speed. This preliminary action ensures that engine speed is reduced only when sufficient power margin exists, preventing insufficient traction output while achieving fuel savings.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric drive system for a vehicle and a method includes determining a headroom target for a drive system of a vehicle that includes an engine. The method includes determining whether a current speed of the engine can be decreased while the engine continues to provide a requested traction output of the drive system, and responsive to determining that the current speed of the engine can be decreased, decreasing the current speed of the engine to a reduced speed while the engine maintains the headroom target determined by the drive system.