Electrified Vehicle Oil Quality Maintenance via Powertrain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicles with internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining oil quality, as conventional methods require forced engine pull-ups when oil quality deteriorates, which can be undesirable and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method to periodically adjust the powertrain operation of electrified vehicles by monitoring oil quality and applying calibrated adjustments to engine speed, engine pull-up thresholds, and battery charging to progressively improve oil quality without forced engine pull-ups, using a control system that measures, normalizes, and influences oil quality based on operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If forced engine pull-up is used to evaporate contaminants, then oil quality is improved, but vehicle operation efficiency deteriorates and driver experience worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of oil quality parameters and proactively schedules engine operations to improve oil quality before contaminants reach critical levels. By detecting early signs of contamination and planning maintenance operations in advance, the system avoids the need for forced engine pull-ups that would disrupt vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation parameters based on real-time oil quality monitoring and vehicle usage patterns. Instead of using fixed forced pull-up schedules, the system adapts engine runtime and operating conditions to progressively improve oil quality while minimizing impact on vehicle operation efficiency and driver experience.
2Reliability
If forced engine pull-up is applied, then contaminants are removed from oil, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous, low-level engine operation to maintain oil quality improvement over time. Instead of periodic high-energy forced pull-ups, the engine runs at optimized levels continuously or frequently at low intensity, achieving contaminant removal through sustained gentle heating and circulation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If passive oil minder feature is used, then oil quality monitoring is simplified, but maintenance effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops where oil quality sensors continuously monitor contaminant levels and provide data to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts engine operation parameters and schedules maintenance activities, creating a closed-loop system that maintains high effectiveness without requiring complex manual monitoring or intervention.
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 allows for continuous, automatic improvement of oil quality, reducing the need for forced engine pull-ups and maintaining efficient engine operation by gradually increasing oil temperature and optimizing powertrain parameters.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the powertrain operation may include increasing a temperature of the oil gradually over time and without requiring a forced engine pull-up
Data Source
AI summary
A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, periodically adjusting powertrain operation of an electrified vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine to progressively influence oil quality of oil of the internal combustion engine.