Fuel Cell Vehicle Deceleration Control via Regenerative Braking Limit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle deceleration techniques face challenges in continuously and effectively assisting regenerative braking with mechanical brakes due to variability in regenerative electric power consumption by secondary cells, leading to complex control requirements and potential discomfort from unexpected deceleration.

Innovation Solution

The system limits regenerative braking force to the maximum consumable by auxiliary machines, allowing the mechanical brake to provide a consistent braking force, independent of secondary cell charge state, by sequentially applying different braking forces and adjusting assist duration based on vehicle speed to stabilize deceleration and prevent overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If regenerative braking force is increased to maximize energy recovery, then energy efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases due to variability in secondary cell charge state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mechanical brake assist function from the variable regenerative braking system, creating a separate, simplified control path. By limiting regenerative braking force to a predetermined upper limit independent of secondary cell state, the system removes the complexity of continuously monitoring and responding to charge state variations while maintaining energy recovery effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily determines an upper limit for regenerative braking force based on vehicle speed, before actual braking occurs. This predetermined limit eliminates the need for real-time adjustments based on secondary cell charge state, simplifying control while ensuring energy recovery remains within safe and effective boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If mechanical brake assists regenerative braking continuously, then braking effectiveness is improved, but risk of overheating increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidbrake temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by limiting the mechanical brake assist to a predetermined duration time based on vehicle speed. This time-limited assistance ensures that the mechanical brake does not operate continuously, allowing adequate cooling periods between braking events and preventing overheating while maintaining effective braking when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If regenerative braking force varies with secondary cell charge state, then energy management is optimized, but deceleration stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy managementVSAvoiddeceleration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from variable regenerative braking force (based on charge state) to a predetermined upper limit based on vehicle speed. This parameter change stabilizes the deceleration characteristic by making it independent of secondary cell charge state variations, while energy management is maintained through the speed-based limit structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 simplifies mechanical brake control, enhances braking assist effectiveness, and maintains drivability by stabilizing vehicle deceleration and preventing unexpected fluctuations, while managing heat generation through adaptive assist duration.

Implementation Method 1

The drive motor is driven by the generated electric power of the fuel cell, and functions as an electric generator to generate regenerative electric power, depending on the vehicle running state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A fuel cell is mounted in a vehicle, together with a motor, and receives the supply of fuel gas to generate electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 3

the mechanical brake is configured to be driven promptly in response to a brake operation for achieving an immediate and secure deceleration of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3023289B1vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3023289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3023289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3023289B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A vehicle includes: a fuel cell (100) that receives supply of fuel gas and generates electric power; a motor (150) that is driven by the generated electric power of the fuel cell (100); an electric power consuming auxiliary machine (135); a mechanical brake (190); a secondary cell (130), and a deceleration control unit (200). The deceleration control unit (200) limits the regenerative braking force to be obtained by the regenerative control, to an upper limit regenerative braking force corresponding to the maximum consumed electric power that the electric power consuming auxiliary machine (135) is capable of consuming such that regenerative electric power associated with regenerative braking is consumed by the electric power consuming auxiliary machine (135), and such that when the electric power consuming auxiliary machine (135) is incapable of consuming the regenerative electric power to the maximum consumed electric power, the residual regenerative electric power is consumed by charge of the secondary cell (130).