Hybrid Electric Vehicle Engine Turnover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles face issues such as accelerated corrosion and wear of internal engine components due to extended periods without engine operation, leading to difficulties in fast and trouble-free engine starting, reduced diagnostic capabilities, and increased risk of engine problems in cold climates and zero-emission zones.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that performs engine turnover without starting the engine, maintaining fuel pressure, determining and storing crankshaft position, and allowing diagnostic tests to be conducted, while also using engine braking to supplement regenerative braking and reduce friction braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is operated exclusively in EV mode for extended periods, then emissions control is improved and fuel consumption is reduced, but engine components experience accelerated corrosion and wear due to loss of protective oil film
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs engine turnover (rotation without starting) as a preliminary maintenance action to redistribute oil and prevent corrosion before it occurs. This proactive measure maintains component protection without requiring full engine operation, thus preventing harmful effects before they manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential protective function (oil distribution) from the complete engine start operation. By rotating the engine without initiating full combustion cycles, the system separates the lubrication benefit from the emissions-generating combustion process, achieving component protection without compromising emissions control.
2Reliability
If the engine is restarted frequently to maintain component protection, then engine reliability is improved, but the driver experience is degraded due to noticeable engine starts in quiet EV operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the rotational motion benefit from the combustion process. By rotating the engine without initiating combustion, the invention eliminates noise, vibration, and visible indicators of engine operation while maintaining the mechanical benefits of engine movement for oil distribution and component maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor serves as an intermediary to rotate the engine without combustion. It provides the necessary mechanical motion for oil redistribution and component maintenance while avoiding the harmful effects of combustion (noise, vibration, emissions), thus mediating between component protection needs and driver comfort requirements.
3Reliability
If the engine is motored without starting, then component deterioration is reduced and diagnostic capabilities are maintained, but additional energy is consumed from the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by performing only the essential rotational motion needed for oil distribution and component maintenance, without the excessive energy consumption of full engine operation. The turnover duration and frequency are optimized to provide sufficient protection while minimizing energy use, applying just enough action to achieve the protective effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine turnover is implemented as periodic maintenance rather than continuous operation. The system monitors engine usage patterns and performs turnover at strategically timed intervals when energy availability is favorable and protection is most needed, optimizing the balance between component maintenance and energy consumption.
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 reduces engine component deterioration, enables quick and reliable engine starting, maintains emissions performance, and provides additional braking capabilities without apparent noise or vibration, improving overall vehicle operation and emissions control.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor operable to apply torque to rotate a crankshaft of the engine
Implementation Method 2
warming of the engine may take place due to frictional forces
Implementation Method 3
warming of the engine may take place due to frictional forces
Implementation Method 4
generating brake torque via the second electric energy conversion device to generate electric energy storable in the battery
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) comprises an engine and at least one electric machine. The vehicle is operable in an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the electric machine develops torque to drive the vehicle whilst the engine is switched off. In an embodiment, the vehicle is operable when in EV mode automatically to cause engine turnover without starting the engine when a prescribed one or more conditions are met. The amount of torque needed to motor the engine is varied by controlling the engine inlet or outlet valves.