Hybrid Powertrain Accessory Load Adjustment for Engine Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles face challenges in reducing engine noise and vibration, particularly during high load operations like acceleration or hill climbing, due to the increased accessory load of the HVAC system, which diverts battery power from the drive motor, impacting driver and passenger comfort and vehicle durability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a hybrid powertrain by determining drive requests and electrical loading, adjusting accessory operations such as inhibiting HVAC compressors or heating elements to reduce electrical load on batteries, and redirecting saved power to the drive motor, while maintaining blower motor speed and considering sensor data like cabin temperature to optimize power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the HVAC accessory load is increased to improve climate control comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but battery power is diverted from the drive motor, increasing engine noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts HVAC accessory operation based on real-time drive requests and battery loading conditions. During high load conditions (acceleration, hill climbing), the controller temporarily modifies HVAC operation to reduce electrical load, allowing battery power to be redirected to the drive motor, thereby reducing engine noise and vibration while maintaining climate control during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors drive request signals, battery electrical loading, and HVAC operation status to make real-time adjustments. The system uses feedback from the drive motor controller and battery management system to determine when to adjust HVAC accessory load, creating a closed-loop control system that balances comfort with noise reduction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If accessory operation is adjusted to reduce electrical load on batteries, then engine noise and vibration are reduced, but climate control performance may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial adjustment to HVAC accessory operation rather than complete shutdown. During high load conditions, the controller selectively reduces load on certain HVAC components (compressor, heating elements) while maintaining blower motor operation to preserve basic climate control function, achieving noise reduction without complete loss of climate performance
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system operation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors drive requests and battery loading to determine the appropriate level of HVAC reduction, allowing the system to adapt between full operation during normal conditions and reduced operation during high load conditions, maintaining climate control reliability when possible
3Power
If power is redirected from accessories to the drive motor during high load conditions, then drive motor performance is improved, but accessory functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reallocates battery power between accessories and drive motor based on real-time drive requests. During high load conditions (acceleration, hill climbing), the controller reduces accessory electrical load to redirect power to the drive motor, improving drive performance when needed most, then restores full accessory functionality during normal cruising conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters of HVAC accessories (compressor capacity, heating element power) to reduce electrical consumption during high load conditions. By adjusting these parameters temporarily, the system frees up battery power for the drive motor while maintaining basic accessory functionality, then returns to normal parameter settings when drive load decreases
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a hybrid powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, and may include: determining a value of a drive request for a combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle; determining electrical loading on batteries of the hybrid vehicle; adjusting operation of an accessory of the hybrid vehicle to reduce the electrical load of that accessory on the batteries of the hybrid vehicle when the drive request value is above a determined drive request threshold amount and the electrical loading on batteries of the hybrid vehicle is above a power loading threshold; and directing at least some of the power saved by adjusting operation of the accessory from the batteries of the hybrid vehicle to a drive motor of the hybrid vehicle to provide motive force for the vehicle.