Hybrid Vehicle Alternator-Starter Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to optimally manage energy supply to the electrical circuit of hybrid vehicles, struggling to balance energy demands from the driver, electrical components, and fossil fuel usage across various driving modes.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a heat engine, an alternator-starter, and an energy storage source with two modes (traction and generator) is controlled by an analysis and control means, which determines torque thresholds to ensure the energy storage is maintained at a minimum level, allowing maximum hybrid power availability while curbing instantaneous motive power demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the alternator-starter supplies energy to the electrical circuit, then the electrical components can function, but the energy storage level decreases and fossil fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical circuit functionalityVSAvoidfossil fuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the energy storage level and the torque provided by the alternator-starter, and adjusts the alternator-starter's torque accordingly. When the energy storage level is low or the alternator torque is insufficient, the control system increases the torque demand on the other driving source to recharge the energy storage, thus maintaining electrical circuit functionality while optimizing fossil fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the torque distribution between the alternator-starter and the other driving source based on real-time conditions. The control system modifies the torque demand on the other driving source according to the energy storage level and alternator performance, allowing the system to adapt to varying electrical loads and driving conditions, thereby optimizing the balance between electrical circuit supply and fossil fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the energy storage is maintained at high level, then energy autonomy is improved, but the fossil fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy autonomyVSAvoidfossil fuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses feedback from the energy storage level sensor to determine when to increase or decrease the recharging torque demand on the other driving source. When the energy storage level is high, the control system reduces or prohibits the energy storer from supplying energy to the electrical circuit, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption. When the energy storage level drops below a threshold, the control system increases the torque demand to recharge, maintaining energy autonomy while optimizing fuel usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the other driving source based on the energy storage level. By adjusting the torque demand parameter dynamically, the control system optimizes the balance between maintaining energy autonomy and minimizing fossil fuel consumption, avoiding unnecessary recharging when the energy storage is already sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the alternator-starter torque is increased to meet electrical circuit demand, then the electrical power supply is improved, but the torque available for traction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power supplyVSAvoidtraction torque
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the torque distribution between the alternator-starter and the other driving source based on real-time electrical circuit demand and driving conditions. When electrical power demand is high, the control system increases the alternator-starter torque while simultaneously adjusting the other driving source's torque demand to maintain adequate traction. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between electrical power supply and available traction torque.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates the torque demand between the alternator-starter and the other driving source. By monitoring the electrical circuit power demand and the current torque distribution, the control system adjusts the other driving source's torque demand to compensate for the torque taken by the alternator-starter, thereby maintaining adequate traction while ensuring sufficient electrical power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system ensures robust energy supply to hybrid vehicles, minimizing fossil fuel consumption and maintaining energy autonomy by adjusting the alternator-starter's torque and energy storage levels, thus optimizing energy use across different driving modes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one other driving source comprising an energy store, said other driving source having two actuation modes, a driving mode in which it supplies energy so as to deliver a traction or assistance torque to the heat engine and a generator mode in which it stores energy, via said energy storer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

an alternator-starter connected to the heat engine to draw energy therefrom in order to supply said electric circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3746342B1System and method for controlling the energy supplied to the electric circuit of a hybrid vehicle, and motor vehicle incorporating same
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3746342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3746342B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

This system for controlling an alternator-starter of a hybrid vehicle comprises an alternator-starter linked to a heat engine in order to take energy therefrom in order to supply an electric circuit and another drive source comprising an energy storage device, a priority torque threshold (Cprio) is predefined and, when the analysis and control means determines that a torque (Calt) of the alternator-starter is less than the priority torque (Cprio) of a recharge torque (∆C), the analysis and control means instructs the hybrid source to function in generating mode so as to provide a torque at least equal to the recharge torque (∆C) to the energy storage device. The invention also relates to an identical method and a hybrid motor vehicle comprising said system.