Hybrid Vehicle Battery Pre-Charge Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies in determining when to use the engine versus the motor/generator for battery charging, leading to sub-optimal energy efficiency and increased engine wear, especially in traffic situations where frequent and accurate traffic data may not be available.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a GPS unit, network access device, navigation unit, speed sensor, and battery sensor, connected to an electronic control unit, to detect traffic conditions and activate a pre-charge mode by using the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator, while deactivating this mode when the vehicle is in traffic to optimize energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine is used to charge the battery continuously, then the battery state of charge is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases and engine wear increases in traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the battery before the vehicle enters traffic conditions by detecting upcoming slowdowns through traffic data and GPS location analysis. The pre-charge mode is activated in advance based on predicted traffic conditions, allowing the battery to be charged before it is actually needed, thus avoiding continuous engine operation during traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pre-charge mode activation and deactivation based on real-time traffic data, GPS location, and vehicle speed. The electronic control unit continuously monitors traffic conditions and modifies engine operation accordingly, transitioning between pre-charge mode and normal operation based on changing traffic conditions rather than maintaining a static charging strategy.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traffic data is used to determine pre-charge timing, then energy efficiency improves, but accuracy decreases when traffic data is infrequent or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple data sources including GPS location data, traffic data from remote servers, and local sensor data to comprehensively determine traffic conditions. By combining these diverse data sources, the system compensates for the limitations of any single source, particularly when traffic data is infrequent or unavailable, maintaining accurate traffic condition detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from GPS location tracking and speed sensors to continuously monitor actual vehicle behavior and compare it with expected behavior based on traffic data. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect traffic conditions even when external traffic data is unavailable, by observing actual vehicle slowdown patterns and adjusting pre-charge mode activation accordingly.
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
Improves energy efficiency by increased motor/generator use in traffic situations, reduces engine wear, and lowers emissions by accurately determining traffic conditions using vehicle-specific data rather than relying solely on infrequent and inaccurate traffic data.
Implementation Method 1
the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator
Implementation Method 2
As the wheels of the vehicle turn, regenerative braking generates electricity from the turning of the axles connected to the wheels
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for managing energy efficiency of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a current location of the vehicle. The system includes a network access device configured to receive traffic data. The system includes a navigation unit configured to determine whether traffic is upcoming along a route based on the traffic data. The system includes a speed sensor configured to detect a current speed of the vehicle. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to activate a pre-charge mode when the upcoming slowdown in vehicle speed is determined, the pre-charge mode causing the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator. The electronic control unit is configured to deactivate the pre-charge mode to prevent charging of the battery by the engine when the detected current speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold for a set period of time or distance.