Hybrid Cabin Heater Control via Coolant Demand Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles face increased power consumption and fuel inefficiency due to the need for an additional heater when the engine is not operating, as the coolant temperature is low, leading to excessive heater operation and engine starting to charge the battery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjust the cabin heating by calculating the allowance and demand power of the heater, determining the necessary coolant temperature, and strategically operating the heater and engine based on these calculations to minimize their operation and optimize fuel economy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heater is operated to heat the cabin when coolant temperature is low, then the cabin heating requirement is satisfied, but power consumption of the heater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the demand temperature of coolant based on the power consumption of the heater and state of charge of the battery. By changing the temperature parameter threshold, the system optimizes when to operate the heater versus when to rely on engine coolant heating, thereby reducing unnecessary heater operation and power consumption while still satisfying cabin heating requirements.
2Reliability
If the engine is operated to charge the battery when heater power consumption is high, then battery charge is maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by adjusting the coolant demand temperature threshold based on real-time conditions including battery state of charge and heater power consumption. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to delay engine operation for charging until absolutely necessary, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining battery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors heater power consumption and battery state of charge, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the coolant demand temperature. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables optimal decision-making about when to operate the engine for charging versus when to rely on electrical power, minimizing fuel consumption while maintaining system reliability.
3Device complexity
If the heater is operated based only on coolant temperature, then the control logic is simple, but power consumption increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining relatively simple control logic, the system enhances the coolant demand temperature parameter to be dynamically adjustable based on multiple factors including heater power consumption and battery state of charge. This parameter enhancement allows the simple control structure to achieve optimal energy management without complex control algorithms.
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 the operation of the heater and engine, thereby improving fuel economy by aligning the coolant demand temperature with available power and reducing unnecessary heating operations.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to receive electric power from an electric power supply and disposed on a path through which the air may be supplied to the cabin to warm up the air
Implementation Method 2
the air heated through heat-exchange with the coolant is supplied to the cabin of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system of heating a cabin of a hybrid electric vehicle are provided and minimize the operation of a heater and an engine by reducing the demand temperature of coolant taking into account of power of the heater and improve fuel economy accordingly. The method of heating a cabin of a hybrid electric vehicle adjusts temperature of air supplied into the cabin of the vehicle using a heater disposed adjacent to the cabin of the vehicle and coolant supplied from an engine.