Hybrid Vehicle Control Apparatus for Battery Charge Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for hybrid vehicles face challenges in optimizing fuel consumption during downhill and traffic congestion sections, leading to potential deterioration in fuel efficiency due to improper management of battery charge levels, which affects the operation of internal combustion engines and electric motors.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that adjusts the target battery charge levels based on scheduled route information, implementing downhill control by decreasing charge before entering a downhill section and traffic congestion control by increasing charge before a congestion section, while avoiding unnecessary changes during specific traffic conditions to maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the remaining amount of charge SOC is increased as much as possible before downhill section, then fuel consumption improvement is enhanced, but the upper limit remaining amount of charge is reached and no further charge increase is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary charging of the storage battery before the vehicle enters a downhill section by increasing the target remaining amount of charge SOC*. This allows the battery to be charged in advance during flat or uphill sections, so that when regenerative braking occurs on the downhill section, the battery can accept more charge without immediately hitting the upper limit, thereby improving fuel consumption through extended electric motor-only travel distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus dynamically adjusts the target remaining amount of charge SOC* based on the vehicle's current position relative to the downhill section. The target SOC is increased before the downhill section, maintained at a normal level during the downhill section, and adjusted accordingly. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between charging the battery and maintaining charge acceptance capability, resolving the contradiction between maximizing fuel efficiency and maintaining charge management effectiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the remaining amount of charge SOC is managed to approach the decreased lower limit remaining amount of charge, then electric motor travel distance is extended, but forced charging becomes necessary and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary charging operations before the vehicle enters a traffic congestion section by decreasing the target remaining amount of charge SOC*. This creates a charge deficit that triggers forced charging of the storage battery using engine power before the congestion section. By performing this charging in advance during conditions favorable for engine operation, the system prepares sufficient electric charge to cover the upcoming traffic congestion section, thereby extending electric motor travel distance while avoiding the need for forced charging during the congestion itself, thus reducing energy loss.
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
The apparatus effectively suppresses fuel consumption deterioration by managing battery charge levels strategically, ensuring efficient energy use and reducing the frequency of forced engine charging, thereby improving overall fuel efficiency and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
when the rotation of an axle is transmitted to the electric motor, the electric motor generates electric power (that is, a generator generates electric power), and the storage battery is also charged with the generated electric power. That is, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to electric energy
Implementation Method 2
The storage battery supplies electric power to the electric motor, and is charged by using the output power of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus that is applied to a vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to, when the vehicle is traveling on a specific traffic congestion section at a time when the vehicle has reached a downhill control start point or a traffic congestion control start point, not start any of a downhill control and a traffic congestion control. After the vehicle travels on the specific traffic congestion section, the downhill control or the traffic congestion control is started only when an effect of improvement in fuel consumption resulting from the downhill control or the traffic congestion control is expected.