Hybrid Vehicle Control Device for Downhill SOC Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies and driver discomfort due to repeated forced charging and discharging of batteries during downhill and congested sections, leading to fuel inefficiency and engine start-stop cycles.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the state of charge of the battery by identifying upcoming downhill or congested sections and adjusting the target state of charge within permissible limits, inhibiting forced charging or discharging once the limits are reached, thereby preventing repeated cycles of forced operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control device carries out forced charge to increase SOC before entering congested sections, then the SOC is maintained within the management range, but repeated forced charge operations cause fuel inefficiency and engine start-stop cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary charge control by identifying congested sections ahead using navigation information and adjusting the target SOC in advance before the vehicle enters those sections. This allows the battery to be charged during flat or uphill sections before congestion occurs, avoiding the need for repeated forced charge operations during congested sections and reducing unnecessary engine start-stop cycles.
2Reliability
If the control device carries out forced discharge to decrease SOC before entering downhill sections, then the SOC is maintained within the management range, but repeated forced discharge operations cause fuel inefficiency and engine start-stop cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary discharge control by identifying downhill sections ahead using navigation information and adjusting the target SOC in advance before the vehicle enters those sections. This allows the battery to be discharged during flat or uphill sections before the downhill section occurs, avoiding the need for repeated forced discharge operations during downhill sections and reducing unnecessary engine start-stop cycles.
3Productivity
If the control device uses navigation information to identify congested and downhill sections, then pre-charge and pre-discharge control can be performed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device integrates multiple functions into a unified control system that combines navigation information processing, road gradient analysis, SOC management, and engine/motor control. The navigation information is used for multiple purposes including identifying congested sections, downhill sections, and planning charge/discharge strategies, while the same control device manages both the engine and motor generator operations, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems.
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 wasteful engine operations, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimizes driver discomfort by avoiding repeated forced charging and discharging, thereby optimizing battery management during hybrid vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
a storage battery configured to supply power to the motor generator
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle is configured to carry out regenerative braking through use of the motor generator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A control device for a hybrid vehicle carries out, when a vehicle travels in a downhill control section or a congestion control section, pre-charge/discharge control of changing a target state of charge (SOC) SOCcntr from a standard SOC SOCcntr-n to a specific SOC, and is within a permissible range, in a period in which the vehicle travels from a control start point (Ds) to at least a start point (Dk) of a subject downhill section or a subject congested section. Further, the control device is configured to inhibit, when return control is carried out while the pre-charge/discharge control is being carried out, the pre-charge/discharge control from a start time point (D5) of the return control to a time point (D9) at which the vehicle has passed through the control section. As a result, fuel efficiency can be improved when the return control is carried out during the pre-charge/discharge control.