Hybrid Vehicle Control Reducing Re-acceleration Delay

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles experience response delays and one-way clutch engagement shocks due to the undesired stopping of power sources during coasting, leading to inefficient fuel usage and delayed acceleration when re-accelerating.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus that controls the rotational speed of the motor/generator to equalize the rotational speeds of the input and output sides of the one-way clutch during coasting, allowing for smoother re-acceleration by transitioning from rotational speed control to torque control, thereby reducing response delays and engagement shocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the power sources (engine and motor/generator) are stopped during coasting to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but response delay occurs when re-accelerating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidresponse delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus performs preliminary action by maintaining the rotational speed of the one-way clutch input side during coasting, so that when acceleration is requested, the clutch can engage immediately without delay. This is achieved by controlling the motor/generator to maintain the rotational speed difference between input and output sides of the one-way clutch within a predetermined range, preparing the system in advance for potential re-acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the power sources are stopped during coasting, then fuel efficiency is improved, but one-way clutch engagement shock occurs during re-acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidengagement shock
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus prepares the system in advance by maintaining the rotational speed of the one-way clutch input side during coasting, ensuring that when acceleration is requested, the clutch engages smoothly without shock. The rotational speed is controlled to be within a predetermined range of the output side rotational speed, preventing sudden engagement shocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus cushions against potential engagement shocks by maintaining a controlled rotational speed difference during coasting. By keeping the input side rotational speed within a predetermined range of the output side rotational speed, the system prepares a cushioning effect that prevents sudden shocks when the clutch engages during re-acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the rotational speed of the one-way clutch input side is not controlled during coasting, then the system is simpler, but re-acceleration performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidre-acceleration response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus uses feedback control to maintain the rotational speed of the one-way clutch input side within a predetermined range of the output side rotational speed during coasting. The control unit continuously monitors the rotational speeds and adjusts the motor/generator output to maintain the desired speed relationship, ensuring optimal re-acceleration performance without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively reduces re-acceleration delays and engagement shocks, improving the vehicle's responsiveness and fuel efficiency by ensuring seamless power transmission from the motor/generator during re-acceleration.

Implementation Method 1

a motor/generator (1) arranged between the engine (2) and the transmission (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

power from the engine and/or the motor/generator is transmitted through a one-way clutch such that physical shock resulting from gear shifting can be eliminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a first clutch (6) with a variable torque transmission capacity being disposed between the engine (2) and the motor/generator (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1894805B1Hybrid vehicle control apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1894805B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1894805B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1894805B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus is provided with a motor/generator (1) arranged between an engine (2) and a transmission (4), a first clutch (6) disposed between the engine (2) and the motor/generator (1), a second clutch (7) disposed in a power train spanning from the motor/generator (1) to a drive wheel (3L,3R), and a controller (20). The controller (20) controls the engagement of the first (6) and second (7) clutches to select either an electric drive mode or a hybrid drive mode. The controller (20) executes a rotational speed control of the motor/generator (1) while in a coasting state with torque being transmitted through a one-way clutch (4c) of the transmission (4) such that the rotational speed control increases an input rotational speed of the one-way clutch (4c) to a value closer to an output rotational speed of the one-way clutch (4c) with a difference between the input and output rotational speeds of the one-way clutch (4c) becoming equal to a target value.