Hybrid Vehicle Control Method for Battery Recharging via Rear Electric Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

State-of-the-art hybrid vehicles face increased costs and dimensional challenges due to the need for a second high-capacity electric machine at the front axle to recharge the battery, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A control method for hybrid vehicles that utilizes the rear electric machine to generate power from resistive torque and transfers this power via the road to recharge the battery, while the thermal traction chain maintains speed and acceleration requested by the driver, thereby reducing the need for a second electric machine at the front axle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a second high-capacity electric machine is installed at the front axle to recharge the battery, then the battery recharging capability is improved, but the vehicle cost and dimensional constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery recharging capabilityVSAvoidvehicle cost and dimensional constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear electric machine is designed to perform dual functions: providing traction power to the rear axle and generating electrical power for battery recharging. By making the rear electric machine universal, the patent eliminates the need for a dedicated front electric machine for regenerative braking, thereby reducing vehicle cost and component count while maintaining battery recharging capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the rear electric machine to serve itself by using its own mechanical power output to generate electrical power for recharging. The resistive torque applied to the rear axle creates regenerative braking effect that charges the battery, allowing the system to recharge without requiring an additional dedicated charging mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method effectively recharges the battery without increasing vehicle costs or dimensional constraints, optimizing the use of the rear electric machine and reducing the requirement for a front electric machine, thus lowering costs and simplifying integration.

Implementation Method 1

in configuring the rear electric machine as an electric current generator and from the induced resistive torque, in transforming the resistive torque into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2086806B1Method for controlling a hybrid vehicle for recharging the electric energy storage means and hybrid vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2086806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2086806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method comprising: a thermal traction chain (50) including a front axle (12), a thermal engine (18) coupled by a coupling member (20) to a gearbox (22) for transmitting to the front axle (12) and via a front transmission (24) a vehicle traction power for different gear reduction ratios of the gearbox, at least one front electric machine (42, 46) coupled to the thermal engine (18) and ensuring at least the starting thereof, an electric traction chain (60) including a rear axle (62), at least one rear electric machine (68) mechanically coupled via a rear transmission (70) to the rear axle (62), at least one power electric network (74) connecting the rear electric machine (68) to electric energy storage means (40), and control means (44) for driving the thermal traction chain (50), the electric traction chain (60), and the electric energy storage means (40) in order to take into account all the life situations of the vehicle. The method comprises driving the thermal traction chain (50), the electric traction chain (60), and the electric energy storage means (40) via the control means (44) in order to transmit the power provided by the thermal traction chain (50) through the road (RT) on which the vehicle is rolling to the electric traction chain (60) for recharging the electric energy storage means (40).