Hybrid Vehicle Control Method for Engine Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Series hybrid vehicles face challenges in reducing engine noise during operation, as the driving sound of the engine is louder than that of the motor, necessitating a technology to selectively restrain this noise under appropriate conditions.

Innovation Solution

A control method for hybrid vehicles that includes mode settings for normal, regeneration driving, and silent modes, where the silent mode is only accepted when the regeneration driving mode is set, allowing for active regenerative braking and inhibiting engine power generation to minimize noise, and the charge mode is selectable only in the eco mode to increase battery charging before engine inhibition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the engine is driven to charge the battery, then the battery charging amount increases, but the engine driving sound increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery charging amountVSAvoidengine driving sound

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driving mode changeable based on operating conditions. The vehicle controller dynamically switches between normal driving mode, regeneration driving mode, and silent mode according to battery charge level, vehicle speed, and accelerator operation, optimizing the balance between battery charging and noise reduction in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters by adjusting regenerative braking force magnitude and engine operation status based on selected driving mode. In silent mode, the engine is inhibited from operating while in normal mode, and regenerative braking force is adjusted between modes to optimize both charging efficiency and noise reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If regenerative braking force is increased, then battery charging efficiency improves, but vehicle control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery charging efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driving control into distinct modes (normal driving mode, regeneration driving mode, silent mode) with different regenerative braking characteristics. This segmentation simplifies control logic by providing clear operational boundaries and decision criteria for each mode, making the overall control system more manageable despite the complexity of regenerative braking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If silent mode is always available, then noise reduction flexibility improves, but mode selection confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction flexibilityVSAvoidmode selection confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The availability of silent mode is dynamically determined based on current driving mode. The control method enables silent mode to be selected only when in regeneration driving mode, creating a dynamic availability structure that guides driver behavior and reduces confusion while maintaining noise reduction flexibility when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 control method effectively reduces engine noise by allowing silent mode selection during regeneration driving, maintaining high battery charge levels for silent operation and integrating charge mode functionality, enhancing drivability and noise reduction.

Implementation Method 1

a generator 2, a battery 3, an electric motor 4... the generator being configured to charge a battery by use of power of an engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the electric motor being configured to drive driving wheels by electric power of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

the regeneration driving mode being a mode in which a regenerative braking force caused by the electric motor is larger than that in the normal mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRegenerative braking: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11529944B2Control method for hybrid vehicle and control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A control method for a hybrid vehicle including a generator and an electric motor, the generator being configured to charge a battery by use of power of an engine, the electric motor being configured to drive driving wheels by electric power of the battery, is provided, is provided. The control method having controlling the generator and the electric motor and accepting mode setting to set any of a normal mode, a regeneration driving mode, and a silent mode, the regeneration driving mode being a mode in which a regenerative braking force caused by the electric motor is larger than that in the normal mode, the silent mode being a mode in which charging by the engine is inhibited, wherein: when the normal mode is set, setting of the silent mode is not accepted; and when the regeneration driving mode is set, setting of the silent mode is accepted.