Hybrid Electric Control Unit Charge Priority Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
A vehicle configured for power storage and discharge may fail to supply sufficient electric power when located in a disaster area due to limited state of charge, as it prioritizes drivable distance over charging the power storage device.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle includes a control device that recommends and enables a charge priority mode, prioritizing the charging of the power storage device over driving, ensuring a higher state of charge and sufficient power supply to external devices during disasters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle prioritizes drivable distance by controlling SOC to approximately half level, then the drivable distance is extended, but the amount of electric power that can be supplied to external devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle dynamically switches between ordinary mode and charge priority mode based on the detected disaster condition. In ordinary mode, SOC is controlled to extend drivable distance. When disaster is detected, the system transitions to charge priority mode where SOC is maintained at higher levels to maximize power supply capability, making the system adaptable to different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control parameters for SOC are changed based on the operational mode. In ordinary mode, the target SOC is set to approximately 50% for optimal drivable distance. When disaster mode is activated, the target SOC parameter is adjusted to a higher level (e.g., 80-100%) to ensure sufficient electric power is available for external devices, effectively using parameter changes to resolve the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle controls SOC to extend drivable distance, then the drivable distance is improved, but the vehicle fails to be sufficiently used as a power source
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's functional mode is dynamically adjusted based on environmental conditions. The system detects disaster conditions and automatically transitions from a driving-optimized mode to a power supply-optimized mode, enabling the vehicle to adapt its role from primarily transportation to emergency power source, thus improving versatility without permanently sacrificing drivable distance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is designed to perform multiple functions: normal driving and emergency power supply. By implementing charge priority mode with higher SOC control, the vehicle ensures it can effectively serve as a power source for external devices during disasters, while maintaining its primary driving function in ordinary conditions, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the adaptability contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle uses fuel to extend drivable distance, then the drivable distance is increased, but the state of charge of the power storage device is not sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The energy allocation strategy is dynamically changed based on operational mode. In ordinary mode, fuel is primarily used for driving to extend drivable distance. When disaster mode is detected, the system switches to charge priority mode where fuel is directed to generate electric power for charging the battery, dynamically reallocationing energy use to resolve the contradiction between drivable distance and state of charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The control parameters for fuel utilization are changed between modes. In ordinary mode, the engine operates to provide mechanical power for driving. In charge priority mode, the engine operation parameters are adjusted to maximize electric power generation for battery charging, effectively using parameter changes to shift energy allocation from motion to energy storage.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to enable a vehicle to be sufficiently used as a power source when the vehicle is located in an area where a disaster occurs. There is provided a vehicle including a driving system configured to generate electric power by using a fuel and to output power for driving; a power storage device configured to transmit electric power to and from the driving system; a power feeding device configured to supply generated power that is generated by the driving system and/or electric power from the power storage device, to an external device; and a control device configured to control the driving system and the power feeding device. When the vehicle is located in the area where the disaster occurs, the control device performs a recommendation process to recommend that a user sets a charge priority mode, which gives priority to charging of the power storage device over driving.