Hybrid Vehicle Control Device for Voltage Step-Up Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for hybrid vehicles with voltage step-up devices do not effectively reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, as they do not consider the losses in the voltage step-up process.
Innovation Solution
A control device for hybrid vehicles that includes an evaluation unit and a state-of-charge control unit, which determines if increasing the voltage of the electrical storage device can reduce CO2 emissions or fuel consumption by estimating emissions and fuel consumption based on vehicle speed and travel distance, and adjusts the state of charge and drive modes accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the voltage of the electrical storage device is increased to reduce voltage step-up device losses, then fuel economy improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit performs preliminary calculations to determine whether increasing electrical storage device voltage will reduce CO2 emissions before the vehicle travels. The state-of-charge control unit pre-adjusts the voltage based on these predictions, avoiding unnecessary voltage changes during travel and reducing real-time control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control device uses feedback from the evaluation unit's CO2 emission calculations to adjust the state-of-charge control strategy. The system continuously monitors voltage, travel distance, and emission data to optimize voltage adjustment timing and magnitude, balancing energy loss reduction with control simplicity
2Loss of energy
If the state of charge is increased at the start of travel route to reduce CO2 emissions, then fuel consumption decreases, but the productivity of the electrical storage device is reduced due to higher initial charge level
Solution Approach 1:
The state-of-charge control unit dynamically adjusts the electrical storage device voltage based on real-time conditions including remaining travel distance, current voltage level, and predicted CO2 emissions. The system transitions from static pre-set voltage levels to dynamic adjustment, optimizing both fuel consumption and storage device utilization throughout the journey
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit calculates optimal voltage parameters by considering multiple factors including travel distance, current state of charge, and voltage step-up device efficiency characteristics. The system changes voltage parameters adaptively rather than maintaining fixed charge levels, maximizing fuel economy while preserving electrical storage device productivity
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 device reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by optimizing the state of charge and drive modes, thereby minimizing the loss in the voltage step-up device and improving fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage step-up device that steps up an input voltage of a driving device for driving a driving electric motor to a voltage of an electrical storage device or above
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle (100) includes a voltage step-up device (17). The voltage step-up device (17) is provided between driving devices (18, 20) and an electrical storage device (16), and steps up input voltages of the driving devices (18, 20) to a voltage of the electrical storage device (16) or above. An HV-ECU (36) determines whether it is possible to reduce a CO2 emissions for a predetermined travel route by increasing the voltage of the electrical storage device (16). Then, when it is determined that it is possible to reduce the CO2 emissions, the HV-ECU (36) controls an SOC of the electrical storage device (16) so as to increase the SOC at a start of the travel route.