Hybrid Controller Gear-Hold and Skip for Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid vehicle systems inefficiently manage power regeneration during regenerative braking, often causing the electric motor/generator to operate outside optimal efficiency ranges and leading to potential damage, due to gear shifting strategies that do not consider the impact on electricity production.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid controller unit with detection, gear-hold, and gear-skip modules that detect deceleration events and generate requests to maintain or skip transmission gears to optimize power regeneration, ensuring the electric motor/generator operates within efficient ranges and maximizes electricity production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional transmission control units automatically shift gears without considering power regeneration, then gear shifting operation is simplified and response time is reduced, but the electric motor/generator operates outside optimal efficiency ranges and power regeneration efficiency is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmission control unit and hybrid controller unit into an integrated control system. The hybrid controller unit receives gear shift requests from the transmission control unit and determines final gear shift commands by considering both transmission requirements and power regeneration optimization, merging two previously separate control functions into one unified system that coordinates gear shifting with electric motor/generator operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts gear shift timing and selection based on real-time operating conditions. The hybrid controller unit evaluates current vehicle state, deceleration rate, and electric motor/generator operating parameters to determine optimal gear shift moments, allowing the system to adapt gear shifting strategy dynamically rather than following fixed conventional shifting patterns.
2Productivity
If the transmission repeatedly disengages the generator during gear shifting, then gear ratio optimization is improved, but time for electricity generation is repeatedly sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid controller unit receives advance notice of upcoming gear shift requests from the transmission control unit. Using this preliminary information, the system proactively plans gear shift timing to minimize disruption to power regeneration. The controller may adjust shift timing or select alternative gear ratios in advance to maintain the electric motor/generator within optimal operating ranges throughout the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system aims to maintain continuous engagement of the electric motor/generator with the transmission during gear transitions. By coordinating gear shift timing with the generator's operational state and using smooth shift strategies, the system minimizes disengagement periods and maintains continuous electricity generation during deceleration events, avoiding repeated interruptions in the useful action of power regeneration.
3Reliability
If gear shifting occurs during regenerative braking, then transmission performance is optimized, but the electric motor/generator may be damaged from operating outside recommended speed ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid controller unit continuously monitors the operating parameters of the electric motor/generator, including rotation speed and torque, during deceleration and gear shifting events. This feedback information is used to determine whether upcoming gear shifts would push the generator outside its recommended operating ranges. Based on this real-time feedback, the system adjusts gear shift timing or selection to prevent damaging operating conditions while still achieving transmission performance optimization.
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 optimizes power regeneration by maintaining the current gear during deceleration events and strategically skipping gears to prolong engagement, thereby increasing the efficiency and safety of electricity generation, reducing wear on the motor/generator, and enhancing overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
the electric motor, which may also function as a generator, is connected to the input shaft of the transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid controller unit includes a detection module, a gear-hold module, a gear-skip module, and an optimizing module. The detection module is structured to detect a deceleration event. The gear-hold module is structured to determine whether a certain gear of a transmission should be maintained for a certain period of time in order to optimize power regeneration during the deceleration event. The gear-hold module is also structured to generate a gear-hold request. The gear-skip module is structured to determine whether the transmission should skip a gear in order to optimize power regeneration during the deceleration event. The gear-skip module is also structured to generate a gear-skip request. The optimizing module is structured to receive the gear-hold request and the gear-skip request and generate a transmission command to be sent to a transmission control unit for actuation.