Hybrid Drive Control Unit Predicting Engine Start Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid drives face challenges in providing comfortable and reliable operation when the electric machine is used for both driving and starting the internal combustion engine, often requiring a power reserve that reduces available power for propulsion, leading to impaired driving behavior.
Innovation Solution
A control unit predicts a start-up time for the internal combustion engine when a proportion of the electric machine's power is available for starting, allowing the electric machine to be used exclusively for starting or simultaneously for driving, thus optimizing power distribution and minimizing drive impairment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric machine is used for both driving and starting the internal combustion engine, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the available power for driving is reduced when starting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the start-up time of the internal combustion engine in advance and temporarily reduces the drive power demand before the actual start-up occurs. This preliminary reduction in power demand ensures that when the electric machine switches to starting mode, the available power for driving is sufficient to maintain comfortable vehicle operation. The prediction mechanism allows the system to prepare for the power transition before it happens.
2Weight of stationary object
If the electric machine is used for both driving and starting the internal combustion engine, then structural space and weight are reduced, but reliable and comfortable driving operation becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary prediction of the start-up time and proactively adjusts the drive power demand before the actual engine start-up. By reducing the power demand in advance, the system ensures that the electric machine has sufficient power available when switching to starting mode, thereby maintaining reliable and comfortable driving operation throughout the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the actual drive power demand and compares it with the predicted demand. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the drive power demand dynamically to ensure that sufficient power is available for both driving and starting operations. This closed-loop control mechanism ensures reliable operation under varying driving conditions.
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 approach enables efficient, cost-effective, and reliable hybrid drive operation by predicting a suitable start-up time that minimizes impact on vehicle driving, eliminating the need for a dedicated starter and reducing structural space, weight, and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an electric machine, which can be used in each case individually and/or jointly in order to impart a demanded drive torque
Implementation Method 2
the electric machine can be used for starting the internal combustion engine when required
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit for a hybrid drive of a vehicle is provided. The hybrid drive includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine. The hybrid drive is designed in such a way that the electric machine is used for providing a drive torque of the vehicle and for starting the internal combustion engine. The control unit is configured to predict a start time, at which at least a part of the total power of the electric machine is available for a starting process of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to start the internal combustion engine at the predicted start time by way of the electric machine.