Hybrid Vehicle Drive Failover Using a Backup Generator Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle drive systems lack a cost-effective redundant configuration for ensuring operation continuity and safe switching of power sources in case of component failures, particularly in automatic driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid drive system incorporating a first electric motor for travel, a second electric motor as a generator and starter, a power storage device, and a monitoring device that switches the driving force from the first electric motor to the second electric motor upon failure detection, utilizing clutches and separate controllers and inverters for redundancy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant configuration is added to ensure operation continuity and safe switching of power sources, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a starter motor to start the power source, as a generator to produce electrical power, and as a backup driving force for the vehicle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated backup components, achieving redundancy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device automatically detects failures and controls the switching device to transition between power sources without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the failover process, reducing the need for complex manual control systems while ensuring operational continuity
2Reliability
If a redundant configuration is added to ensure operation continuity and safe switching of power sources, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second electric motor serves multiple purposes (starter, generator, backup drive), replacing what would traditionally require separate dedicated components. This consolidation reduces the total component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining redundancy for safety-critical operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the starter motor and generator functions into a single second electric motor unit, which also serves as a backup drive. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate systems needed, lowering overall system cost while ensuring operational continuity
3Loss of energy
If the second electric motor with low output is used as generator, then torque loss is minimized, but power generation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational characteristics to different motors: the first electric motor is optimized for high-power vehicle propulsion, while the second electric motor is optimized for starter and generator functions with acceptable low-output performance. This localized optimization allows the second motor to serve as an effective generator without requiring high power output capability
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 configuration enables a low-cost redundant system that ensures safe and efficient switching of power sources, allowing the vehicle to continue operating by using a low-output second electric motor as a generator, thereby minimizing torque loss and ensuring safety during failures.
Implementation Method 1
a second electric motor that generates power by using an output of a power source
Implementation Method 2
a power storage device that stores the power generated by the second electric motor and supplies the power to the first electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a first electric motor that causes a vehicle to travel, a second electric motor that generates power by using an output of a power source and starts the power source, a power storage device that stores the power generated by the second electric motor and supplies the power to the first electric motor, a monitoring device that monitors a failure state of the vehicle, and a switch that switches the vehicle to travel from the first electric motor to the second electric motor. In a case of a predetermined driving state in which the monitoring device detects a failure of the first electric motor and a driving force is obtained from the second electric motor, the monitoring device controls the switch to switch the driving force for causing the vehicle to travel from the first electric motor to the second electric motor.