Hybrid Vehicle Drive Control via Road Slope Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional start-stop systems in hybrid electric vehicles lead to reduced engine service life due to frequent start-stops, increased fuel consumption, and poor ride comfort, while also being cost-intensive and limited in functionality.
Innovation Solution
A drive control method and device that enables hybrid electric vehicles to enter a small load stop or stall function based on road slope and battery charge levels, reducing starter frequency and converting kinetic energy back into electrical energy, thereby extending component life and improving fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional start-stop systems are used to reduce fuel waste and air pollution, then fuel consumption and emission are reduced, but the engine service life is shortened due to frequent start-stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces slope detection as a new control parameter to determine when to activate start-stop mode. By calculating the vehicle slope and comparing it against threshold values, the system intelligently adjusts start-stop activation to avoid frequent operations on inclined roads, thereby reducing wear on starting components while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits on suitable road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle slope, battery charge level, and other operating conditions. The control device receives real-time data from sensors, processes this information through slope calculation algorithms, and dynamically adjusts start-stop activation decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures the system only activates start-stop when conditions are favorable, preventing excessive wear while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If automatic start-stop system is activated frequently on heavy-traffic roads, then fuel waste is reduced, but the working frequency of starter increases reducing its working life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds slope as a critical parameter to the start-stop control logic. By incorporating slope detection and calculation, the system identifies road conditions that would cause frequent or unnecessary start-stop cycles. When the calculated slope exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system automatically disables start-stop mode, protecting the starter from excessive use while still enabling fuel-saving operations on flat or gently sloping roads.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously receives feedback from slope sensors and other vehicle state sensors. This real-time feedback allows the system to dynamically adjust start-stop activation based on current road conditions, battery charge level, and vehicle operating state. The feedback loop ensures that start-stop is only activated when it will not lead to excessive starter wear, thus extending starter life while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits.
3Loss of energy
If start-stop system is activated frequently, then fuel consumption is reduced, but vibration and noise increase reducing ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates slope detection as an additional control parameter to optimize start-stop activation. By calculating vehicle slope and comparing it against threshold values, the system identifies conditions where frequent start-stop would occur (such as on inclined roads during stop-and-go traffic). Under these conditions, the system disables start-stop mode, eliminating the associated vibration and noise while maintaining fuel efficiency on suitable road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring slope, battery charge level, and other operating conditions. The control device processes real-time slope calculation results and dynamically adjusts start-stop activation to avoid conditions that would cause frequent engine cycling. This feedback mechanism reduces vibration and noise by preventing start-stop activation on roads where it would occur excessively, thereby improving ride comfort while preserving fuel-saving benefits elsewhere.
4Loss of energy
If traditional start-stop system is used, then fuel waste is reduced, but system cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances an existing start-stop system by adding slope detection and calculation capabilities. Rather than requiring a completely separate system, the invention integrates slope sensing and processing into the existing control architecture. The control device leverages existing sensors and computational resources while adding slope calculation algorithms and threshold comparison logic, thereby reducing overall system cost while enabling intelligent start-stop control that improves fuel efficiency.
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 increases driving distance, reduces fuel consumption and emissions, and enhances ride comfort by minimizing engine start-stops and utilizing energy feedback, thus extending component life and improving overall vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
if the vehicle has an accelerator-releasing energy feedback function, wasted kinetic energy may be converted to electric energy by the motor through the energy feedback and stored in the power battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A hybrid electric vehicle, a drive control method and a drive control device of a hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The drive control method includes: obtaining a current gear position of the hybrid electric vehicle and a current electric charge level of a power battery; obtaining a slope of a road on which the hybrid electric vehicle is driving, if the current gear position of the hybrid electric vehicle and the current electric charge level of the power battery meet a preset requirement; and controlling an engine and/or a motor of the hybrid electric vehicle to operate according to the slope of the road on which the hybrid electric vehicle is driving.