Hybrid Driveline Control Unit OBD Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the on-board diagnostic (OBD) process is prolonged due to the need for multiple monitors, which can interfere with normal operation and increase emissions, especially when the internal combustion engine (ICE) is not operated continuously, making it challenging to complete the OBD process within a reasonable time.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that monitor vehicle operation parameters and the state of the exhaust particle filter, allowing the OBD process to be delayed until a scheduled particulate filter regeneration is completed, ensuring the ICE operates during a predetermined time period to perform the diagnostic, thus avoiding unnecessary engine starts and regenerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the OBD process is performed frequently to ensure proper monitoring of ICE components, then the reliability of emission monitoring is improved, but the vehicle operation time required to complete all monitors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit proactively schedules the OBD process to coincide with upcoming particle filter regeneration events before they occur. By predicting when regeneration will happen and pre-scheduling the diagnostic monitors to run during that time window, the system ensures monitoring is performed at optimal moments without requiring extended vehicle operation or interfering with normal driving patterns.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the vehicle operates using electric propulsion to reduce emissions, then the harmful emission factors are decreased, but the ICE operation becomes intermittent and too short for completing the OBD process
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the scheduling of OBD monitors based on real-time hybrid vehicle operation patterns. The control unit continuously monitors ICE availability and adjusts the diagnostic process timing to execute monitors during periods when the ICE is naturally running, such as during particle filter regeneration. This dynamic scheduling ensures complete monitoring is achieved without forcing unnecessary ICE operation or compromising the vehicle's emission-reduction strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements a feedback mechanism that tracks ICE operation duration and OBD monitor completion status. When the system detects that ICE operation has been intermittent or too brief to complete all monitors, it adjusts future scheduling to ensure adequate ICE runtime is available for diagnostic purposes, while still prioritizing emission reduction through electric propulsion when conditions permit.
3Loss of time
If the OBD process is initiated immediately when thresholds are exceeded, then the diagnostic response time is improved, but unnecessary particle filter regenerations may be triggered increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary assessment by checking whether a particle filter regeneration is already scheduled before initiating the OBD process. This preliminary check prevents duplicate or premature regeneration events that would waste fuel. By evaluating the current regeneration schedule and only triggering OBD when appropriate, the system maintains rapid diagnostic response while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from redundant regenerations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a control unit for controlling a hybrid driveline comprising an internal combustion engine (ICE) and at least one alternative propulsion unit. The method involves monitoring a predetermined first parameter related to vehicle operation and a second parameter related to the state of an exhaust particle filter, wherein a particle filter regeneration is scheduled when the predetermined second threshold is exceeded. If the first parameter has exceeded or is expected to exceed a predetermined first threshold within a set time period prior to a scheduled particle filter regeneration; then initiation of an on-board diagnostic process is delayed until the particle filter regeneration has been completed. Subsequently, the hybrid driveline is controlled to perform a particulate filter regeneration at the scheduled time and the ICE is operated to perform the on-board diagnostic process.