Hybrid Vehicle EHC Power Control for Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle control systems fail to manage electric power effectively during the heating of electrically-heated catalysts (EHCs), leading to insufficient power for engine startup, reduced drivability, and potential battery overloading due to neglecting the power requirements for engine startup and supplemental devices during EHC heating.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle control apparatus that calculates and sets a maximum electric power supply for the EHC based on startup power, supplemental device power, and travel power, ensuring sufficient reserves while maintaining battery output within a limit, using a battery connected to a motor-generator and an EHC heatable by electric power for exhaust gas purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric power is supplied to heat the EHC during EV travel period, then the purification rate of exhaust gas is improved, but the electric power required for vehicle travel may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically adjusts the EHC heating power supply based on real-time vehicle conditions. The power supply amount is not fixed but varies according to the required driving power, battery output restriction, and travel conditions, allowing optimal balance between EHC heating and vehicle propulsion power availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of electric power supply amount to the EHC based on calculated maximum values. By computing the maximum allowable power supply considering battery constraints and travel requirements, the system optimizes the heating power to ensure sufficient power remains for vehicle operation while achieving adequate EHC temperature
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
Ensures normal engine startup, maintains drivability, and prevents battery overloading by reserving sufficient electric power for engine start-up, supplemental devices, and vehicle travel during EHC heating, while controlling power supply to the EHC within safe battery output limits.
Implementation Method 1
a battery (18) connected to the motor-generator (11, 12), wherein the battery (18) provides electric power to the motor-generator (11, 12)
Implementation Method 2
an electrically-heated catalyst (designated as an 'EHC' hereinafter) that may be heated by receiving a supply of electric power from a battery
Implementation Method 3
which may be used for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle capable of EV travel generated by a motor-generator with an internal combustion engine is provided. The control apparatus includes a maximum value calculation unit for calculating a maximum value of a supply of electric power for an electrically-heated catalyst, when the internal combustion engine is in a stopped state, provided to the electrically-heated catalyst based on (i) at least one of a start-up electric power required for starting up the engine or an operation electric power required for operating a supplemental device, (ii) an electric power output limit value of the battery, and (iii) an electric power required for a travel of the hybrid vehicle. The control apparatus also includes a power supply controller for controlling the supply of electric power for the electrically-heated catalyst based on the maximum value of the supply of electric power for the electrically-heated catalyst.