Hybrid Vehicle Electric Machine Generator Mode for Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle operating methods fail to ensure a long electromotive traveling range with high electrification, as they lack efficient strategies to maintain battery charge and provide power assistance during internal combustion engine operation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves operating the first electric machine as a generator to recharge the traction battery when the vehicle is driven exclusively by the internal combustion engine, ensuring a high state of charge and using both electric machines to provide combined power greater than the internal combustion engine, allowing for efficient electric driving and sporty performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric machines have total power greater than the internal combustion engine, then the level of electrification is high, but the available drive power from the internal combustion engine is insufficient for temporary power demand peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The traction battery is recharged in advance during periods when the vehicle is driven exclusively by the internal combustion engine, using the first electric machine operated as a generator. This preliminary charging action ensures sufficient electrical energy is available before power demand peaks occur, enabling the electric machines to provide assistance when needed without compromising the high level of electrification.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the traction battery is discharged to a low state of charge to extend electric driving range, then the electromotive traveling range is increased, but the battery charge becomes insufficient for providing frequent electrical assistance during internal combustion engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation of the internal combustion engine during periods when the vehicle should be driven exclusively by it, simultaneously using the first electric machine as a generator to recharge the traction battery. This continuous dual-action approach ensures the battery charge is continuously replenished, maintaining sufficient charge availability for electrical assistance while still enabling extended electromotive traveling range when needed.
3Quantity of substance
If the first electric machine is operated as a generator for the entire time period of internal combustion engine driving, then the traction battery is fully recharged, but the overall efficiency is reduced due to unnecessary generator operation
Solution Approach 1:
The first electric machine operates as a generator only for the necessary duration to recharge the traction battery to the required state of charge, not for the entire time period of internal combustion engine driving. This partial action approach recharges the battery sufficiently for electrical assistance and extended range while avoiding unnecessary generator operation that would reduce overall system 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 enables hybrid vehicles to cover large distances purely electrically, maintains efficient operation with the internal combustion engine, and provides frequent electrical assistance during power peaks, ensuring a sporty driving experience while optimizing battery charge and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the first electric machine (14) is operated in a generator mode
Implementation Method 2
A traction battery (34) is provided for the two electric machines (14, 24) and can be charged when the first electric machine (14) is in a generator mode
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a first electric machine, to which a common input shaft of a transmission is assigned, for driving a first axle of the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also has a second electric machine for driving a second axle of the hybrid vehicle, and a traction battery is provided for the two electric machines. The electric machines have a total power greater than the power of the internal combustion engine. The method includes operating the first electric machine in a generator mode for charging the traction battery when the hybrid vehicle is driven exclusively by internal combustion engine. The method ensures, with a high level of electrification, a long electromotive travelling range of the vehicle.