Hybrid Vehicle Energy Management via State-Dependent Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies in energy management as existing systems stress components equally regardless of their state of wear or charge, leading to suboptimal energy performance and reduced component lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing energy in hybrid vehicles that uses a control unit to receive mission-specific data and determine energy management criteria, allowing for specific energy delivery or storage commands based on the current state of each component, prioritizing energy distribution to optimize performance, minimize wear, or balance states according to the mission requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control unit sends the same command to all energy storage and production members, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but the components are stressed equally regardless of their current state, leading to suboptimal energy performance and reduced component lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidcomponent lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit differentiates control commands based on the individual state of each energy storage member (state of charge, temperature, wear level) and energy production member (energy reserve, operational status). Each member receives a customized command tailored to its current condition, optimizing both performance and longevity without complicating the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts commands sent to each member based on real-time state data. The control unit continuously monitors member states and modifies energy delivery or storage commands accordingly, enabling adaptive stress distribution that extends component lifespan while maintaining operational simplicity through automated state-based decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the control unit sends the same command to all energy storage and production members, then the control logic is uniform and simple, but the energy performance of the vehicle is limited and components are not optimally exploited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidenergy performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements state-dependent command differentiation where each energy storage member receives commands optimized for its specific state (charge level, temperature, wear). This local customization maximizes energy utilization efficiency and vehicle performance while the control logic remains structured and manageable through clear state-based decision rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit varies command parameters (energy delivery rate, storage capacity, operational timing) based on the current state parameters of each member. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to real-time conditions, the system optimizes overall energy performance and vehicle productivity without requiring overly complex control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the control unit manages energy based on individual member states, then energy performance and component lifespan are optimized, but the control system becomes more complex and requires more data processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent lifespanVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit applies state-specific control strategies to each member, optimizing lifespan through customized commands. The complexity is managed by organizing control logic around discrete state categories (e.g., charge levels, temperature ranges, wear thresholds) rather than continuous complex algorithms, making the system both effective and implementable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously receives state data from each member and adjusts commands based on this feedback. This closed-loop approach optimizes component lifespan through adaptive control while the feedback mechanism itself provides a structured framework that manages system complexity through clear input-output relationships based on member states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3808620A1Method for managing energy in a hybrid vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP3808620A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808620A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3808620A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an energy management method in a vehicle (10) comprising two traction chains (12) each comprising an energy storage unit (16) and an energy production unit (18), the method comprising: - receiving first data defining a type of mission assigned to the vehicle (10), - determining an energy management criterion corresponding, according to a correspondence table, to the first data, - receiving an energy requirement for the vehicle (10), - receiving, for each unit, a second data relating to the current state of the unit, and - determining and sending, to each unit, a command defining a quantity of energy to be delivered or stored by the unit as a function of the energy requirement and the second data so as to satisfy the energy management criterion and the energy requirement.