Hybrid Vehicle Engine Control for Cold Weather Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face challenges in ensuring heating performance after external power feeding, especially in cold conditions when the internal combustion engine cannot be warmed up due to low remaining fuel, leading to insufficient heating using electric heating devices which have lower performance compared to thermal energy from the engine.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle system that limits the driving of the internal combustion engine when outside air temperature is below a reference temperature and the amount of remaining fuel is below a reference amount during external power feeding, allowing the engine to be warmed up using stored fuel for enhanced heating performance by the thermal heating device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the internal combustion engine is driven for external power feeding, then electric power can be supplied to the outside of the vehicle, but the remaining fuel becomes insufficient for post-feeding heating
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary assessment before external power feeding by detecting outside air temperature and remaining fuel amount. When temperature is below reference temperature and fuel is below reference amount, the control device prohibits engine driving in advance, preventing the harmful outcome of insufficient fuel for heating while still allowing power feeding when conditions permit
2Ease of operation
If electric heating devices are used when the engine cannot be warmed up, then heating can be provided, but heating performance is insufficient compared to thermal energy from the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors outside air temperature and remaining fuel amount, using this feedback to make intelligent decisions. When temperature is low and fuel is insufficient, the system prohibits engine driving to ensure enough fuel remains for heating, thereby maintaining high heating performance reliability rather than relying on inferior electric heating
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 required heating performance by conserving fuel for post-power feeding engine warming and heating, with the reference fuel amount adjusted based on temperature and travel distance to ensure sufficient heating capability.
Implementation Method 1
a power generator that generates electric power by using motive power of the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
an internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 3
a heating device that heats an interior of the vehicle by using heat generated during the driving of the internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an engine and a battery, and is configured to perform external power feeding of supplying electric power to the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle includes an MG that generates electric power by using motive power of the engine, and an ECU that controls the engine and the MG. When an outside air temperature is below a reference temperature and an amount of remaining fuel of the engine is below a reference amount in a case where the external power feeding is to be performed, the ECU limits the driving of the engine.