Hybrid Vehicle Engine Control for Emission Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles face challenges in controlling engine startup, particularly in areas with high exhaust emissions, where catalyst heating is necessary but starting the engine can lead to pollutant discharge, and existing systems require manual mode transitions which are inconvenient and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a hybrid electric vehicle that determines whether catalyst heating is necessary and whether the vehicle is in a specific area with exhaust emissions, allowing for engine starting mode control to prioritize electric motor use in emissions-sensitive areas and engine use when necessary, using sensors and control units to manage engine operation based on location and battery state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is started for catalyst heating, then the catalyst temperature increases and emission control is improved, but pollutant discharge increases in emissions-sensitive areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the engine by detecting location information and determining whether the vehicle is in a green zone. When in a green zone, the engine starting is restricted even if catalyst heating is needed, thereby changing the temperature parameter outcome to avoid pollutant discharge while maintaining emission control in other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the engine starting system and the emission control system. It receives location information, determines green zone status, and mediates the engine starting decision by restricting startup in green zones while allowing it in other areas, thus balancing catalyst heating needs with emission control requirements
2Reliability
If manual mode transition is required for EV/HEV switching, then driver control is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience and difficulty in management
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the appropriate driving mode (EV or HEV) based on location information and green zone status. The control unit autonomously decides whether to restrict engine starting or allow normal operation, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention while maintaining reliable control over the vehicle's powertrain operation
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a hybrid electric vehicle, which is capable of controlling engine starting in consideration of entry into a specific area, and method of controlling the same. A method of controlling engine starting of a hybrid vehicle includes determining whether catalyst heating is necessary, determining whether a current location corresponds to a specific area associated with exhaust emissions, determining whether a first mode driving is possible, when it is determined that the current position corresponds to the specific area and the catalyst heating is necessary, and performing the first mode driving when the first mode driving is determined to be possible, or a second mode driving when the first mode driving is determined to be impossible. Here, the first mode driving is performed by using an electric motor, and the second mode driving is performed by using at least an engine.