Hybrid Engine Control Reducing Cylinder Switching Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for internal combustion engines in hybrid vehicles frequently switch between full cylinder and cylinder resting operations, leading to driver discomfort due to combustion noise changes, delayed starts, reduced fuel efficiency, and increased costs, as they do not consider the previous operation state of the engine.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that specifies the operation aspect at the previous stop time point, starting the engine in cylinder deactivation mode at a lower output threshold and maintaining full cylinder operation until a higher output threshold is reached, thereby reducing the frequency of switching and optimizing fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the operation aspect is switched between full cylinder operation and cylinder deactivation operation, then fuel efficiency is improved, but driver discomfort increases due to combustion noise changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus determines the operation aspect at a previous stop time point before the engine restarts. By pre-determining the operation aspect based on historical data, the system avoids frequent switching during operation, thereby reducing combustion noise variations while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits
2Ease of operation
If the operation aspect is switched before the start of the internal combustion engine, then the engine can be started in the appropriate operation mode, but the start of the engine is delayed for the time required to switch the operation aspect
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the operation aspect at a previous stop time point before the engine restarts. This preliminary determination eliminates the need for switching operations during the start sequence, thereby reducing engine start delay while ensuring the engine starts in the appropriate operation mode
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic driving apparatus is used to switch the operation aspect, then the operation aspect can be switched, but the rising time of hydraulic pressure becomes longer depending on vehicle configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By determining the operation aspect at a previous stop time point, the system allows hydraulic pressure to build up in advance during the stop period. This eliminates the need for rapid pressure buildup during operation switching, thereby reducing the impact of long hydraulic pressure rising times on system performance
4Speed
If an electric pump is provided to always maintain predetermined hydraulic pressure, then the operation aspect can be switched quickly, but fuel efficiency is reduced due to electric power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the operation aspect at a previous stop time point, allowing hydraulic pressure to be maintained or built up during the stop period without continuous electric pump operation. This reduces electric power consumption while ensuring rapid switching capability is available when needed
5Loss of energy
If the operation aspect is switched frequently to optimize fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the frequency of switching increases causing driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By determining the operation aspect at a previous stop time point and maintaining this determination across subsequent operations, the system reduces the frequency of switching operations. This minimizes combustion noise variations while still achieving fuel efficiency benefits through strategic operation aspect selection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the previous stop time point operation aspect to inform current operation decisions. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary switching by maintaining the same operation aspect when conditions remain similar, thereby reducing combustion noise variations while preserving fuel efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is provided with: a specifying device configured to specify the operation aspect at a previous stop time point of the internal combustion engine in an EV running period; a first start controlling device configured to start the internal combustion engine in the cylinder deactivation operation at a time point at which a required output corresponding value of the hybrid vehicle is a first reference value, if the specified operation aspect is the cylinder deactivation operation; and a second start controlling device configured to start the internal combustion engine in the full cylinder operation at a time point at which the required output corresponding value is a second reference value, which is greater than the first reference value, if the specified operation aspect is the full cylinder operation.