Hybrid Engine Control for Warm-Up and Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, permitting intermittent engine operation based on the ECO switch can lead to inadequate engine warm-up and vehicle heating when a load operation is not demanded, resulting in suboptimal fuel consumption and performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a fuel consumption priority mode selection switch that determines whether to allow intermittent engine operation, controlling the engine to operate at a first or second autonomous rotational speed based on the switch's setting, ensuring continued operation without stopping the engine to improve fuel efficiency during prohibited intermittent operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If intermittent operation is permitted when ECO switch is turned on, then fuel consumption is improved, but engine warm-up and vehicle heating performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the engine operational state adaptable rather than fixed. The control module dynamically adjusts between continuous operation and intermittent operation based on real-time conditions (coolant temperature, heater demand, ECO switch state). This allows the system to optimize fuel consumption through intermittent operation when conditions permit, while ensuring continuous operation when warm-up or heating is required, thus resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by monitoring coolant temperature as a key parameter to determine operational mode. When coolant temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the system maintains continuous operation to ensure proper warm-up. As temperature increases and reaches acceptable levels, the system transitions to allowing intermittent operation for fuel savings. This parameter-based control strategy enables the system to balance fuel consumption with warm-up and heating performance requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If engine operation is stopped during intermittent operation prohibition, then fuel consumption is improved, but warm-up and heating performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring coolant temperature and heater demand status, then using this information to determine appropriate engine operational mode. The control module receives feedback from temperature sensors and switch states, processes this information against predetermined criteria, and adjusts engine operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that fuel consumption is optimized through intermittent operation only when temperature requirements are satisfied, while maintaining continuous operation when thermal performance is compromised.
3Reliability
If engine operates continuously during intermittent operation prohibition, then warm-up and heating performance are maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by transitioning from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic adaptive mode. Based on real-time monitoring of coolant temperature and heater demand, the control module dynamically determines whether continuous or intermittent operation is appropriate. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain continuous operation (and associated fuel consumption) only when necessary for warm-up or heating performance, while switching to fuel-efficient intermittent operation when thermal requirements are met, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a hybrid vehicle 20, when an ECO switch 88 is turned off while an intermittent operation of an engine 22 is prohibited in response to a warm-up demand of the engine 22 according to a cooling water temperature Tw or a heating demand, the engine 22 is autonomously operated at a target rotational speed Ne* derived and set from a normal autonomous rotational speed setting map (Steps 170, S190). When the ECO switch 88 is turned on while the warm-up is demanded, the engine 22 is autonomously operated at the target rotational speed Ne* set based on an ECO mode autonomous rotational speed setting map so as to be not more than the value derived from the normal autonomous rotational speed setting map (Steps 180, S190).