Hybrid Vehicle Engine State Display via Color-Coded Rotation Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, it is difficult for drivers to grasp the driving state of the engine due to complex energy flows between the engine, electric motor, and battery, especially in series hybrid vehicles where engine control is nuanced and not easily visible through energy flow displays.
Innovation Solution
A display method that shows energy flow between the engine and battery, using icons to represent the engine, battery, and energy flow, with different display modes based on engine rotation speed, allowing drivers to visualize the engine's state and control type through a display system integrated into the vehicle's dashboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If energy flow display is implemented in hybrid vehicles, then drivers can visualize power transmission between engine and electric motor, but drivers cannot easily grasp the driving state of the engine due to complex energy flows
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into distinct functional areas: engine state display showing rotation speed and driving state, battery charge state display showing charge level and power flow direction, and flow icon display showing energy transmission paths. This segmentation allows drivers to grasp engine driving state without being overwhelmed by the complexity of the entire energy flow system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate visual elements including flow icons that represent energy flow direction between engine and battery, and standardized symbols for engine state and battery state. These intermediaries translate complex energy flow data into intuitive visual information that drivers can easily understand.
2Loss of information
If detailed energy flow information is displayed, then power transmission between components is visible, but the engine control type becomes difficult to recognize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes in the engine state display to indicate different engine control types. The display shows engine rotation speed along with color-coded indicators that represent different driving states (e.g., motoring state, generating state, idle state). This allows drivers to instantly recognize engine control type without needing to interpret complex energy flow diagrams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the display by showing engine state information (rotation speed and control type) as a separate visual layer alongside the energy flow information. This dimensional separation allows drivers to simultaneously view both energy flow details and engine control state without confusion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If series hybrid configuration is used with generator and electric motor, then vehicle can operate in various driving scenes, but engine driving state becomes difficult to grasp simply by looking at energy flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of engine state data by the control unit, which automatically determines engine rotation speed and identifies the current driving state (motoring, generating, idle) based on sensor inputs. This preliminary action transforms raw sensor data into meaningful visual information before presentation to the driver, making engine state detection straightforward despite the vehicle's versatile operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The display provides continuous feedback to drivers about engine state and energy flow direction. The system monitors engine rotation speed, battery charge state, and power flow direction, then feeds this information back through visual indicators including flow icons and state displays, enabling drivers to understand engine control type in various driving scenes.
Data Source
AI summary
A display method for a hybrid vehicle includes displaying an engine icon representing the engine, a battery icon representing the battery, and a flow icon representing an energy flow between the engine icon and the battery icon on a display unit in accordance with a driving state of the hybrid vehicle. The display method includes displaying the flow icon in a display mode indicating that there is the energy flow between the engine and the battery when the battery is charged. The display method includes displaying the engine icon in a first display mode when the engine is stopped, displaying the engine icon in a second display mode when the engine is operated at engine rotation speed equal to or lower than reference rotation speed, and displaying the engine icon in a third display mode when the engine rotation speed is higher than the reference rotation speed.