Hybrid Engine Start Control Using Accelerator Intent Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine control methods in hybrid architecture vehicles lead to unnecessary or delayed engine starts due to unreasonable settings of power demand differences and calibrated values, resulting in poor power response and potential driving dangers.

Innovation Solution

An engine control method that determines driving intention based on current opening values and rates of the accelerator pedal, combined with battery and vehicle power values, to precisely control engine start and stop, ensuring timely power response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the engine start is controlled by monitoring the difference between battery electric driving capability and power demand, then the control logic is simple, but the engine may start unnecessarily or be delayed due to unreasonable difference value settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidengine start accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameters from simple power demand difference to a comprehensive assessment including accelerator pedal opening value and opening change rate. This allows more accurate prediction of driver intent and more reliable engine start timing without significantly increasing control logic complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical threshold-based control (fixed difference value) with a rate-based control approach (accelerator opening change rate), which better captures the dynamic nature of driver intent and improves engine start accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the engine start is controlled by monitoring the pedal opening value against a calibrated value, then the control threshold is clear, but the engine may start unnecessarily or be delayed due to unreasonable calibrated value settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol threshold clarityVSAvoidengine start accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter (accelerator opening change rate) alongside the existing pedal opening value, creating a more nuanced control threshold that better reflects actual driver intent and reduces unnecessary or delayed engine starts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses real-time monitoring of accelerator pedal dynamics (both position and rate of change) to provide continuous feedback on driver intent, enabling more accurate and timely engine start decisions compared to static threshold approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the engine starts are optimized to avoid unnecessary starts, then energy consumption is reduced, but power response may be delayed when urgent power is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpower response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary assessment of driver intent by monitoring accelerator pedal opening rate, allowing the system to prepare for engine start in advance when urgent power is anticipated, thus maintaining fast power response while avoiding unnecessary starts during gradual acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control thresholds based on real-time accelerator pedal dynamics rather than fixed thresholds, enabling the system to adapt to varying driving conditions and maintain optimal balance between energy efficiency and power response speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4032765B1Engine control method, system, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 GREAT WALL MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4032765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4032765B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4032765B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure provides an engine control method, system, and vehicle, and the vehicle comprises a battery and an engine, wherein the method includes: obtaining a current maximum discharge power value of the battery, and a current maximum external characteristic power value of the vehicle; obtaining a current opening value and a current opening change rate of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle; determining a driving intention based on the current opening value and the current opening change rate; and controlling start and stop of the engine according to the driving intention, the current maximum discharge power value, and the current maximum external characteristic power value of the vehicle. Since the driving intention is determined by the current opening value and the current opening change rate in advance, and based on the determined driving intention, in combination with the current maximum discharge power value of the battery and the current maximum external characteristic power value of the vehicle, the power response is carried out in advance so as to ensure that a larger power request can be satisfied at the next moment, thus avoiding the case where the engine is unnecessarily started or is not started in time.