Hybrid Vehicle Engine Control Using Traffic Signal Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles experience inefficient engine operation and increased non-driving fuel loss due to inappropriate mode changes during short stops, particularly when transitioning from parallel to series HEV mode, leading to low engine efficiency and inadequate coolant temperature management.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling engine operation in hybrid vehicles using traffic signal information to determine engine operation conditions, delaying engine start if the traffic signal is about to change from red to green within a predetermined time, and adjusting engine operation based on state-of-charge (SOC) and coolant temperature thresholds to minimize unnecessary fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine operates in series HEV mode during vehicle stopping to maintain coolant temperature, then the coolant temperature is maintained, but non-driving fuel loss increases due to low engine efficiency at low RPM
Solution Approach 1:
The system predicts future traffic signal changes (from red to green) and uses this information to make advance decisions about engine operation. By knowing the traffic signal state in advance, the controller can delay engine start until just before the signal changes, avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption during stops while ensuring the engine starts promptly when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine operation strategy dynamically adjusts based on real-time traffic signal information and predicted signal changes. Rather than using a fixed operation mode, the system continuously adapts engine start/stop decisions based on the remaining red light time, vehicle stop duration, and thermal state, optimizing the balance between coolant temperature maintenance and fuel efficiency.
2Speed
If the engine starts immediately upon stopping to maintain readiness, then the engine responds quickly to driving demands, but fuel consumption increases during unnecessary operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses traffic signal information to predict when the vehicle will resume movement and prepares the engine accordingly. By delaying engine start until just before the predicted green light (when vehicle movement is imminent), the system maintains quick response capability while avoiding fuel consumption during extended idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses freely available traffic signal information (received via navigation or communication systems) to make intelligent engine management decisions. This external information serves the engine control function without requiring additional sensors or complex hardware, allowing the system to optimize fuel consumption based on contextual traffic data.
3Power
If the engine operates at low RPM in series mode to generate electricity, then electrical energy is produced for charging, but engine efficiency decreases leading to higher fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system predicts traffic signal changes and uses this information to determine optimal timing for engine operation. By delaying engine start until just before the green light, the system avoids low-efficiency operation during stops and ensures the engine operates at efficient RPM ranges when actual driving power is needed, rather than generating electricity at low efficiency during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine operation control method of a hybrid vehicle for minimizing non-driving fuel consumption upon stopping includes steps of receiving traffic information including signal information of a front traffic signal lamp, determining whether a proceeding-signal change condition is satisfied based on the received signal information upon stopping, setting any one of different engine operation conditions according to the result of determination, and comparing the set engine operation condition with a current vehicle state to determine whether an engine operates or not.