Hybrid Vehicle Engine Start Delay via Regenerative Braking Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face challenges in optimizing fuel economy by effectively utilizing regenerative braking energy to delay the start of the internal combustion engine, as existing systems lack efficient methods to calculate and apply true energy savings from coasting guidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a coasting guidance system to identify optimal braking and coasting locations, calculate actual and estimated regenerative braking energy, determine energy savings, and delay the internal combustion engine start based on these savings, incorporating processor-controlled modules to manage energy storage and distribution within the hybrid vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking energy is captured and stored, then fuel economy is improved, but the system lacks accurate methods to calculate and apply true energy savings from coasting guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual regenerative braking energy captured during coasting guidance and comparing it against estimated energy values. This feedback loop enables the system to accurately determine true energy savings and dynamically adjust engine start delay timing accordingly, resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining fuel economy improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical energy measurement methods with electronic sensing and computational analysis. By using sensors to detect braking events and processors to calculate energy values based on electrical energy captured during regenerative braking, the system achieves precise energy savings measurement without relying on mechanical measurement systems.
2Loss of energy
If the internal combustion engine start is delayed based on regenerative energy, then fuel consumption is reduced, but existing systems lack efficient methods to determine optimal delay timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by calculating and storing estimated regenerative braking energy values before actual braking events occur. When a braking event is detected, the system retrieves pre-calculated estimates and compares them with actual captured energy, enabling rapid determination of optimal engine start delay timing without complex real-time computations, thus reducing fuel consumption while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system serves itself by using onboard sensors and processors to automatically detect braking events, calculate energy values, and determine engine start delay timing without external intervention. The system self-regulates by monitoring its own energy state and making autonomous decisions about engine operation, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining manageable complexity through automated self-management.
3Duration of action of moving object
If coasting guidance system is used to capture regenerative braking energy, then electric-only mode operation is extended, but accurate translation of energy into delayed engine starts is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the engine start delay timing parameter based on the actual regenerative braking energy captured. Instead of using fixed delay times, the system calculates variable delay durations that directly correspond to the electrical energy captured during coasting guidance braking events, enabling accurate translation of energy into extended electric-only mode operation duration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances fuel economy by accurately translating regenerative braking energy into delayed engine starts, conserving fuel by optimizing energy usage and extending the electric-only mode operation of the hybrid vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct types of power and may include an internal combustion engine in addition to the electric motor. Appropriately applied, the recovered energy from the regenerative braking function may be used to reduce fossil fuel consumption of the engine.
Implementation Method 2
The hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor that uses the vehicle's momentum to recover energy that would otherwise be lost to friction brakes as heat.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to delaying a start of an internal combustion engine (“ICE”) in a hybrid vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a stopping location, a regenerative braking event that assists in stopping the hybrid vehicle at the stopping location, and an actual energy value based on a regenerative braking energy generated during the regenerative braking event. The method includes determining an estimated energy value, based on a predicted regenerative braking energy from a predicted braking event, that causes the hybrid vehicle to stop at the stopping location. The method includes determining an energy savings value based, at least in part, on a difference between the actual energy value and the estimated energy value. The method includes, responsive to the ICE being off, delaying the start of the ICE based, at least in part, on the energy savings.