Hybrid Vehicle Engine Start-Up Control via Driver Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, when the motor is malfunctioning and the engine needs to be started up, the use of the starter motor can cause voltage drops in the auxiliary battery, affecting other electrical devices and deteriorating drivability, especially during traveling.
Innovation Solution
The hybrid vehicle is configured with an electronic control unit that executes engine start-up controls using either the starter motor or clutch-based engine start-up, depending on vehicle speed, and notifies the user to stop or shift to a parking position to suppress starter motor activation during traveling, thereby maintaining drivability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the starter motor is activated to start up the engine while the hybrid vehicle is traveling, then the engine can be started up, but the voltage of the auxiliary battery temporarily drops, affecting other electrical devices and deteriorating drivability
Solution Approach 1:
The notification apparatus alerts the driver in advance before the starter motor is activated, giving the driver time to prepare by stopping the vehicle or shifting to parking position. This preliminary notification prevents voltage drops from affecting electrical devices during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification apparatus serves as an intermediary between the engine start-up control system and the driver. It mediates the timing of engine start-up by communicating with the driver to ensure the vehicle is in an appropriate state before activating the starter motor, thereby preventing harmful voltage drops.
2Reliability
If the engine is started up using the starter motor while the vehicle is traveling, then the engine can be started, but the traveling function deteriorates due to voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary notification to the driver before engine start-up, ensuring the vehicle is properly stopped or in parking position. This prevents interference with the traveling function while maintaining engine start-up capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification apparatus provides feedback to the driver about the upcoming engine start-up, allowing the driver to adjust vehicle state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures engine start-up occurs only when it will not compromise traveling function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the engine is started up at any timing when the motor is malfunctioning, then the engine can be started to provide drive source, but the drivability deteriorates due to voltage drops during traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The notification apparatus provides preliminary warning before engine start-up, allowing the driver to prepare the vehicle in advance. This maintains adaptability for engine start-up while ensuring drivability is not compromised by unexpected voltage drops during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification apparatus acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the engine start-up requirement and the driver's control of the vehicle. It ensures engine start-up occurs at appropriate timing that maintains ease of operation and drivability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a hybrid vehicle, in order to start up an engine, an ECU executes one of first engine start-up control for starting up the engine using a starter motor and second engine start-up control for starting up the engine by coupling the engine to drive wheels using a clutch while the hybrid vehicle is traveling. The ECU notifies the user of information for prompting the user to stop the hybrid vehicle in a predetermined notification mode using a notification apparatus, when the ECU determines that the following conditions i) and ii) are both satisfied while the hybrid vehicle is performing electric traveling,i) a motor generator is in a malfunctioning state, and the engine needs to be started up, andii) a vehicle speed is lower than a threshold.