Hybrid Engine State Determination via Operational Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the operating time of the internal combustion engine no longer corresponds to the vehicle's overall operating time, making it challenging to estimate its service life and maintenance frequency accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that record and analyze specific measured variables such as total distance traveled, engine starts, operating time, oil temperatures, oil level, speed, load levels, pollutant content, and acceleration values to determine the state of the internal combustion engine, allowing for precise estimation of its condition and maintenance needs, and ensuring proper lubrication by strategically starting the engine when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle uses an electric motor for driving, then the vehicle can operate without the internal combustion engine, but the operating time of the internal combustion engine no longer corresponds to the vehicle's overall operating time, making it difficult to estimate service life and maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle's total operating time into distinct components: electric motor operating time and internal combustion engine operating time. By separately tracking engine-specific parameters (starts, operating time per start, temperatures, loads) versus vehicle-wide parameters (total distance), the system accurately attributes wear and usage to the correct power source, enabling precise maintenance scheduling for the internal combustion engine even in hybrid operation modes.
2Productivity
If maintenance intervals are extended to reduce maintenance frequency, then productivity increases, but the engine may suffer from undetected damage due to oscillating loads during electric driving periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors engine state parameters (number of starts, operating time, temperatures, pollutant content) and compares them against predetermined thresholds. When critical thresholds are approached or exceeded, the system provides feedback to extend or adjust maintenance intervals dynamically. This ensures the engine receives maintenance before damage accumulates, while maximizing intervals when conditions permit, thus balancing productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of engine state by continuously recording and analyzing operating parameters before actual damage occurs. By predicting when maintenance will be needed based on accumulated operating data and comparing it against service life models, the system proactively schedules maintenance at optimal intervals, preventing damage from oscillating loads while avoiding unnecessary maintenance events.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A state of an internal combustion engine (1) of a vehicle (10) is determined. In this context, the vehicle (10) comprises a further motor (2) for driving the vehicle (10). In order to determine the state, at least one measurement variable from a group is detected, when the group comprises: ° an overall distance travelled by the vehicle (10), ° a further overall distance travelled by the vehicle (10) during which the internal combustion engine (1) is operational, ° a number of starts of the internal combustion engine (1), ° an operating period of the internal combustion engine (1) per start of the internal combustion engine (1), ° an oil temperature per start of the internal combustion engine (1), ° an oil temperature per stop of the internal combustion engine, ° a water temperature per start of the internal combustion engine (1), ° a water temperature per stop of the internal combustion engine (1) ° an oil level in the internal combustion engine (1), ° a rotational speed and a load level of the internal combustion engine (1), if a temperature of the internal combustion engine (1) is below a predetermined threshold temperature during operation of the internal combustion engine (1), ° a proportion of pollutants in the oil of the internal combustion engine (1), and ° values of an acceleration to which the vehicle (10) is subjected. The state of the internal combustion engine (1) is determined as a function of the at least one measurement variable.