Hybrid EV Route-Based Charge Control to Reduce Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid electric vehicles face frequent switching between traveling modes, causing driver discomfort when traveling in areas where engine operation is limited, due to insufficient battery charge management.

Innovation Solution

A control system that determines the appropriate traveling mode based on a predicted route, setting target charge levels and threshold values to manage battery charge, minimizing mode switching by selecting modes that maintain stable charge levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery charge amount is managed to ensure sufficient energy for EV mode operation by frequently switching between EV and charging HV modes, then the battery charge target value can be maintained, but the vehicle experiences frequent mode switching causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery charge target value maintenanceVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the charge amount target value based on the predicted traveling route and estimated battery charge amount. Instead of maintaining a fixed target value, the system modifies the target value parameter to prevent frequent mode switching. When the predicted battery charge amount falls within a specific range (first to second threshold values), the system adjusts the target value to maintain the current mode, thereby avoiding unnecessary transitions between EV and charging HV modes while still ensuring sufficient charge for upcoming urban areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the vehicle executes EV traveling mode to reduce emissions in urban areas, then environmental requirements are met, but the battery must be charged in advance which requires frequent mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemissions in urban areasVSAvoidmode switching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the predicted traveling route information to proactively manage battery charge levels before entering urban areas. The system estimates the battery charge amount based on predicted consumption and compares it with the target value in advance. When the predicted charge amount approaches the target value, the system switches to charging HV mode beforehand to ensure sufficient charge for EV operation in urban areas, rather than waiting for the charge to deplete and then switching modes reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the target value for battery charge amount is set based on required traveling energy for specific sections, then sufficient charge is ensured for EV mode, but frequent switching occurs when charge amount is close to target value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesufficient charge for EV modeVSAvoidtraveling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the charge amount target value adaptive rather than static. The target value is dynamically adjusted based on the relationship between the predicted battery charge amount and the current target value. When the predicted charge amount falls within the range between the first and second threshold values, the system modifies the target value to maintain the current traveling mode, creating a dynamic buffer zone that prevents frequent switching while still ensuring sufficient charge for EV operation in urban areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4286191B1Hybrid electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4286191B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4286191B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4286191B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A hybrid electric vehicle includes a control device that selectively executes a plurality of traveling modes. The control device can execute a process of acquiring a predicted traveling route, a process of specifying a required traveling energy required for traveling a specific section in an EV traveling mode, a process of setting a target value and at least one threshold value for the remaining battery charge amount, and a process of determining a traveling mode to be executed from among a plurality of traveling modes until the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section.