Hybrid Vehicle Fuel Management via Consumption and Deterioration Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control apparatuses for hybrid vehicles fail to accurately manage fuel consumption and deterioration, leading to either premature fuel depletion or excessive fuel deterioration due to inadequate estimation of fuel consumption progress and deterioration timing.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus for hybrid vehicles that includes fuel consumption estimation and deterioration estimation means, which calculates the time until fuel supply is needed and until fuel deteriorates, respectively, and switches to a fuel consumption promotion mode based on the gap between these timings to ensure complete fuel consumption coinciding with deterioration timing, thereby suppressing fuel deterioration without worsening the fuel consumption rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engine start timing modification process is executed based on estimated fuel deterioration degree, then fuel deterioration is suppressed, but fuel consumption rate worsens due to excessive engine starts
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary estimation of both fuel consumption progress and fuel deterioration timing before executing engine start timing modification. By calculating the time until fuel supply is required and the time until fuel deteriorates in advance, the system determines the appropriate timing for engine starts to consume fuel before deterioration occurs, preventing both excessive engine starts and fuel deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus continuously monitors and estimates the actual progress of fuel consumption and fuel deterioration, comparing these against predicted values. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts engine start timing to ensure fuel is consumed at optimal rates without premature deterioration, resolving the contradiction between suppressing deterioration and maintaining fuel consumption efficiency.
2Productivity
If engine start timing modification is delayed, then fuel consumption rate is maintained, but fuel deteriorates before consumption is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus calculates in advance the time until fuel supply is required and the time until fuel deteriorates, using these preliminary estimations to determine optimal engine start timing. This advance planning ensures the engine starts at the right moment to consume fuel before deterioration occurs, preventing both premature deterioration and excessive delays in fuel consumption.
3Productivity
If EV traveling mode is used extensively, then fuel consumption is reduced, but fuel deteriorates due to prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus uses periodic action by switching between EV traveling mode and engine driving modes based on estimated fuel consumption progress and deterioration timing. When fuel deterioration risk is detected, the system periodically activates the engine to consume fuel, creating a balanced operation pattern that maintains both fuel economy and fuel quality over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus changes operational parameters by adjusting engine start timing and traveling mode selection based on real-time estimation of fuel consumption and deterioration. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between EV mode usage (for fuel economy) and engine operation (for fuel consumption), preventing fuel deterioration while maintaining overall fuel efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a hybrid vehicle control apparatus, the hybrid vehicle including an engine is driven by a supply with fuel from a fuel tank; and a motor drives drive wheels of the vehicle by a supply of electric power at least from a battery, an interval of time required until a time at which the supply with fuel is to be carried out or at which a fuel quantity becomes zero, with the present time as a starting point, is estimated, an interval of time required until the time at which fuel is deteriorated, with the present time as the starting point, is estimated, and a switching to a fuel consumption promotion mode is carried out in a case where a timing at which the supply with fuel is to be carried out or at which the fuel quantity becomes zero is after the timing at which fuel is deteriorated.