Hybrid Vehicle Gear Shift Indicator for Engine Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face fuel economy deterioration when the engine is operated based on manually selected gear steps that prohibit intermittent engine operation, especially during EV travel, as existing technologies do not provide effective gear shifting instructions for improving fuel economy in manual shifting modes.
Innovation Solution
A controller for hybrid vehicles that includes a gear shift indicator prompting the driver to change to gear steps allowing engine shutdown during manual shifting, switching to EV travel when possible, and eliminating unnecessary gear shifting instructions that do not improve fuel economy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is operated based on manually selected gear steps that prohibit intermittent engine operation, then the vehicle can maintain higher power availability, but fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator provides feedback to the driver by displaying gear shift instructions that indicate whether to upshift or downshift based on current operating conditions. The system continuously monitors engine operation status and provides real-time guidance to optimize fuel economy while maintaining driver control over manual shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gear shifting system with an electronically controlled gear shift indicator that uses display elements (such as LEDs or graphical interfaces) to communicate gear shift recommendations to the driver, substituting physical mechanical feedback with electronic information display.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the gear shift indicator provides gear shifting instructions in manual shifting mode, then fuel economy can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors engine operation status, determines optimal gear steps, provides gear shift instructions to the driver, and adapts its behavior based on whether the engine is currently operating or in EV travel mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes its control parameters based on operating conditions. When the engine is operating, it provides gear shift instructions to optimize fuel economy. When EV travel is possible, it modifies its instructions to maintain EV travel. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize fuel economy without requiring completely different control systems for different operating modes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is shut down and switched to EV travel, then fuel economy improves, but the loss of time for engine restart occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator provides advance guidance to the driver about optimal gear shifting opportunities before EV travel conditions are fully established. By notifying the driver in advance and allowing proactive gear shifting, the system enables smoother transitions to EV travel mode and reduces the urgency for rapid engine restarts when power is needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor (e.g. a motor generator) capable of outputting power for travel, a power transmission system permitting power transmission to driving wheels along with manual selection of gear steps, and a gear shift indicator prompting a driver to change the gear steps, if the engine is operational in the manual shifting mode, in which gear steps are shifted manually, the gear shift indicator prompts the driver two change to the gear step that allows for the engine to be shut down and, when the current gear step coincides with the gear step that allows for the engine to be shut down, the engine is shut down and a transition to EV travel is effected. Such control makes it possible to minimize travel with an operational engine in the manual shifting mode and allows for an improvement in fuel economy to be achieved.