Series Hybrid Generator Control for GPF-Safe Deceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In series hybrid vehicles, when fuel cut is prohibited to prevent overheating of the gasoline particulate filter, deceleration cannot be secured by motoring, leading to uncomfortable unintended changes in deceleration due to lack of regeneration capacity.

Innovation Solution

Perform a power consumption operation where the engine is driven by the generator with combustion, generating a negative ENG torque, and detect when fuel injection stops to stop the generator, thereby preventing filter overheating and ensuring deceleration through regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If fuel cut is prohibited to prevent filter overheating, then filter temperature is controlled, but deceleration performance deteriorates due to lack of regeneration capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter temperatureVSAvoiddeceleration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: power consumption operation (when fuel is available) and motoring operation (when fuel is depleted). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain deceleration performance across different fuel states while respecting the fuel cut prohibition constraint to prevent filter overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on fuel status. When fuel is available, it operates in power consumption mode with combustion enabled. When fuel is depleted, it transitions to motoring mode where the generator drives the engine without combustion, maintaining deceleration capability while preventing filter overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If power consumption operation is performed with generator maintaining revolution speed, then deceleration is secured, but filter overheating occurs when fuel runs out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration capabilityVSAvoidfilter overheating
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors fuel status and provides feedback to the control unit. When fuel depletion is detected during power consumption operation, the control unit receives this feedback and automatically transitions to motoring operation, preventing filter overheating while maintaining deceleration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for fuel depletion by having a pre-planned transition to motoring operation. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when fuel runs out, the system immediately switches to a safe operational mode that prevents filter overheating while maintaining deceleration performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If motoring is performed when battery is fully charged, then room for regeneration is increased, but deceleration cannot be secured when fuel cut is prohibited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom for regenerationVSAvoiddeceleration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects the appropriate operational mode based on real-time conditions. When the battery is fully charged and fuel is available, it performs power consumption operation to create room for regeneration. When fuel is depleted, it switches to motoring operation, ensuring deceleration performance is maintained throughout the entire process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively protects the filter from overheating while maintaining deceleration by consuming power to create room for regeneration, ensuring smooth vehicle operation even when fuel is depleted.

Implementation Method 1

performing a power consumption operation in which a negative ENG torque is generated in the engine by driving the engine with the generator while performing combustion in the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

driving the engine with the generator while performing combustion in the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

deceleration can be obtained by performing regeneration by the drive motor during deceleration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4400377B1Method for controlling vehicle and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4400377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4400377B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4400377B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a method for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine, a generator, and a drive motor, the vehicle using the engine to drive the generator to generate electric power, using the electric power generated by the generator to drive the drive motor, and also being provided with a GPF system which collects particulate matter in exhaust gas of the engine, and the method comprising: carrying out an electric power consumption operation of driving the engine with the generator while combustion is taking place in the engine to cause the engine to generate a negative ENG torque when a discharge request is made during fuel cut prohibition of the engine; detecting, on the basis of the actual GEN torque of the generator, the occurrence of the engine being out of fuel during fuel cut prohibition of the engine; and stopping the generator when it is detected that the engine is out of fuel.