Hybrid Vehicle Heating System Controller Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face challenges in efficiently heating the catalyst and passenger cabin simultaneously without overloading the battery, which can increase system cost and reduce emissions during cold engine starts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a single controller output to manage electric current flow between a catalyst heater and a passenger cabin heater, allowing for separate control of both heating sources to optimize energy usage and reduce system costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single battery is used to power both the catalyst heater and passenger cabin heater, then system cost is reduced, but the battery may be overloaded when both heaters operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the heating system by monitoring battery state of charge and automatically adjusting heater operation. When battery charge is sufficient, both catalyst heater and passenger cabin heater can operate. When battery charge drops below a threshold, the system automatically reduces or shuts off heater operation to prevent battery overload, thus maintaining system reliability while using a single battery to reduce cost.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the catalyst heater is activated before engine start, then emissions are reduced by improving catalyst efficiency, but a higher voltage and large amount of electric current are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary activation of the catalyst heater before engine start when battery state of charge is sufficient. This pre-heating action ensures the catalyst reaches optimal temperature quickly after engine start, reducing emissions. The system monitors battery charge levels and only permits catalyst heater activation when there is sufficient energy available, preventing battery overload while achieving emission reduction benefits.
3Temperature
If the passenger cabin heater is operated at higher voltage and current, then heating effectiveness is improved, but the battery capacity may be insufficient when the catalyst heater is also needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes operating parameters based on battery state of charge. When battery charge is high, the system permits operation of the passenger cabin heater at higher voltage and current for effective heating. When battery charge drops, the system automatically reduces or shuts off the heater to conserve battery capacity for the catalyst heater, thus adapting heating effectiveness to available battery capacity.
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 approach reduces vehicle system costs, improves emissions by maintaining efficient catalyst temperature, and keeps electric current draw within desired limits, while allowing for simultaneous heating of the cabin and catalyst.
Implementation Method 1
a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater configured to heat air within a passenger cabin of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an electrically heated catalyst that is part of the engine's exhaust system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, electric current may be supplied to or withheld from a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater and an electrically heated catalyst. In particular, electric current may be delivered to the PTC heater and withheld from the electrically heated catalyst, or vice-versa, in response to a catalyst temperature and battery state of charge.