Hybrid Vehicle Ignition Timing Control for Shock Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to minimize the shock caused by abrupt torque fluctuations when an internal combustion engine starts in hybrid vehicles, which can deteriorate drivability.

Innovation Solution

A control device that detects vehicle movement and driver demand, adjusting the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine based on vehicle speed and power requirements to reduce torque shocks during startup, while optimizing acceleration responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the ignition timing is advanced when the internal combustion engine starts to enhance acceleration responsiveness, then the torque increases abruptly and acceleration responsiveness improves, but an abrupt torque fluctuation is transmitted along the power transmission path causing shock on the vehicle and worsening drivability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration responsivenessVSAvoidshock on vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ignition timing adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically changes ignition timing based on vehicle operating conditions (vehicle speed, accelerator opening degree, engine load). At low vehicle speeds, ignition timing is retarded to reduce shock, while at high vehicle speeds, ignition timing is advanced to improve acceleration responsiveness. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between acceleration responsiveness and shock reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the ignition timing parameter based on detected vehicle conditions. The control device detects vehicle speed and accelerator opening degree, then adjusts the ignition timing parameter accordingly. By changing this critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves both reduced shock at low speeds and improved acceleration responsiveness at high speeds, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the ignition timing is retarded to reduce torque fluctuation and shock during engine startup, then shock on the vehicle is reduced, but acceleration responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock on vehicleVSAvoidacceleration responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ignition timing parameter based on detected vehicle conditions. The control device detects vehicle speed and accelerator opening degree, then adjusts the ignition timing parameter accordingly. By changing this critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves both reduced shock at low speeds and improved acceleration responsiveness at high speeds, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ignition timing adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically changes ignition timing based on vehicle operating conditions (vehicle speed, accelerator opening degree, engine load). At low vehicle speeds, ignition timing is retarded to reduce shock, while at high vehicle speeds, ignition timing is advanced to improve acceleration responsiveness. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between acceleration responsiveness and shock reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1971769B1Control device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP1971769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1971769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1971769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle control device (320) for a hybrid vehicle, which equipped with at least an internal combustion engine (120) and a rotary electrical machine (140), that reduces the shock that is imparted to a vehicle when the internal combustion engine starts. The vehicle control device detects the running state of the vehicle (S100) and, if it is determined that the internal combustion engine will be started (S102), adjusts the ignition timing according to the running state of the vehicle. The control device also improves the responsiveness of the hybrid vehicle when increased acceleration is required.