Hybrid Vehicle Load Point Control via Acoustic Masking

Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles face limitations in optimizing the state of charge of their electric energy stores while maintaining comfort, as existing operating strategies are sensitive to noise and cannot effectively raise the load point of the internal combustion engine without compromising acoustic comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust the load point of the internal combustion engine by assessing and coordinating various acoustic masking potentials from different sources, such as vehicle-internal and external influences, and user-generated noise, to determine a new acoustic limit that allows for increased charging without discomfort, using an electronic control unit to implement these changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the load point of the internal combustion engine is raised to increase the state of charge of the electric energy store, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the acoustic comfort deteriorates due to increased noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidacoustic comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic limit is made dynamically adjustable based on the driving situation. The control unit continuously adapts the acoustic limit by evaluating masking potentials from various noise sources (road noise, wind noise, audio system, etc.) and raises the acoustic limit when masking conditions are detected, allowing the load point to be increased without compromising perceived acoustic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts harmful noise factors into beneficial masking effects. By identifying noise sources such as road noise, wind noise, and audio system output, the system uses these same noise sources to mask the acoustic emissions from the internal combustion engine, thereby permitting higher load points while maintaining acceptable acoustic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If existing operating strategies are used to optimize the state of charge, then the energy management is improved, but the acoustic comfort deteriorates due to noise sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy managementVSAvoidacoustic comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the actual acoustic environment by evaluating masking potentials from various sources. Based on this feedback, the acoustic limit is dynamically adjusted, and the load point is adapted accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to optimize charging efficiency while maintaining acoustic comfort by responding to real-time acoustic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the acoustic limit parameter dynamically based on driving conditions and masking potentials. Instead of using a fixed acoustic limit, the system adjusts this parameter in real-time by evaluating noise sources and masking effects, thereby enabling more flexible and efficient energy management without compromising acoustic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the load point is raised to improve charging, then the state of charge optimization is improved, but the noise sensitivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate of charge optimizationVSAvoidnoise sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic limit is made dynamically adjustable based on the driving situation. The control unit continuously adapts the acoustic limit by evaluating masking potentials from various noise sources (road noise, wind noise, audio system, etc.) and raises the acoustic limit when masking conditions are detected, allowing the load point to be increased without compromising perceived acoustic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts harmful noise factors into beneficial masking effects. By identifying noise sources such as road noise, wind noise, and audio system output, the system uses these same noise sources to mask the acoustic emissions from the internal combustion engine, thereby permitting higher load points while maintaining acceptable acoustic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10654468B2Method and device for operating a hybrid vehicle comprising an electric energy store, and electric motor and an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A method and a device operate a hybrid vehicle having an electric energy store, an electric propulsion system and an internal combustion engine. A special operating strategy that can be initiated for the internal combustion engine allows the state of charge of the energy store to be increased when predefined acoustic conditions are met. The special operating strategy has a performance-enhancing effect by raising the load point until acoustic limits are reached which are ascertained in real time, can be predefined in a variable manner and are defined in accordance with ascertained potentials for masking specific acoustic events. The disclosed method and device for carrying out the method raise the acoustic limits for controlling the load point of the internal combustion engine at least to the level that is currently admissible as a result of at least one acoustically relevant event being masked.