Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance Determination Using Segmented Running Distances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles with both internal combustion engines and electric motors face challenges in accurately determining the maintenance needs of engine components due to extended electric vehicle modes, where engine usage is not clearly reflected in total running distance or time, making it difficult to grasp actual usage statuses.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid vehicle system that computes separate running distances and times for electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle modes, using these metrics to determine the necessity of maintenance for engine and related components, with a determination unit assessing the need for maintenance based on calculated status amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the vehicle runs in EV mode with extended distance, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to accurately grasp engine usage status deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidengine usage status measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the running amount measurement into two distinct components: total running amount (vehicle operation) and engine running amount (engine operation). By using separate computation units to track these independently, the system can accurately measure engine usage status even when the vehicle operates predominantly in EV mode, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency improvement and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If maintenance timing is determined from total running distance or time, then maintenance scheduling is simplified, but accuracy of maintenance timing for engine components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance schedulingVSAvoidmaintenance timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by introducing separate computation units for total running amount and engine running amount. This allows the system to maintain simple scheduling operations while using the engine-specific running amount data to accurately determine maintenance timing for engine components, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine running amount computation unit acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple total running amount tracking and the need for accurate engine-specific maintenance timing. This intermediary component enables differentiated maintenance scheduling based on actual engine usage without complicating the overall system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8234028B2Hybrid vehicle, control method of hybrid vehicle, and computer-readable recording medium recording program for allowing computer to execute control method

Publication Date: 2012.07.31 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A hybrid vehicle has as a travel mode an EV mode for traveling while stopping the engine, and an HV mode for operating the engine. An ECU includes first and second traveling distance operating units, and a determination unit. The first traveling distance operating unit calculates an EV traveling distance indicative of a total traveling distance in the EV mode. The second traveling distance operating unit calculates the engine use traveling distance indicative of a total traveling distance when the engine is operated. The determination unit determines the necessity of maintenance of predetermined elements included in the vehicle based on the EV traveling distance and the engine use traveling distance.