Hybrid Vehicle Mode Switching Using Predicted Travel Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid electric vehicles face inefficiencies in mode switching between charge depleting and charge sustaining modes due to repeated engine warmup cycles, leading to fuel wastage and catalyst temperature recognition issues, especially when switching between modes frequently based on state of charge alone without considering driving load and route conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a predicted travel distance and engine warmup status to optimize mode switching, using navigation information and temperature modeling to prevent unnecessary engine warmup, allowing the vehicle to maintain the charge depleting mode for short distances and switch to charge sustaining mode only when the engine is sufficiently warmed and the travel distance is long, thereby improving fuel efficiency and system efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the vehicle switches between charge depleting and charge sustaining modes based only on state of charge value, then the battery charge is managed, but fuel efficiency is greatly lowered due to repeated engine warmup cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidmode switching operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of predicted travel distance in the first mode before switching modes. By calculating whether the vehicle can complete the remaining route in electric mode alone, the system avoids unnecessary engine warmup cycles and mode switching, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from navigation information and real-time travel distance calculations to dynamically adjust mode switching decisions. By continuously monitoring whether the predicted travel distance exceeds the all-electric range, the system optimizes mode selection to prevent repeated warmup cycles while maintaining straightforward operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the vehicle switches to charge sustaining mode frequently to maintain catalyst temperature, then exhaust gas regulations are satisfied, but fuel is wasted due to repeated warmup cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas regulation complianceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of predicted travel distance before switching to charge sustaining mode. By determining in advance whether the route length justifies engine operation, the system avoids frequent mode switching and repeated warmup cycles, thereby reducing fuel consumption while ensuring exhaust regulations are met when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the decision parameter from solely state of charge value to a combination of predicted travel distance and all-electric range comparison. This parameter change enables more intelligent mode selection that reduces unnecessary engine warmup while maintaining catalyst temperature compliance when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the vehicle operates in charge depleting mode without considering driving load and route conditions, then electric motor efficiency is utilized, but fuel efficiency deteriorates when engine warmup is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidmode switching control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of predicted travel distance using navigation information before making mode switching decisions. This preliminary calculation allows the system to maintain charge depleting mode when sufficient electric range exists, avoiding unnecessary engine warmup while keeping control logic relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical mode switching with a computational approach using navigation information and distance calculations. By substituting physical trial-and-error mode switching with algorithmic prediction, the system improves fuel efficiency without significantly increasing control complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10471950B2Hybrid vehicle and method of changing operation mode for the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method of changing an operation mode of a hybrid vehicle may include determining a current operation mode, determining a predicted travel distance in a first mode when the current operation mode is the first mode or a current driving load satisfies a criterion for switching to the first mode as a result of the determination, determining whether an engine is warmed up, and determining whether to drive in the first mode or a second mode according to the determined predicted travel distance and whether the engine is warmed up.