Hybrid Vehicle Mode Switching With a Sequential Toggle Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle systems with rocker switches are limited to switching between two traveling modes, such as HEV and EV modes, and are not applicable to vehicles capable of switching among four or more modes, including sport and towing modes.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle system utilizing a toggle switch as the operation device, which allows for switching among four or more traveling modes by accepting operations in specific directions and outputting corresponding signals to a controller that sequences the mode changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rocker switch is used for mode switching, then the switching between two traveling modes (HEV and EV) is simple and reliable, but the system cannot be applied to vehicles with four or more traveling modes
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch between any combination of four or more traveling modes (HEV, EV, sport, towing) using a single device. The switch accepts operations in multiple directions (first direction and second direction) to enable comprehensive mode selection coverage, making the single switch structure universal for various mode configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode switching function is segmented into sequential selections rather than requiring simultaneous selection. The controller selects modes in sequence based on the direction of toggle switch operations, dividing the complex multi-mode selection into manageable sequential steps, which resolves the contradiction between handling multiple modes and maintaining simple switch structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a toggle switch is used to enable switching among four or more traveling modes, then the adaptability increases, but the operability may be compromised due to the increased number of selections required
Solution Approach 1:
The HEV mode and EV mode are pre-configured to be continuous in the selection sequence, and the controller is pre-programmed to recognize that operations in the first direction from HEV mode should transition to EV mode. This preliminary arrangement ensures that frequently used mode transitions require only minimal operations, improving ease of operation without sacrificing multi-mode adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller selects modes in a periodic sequence based on the direction of toggle switch operations. Each operation in a specific direction advances the selection to the next mode in the predetermined sequence, creating a regular, predictable pattern of mode transitions that simplifies user interaction despite the presence of multiple modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the toggle switch accepts multiple operations in one direction to switch modes, then all modes can be accessed, but the frequency of selection for high-frequency modes (HEV and EV) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the mode selection sequence have different operational characteristics. The transition between HEV and EV modes (high-frequency modes) is designed to require only one operation in either direction, while transitions involving less frequently used modes (sport, towing) may require multiple operations. This local differentiation in operational complexity ensures that frequently used modes remain easily accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection sequence is dynamically adjusted based on the current mode and the direction of the toggle switch operation. The controller adapts the mode transition logic to ensure that operations in the first direction from HEV mode lead to EV mode, while operations in the second direction follow a different sequence, allowing flexible optimization of access paths to different modes based on operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle system is configured to be capable of switching among four or more of a plurality of traveling modes including a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode and an electric vehicle (EV) mode, and includes one toggle switch for selecting any one of the plurality of traveling modes and a controller. The controller selects the plurality of traveling modes in sequence whenever the toggle switch accepts each of operations to a first direction and a second direction. The HEV mode is set to be changed to different traveling modes between when the toggle switch accepts one or a plurality of operations to the first direction and when the toggle switch accepts an operation to the second direction, and the HEV mode and the EV mode are set to be continuous in an order of selection by the controller.