Hybrid Vehicle Mode Transition Control for Battery-Aware Engine Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems excessively transition from an electric motor-driven mode to an engine-driven mode, leading to deteriorated noise, vibration, and fuel efficiency due to frequent actuation of the internal combustion engine.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that transitions from an electric motor-driven mode to an engine-driven mode only after a predetermined delay time, with the delay time adjusted based on the remaining power storage device capacity, to prevent excessive transitions and maintain efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the vehicle transitions from EV mode to HV mode based on power requirements, then the vehicle can meet higher power demands, but the NV characteristics and fuel efficiency deteriorate due to excessive transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device predicts future power requirements and proactively transitions between EV and HV modes before the power deficit occurs. By calculating predicted power values based on current acceleration and historical data, the system prepares mode transitions in advance, ensuring continuous adequate power supply while avoiding frequent reactive transitions that waste energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system dynamically adjusts the mode transition timing based on real-time vehicle state (acceleration, power requirements) and predicted future states. The delay time for mode transition is not fixed but adapts to current driving conditions, allowing optimal balance between power availability and energy efficiency under varying operational scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle frequently transitions between EV and HV modes, then the vehicle can adapt to varying power requirements, but noise and vibration increase due to repeated engine actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses predicted power values to anticipate when mode transitions will be necessary, allowing it to maintain EV mode longer when possible and transition to HV mode only when truly needed. This reduces the frequency of engine actuation and associated noise/vibration while still maintaining adaptability to actual power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors actual power consumption, vehicle state, and mode transition history to refine its predictions and adjust transition strategies. This feedback mechanism ensures the system adapts to actual driving patterns while minimizing unnecessary transitions that would generate noise and vibration.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle travels in any travel mode among a plurality of travel modes including a first travel mode of stopping actuation of an internal combustion engine and traveling by an electric motor driving a drive wheel depending on power supply from a power storage device, and a second travel mode of actuating the internal combustion engine and traveling by the electric motor driving the drive wheel depending on at least the power supply from an electric generator. A processor of the vehicle is configured to: when the vehicle is in the first travel mode, transition from the first travel mode to the second travel mode based on continuation of a state for a predetermined delay time, the state being a state where a vehicle-required power required in the vehicle exceeds a threshold; and change the predetermined delay time depending on a remaining amount of the power storage device.