Hybrid Vehicle Motor Control Using Shared Angle Sensor

Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles require multiple angle sensors for precise control of drive motors, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling hybrid vehicles by determining operation modes and controlling the first drive motor based on angle information from a second drive motor's angle sensor, eliminating the need for an angle sensor on the first drive motor, and using engine speed information for additional modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an angle sensor is installed on each drive motor for precise control, then control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the angle information from the second drive motor's angle sensor as a copy or substitute for the angle information that would otherwise require a separate angle sensor on the first drive motor. By calculating and inferring the first drive motor's angle based on the second drive motor's measured angle, the system achieves the necessary control precision without duplicating the angle sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for control purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If an angle sensor is installed on each drive motor for precise control, then control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the angle information from the second drive motor's angle sensor as a copy or substitute for the angle information that would otherwise require a separate angle sensor on the first drive motor. By calculating and inferring the first drive motor's angle based on the second drive motor's measured angle, the system achieves the necessary control precision without duplicating the angle sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for control purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The angle sensor on the second drive motor serves multiple functions: it provides angle information for controlling the second drive motor itself and simultaneously provides angle information that is used to control the first drive motor. This multi-functional use of a single angle sensor reduces the total number of sensors required, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining control precision for both motors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10293812B2Method for controlling hybrid vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes: determining, by a controller, an operation mode of the hybrid vehicle based on operation state information of the hybrid vehicle; and controlling, by the controller, a first drive motor included in the hybrid vehicle based on angle information of a second drive motor of the hybrid vehicle provided by an angle sensor of the second drive motor when the operation mode of the hybrid vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle mode. The hybrid electric vehicle mode is an operation mode in which an engine of the hybrid vehicle, the first drive motor, and the second drive motor drive the hybrid vehicle.