Hybrid Vehicle Low-Speed Recharging Control Logic

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In hybrid vehicles, the frequent initiation and interruption of low-speed recharging during maneuvers, such as parking, cause discomfort to drivers due to perceived delays in powertrain response and load variations.

Innovation Solution

A control device that prohibits reactivation of low-speed recharging for a chosen period following brief stops during maneuvers, ensuring continuous operation and reducing the frequency of recharging interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the control device triggers recharging when vehicle speed drops below the threshold during maneuvers, then the energy storage means is recharged, but the driver perceives delays in powertrain response and load variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecharging of energy storage meansVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device detects a brief stop as the precursor to a maneuver and preemptively prohibits recharging during the subsequent maneuver duration. This preliminary action based on stop detection prevents the sequence of recharging initiations and interruptions that would otherwise occur during parking maneuvers, eliminating perceived delays and load variations before they happen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the gear change means are placed in open state to recharge at low speed, then the energy storage means is recharged, but the powertrain response is delayed during maneuver resumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidpowertrain response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses brief stop detection to preemptively prohibit recharging before the maneuver begins. By acting in advance based on the stop signal, the system avoids the time-consuming sequence of ending recharging and closing gear change means that would otherwise occur when the driver presses the accelerator pedal, thus maintaining powertrain response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If recharging is frequently initiated and interrupted during maneuvers, then the energy storage means is recharged, but the load of the second driving machine varies significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage rechargingVSAvoidload stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control device detects brief stops as indicators of upcoming maneuvers and preemptively prohibits recharging for the duration of the maneuver. This preliminary prohibition eliminates the frequent initiations and interruptions of recharging that would otherwise occur during parking maneuvers, thereby stabilizing the load on the second driving machine throughout the maneuver sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances driver comfort by minimizing the perception of powertrain delays and load variations during low-speed maneuvers, improving overall driving experience and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the first driving machine uses the torque produced by the second driving machine to operate as a generator and thus produce energy intended to recharge the means energy storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3638529B1Control of the recharging at low speed of an accumulator of a hybrid vehicle with a non-heat-type driving machine mechanically connected to an axle assembly
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3638529B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3638529B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A control device (DC) equips a vehicle (V) comprising an energy accumulator (MS1), a first non-heat-type driving machine (MM1) which can be coupled to an axle assembly (T1) via gear-ratio changing means (BV) having an open state and a closed state, and a second heat-type driving machine (MM2) which can be coupled to the axle assembly (T1) via coupling means (MCP), the first driving machine (MM1) and the gear-ratio changing means (BV). This device (DC) comprises control means (MCT) triggering the setting of the gear-ratio changing means (BV) into the open state for recharging the energy accumulator (MS1) with the first driving machine (MM1) when the vehicle (V) is at a low speed, and preventing, for a chosen duration, the reactivation of the recharging in the event of a brief stoppage representative of a start of an operation followed by a new low-speed movement leading to a deactivation of the recharging.