Hybrid Vehicle Startup Flare Control via Electric Motor Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle engines, including hybrid systems, exhibit slow and unresponsive engine speed profiles during startup due to high rotational inertia, resulting in a less sporty and less desirable sound profile compared to high-performance supercars like the Ferrari 458 Italia.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle system with an internal combustion engine, a start engine actuator, an electric motor selectively coupled to the engine, and a throttle control valve, where the control unit rapidly increases engine speed using a larger throttle input and then engages the electric motor to rapidly decrease speed, simulating the engine speed profile of a supercar by applying a drag force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional multi-pin counterweight crankshaft is used, then the engine structure is stable and reliable, but the engine speed response is slow due to high rotational inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the existing engine by implementing a two-stage throttle control strategy: first opening the throttle to a first position to rapidly increase engine speed, then adjusting to a second position to control the peak and descent. This parameter-based control approach achieves rapid speed response without modifying the physical crankshaft structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural stability and improving speed response.
2Speed
If a lightweight reciprocating assembly with single plane crankshaft is used, then the engine speed response is rapid with short rise and fall duration, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the supercar engine speed profile through electronic control of the throttle system. Instead of physically replicating the lightweight crankshaft design, the control system generates an identical speed response pattern (rapid rise to peak followed by controlled descent) using the existing conventional engine hardware, thereby achieving the desired performance without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution (lightweight single plane crankshaft) with an electronic control solution (throttle control system with microprocessor). The electronic control system achieves the same functional outcome—rapid engine speed response—without the need for complex mechanical modifications to the crankshaft assembly.
3Speed
If the throttle is opened to achieve rapid engine speed increase, then the engine speed response improves, but the total rise and fall time increases without active braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through its two-stage throttle control sequence. The throttle is first actuated to a first position to rapidly increase engine speed, then subsequently adjusted to a second position to control the peak and facilitate descent. This periodic adjustment of the throttle position enables both rapid speed response and controlled time management of the engine speed profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the throttle control system as an intermediary between the driver's startup request and the engine's speed response. The microprocessor-controlled throttle actuator serves as a mediator that can dynamically adjust airflow to achieve both rapid acceleration and controlled deceleration, thereby reducing total rise and fall time without requiring direct mechanical modifications to the engine's rotating components.
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
The system achieves a rapid increase and decrease in engine speed, significantly reducing the total rise and fall time, thereby enhancing the startup flare control to mimic the sporty engine speed profile of high-performance vehicles, providing a more responsive and desirable sound experience.
Implementation Method 1
The electric motor is engaged to rapidly decrease the engine speed after the engine reaches a desired peak engine speed
Implementation Method 2
a throttle control valve disposed within an engine intake associated with the internal combustion engine. The throttle control valve is arranged such that increasing an open angle of the throttle control valve increases an engine speed of the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 3
a start engine actuator for starting the internal combustion engine
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle system and control method for enhancing startup flare control includes receiving a start signal for starting an internal combustion engine from a start engine actuator and starting the internal combustion engine, increasing a throttle open angle in response to the start signal to increase engine speed upon starting of the internal combustion engine and, after a desired engine speed is reached, engaging an electric motor with the internal combustion engine to add a drag force on the internal combustion engine thereby rapidly reducing engine speed.