Parallel Hybrid Traction Control for Urban Electric Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parallel hybrid driving systems in industrial or commercial vehicles face challenges in reducing fuel consumption, pollutant emissions, and noise in urban areas, particularly due to the complexity and cost of the mechanical scheme, especially with a single clutch unit, and inefficient management of operating logic.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a parallel hybrid driving system that determines the operating mode based on vehicle speed, battery charge status, and fault detection, prioritizing electric mode in urban areas and hybrid mode in extra-urban areas, with automatic switching between hybrid and electric modes, and includes features like regenerative braking and torque boosting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the vehicle uses hybrid mode with both internal combustion engine and electric motor-generator, then power output is improved, but fuel consumption and emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between hybrid mode and electric-only mode based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed, battery charge status, and fault detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power output while minimizing fuel consumption by using electric propulsion whenever conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by transitioning between different driving modes (hybrid vs. electric-only) based on detected conditions. When vehicle speed is below a first threshold, battery charge status is above a minimum percentage, and no faults are detected, the system switches to electric-only mode, effectively changing the power source parameter to reduce fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the vehicle uses hybrid mode with both internal combustion engine and electric motor-generator, then power output is improved, but pollutant emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidpollutant emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts operational mode based on real-time conditions, switching to electric-only mode when vehicle speed is below a first threshold, battery charge status is above a minimum percentage, and no faults are detected. This dynamic switching reduces pollutant emissions by minimizing internal combustion engine operation while maintaining adequate power output through electric propulsion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power source parameter from combined hybrid to electric-only based on detected conditions including vehicle speed, battery charge status, and fault detection. This parameter change effectively reduces pollutant emissions by eliminating internal combustion engine emissions during periods when electric propulsion can meet power demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the vehicle uses hybrid mode with both internal combustion engine and electric motor-generator, then power output is improved, but noise emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between hybrid mode and electric-only mode based on real-time conditions. When vehicle speed is below a first threshold, battery charge status is above a minimum percentage, and no faults are detected, the system transitions to electric-only mode, eliminating internal combustion engine noise while maintaining power output through electric propulsion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter from hybrid to electric-only mode based on detected conditions including vehicle speed, battery charge status, and fault detection. This parameter change reduces noise emissions by eliminating internal combustion engine operation during periods when electric propulsion can adequately power the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a single clutch unit is used in the parallel hybrid system, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of mode switching deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical scheme complexityVSAvoidmode switching reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms including fault verification in the electric motor-generator, vehicle speed monitoring, and battery charge status detection. This feedback enables the system to reliably determine when to switch between hybrid and electric modes, compensating for the reduced mechanical redundancy of a single clutch unit through intelligent control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical redundancy (multiple clutch units) with electronic control and sensor-based decision making. The control unit uses feedback from various sensors to manage mode transitions, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence to maintain reliability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Use of energy by moving object

If electric mode is prioritized in urban areas, then fuel consumption is reduced, but availability of hybrid mode deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidoperating mode availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adapts its operation based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed, battery charge status, and fault detection. In urban areas where vehicle speed is typically below the first threshold, the system prioritizes electric mode to reduce fuel consumption. However, it maintains adaptability by automatically switching to hybrid mode when conditions change (speed increases, battery charge drops below minimum percentage, or faults are detected), ensuring both fuel efficiency and operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method reduces fuel consumption and emissions by optimizing the use of electric and internal combustion engines, simplifies the mechanical system, and lowers manufacturing costs by prioritizing electric mode in urban areas and hybrid mode elsewhere, while ensuring reliable operation and efficient energy use.

Implementation Method 1

The regenerative braking function is also known in the art: the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted, during the braking phases, into electric energy by the electric motor-generator and is stored in the high voltage electric traction battery by means of the inverter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRegenerative braking:

Implementation Method 2

an electric motor-generator, equipped with a DC/AC inverter and with a high-tension electric driving battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2397355B1Control method for a parallel hybrid traction system for a vehicle with an automatic transmission
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 ALTRA SPA
  • EP2397355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2397355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2397355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for controlling a parallel hybrid driving system for a vehicle equipped with automatic gear box, internal combustion engine, electric motor-generator and traction batteries. The method controls the functioning of the driving system according to a hybrid mode and an electric mode and - it determines at the starting of the internal combustion engine the functioning in hybrid mode; - it determines the shifting to the electric mode, automatically driven, wherein the internal combustion engine is stopped, if: the vehicle's speed is lower than a threshold; if the status of charge (SOC) of the traction batteries is higher than a minimum percentage value (SOCmin) ; if no faults are detected (Faults=0).