Hybrid Traction Chain Control for Delayed Engine Start-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hybrid vehicle energy management systems lack consistency and repeatability under similar conditions, leading to uncontrolled motor switching and inefficient energy use.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the traction chain of a hybrid vehicle that blocks the start request for the thermal engine until specific conditions of distance traveled and vehicle speed are met, with parameters like battery charge level and driving mode influencing these conditions, ensuring consistent and repeatable performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a predictive energy management system uses various parameters from driving history to predict future driving cycles and optimally manage engine activation, then energy management optimization is improved, but the system complexity increases and repeatability under similar conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy management optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control method segments the complex energy management decision-making process into distinct phases: an initial phase where thermal engine starting is blocked regardless of other conditions, and a subsequent phase where normal parameter-based control applies. This segmentation simplifies the overall system logic while maintaining optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a preliminary action by blocking thermal engine starts during an initial period after vehicle startup, before other control parameters are evaluated. This preliminary blocking action establishes a consistent baseline behavior that improves repeatability, after which normal predictive control based on driving history parameters resumes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the thermal engine is started and stopped based on multiple parameters to optimize energy management, then energy efficiency is improved, but the repeatability and controllability of engine management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidrepeatability under similar conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic is segmented into a mandatory initial blocking period followed by parameter-based thermal engine control. This segmentation ensures that the first phase behavior is always identical under similar conditions (improving repeatability), while the second phase allows for optimized energy management based on multiple parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A preliminary blocking action is applied to thermal engine starting requests during the initial period after vehicle startup. This preliminary action creates a consistent, repeatable behavior pattern that is independent of other varying parameters, establishing reliability before transitioning to optimized parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle management system allows thermal engine starting based on multiple dynamic parameters, then adaptability to different driving conditions is improved, but consistency and repeatability of vehicle operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to driving conditionsVSAvoidconsistency of vehicle operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle operation is segmented into an initial consistent phase with blocked thermal engine starting, followed by an adaptive phase where thermal engine control responds to multiple parameters. This segmentation ensures consistency during the critical initial startup period while maintaining adaptability for ongoing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a preliminary action of blocking thermal engine starts during the initial period, establishing a consistent operational baseline. This preliminary consistent behavior is maintained regardless of other parameters, ensuring repeatability during vehicle startup while allowing adaptability to emerge in subsequent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3740391B1Management of electrical output after start-up for hybrid vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3740391B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling the traction chain of a hybrid vehicle, comprising a heat engine and an electric machine, said method comprising the action of emitting a request to start the heat engine according to a plurality of parameters. The action of emission of a request to start the heat engine is blocked (20) from the moment of the start-up (18) of the vehicle, said blockage (20) being lifted (24) when a certain distance D is covered and/or a speed V of the vehicle is reached (22), after the moment of said start-up (18). The invention also relates to a hybrid vehicle implementing said method.