Vehicle Idle Speed Control for Grouped Electrical Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems change the idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine regardless of occupant operations, leading to discomfort due to unpredictable engine speed changes.
Innovation Solution
A controller divides electric devices into groups based on power usage and associates different correction amounts with each group, increasing engine rotation speed only when a predetermined number of devices in a group are operating, thereby synchronizing engine speed changes with occupant actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is changed regardless of occupant operations, then sufficient electric power can be generated for electric devices, but the occupant may feel uncomfortable due to unpredictable engine speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the on/off status of electric devices and uses this feedback to determine when to adjust engine rotation speed. The system only increases idle rotation speed when the number of operating electric devices exceeds a predetermined threshold, creating a responsive feedback mechanism that ties engine speed changes to actual power demands rather than making arbitrary adjustments
2Power
If the idle rotation speed is frequently adjusted to meet varying electric device power demands, then sufficient power can be supplied, but the system complexity and control frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
Electric devices are segmented into different groups based on their power consumption characteristics. The controller evaluates the total power demand by counting operating devices and comparing against predetermined thresholds, thereby segmenting the control decision-making process into discrete levels rather than requiring continuous complex calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of engine rotation speed only when specific conditions are met (when the number of operating electric devices exceeds a threshold). This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain simplicity by adjusting only one critical parameter (engine speed) based on clear, countable conditions rather than complex multi-parameter control
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 approach prevents uncomfortable engine speed changes by synchronizing them with occupant operations, ensuring sufficient power generation for electric devices and minimizing frequent speed adjustments, thus enhancing user experience and power supply reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a generator (51) configured to generate electric power based on a driving force of the internal combustion engine (10)
Data Source
AI summary
Electric devices of a vehicle are divided into groups according to a magnitude of electric power used by each of the electric devices. The number of the groups is smaller than the number of the electric devices. A controller for the vehicle stores in advance different correction amounts respectively associated with the groups. The controller is configured to, when the number of operating ones of the electric devices belonging to the same group is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified number, perform an increase process of increasing an engine rotation speed of an internal combustion engine by the correction amount associated with the group in which the number of the operating ones of the electric devices is equal to or greater than the specified number.