Inhibiting Engine Start Near Frequent Destinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack an efficient mechanism to automatically switch to silent drive mode when approaching frequently visited destinations, leading to unnecessary engine operation and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that inhibit engine startup when the vehicle is within a predefined radius of a frequently visited destination, using a battery controller to determine if available battery energy exceeds twice the energy used during a prior trip, thereby enabling silent electric drive mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is allowed to start when approaching frequent destinations, then the vehicle has sufficient power and reliability, but emissions increase and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the operational parameters of the powertrain system by switching between engine-on and engine-off modes based on geographic location (within radius of frequent destination) and battery energy state. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for emissions reduction when conditions are favorable while maintaining reliability when conditions require engine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own battery energy reserves to propel the vehicle during approach to frequent destinations, making the vehicle self-sufficient for this specific operational scenario without requiring external infrastructure or additional components beyond the existing battery and motor system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is inhibited from starting when approaching frequent destinations, then emissions are reduced and energy efficiency improves, but the vehicle may lack sufficient power for unexpected needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation based on real-time conditions including vehicle location relative to frequent destinations, battery energy state, and ignition cycling status. The controller can transition between engine-inhibited and engine-permitted states, providing dynamic adaptability to changing operational requirements while maintaining energy efficiency during predictable approach scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors battery energy state and vehicle location, using this feedback to determine whether to inhibit or permit engine starting. The system also monitors ignition cycling to detect attempts to start the engine and applies appropriate control actions, creating a closed-loop feedback system that balances energy efficiency with operational flexibility.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the controller inhibits engine requests continuously, then emissions are minimized, but the system complexity increases and may interfere with driver intent
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments engine inhibition into specific operational contexts (within radius of frequent destination, battery energy above threshold, ignition off state) rather than applying a continuous blanket inhibition. This segmentation allows the system to reduce emissions in appropriate scenarios while avoiding unnecessary complexity and potential interference with driver intent in other scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously permitting engine operation and adding complexity to detect when to inhibit it, the system inverts the approach by defaulting to inhibition in specific well-defined geographic and energy-state contexts, only permitting engine operation when explicit conditions are met. This inversion simplifies the control logic by using clear boundary conditions rather than continuous monitoring and decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle includes a traction battery, an engine, and a controller configured to inhibit requests to start the engine in response to both the vehicle being within a first radius about a previously-identified frequent destination and an available battery energy being greater than twice a total battery energy expended during a prior trip to the destination from a second radius about the destination, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.