Electric Motor Controller for Faster Lubricant Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for hybrid vehicles take longer to reach the desired temperature of the lubricant in the transmission, leading to increased temperature rise time.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle configuration that includes a gear mechanism connected to a driving wheel, a traveling electric motor for heat exchange, and a controller that changes the operating point to a stronger field side when the lubricant temperature is below a predetermined level, allowing for faster temperature increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the electric motor operates at the maximum efficiency point, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the temperature rise of the lubricant is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The operating point of the electric motor is dynamically adjusted based on the lubricant temperature. When the lubricant temperature is below the threshold, the operating point is shifted to the stronger field side to increase heat generation. When the temperature reaches the threshold, the operating point returns to the maximum efficiency point. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the electric motor by shifting the operating point to the stronger field side when lubricant temperature is low. This parameter change increases the current and heat generation, thereby accelerating the temperature rise of the lubricant while maintaining acceptable energy efficiency during the warming-up phase.
2Temperature
If the electric motor operates at the stronger field side, then the lubricant temperature rises faster, but the energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of lubricant temperature and adjusts the operating point accordingly. During the warming-up phase, the motor operates at the stronger field side to increase temperature. Once the temperature threshold is reached, the system transitions back to maximum efficiency operation. This periodic adjustment between different operating modes resolves the contradiction between temperature rise speed and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary warming-up action by operating at the stronger field side when the lubricant temperature is low, before transitioning to normal efficient operation. This preliminary action ensures the lubricant reaches the required temperature for proper operation, after which the system can operate at maximum efficiency without compromising lubricant temperature requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electric motor operates at the maximum efficiency point during cold periods, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the time to reach desired temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating point is dynamically switched based on temperature conditions. During cold periods when lubricant temperature is below the threshold, the system operates at the stronger field side to reduce warming-up time. Once the temperature threshold is reached, the system transitions to the maximum efficiency point to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and warming-up time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the electric motor based on lubricant temperature. When the temperature is low, parameters are adjusted to the stronger field side to accelerate warming. When the temperature reaches the desired level, parameters are adjusted back to the maximum efficiency point. This parameter change strategy minimizes both energy consumption and warming-up time by adapting to temperature conditions.
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 configuration enables the lubricant temperature to rise faster during cold periods, reducing the time required to reach the desired temperature and improving efficiency by increasing heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
a traveling electric motor configured to exchange heat with a heat exchange medium shared by the gear mechanism and output motive power to the driving wheel via the gear mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to change an operating point of the traveling electric motor to a stronger field side rather than a maximum efficiency point
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a gear mechanism connected to a driving wheel; a traveling electric motor configured to exchange heat with a heat exchange medium shared by the gear mechanism and output motive power to the driving wheel via the gear mechanism; and a controller configured to change an operating point of the traveling electric motor to a stronger field side rather than a maximum efficiency point in a case that a temperature of the heat exchange medium is less than a predetermined temperature.