Motor Generator Locking for Vehicle Start on Inclines

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Solution Overview

Problem

In motor-driven vehicles, when the battery is unable to be charged, regenerative action is limited, making it difficult for the vehicle to start on inclined roads without an additional electrical load.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control apparatus that includes a charge determinator, rollback determinator, accelerator determinator, motor lock device, and torque commander to temporarily stop the vehicle by locking the motor generator when the battery is unable to be charged and the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing the vehicle to start without generating electric power to charge the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If regenerative action is used to charge the battery, then electric power is generated, but the vehicle cannot start when the battery is unable to be charged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power generationVSAvoidvehicle start capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor generator from its dual role of propulsion and regenerative braking, using it solely for propulsion while eliminating regenerative action. This allows the vehicle to start reliably even when the battery cannot be charged, as the motor generator can operate in motor mode without attempting to generate electricity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the motor generator to generate electric power during rollback (regenerative braking), the patent inverts the approach by using it purely as a motor to provide drive torque for vehicle start, thereby avoiding the battery charging limitation entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If an additional electrical load such as a compressor is used to consume power, then the vehicle can start, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle start capabilityVSAvoidelectrical load configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor generator serves multiple functions: it provides drive torque for vehicle start and also controls vehicle stopping through electromagnetic braking. This eliminates the need for additional electrical loads like compressors, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring reliable vehicle start capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor generator uses its own electromagnetic field to provide both propulsion and braking functions. By utilizing the motor generator's inherent capabilities for electromagnetic braking, the system avoids adding external electrical loads, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable vehicle start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the motor generator is locked to stop the vehicle, then the vehicle can be temporarily stopped, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stoppingVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical locking mechanisms with electromagnetic braking control. The motor generator uses electromagnetic forces to provide braking torque, controlling vehicle speed and stopping without mechanical contact. This reduces control complexity compared to mechanical locking systems while achieving effective vehicle stopping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the vehicle to start on inclined roads without an additional electrical load, as the motor generator is locked to stop the vehicle temporarily, eliminating the need for battery charging and thus avoiding the use of additional loads like compressors.

Implementation Method 1

a motor generator (MG) connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle to drive the drive wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the MG performs regenerative action and generates electric power to charge a battery mounted on the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The motor lock device locks the motor generator when all the following three conditions are satisfied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS9211795B2Electronic control apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 DENSO CORP

AI summary

In an electronic control apparatus mountable on a vehicle including a motor generator and a battery rechargeable by regenerative action of the motor generator, a charge determinator determines whether the battery is unable to be charged, a rollback determinator determines whether a rollback of the vehicle occurs, an accelerator determinator determines whether an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed based on an amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, a motor lock device locks the motor generator when the battery is unable to be charged, the rollback of the vehicle occurs, and the accelerator pedal is depressed, and a torque commander, when the lock of the motor generator is completed, commands the motor generator to generate a drive torque according to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal while releasing the lock of the motor generator.