Plug-in Hybrid Engine Start Control for Oil Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles face issues with oil contamination and degradation due to extended periods of engine inactivity, leading to increased friction, engine wear, and fuel contamination, which are exacerbated by frequent cold starts.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where the engine is started when the energy stored in the energy storage device exceeds a threshold and the contaminant amount in the engine oil is above a certain level, even if the fuel is recently refilled, to harmonize fuel and oil degradation, and the vehicle control system adjusts the oil degradation count based on engine temperature and operation time to determine the need for an oil clean-out procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine is started frequently to address fuel degradation and water condensation, then fuel degradation issues are reduced, but oil contamination and engine wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors oil contaminant levels and uses this feedback to determine when engine operation is necessary. The controller adjusts engine start decisions based on real-time contaminant measurements, enabling targeted engine operation only when contaminant levels exceed thresholds, thus avoiding unnecessary starts that would worsen oil contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by monitoring contaminant concentration levels in the oil and using these parameter changes to trigger engine operation. When contaminant levels reach critical thresholds, the engine is started to circulate oil and burn off contaminants, thereby dynamically adjusting operation based on actual oil condition rather than fixed schedules.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is kept inactive for extended periods to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but oil degradation and friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from contaminant level monitoring to determine when engine operation is necessary. By continuously measuring oil condition and comparing against thresholds, the system can keep the engine inactive during normal operation to conserve energy, but automatically activates it when contaminant levels indicate degradation, thus balancing energy savings with engine reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the engine to self-regulate its operation based on internal oil condition monitoring. The engine serves itself by detecting its own degradation state through contaminant sensors and autonomously initiating operation when needed, eliminating the need for external control or scheduled maintenance while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If cold engine starts are performed to address fuel issues, then fuel degradation is prevented, but oil contamination accumulation is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from oil contaminant sensors to determine whether engine starts are necessary. By monitoring actual oil condition rather than assuming all starts are beneficial, the system can avoid cold starts when oil contamination is already high, thereby preventing further degradation while still addressing fuel issues when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting engine start decisions based on measured contaminant levels. When contaminant levels are low, cold starts may be performed to address fuel issues; when levels are high, starts are avoided or delayed, dynamically adapting operation to current oil condition parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, comprising propelling a vehicle with an engine and a motor starting the engine if energy stored in an energy storage device is greater than an upper threshold level when a contaminant amount in the engine oil is greater than a threshold amount. In this way, it is possible to harmonize fuel degradation along with oil degradation, while still providing efficient vehicle and engine operation.