PHEV Fuel Deterioration Control via Regeneration Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel stored in the tank deteriorates over time due to oxidation when not consumed promptly, leading to reduced engine performance, and existing control systems forcibly drive the engine to consume fuel, which may not align with the driver's intentions.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that includes a fuel deterioration determiner and a regeneration amount limiter, which reduces the regeneration of electric power by the electric motor when fuel deterioration is detected, thereby preventing excessive deterioration without forcibly driving the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the engine is forcibly driven to consume fuel, then fuel consumption is promoted, but the driver's intention is ignored and the control becomes unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary determination of fuel deterioration status before executing fuel consumption promotion. By detecting fuel deterioration in advance and then naturally reducing regeneration amount only when needed, the system promotes fuel consumption without forcing engine operation, thereby aligning with driver expectations while solving the fuel consumption problem.
2Quantity of substance
If the regeneration amount is reduced to promote fuel consumption, then fuel is consumed before deterioration, but the battery charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically changes the regeneration amount parameter based on fuel deterioration status. When fuel deterioration is detected, the regeneration amount is reduced to promote fuel consumption; when no deterioration is detected, normal regeneration occurs to maintain battery charging efficiency. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between fuel consumption promotion and energy efficiency.
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 solution promotes fuel consumption before deterioration occurs, ensuring engine performance and aligning with the driver's expectations by reducing regeneration and prompting fuel use without forcing engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
an amount of regeneration of electric power generated by the electric motor upon deceleration of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is provided with a fuel tank, an engine, a battery, and an electric motor. The battery is chargeable by an external power source. The control apparatus includes a fuel deterioration determiner and a regeneration amount limiter. The fuel deterioration determiner determines whether a fuel stored in the fuel tank is deteriorated. The regeneration amount limiter reduces, when the fuel is determined by the fuel deterioration determiner as being deteriorated, a regeneration amount to be less than the regeneration amount of a case where the fuel is determined by the fuel deterioration determiner as not being deteriorated. The regeneration amount is an amount of regeneration of electric power generated by the electric motor upon deceleration of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.