PHEV Heating Control Engine On-Off Reference Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are inefficient as they maintain the engine at an idle state for extended periods, leading to slow coolant temperature rise and reduced driving and thermal efficiency when heating is requested with a fully charged high voltage battery.
Innovation Solution
A heating control apparatus and method that uses a vehicle controller to determine the ratio of required heat based on temperature data, generating engine-on and engine-off reference values to optimize engine operation, allowing for rapid coolant temperature increase and improved indoor heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is maintained at an idle state for heating, then indoor heating is provided, but the coolant temperature rises slowly and driving efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic engine control by switching between idle operation and actual driving modes based on real-time temperature conditions and heating requirements. The controller dynamically adjusts engine operation state, transitioning from static idle maintenance to active driving when coolant temperature reaches threshold values, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing heating and maintaining driving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by setting different coolant temperature thresholds for engine shutdown (first threshold) and engine restart (second threshold). This parameter-based control strategy allows the engine to operate at optimal efficiency points rather than remaining in a suboptimal idle state, improving both heating effectiveness and driving efficiency.
2Temperature
If the engine is maintained at an idle state for heating, then indoor heating is provided, but thermal efficiency of the engine deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts engine operation based on coolant temperature feedback, switching between idle and active driving modes. This dynamic control prevents the engine from operating continuously in the inefficient idle state, thereby reducing energy loss and improving thermal efficiency while still providing necessary heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining heating capability through periodic engine operation rather than prolonged idle running. The engine operates in brief active cycles that provide sufficient heat while minimizing energy waste, ensuring continuous heating effectiveness without sustained thermal inefficiency.
3Temperature
If the engine is maintained at an idle state for a long period, then heating is sustained, but the coolant temperature rises very slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements parameter changes by establishing different temperature thresholds for engine control. When the coolant temperature reaches the first threshold during idle operation, the engine is shut down. When it drops to the second threshold, the engine restarts. This threshold-based parameter control accelerates temperature rise by preventing prolonged idle operation, thereby reducing the time to reach target heating temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine operates in periodic cycles rather than continuous idle operation. The controller periodically activates the engine to raise coolant temperature quickly, then shuts it down when the threshold is reached. This periodic action pattern accelerates the overall temperature rise process compared to sustained idle running, reducing the time to achieve target heating 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 approach enables rapid indoor heating by driving the engine based on the required heat ratio, enhancing driving efficiency and fuel consumption while avoiding prolonged engine idling, thus improving thermal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A hybrid vehicle typically utilizes an engine that draws a driving torque by combusting fuel
Implementation Method 2
indoor heating is realized by the high voltage battery while running the engine at an idle state
Data Source
AI summary
A heating control apparatus for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle utilizing an engine and a drive-motor as power sources includes a temperature detecting device for detecting temperature data used to control indoor heating of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, where an indoor temperature of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle may be increased by generating a ratio of required heat based on the temperature data, generating an engine-on reference value and an engine-off reference value based on the ratio of required heat, and driving the engine based on the engine-on reference value and the engine-off reference value.