Vehicular Powertrain Map Preview Control for HCCI Range Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle powertrain systems face challenges in efficiently managing engine operating modes to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, particularly in predicting and adapting to varying road conditions and engine loads, which limits the range and flexibility of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and other advanced combustion modes.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes map preview information to predict engine speed and load demands along a projected vehicle path, allowing for the selection and execution of optimal engine operating modes, such as HCCI or stratified-charge SIDI, to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by anticipating and adjusting to road conditions in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional reactive engine control strategies are used, then the system responds to current conditions, but it cannot anticipate future road conditions limiting fuel efficiency optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by using map preview information to predict upcoming road conditions and proactively adjusts engine operating modes before the vehicle actually encounters those conditions. This allows the engine to be pre-positioned in optimal operating states (such as HCCI mode for fuel efficiency) rather than reacting after conditions change, thereby improving fuel efficiency without time loss.
2Use of energy by moving object
If advanced combustion modes like HCCI are used, then fuel efficiency improves, but the operational range and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operating modes based on predicted road conditions from map preview information. By anticipating upcoming conditions (such as hills, traffic, or road grade changes), the control system can flexibly transition between different combustion modes (HCCI, SIDI, etc.) to maintain optimal fuel efficiency across a broader operational range, rather than being constrained to fixed operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (engine speed, load, combustion mode) based on predicted future conditions. By using map preview data to forecast road conditions, the control system can proactively adjust engine parameters to maintain optimal combustion modes across varying operational scenarios, thereby expanding the effective operational range while preserving fuel efficiency benefits.
3Productivity
If engine control strategies are optimized for current conditions, then performance is maximized now, but future emission control opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by predicting future road conditions using map preview information and proactively planning engine operating strategies to minimize emissions before the vehicle encounters those conditions. This allows the system to anticipate opportunities for emission reduction (such as upcoming downhill sections where regenerative braking could be optimized) and prepare the engine in advance, rather than merely maximizing current performance and missing future emission control opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a vehicular powertrain including an internal combustion engine includes monitoring map preview information, determining a projected vehicle path based upon the map preview information, determining likely engine operation demands along the projected vehicle path, wherein the likely engine operation demands include likely required engine speeds and likely required engine loads, determining selectable engine operating modes at each likely engine operating demand, and executing engine operation based upon the selectable engine operating modes.