Starter-Generator Crankshaft Drive for Hybrid Vehicle Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines and electric motors face challenges such as increased bulkiness, high costs, and inability of electric motors to crank the engine, while hybrid vehicles struggle with reduced fuel efficiency and higher purchase prices due to complex drivetrain configurations and costly battery technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a starter-generator connected to the internal combustion engine via a belt drive, allowing the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft at idle speed without combustion, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and enabling seamless transitions between electrical and conventional drive modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate connections are made between electric motor and one drive axle, and internal combustion engine to another drive axle, then electric boosting capability is achieved, but vehicle cost increases and bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starter-generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can crank the internal combustion engine, provide electric boosting by driving the crankshaft without combustion, and enable start-stop operation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electric motor connections to drive axles, reducing vehicle bulkiness and complexity while maintaining electric boosting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the starter and generator functions into a single integrated starter-generator unit that is rotationally coupled to the crankshaft output. This merging of functions and components simplifies the drivetrain configuration compared to having separate electric motor connections, thereby reducing device complexity and vehicle bulkiness
2Use of energy by moving object
If starter-generator is used to drive crankshaft at idle speed without combustion, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but engine cranking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between different operating modes of the starter-generator based on vehicle conditions. When the vehicle is stationary or in stop-go traffic, the starter-generator operates in electric motor mode to drive the crankshaft without combustion, reducing fuel consumption. When engine cranking is needed, the system switches to cranking mode, ensuring reliability is maintained through adaptive control
3Use of energy by moving object
If hybrid vehicle system is implemented with substantial electric motor integration, then fuel consumption is reduced, but purchase price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starter-generator is designed to charge the battery during vehicle operation by functioning as a generator when the internal combustion engine is running. This self-charging capability eliminates or reduces the need for external charging infrastructure and large, expensive battery packs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reduced fuel consumption benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The starter-generator serves multiple functions including engine cranking, electric boosting, and battery charging, replacing the need for separate expensive hybrid components. This multi-functional approach enables hybrid-like fuel efficiency without the substantial cost increase associated with dedicated hybrid systems
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 reduces fuel consumption and emissions, simplifies integration into existing engines, and allows for cost-effective manufacturing by enabling the vehicle to operate efficiently in both conventional and electrical modes, particularly in stop-go traffic and parking situations.
Implementation Method 1
activating a starter-generator rotationally coupled to a crankshaft output in an internal combustion engine while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, operating the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft in a predetermined speed range
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a vehicle system is provided. The method includes activating a starter-generator rotationally coupled to a crankshaft output in an internal combustion engine while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, operating the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft in a predetermined speed range while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, and activating combustion operation in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine in response to a combustion activation trigger.