Throttle Valve Control for Regenerative Braking Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies in regenerative braking due to energy wastage through engine braking when the accelerator pedal is not engaged, as the throttle is typically closed, leading to loss of kinetic energy.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a regenerative braking module and a throttle-by-wire control module, which opens and holds the throttle valve open during regenerative braking, even when the accelerator pedal is not engaged, allowing the electric motor to recharge the battery array and assisting with friction braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the throttle valve is closed during regenerative braking to maintain proper intake charge mass, then engine control stability is improved, but throttling losses increase and kinetic energy recovery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle valve position is dynamically adjusted based on the operating mode: closed during normal engine operation to maintain proper intake charge mass, and opened during regenerative braking to reduce throttling losses and enable kinetic energy recovery. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the throttle valve position parameter from closed to open state during regenerative braking. This parameter change eliminates the throttling restriction, allowing free airflow while the electric motor operates as a generator to recover kinetic energy, thereby simultaneously reducing energy loss and improving recovery efficiency.
2Productivity
If the throttle valve is opened during regenerative braking to reduce throttling losses, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but engine intake charge control may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches throttle valve control strategies based on operational mode. During regenerative braking, the throttle is opened to improve energy recovery, while during normal operation, it maintains closed position for proper charge control. This dynamic control ensures both energy efficiency and engine reliability are optimized for their respective operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages the throttle valve position based on detected operating conditions without requiring manual intervention. When regenerative braking is detected, the system self-adjusts the throttle to the open position, and when normal operation is detected, it returns to closed position, ensuring both energy recovery and engine control stability are maintained appropriately.
3Loss of energy
If regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery array, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system requires coordinated control of multiple components increasing control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor serves multiple functions: propulsion during acceleration and energy generation during braking. The throttle valve also serves dual purposes: controlling intake charge during normal operation and enabling free airflow during regenerative braking. This multi-functionality approach improves energy efficiency while managing control complexity through unified component utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system merges the management of the electric motor, throttle valve, and battery array into a coordinated regenerative braking control strategy. By combining these control functions into an integrated system that activates during specific conditions (accelerator pedal not engaged, transmission in gear), the patent achieves energy efficiency improvements while keeping the control logic manageable through condition-based activation.
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 enhances hybrid vehicle efficiency by minimizing throttling losses and effectively utilizing kinetic energy for battery recharging, reducing energy wastage and improving engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
Regenerative braking occurs when the electric motor acts as a generator that recharges the battery array by recapturing kinetic energy when the vehicle is slowing or stopping
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a regenerative braking module that controls regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle. Regenerative braking is controlled when an accelerator device is not engaged. A throttle-by-wire control module controls a throttle valve. The throttle-by-wire control module opens the throttle valve and/or holds the throttle valve open in response to regenerative braking module signals when a transmission of the hybrid vehicle is in gear.