Travel Control Device for Hybrid Vehicles in Restricted Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing travel control systems for hybrid cars, particularly when traveling on curved roads, prohibit acceleration, leading to poor fuel economy due to restricted traveling conditions, which is not limited to burn and coast control and can occur in various restricted situations.
Innovation Solution
A travel control device that includes a first planning unit to select power generation travel or EV travel modes based on speed limits and battery capacity, with a second planning unit adjusting parameters like vehicle speed and battery state of charge in a preparation section before entering a restricted area, allowing the control unit to manage the transition to these modes to improve fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If acceleration is prohibited in restricted sections (curved roads), then safety and comfort are improved, but fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions in the preparation section before entering the restricted section. The second planning unit adjusts vehicle speed and battery state of charge in advance, allowing the vehicle to enter the restricted section in an optimal state that maintains both safety constraints and fuel efficiency. This prevents the need for suboptimal acceleration/deceleration maneuvers within the restricted section itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts traveling modes based on real-time conditions and upcoming restricted sections. The control unit switches between power generation travel, EV travel, and other modes optimally, and the second planning unit dynamically adjusts speed and battery state of charge. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain fuel efficiency while respecting the constraints of restricted sections.
2Use of energy by moving object
If burn and coast control is used to improve fuel economy, then energy efficiency is improved, but acceleration capability is lost in restricted sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by adjusting speed and battery state of charge in the preparation section before entering restricted sections. This allows the vehicle to enter the restricted section with optimal parameters that maintain both fuel efficiency and the ability to accelerate when needed, rather than being constrained by burn-and-coast control limitations within the restricted section itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (speed, battery state of charge, traveling mode) in the preparation section to optimize performance for the upcoming restricted section. By adjusting these parameters in advance, the system can maintain fuel efficiency while preserving acceleration capability when required, avoiding the trade-off inherent in burn-and-coast control during restricted section travel.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle enters restricted section with optimal battery charge, then EV travel capability is improved, but preparation time and distance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by adjusting battery state of charge in the preparation section before entering the restricted section. This allows the vehicle to enter with optimal battery charge for EV travel or power generation travel, improving energy efficiency in the restricted section. The preparation time required is a necessary trade-off to achieve the energy efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first planning unit about upcoming restricted sections to trigger appropriate preparation actions in the second planning unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize battery charge timing and traveling mode selection based on actual route conditions, minimizing unnecessary preparation time while ensuring optimal energy efficiency when entering restricted sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A travel control device includes: a first planning unit that, in response to the automobile being predicted to enter a restricted section in which a traveling condition is restricted, plans a traveling mode satisfying the restricted traveling condition as a first traveling mode in the restricted section; a second planning unit that plans a second traveling mode in a preparation section so as to perform the first traveling mode planned by the first planning unit, the preparation section being defined as a section extending to the restricted section before the automobile enters the restricted section, the second traveling mode adjusting a value of at least one parameter related to the first traveling mode to a preparation value appropriate for the first traveling mode; a control unit that controls travel of the automobile in the preparation section so as to perform the second traveling mode planned by the second planning unit.