Vehicle Control Apparatus for Battery Durability and Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle technologies that implement idle reduction lead to extended engine stop times, causing battery discharge and potential premature battery degradation, affecting both battery durability and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that sets engine start conditions based on battery state, including voltage and temperature, to optimize engine restart timing, reducing battery discharge and improving fuel consumption by adjusting the timing of engine reconnection with the manual transmission and clutch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine restart timing is set to after clutch release in MT vehicles, then fuel consumption is improved through idle reduction, but battery discharge time is extended causing durability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the engine restart condition adaptive rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts restart timing based on real-time battery state (charge level, temperature, voltage) and vehicle operating conditions (clutch state, gear position, accelerator depression). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize fuel consumption through idle reduction while preventing battery durability degradation by adjusting restart timing according to actual battery capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of engine restart timing based on battery state parameters. When battery charge level is high or temperature is low, the system allows longer idle reduction periods. When battery charge level is low or temperature is high, the system accelerates restart timing. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by adapting restart timing to battery conditions, thereby protecting battery durability while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits.
2Use of energy by moving object
If engine restart is delayed to extend idle reduction period, then fuel consumption improves, but battery voltage decreases leading to potential startup failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery voltage, charge level, and temperature, then using this information to adjust engine restart timing. The control device receives feedback from battery state sensors and modifies restart conditions accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that idle reduction is extended only when battery voltage and charge level are sufficient, preventing startup failures while maximizing fuel savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by assessing battery state before determining restart timing. The control device evaluates battery charge level, voltage, and temperature in advance of the scheduled restart time, and adjusts the restart strategy proactively. This preliminary assessment prevents situations where extended idle reduction would leave insufficient battery power for engine startup, thereby resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and power availability.
3Ease of operation
If engine restart occurs during driver operations (gear change, clutch release), then driver comfort is maintained, but battery discharge time increases causing durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes restart conditions dynamic by combining driver operation detection with battery state assessment. While the system monitors driver operations (clutch release, gear position changes, accelerator depression) to maintain comfort, it dynamically adjusts whether to restart at these occasions based on real-time battery conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to skip restart at certain driver operations when battery state indicates risk of durability degradation, thereby resolving the contradiction between comfort and reliability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If idle reduction period is extended, then fuel consumption improves, but battery charge level decreases risking insufficient power for engine startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes restart timing parameters based on battery charge level. When charge level is high, the system permits extended idle reduction periods. When charge level drops below certain thresholds, the system accelerates restart timing to ensure sufficient charge remains for reliable engine startup. This parameter-based adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting idle reduction duration according to battery charge state, maximizing fuel savings while preventing insufficient power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating battery charge level before confirming extended idle reduction periods. The control device proactively checks whether sufficient charge reserve exists to support the planned idle reduction duration and engine restart. This preliminary verification prevents situations where extended idle reduction would deplete battery charge below levels required for reliable startup, thereby resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and power sufficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a vehicle that suppresses degradation of the durability performance of a battery, while improving the fuel consumption of a vehicle. The control includes an engine, a battery that is chargeable with power of the engine, a configurator that sets a start condition for starting an engine according to a state of the battery; and a starter that starts the engine when the start condition is satisfied.