Vehicle Controller Engine Failure Diagnosis in Charge Depleting Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

In plug-in hybrid vehicles, the failure diagnosis of internal combustion engines is often incomplete due to prolonged charge depleting mode operations, especially in scenarios where the engine is not frequently used, such as during night charging and short-distance drives, leading to potential undetected abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

A controller that continues to run the internal combustion engine during charge depleting mode operations if a predetermined condition is initially satisfied, allowing for the completion of failure diagnoses even after the condition becomes unsatisfied, ensuring thorough engine-related failure diagnoses are performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller operates in charge depleting mode with the electric motor as the main driving source, then the battery state of charge is sustained, but the internal combustion engine is not frequently used leading to incomplete failure diagnosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure diagnosis completionVSAvoidcharge depleting mode operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs failure diagnosis operations before the charge depleting mode operation concludes, ensuring that engine diagnostics are completed in advance while the engine is still running. This preliminary action guarantees that failure diagnosis is accomplished before the operational mode changes that would stop engine operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller extends engine operation beyond the normal termination point of charge depleting mode specifically to maintain continuous engine running for the duration needed to complete failure diagnosis. This continuous operation ensures that the diagnostic process is not interrupted by mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If the controller stops the internal combustion engine when the predetermined condition becomes unsatisfied, then the charge depleting mode operation is optimized, but the failure diagnosis may be interrupted and remain incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure diagnosis completionVSAvoidengine operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller determines whether failure diagnosis can be completed before stopping the engine, and if not, it extends engine operation beyond the normal stop condition. This preliminary assessment ensures that diagnostic completeness is prioritized before transitioning out of engine operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller maintains engine operation continuously through the failure diagnosis process, preventing interruption even when normal stop conditions are met. This continuity ensures that the diagnostic data collection remains uninterrupted and complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the controller extends engine operation to complete failure diagnosis, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but the charge depleting mode efficiency and battery sustainability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure diagnosis completionVSAvoidbattery energy conservation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller prioritizes completing failure diagnosis before allowing the engine to stop, even if this extends operation into the charge depleting mode period. This preliminary completion approach ensures that safety-critical diagnostics are finished before energy conservation becomes the primary concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller autonomously manages the conflict between diagnostic needs and energy conservation by automatically extending engine operation when diagnosis is incomplete, without requiring external intervention. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction based on diagnostic completion status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10363926B2Controller for vehicle and method for controlling vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A controller for a vehicle includes failure diagnosis circuitry and drive control circuitry. The failure diagnosis circuitry is configured to perform a failure diagnosis of an internal combustion engine system while an internal combustion engine is in operation. The drive control circuitry is configured to operate the internal combustion engine in a charge depleting mode operation in which an electric motor mainly moves the vehicle while the internal combustion engine is not run only for charging a battery. The drive control circuitry is configured to run the internal combustion engine if a predetermined condition is satisfied in the charge depleting mode operation. The drive control circuitry is configured to continue running the internal combustion engine in order to perform the failure diagnosis even if the predetermined condition is unsatisfied while the internal combustion engine is run in the charge depleting mode operation.