Vehicle Driving Source Power Variation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicles experience energy inefficiencies due to repeated driving and stopping of motor generators and internal combustion engines, leading to losses during transitions between states, which affects gasoline and electric mileage.
Innovation Solution
A control device that varies driving power by switching between high and low output states of the driving source, such as a rotating electric machine and internal combustion engine, based on speed and power requests, to optimize energy use during steady, acceleration, and deceleration phases, with narrower acceptable ranges during requests to improve drivability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the driving source operates at high output continuously, then driving power is sufficient, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving source alternates between a first operation period (high output to meet driving power requirements) and a second operation period (reduced output or idle to improve energy efficiency). This periodic modulation allows the system to provide sufficient driving power when needed while reducing energy consumption during periods when lower power suffices, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the operating parameters (output level, rotational speed) of the driving source between different operation periods. During the first operation period, parameters are set for high power output; during the second operation period, parameters are adjusted to reduce power consumption, thus optimizing the balance between driving power and energy efficiency.
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 enhances energy efficiency during vehicle operation by reducing power consumption and extending the distance vehicles can travel on stored electric power, while maintaining drivability and improving fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motor generator (130) configured to be capable of operating as a rotating electric machine that functions both as a motor and as a generator
Implementation Method 2
a power storage device (110) configured to store electric power
Implementation Method 3
running control of a vehicle running with inertial force of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a driving source generating driving power for running the vehicle, and a control device for controlling the driving source. The control device performs driving power variation operation on the driving source in which the driving source is switched between a first state where the driving source generates driving power and a second state where the driving source generates driving power of a level lower than the level of the driving power in the first state to run the vehicle. The control device performs the driving power variation operation during steady running when variation in driving power requested by a user falls within a prescribed range, and also performs the driving power variation operation during an acceleration request or during a deceleration request when the variation in the requested driving power increases or decreases beyond the prescribed range.