Vehicle Power Control for Fuel-Charge Range Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems do not adequately notify occupants of the travel distance considering the remaining fuel and charge levels of power generation and storage devices, leading to incomplete utilization of available energy resources.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a power generation device, a power storage device, and a power control device, which uses sensors to derive the remaining fuel and charge levels, calculates travel distances, and outputs this information to the occupant, continuing power generation efficiently until fuel or charge is depleted, switching to alternative energy sources as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vehicle system only notifies occupants of travel distance based on fuel remaining in the power generation device, then the notification system is simple, but the energy utilization is incomplete as charge remaining in the power storage device is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the notification functions for fuel-based travel distance and charge-based travel distance into a single integrated notification system. The power control device combines information from both the power generation device (fuel level) and power storage device (charge level) to provide comprehensive travel distance notifications, ensuring complete energy utilization information is delivered to occupants without requiring separate notification systems.
2Loss of energy
If the power generation device stops generating power when fuel remaining is small, then fuel conservation is improved, but the vehicle cannot utilize remaining fuel efficiently to extend operational range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power generation control where the power generation device continues to operate even when fuel remaining falls below a predetermined threshold, but only when the power storage device has sufficient charge capacity to absorb the generated power. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to extend operational range by utilizing remaining fuel while preventing energy loss through intelligent conditional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the power generation device based on the state of the power storage device. When charge remaining is above a threshold, the power generation device continues operating at normal parameters to utilize remaining fuel. When charge remaining is below the threshold, the system changes parameters to stop or reduce power generation, preventing energy loss while maximizing operational range.
3Quantity of substance
If the power storage device continuously stores power from the power generation device, then energy availability is improved, but energy efficiency decreases due to unnecessary charging when charge remaining is already high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the power control device continuously monitors charge remaining in the power storage device and adjusts power storage operations accordingly. When charge remaining exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system provides feedback to stop or reduce power storage operations, preventing unnecessary charging. When charge remaining is below the threshold, feedback triggers continued power storage to maintain energy availability, thus optimizing energy efficiency while ensuring sufficient energy supply.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system which includes: an electric power control unit causes a power generation device to continue to generate electric power when the derived remaining amount of a fuel is smaller than a first threshold value or when a traveling distance calculated on the basis of the remaining amount of a fuel is smaller than a second threshold value and the output control unit calculates a second traveling distance that a vehicle is able to travel on the basis of the derived amount of charge or charge rate and causes an output unit to output information associated with the second traveling distance.