Vehicle Shutter Control for Battery Charging and Engine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the engine is started unnecessarily to cool the coolant, leading to fuel consumption when the battery state of charge (SOC) is raised, and heat from the engine is released, which can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a shutter and an electronic control unit to control air flow, allowing the shutter to be closed during SOC recovery to reduce coolant temperature and prevent engine start due to cooling, and optionally using a battery heater to maintain battery temperature during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the engine is operated to charge the battery, then the battery SOC is raised, but the coolant temperature rises and requires cooling that consumes fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is closed before the battery charging process begins, preemptively preventing coolant temperature rise. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent engine operation solely for cooling purposes, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining battery charge levels
2Temperature
If the shutter remains open to cool the coolant, then the coolant temperature is reduced, but the engine must be restarted consuming additional fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is closed in advance during battery charging, preventing coolant temperature rise before it occurs. This eliminates the need for engine restarts for cooling purposes, thereby preventing additional fuel consumption while maintaining adequate coolant temperature
3Use of energy by moving object
If the shutter is closed during battery charging, then fuel consumption is reduced by preventing engine start, but the coolant temperature may rise excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is closed at the appropriate timing during battery charging to prevent coolant temperature rise before it becomes problematic. This timing-based preliminary action reduces fuel consumption by preventing engine starts while maintaining coolant temperature within acceptable ranges
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
Reduces fuel consumption by preventing unnecessary engine starts and heat release, while maintaining battery temperature for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
the shutter is configured to switch between a closed state where the path of air is closed and an open state where the path of air is open
Implementation Method 2
the generator is configured to generate electric power by receiving an output of the engine
Implementation Method 3
the electric power storage device is configured to perform charging and discharging and generate power for the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an engine, a generator, an electric power storage device, a switch, a shutter, and a electronic control unit. The switch is configured to be operated by a user. The shutter is arranged in a path of air of intake air to the engine compartment from an outside of the vehicle. The electronic control unit configured to charge the electric power storage device by using the electric power generated by the generator when the switch is operated, and close the shutter when the electric power storage device is charged based on the operation of the switch.