Vehicular Electric System Power Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining power generation costs in hybrid vehicles are either outdated due to infrequent updates or fail to accurately reflect current energy usage, leading to inefficient fuel economy and power management.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a vehicular electric system that calculates and adjusts power distribution among multiple power sources based on accurate, real-time power generation costs, prioritizing sources with lower costs to reduce overall power generation costs and improve fuel economy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If power generation cost computation is performed in a long cycle, then memory size requirement is reduced, but cost information is not properly updated in a timely manner and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores power generation costs for multiple power sources (engine, regenerative braking, external charging) under various operating conditions. This preliminary computation allows the control device to quickly retrieve and compare cost information without performing lengthy calculations in real-time, thus updating cost information timely while avoiding large memory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the computation cycle and memory usage based on operating conditions. By adapting the calculation frequency and data retention period to current vehicle state, the system optimizes the balance between memory consumption and cost information freshness, ensuring timely updates without requiring excessive memory capacity.
2Loss of time
If power generation cost computation is performed in a short cycle, then cost information is updated timely, but memory size requirement increases and current cost information overly affects computation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of computing power generation costs for all possible scenarios continuously, the system performs partial computations only for relevant power sources and operating conditions based on current vehicle state. This selective computation approach provides timely cost information without requiring excessive memory to store all possible cost data.
3Reliability
If power is supplied from high-cost power sources, then power supply reliability is maintained, but overall power generation cost increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the operational parameters of different power sources based on real-time cost comparisons. By adjusting which power sources are active and at what power levels, the system selects the most economical power generation mix that still meets the vehicle's power demands, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining reliable power supply.
4Power
If engine power is increased for power generation, then battery charging capability is improved, but fuel consumption increases and power generation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine power output for generation based on real-time cost analysis and battery state of charge. By optimizing the engine operating point and adjusting generation power according to current conditions, the system achieves effective battery charging while minimizing fuel consumption and power generation costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a vehicular electric system having multiple power sources including an engine-driven generator. The power sources for supplying power to charge an onboard battery are determined based on difference between the power generation cost of each power source and that for generating an amount of power charged in the battery. Furthermore, amounts power to be supplied to the battery 103 for charge is determined based on the amount of power currently charged in the battery.