JP2008062911A - Energy management system for hybrid electric automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To optimize electric power management for hybrid electric automobiles. <P>SOLUTION: This system optimizes electric power management for hybrid automobiles. The system comprises an HVAC device and a heat storage device. These both devices performs the cooling and heating of the occupant compartment of an automobile. The system further comprises a controller connected to an electricity storage device and a power generating device. The controller receives the power generated by the generating device, and supplies the power to meet the requirement of the power for the automobile and/or stores the power in at least one of the electricity storage device and the heat storage device. The controller also makes at least one of the HVAC device and the heat storage device perform the cooling and heating of the occupant compartment of the automobile according to the usable stored amount of the heat storage unit and the required amount for the occupant compartment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to automotive energy management systems, and more particularly to hybrid electric vehicle energy management systems.

  Hybrid electric vehicles use an electric motor with a conventional internal combustion engine to generate torque for driving the wheels. When the driver of a hybrid electric vehicle applies a brake, the hybrid vehicle reverses the function of the electric motor, thus turning the electric motor into a generator. As the hybrid electric vehicle approaches a stopped state, the wheels of the hybrid electric vehicle generate a pulse of power with an electric motor that operates as a generator. This power pulse is stored in an energy storage device, such as a capacitor or battery, which drives the vehicle and / or powers the vehicle's accessories, such as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. used. However, due to the nature of the pulses, some of the power is lost due to parasitic losses when storing power.

  The power generation source in a hybrid electric vehicle is not limited to an electric motor that operates as a generator. For example, alternators and heat capture devices such as thermoelectric devices installed in the exhaust system of a hybrid vehicle can also be used to generate power. This power can be stored in an energy storage device. As with the power generated by the electric motor, some of the power thus generated is lost due to parasitic losses.

  When the hybrid electric vehicle is stopped, the hybrid electric vehicle generally stops the internal combustion engine. However, when the hybrid electric vehicle's HVAC system is operating, the hybrid electric vehicle must extract energy from the energy storage device and / or continue to operate the internal combustion engine and maintain the operation of the HVAC system. These needs reduce fuel consumption.

  Thus, providing a more efficient system for cooling and heating the passenger compartment of a hybrid electric vehicle (cabin) while maximizing the accumulation of power pulses generated during braking and other power generated by the hybrid electric vehicle It is hoped that. In order to overcome the shortcomings and problems of the known techniques, systems and methods for managing the power generated by an automobile are disclosed.

  In overcoming the shortcomings and limitations of known techniques, a method of a system for managing the power generated by an automobile is disclosed. The system includes an HVAC device and a heat storage device, both of which are adapted to heat and cool an automobile passenger compartment. The system further comprises a controller connected to the electrical storage device and the power generation device, which can be a number of devices, such as an alternator, a regenerative brake generator and a waste heat recovery generator. The controller receives the power generated by the power generation device and stores the device in at least one of the electrical storage device and the heat storage device. In addition, the controller causes at least one of the HVAC device and the heat storage device to heat and cool the passenger compartment of the automobile.

  With respect to a method, the method stores power in at least one of receiving a power, monitoring an available storage amount of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device, and at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. And a step of performing. The method further includes storing power in the electrical storage device when the thermal storage device is at maximum capacity and storing power in the thermal storage device when the thermal storage device is below the maximum capacity. Can do.

  The method may further include a step for heating and cooling the passenger compartment of the automobile. The method includes monitoring a passenger compartment heat requirement and heating and cooling the passenger compartment from at least one of a heat storage device and an HVAC device based on the passenger compartment heat requirement. . If the required amount of heat in the passenger compartment can only be met by the heat storage device, the heat storage device heats and cools. However, if the heat storage device cannot meet the heat requirement of the passenger compartment, the HVAC device can supplement the heat storage device, or can be heated and cooled alone.

  These and other advantages, features and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, detailed description and claims.

  Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an energy management system 10 and various components for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. The energy management system 10 includes a controller 12 connected to an alternator 14, a regenerative braking system generator 16 and a waste heat recovery system 18. The controller 12 may be a single controller or multiple controllers that communicate with each other.

  The alternator 14 is preferably a belt driven alternator driven by an automobile engine (not shown), and the alternator has a clutch that selectively generates electric power. The regenerative brake system generator 16 is preferably a regenerative brake system commonly used in hybrid vehicles, and this regenerative brake system generates electric power while the hybrid electric vehicle is braking. The waste heat recovery power generation system 18 is preferably a system for capturing heat generated by the vehicle during operation. The waste heat recovery power generation system 18 may be one or more thermoelectric modules provided in the vicinity of a vehicle that generates heat, such as the exhaust system and engine of the vehicle. The electric power generated by the alternator 14, the regenerative brake system generator 16 and the waste heat recovery system 18 is sent to the controller 12.

  The controller 12 is also connected to an electrical storage device 20, which stores the power generated by the alternator 14, the regenerative braking system generator 16 and the waste heat recovery system 18. The electrical storage device 20 is preferably one or more capacitors or batteries, but can be any device suitable for storing electrical power.

  An HVAC device 24 is connected to the controller 12. The HVAC device 24 is preferably an electrical HVAC device, but may be a conventional belt driven device or may be any automotive air conditioning system currently known or to be developed. When a conventional belt driven HVAC system is used, a clutch system can be realized that selectively places the HVAC unit into an operating mode. Coupled to the HVAC device 24 are one or more ducts 29 that are conditioned from the HVAC device 24 to the passenger compartment 26 for delivering heated or cooled air.

  A heat storage device 24 is coupled to the HVAC unit 24. In the following predetermined situation, the HVAC unit 24 converts power directed from the controller 12 to the HVAC unit 24 into thermal power, and stores this thermal power in the thermal storage device 22. Generally, one or more thermoelectric devices are utilized to convert power to thermal power, but any suitable power-to-thermal power conversion device can be used. In order to store thermal power, the thermal storage device 22 is made of a material that changes phase at a high temperature and a material that changes phase at a low temperature, such as wax (a material that changes phase at a high temperature) and water (a material that changes phase at a low temperature). Both can be included.

  The energy management system 10 further includes a power storage level sensor 32 and a heat storage temperature sensor 34 for determining the amount of storage available for the respective power and heat power in the electrical storage device 20 and the heat storage device 22. An occupant compartment temperature sensor 36 is connected to the controller 12 so that the controller 12 can monitor the temperature of the occupant compartment.

  Finally, the energy management system 10 further includes an automobile accessory 37 connected to the controller 12. These vehicle inclusions 37 can include fuel injectors, interior and exterior lighting, vehicle information, entertainment and navigation systems or any power supply device found in vehicles. The controller 12 sends power to the necessary accessories 37.

  In operation, the controller 12 receives power from at least one power source, such as the alternator 14, the regenerative braking system generator 16 or the waste heat recovery system 18. The controller monitors the electrical storage level sensor 32 and the thermal storage temperature sensor 34, respectively, to monitor the amount of storage available for power storage and thermal power storage. Based on the amount of residual storage available at the thermal storage device 22, the controller sends power to either the electrical storage device 20 or the HVAC unit 24. The HVAC unit 24 then functions to convert electrical power into thermal power and store the thermal power in the thermal storage device 22 for later use.

  If the thermal storage device 22 has only a storage amount that is not suitable for storing thermal power, power is sent to the electrical storage device 20. In contrast, the controller 12 can send a portion of the power to be stored in the thermal storage device 22 and the remainder of the power to the electrical storage device 20. First, it is desirable to store power in the thermal storage device 22 rather than in the electrical storage device 20. The reason is that it is more efficient to store heat power in the heat storage device 22.

  The controller 12 also monitors the temperature of the occupant compartment 26 by means of an occupant compartment temperature sensor 36 and commands the HVAC device 24 to heat and cool the occupant compartment 26. The HVAC can use the heat power stored in the heat storage device 22 to perform all or part of the cooling and heating of the passenger compartment 26 and can generate the necessary heat power. Furthermore, the HVAC device 24 can capture the cooling and heating that provides the occupant compartment 26 with the thermal power that the device has stored in the heat storage unit 22.

  By having the heat storage device 22 do all or part of the air conditioning to the passenger compartment 26, the vehicle may not need the HVAC device 24 to perform the air conditioning that is required for a long time. By minimizing the use of the HVAC device 24 for air conditioning, the vehicle can be more fuel efficient.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of an energy management system 10 'is shown, where the same reference numbers used in FIG. 2 indicate the same parts as in FIG. The thermal storage system 24 differs from the system shown in FIG. 1 in that the thermal storage device 24 receives power directly from the controller, converts the power into thermal power, and stores the thermal power. Further, the HVAC device 24 and the heat storage device 22 send heated or cooled air to the occupant compartment 26 via separate ducts 28, 30 respectively.

  The controller 12 is adapted to determine whether the occupant compartment 30 can be sufficiently heated or cooled by the heat storage device 22 via the duct 28. If the occupant compartment 26 can be properly heated or cooled by the heat storage device 22, the controller 12 causes the heat storage device to cool or heat the occupant compartment 26 while leaving the HVAC off. However, if the controller 12 determines that the heat storage device 22 is unable to properly cool and cool the passenger compartment 26, the controller will allow the HVAC device 24 and the heat storage device 22 to both properly heat and cool the passenger compartment 26. I can order. In contrast, if the heat storage device 22 is unable to properly heat and cool the occupant compartment 26, the controller can command the HVAC device 24 only to heat and cool the occupant compartment 26.

  The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purpose of illustrating the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described so far, and many variations and modifications are possible in light of the above disclosure. The described embodiments have been chosen and described so as to best explain the principles of the invention when practiced, so that one skilled in the art may utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications. It is. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as determined by the following claims as interpreted in accordance with the law.

1 is a block diagram of an automotive energy management system embodying the principles of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an automotive energy management system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Energy management system 12 Controller 14 Alternator 16 Regenerative brake system generator 18 Waste heat recovery system 20 Electrical storage device 22 Thermal storage device 24 HVAC device 26 Crew compartment 29 Duct 32 Electrical storage level sensor 34 Thermal storage temperature sensor 37 Automobile accessories Goods

Claims (17)

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device for heating and cooling an automobile passenger compartment;
A heat storage device adapted to heat and cool the passenger compartment of the car,
An electrical storage device;
Power is received from a power generation device, is connected to the electrical storage device and the HVAC device, and stores power in at least one selected from the group of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device An automotive energy management system comprising a controller configured as described above.   The system of claim 1, wherein the electricity generating device is at least one selected from the group of an alternator, a regenerative brake generator, and a waste heat recovery generator.   The system of claim 1, wherein the controller causes at least one of the HVAC device and the heat storage device to heat and cool the occupant compartment of an automobile.   The system of claim 3, wherein the heat storage device is configured to heat and cool the passenger compartment of the automobile through a duct coupled to the HVAC device.   The system of claim 1, further comprising an occupant compartment temperature sensor connected to a controller for monitoring at least a portion of the occupant compartment of the automobile.   The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical storage level sensor connected to the controller for monitoring available storage of the electrical storage device.   The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat storage temperature sensor connected to the controller for monitoring an available storage amount of the heat storage device. In a method for managing heat power flow in an automobile having an electrical storage device, a thermal storage device, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device,
Receiving power from the power generation device;
Monitoring the available storage amount of the electrical storage device;
Monitoring the available storage amount of the thermal storage device;
Converting the power into thermal power;
Storing a thermal power in the thermal storage device. A method for managing a flow of thermal power.   The method of claim 8, further comprising storing power in the electrical storage device when an available storage amount of the thermal storage device is inappropriate.   The method of claim 8, further comprising storing electrical power in the electrical storage device when a required amount of heat in the occupant compartment is met.   The method of claim 8, further comprising storing power in the thermal storage device when the thermal storage device has an appropriate amount of storage available.   The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a first portion of power in the thermal storage device and storing a second portion of power in the electrical storage device.   Monitoring the heat requirements of an occupant compartment of an automobile and heating and cooling the occupant compartment from at least one of the heat storage device and the HVAC device based on the heat requirements of the occupant compartment The method of claim 8, further comprising:   9. The method of claim 8, further comprising heating and cooling the occupant compartment from the thermal storage device when the thermal power stored in the thermal storage device is at least equal to a required amount of heat in the occupant compartment of the vehicle. Method.   9. The method of claim 8, further comprising heating and cooling the HVAC device to the passenger compartment when the thermal power stored in the heat storage device is at least less than a required amount of heat in the passenger compartment of the automobile.   The method of claim 15, wherein heating and cooling the occupant compartment is performed from the HVAC unit only.   The method of claim 15, wherein heating and cooling the occupant compartment is performed from both the HVAC unit and the heat storage device.

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