WO2012069740A1

WO2012069740A1 - Method for managing the operation of a hybrid vehicle of the heavy goods vehicle type, as a function of the load being transported

Info

Publication number: WO2012069740A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/052679
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane HECKY
Original assignee: Envision Vehicle Engineering Novasio Technology Event
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2011-11-17
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Also published as: FR2967634A1; FR2967634B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of managing, as a function of the load being transported, the operation of a hybrid vehicle (1) of the heavy goods vehicle, notably container vehicle, type comprising at least one combustion engine (2) and at least one electric motor (3), together with electrical energy accumulation means (4). More specifically, the movement of said vehicle (1) by the combustion engine or engines (2) and/or the electric motor or motors (3) is managed, via detection means (5) that detect the laden weight, according to a drive law that is dependent on this weight. The invention also relates to a hybrid vehicle for implementing the aforegoing comprising, in particular, detection means (5) for detecting the laden weight.

Description

MANAGEMENT METHOD, BASED ON THE TRANSPORTED LOAD,

OF THE OPERATION OF A HYBRID VEHICLE OF VEHICLE TYPE OF TRANSPORT OF HEAVY LOADS

The invention relates to a management method according to the transported load of the operation of a hybrid vehicle, of the heavy-load transport vehicle type, comprising at least one heat engine and at least one electric motor, as well as means for accumulation of electrical energy.

The present invention relates to the field of transport vehicles, more particularly heavy loads. Thus, this invention will be of particular interest in the context of self-propelled vehicles for the transport of containers.

There are various hybrid solutions that have been developed to drive vehicles, especially transport vehicles. For example, it is known to equip such a vehicle with at least one engine for driving an electric generator providing power to one or more electric drive motors. It is the latter which, through a suitable transmission, act on the rolling means that this vehicle comprises.

In other words, in this type of design the thermal engine or engines are not involved in any case on the transmission and drive of the vehicle and only serve, through the electric generator, to produce electrical energy necessary for the operation of the electric motors which themselves constitute the driving force for the movement of the vehicle.

Hybrid solutions are still known where, at the same time, the heat engine (s) and the electric motor (s) contribute, alternately or in combination, to the drive of the vehicle. More particularly, the electric motor (s) are usually biased for the low speed drive of the vehicle. In this case, this or these electric motors are powered by the electrical energy stored by appropriate accumulation means, such as batteries or the like. In this respect, this storage of electrical energy can be achieved either during the operation of the thermal engine (s) involved in moving the vehicle at a faster speed and / or in the deceleration phase of the vehicle. More particularly, during these decelerations, one attempts to take advantage of the kinetic energy of the vehicle to drive a generator whose electrical energy produced is stored by the aforementioned accumulation means, knowing that it can still be considered to drive this electric generator through the engine or engines when the vehicle uses them to move.

The problem posed by these previously known hybrid solutions lies in the fact that the management of the energy chain that it combines: thermal engines, electric motors, generators and means of accumulation of electrical energy, is not optimized in the application to vehicles carrying heavy loads.

If, through the solution leading to a combined combined drive, thermal and electrical, it is realized that the assistance of the electric motor has the effect of soliciting the engine or engines in more rational conditions, it is good as part of an inventive step that one imagined to take into account the variable parameter that constitutes the weight of the vehicle to adapt, consequently, the strategy of management of operation of the energy chain which constitutes all the means in presence.

In particular, it has been realized that the weight of these heavy load vehicles can vary from 1 to 5, depending on the load transported. This is for example the case for container transport vehicles, such as those found in port areas, knowing that vehicles used for exceptional convoys or special construction equipment, or even military gear. can also be confronted with such load variations.

We understand, indeed, that to accelerate, in the starting phase, a vehicle which is five times its weight, requires a power of its means of propulsion which has nothing to do with that necessary to move this vehicle when it is empty.

It is advantageously that we have thought to use the suspension means, including hydraulic, that include such vehicles to derive information on the weight load, necessary to ensure this optimized management of the operation of its energy chain .

For this purpose, the invention relates to a method of managing, as a function of the load transported, the operation of a hybrid vehicle of the heavy vehicle transport type, in particular of containers, comprising at least one engine and at least one engine electrical, as well as accumulation means in electrical energy, characterized in that through means of detection of the weight load, it manages the movement of said vehicle by the engine (s) and / or the electric motor (s) , according to a drive law dependent on this weight.

The invention also relates to a hybrid vehicle of the heavy-vehicle transport type, in particular containers, comprising at least one heat engine and at least one electric motor, as well as means for storing electrical energy, characterized in that it also comprises means for detecting the weight under load, as well as a management unit of the one or more heat engines and the electric motor or motors for controlling the operation of this or the latter as a function of the information transmitted by said means. detection.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description relating to the attached drawing illustrating, in a single figure and in the form of a diagram, a preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus, the present invention relates to the hybrid vehicle and concerns, more particularly, self-propelled vehicles dedicated to the transport of heavy loads in this case containers, knowing that may still be concerned by the present invention, vehicles for exceptional convoys, specific construction equipment or military transport equipment.

Thus, in Figure 1 there is illustrated, under the reference 1, such a hybrid vehicle, here in the form of a container transport vehicle.

This vehicle 1 is of the self-propelled type and comprises, according to the invention, at least one heat engine 2, at least one electric motor 3, as well as electrical energy accumulation means 4, which can adopt different embodiments, for example example that common battery, just as they can be in the form of super capacity, knowing that these means 4 can cross a combination of these different technologies of electrical energy accumulation.

According to yet another particularity of the invention, the vehicle 1 comprises means 5 for detecting the weight transported, that is to say in load.

Such detection means 5 may take various embodiments known to those skilled in the art.

Note, in this regard that regardless of the vehicle 1, it necessarily comprises a chassis 6 resting on the ground via suitable rolling means 7.

In the usual way, the chassis 6 rests on these rolling means 7 via suspensions 8. It is preferentially and non-limitatively that the detection means 5 are associated with these suspensions 8.

It is also common that this suspension that includes heavy load vehicles is hydraulic type. Also, the detection means 5 may be in the form of pressure detection means at such a hydraulic suspension 8 to deduce a information relating to the load and therefore to the weight carried by the vehicle 1.

The latter further comprises an operation management unit 9 of the energy chain constituted by: the heat engine (s) 2, the electric motor (s) 3 and the electrical energy accumulation means 4, to ensure their operation, taking into account of this indication relating to the weight transported from the detection means 5.

For example, when the vehicle is empty, its acceleration phase during which it is appropriate to involve the electric motor or motors 3, is of shorter duration. One can then imagine very early cut the operation of this or these electric motors to preserve the load energy accumulation means 4 or, on the contrary, according to the capacity of the latter, maintain the drive of the vehicle 1 under the impulse of this or these electric motors 3 by saving the energy necessary for the operation of the thermal engine or engines 2 that will be solicited in the case of transport of heavy loads, or for high speed or prolonged movements of the vehicle .

In addition, having been able to detect that the vehicle was empty, thanks to these weight detection means 5, the management unit 9 can, during this startup phase, ensure the operation of the electric motor or motors 3, at a power of reduced, again to save the electrical energy stored in the accumulation means 4 and extend, thus, their autonomy.

In contrast, when the vehicle is fully loaded, the management unit 9 may, during this phase of acceleration of the vehicle, request, on the one hand, at full power the electric motor or motors 3, or in a complementary manner on the a thermal engine 2 whose operation, rather than being controlled at full power, will be ensured at an optimum speed, that is to say a regime at which its efficiency is the best in relation to its consumption. Moreover, by assisting, systematically or the thermal engines by this or these electric motors 3 during these acceleration phases so as to avoid the operation of the thermal engine or engines 2 at full speed, it follows a prolonged life of the latter.

With regard to the electric energy storage means 4, these can be loaded during the deceleration and braking phases of the vehicle 1, during which the management unit 9 can control the switching of the operation of the one or more electric motors 3 in alternator mode whose production of electrical energy is sent to these accumulation means 4.

Again, it will be observed that the braking capacity of an electric motor, in alternator mode, is proportional to the power it is able to deliver in propulsion mode. Thus, through the indication coming from the weight detection means 5, the management unit 9 can, as required, switch to alternator mode a well-defined number of these electric motors 3 which equip the vehicle 1. Indeed , it should be noted, that by switching to alternator mode all the electric motors of a vehicle moving empty, 1 can lead to braking too brutal.

Conversely, in charge, all of these electric motors operating in alternator mode can assist in an optimized manner the braking means which are then less solicited.

Of course, in combination or alternatively with the solution of switching the electric motor or motors 3 in alternator mode, the vehicle 1 can be equipped with an independent electric generator. This is then intended to be driven by the heat engine or engines 2, in particular during the phases of substantially stabilized operation or during the deceleration phases of the vehicle 1, this, of course, can supply the accumulation means 4.

These acceleration and deceleration phases alone do not benefit from the optimized management of the vehicle 1 energy chain. Cruising speeds of the vehicle 1 can also be improved.

In particular, if such a heavy-load transport vehicle is caused to move in a limited speed range when it is in load, it can, on the contrary, move much faster and more safely when it is in operation. empty. However, these high speeds can only be achieved by soliciting the thermal engine or engines at full speed, that is to say outside their optimal operating regime. Again, it may be appropriate, contrary to practice, to call upon the assistance of the electric motor or motors for this gain in speed of movement of the unladen vehicle.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the main objective of the present invention is to optimize the efficiency of the traction energy chain of a hybrid electric / thermal vehicle in order to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. .

This goal can only be achieved in part, even by using efficient energy recovery systems, ensuring the operation of the thermal engine or optimally and using high efficiency electric motors.

A hybrid vehicle has an energy potential due to its traction chain and its storage. The mapping of such a system can be described by the following vectors:

the minimum power required for driving at steady speed;

the power required to accelerate

the potential for energy recovery

the potential for restitution of this energy recovered during the acceleration phases

the peak torque (at startup for example)

We understand that from a dynamic and energetic point of view, we must deal with these 5 variable parameters, not to mention that we must also take into account the behavior of the driver or the profile of a course of the vehicle to manage this pull chain. In some cases, even, it is still necessary to deal with auxiliary systems dedicated to servitudes of a vehicle, which, too, may be energy consumers, but in a more discreet manner.

The solution according to the invention therefore has the following mission:

to avoid power failures during a need;

to avoid the generation of unnecessary power;

to create a balance between power demand and power generation

- Anticipate the power requirements in an optimal way to ensure the electrical stability of the system and auxiliaries

The invention is intended to add a parameter to this chain, namely the weight of the vehicle unladen and in charge, not to complicate it, but to facilitate it and to be able to develop predictive strategies for managing the energy chain and make the best use of the vehicle resources according to these needs at time t + 1.

Finally, this operating management of heavy-load transport vehicle, hybrid type, taking into account, according to the invention, the weight of the load carried, has many advantages. In particular, it makes it possible to achieve the objective aimed at, ie even lower energy consumption for the operation of the thermal engine (s) and, of course, a lower production of C0 ₂ for a substantial gain for the environment.

Therefore, the present invention represents a clear progress in this field of self-propelled heavy-lift vehicles.

Claims

claims

1. A method of managing, as a function of the load transported, the operation of a hybrid vehicle (1) of the heavy-vehicle transport type, in particular of containers, comprising at least one heat engine (2) and at least one electric motor (3), as well as means for accumulation (4) in electrical energy, characterized in that through detection means (5) of the weight under load, it manages the movement of said vehicle (1) by the or the heat engines (2) and / or the electric motor or motors (3), according to a drive law dependent on this weight.

2. hybrid vehicle for the implementation of the preceded according to claim 1, of the heavy vehicle transport type, in particular containers, comprising at least one heat engine (2) and at least one electric motor (3), and means for accumulating (4) electrical energy, characterized in that it further comprises means (5) for detecting the weight under load, as well as a management unit (9) for the one or more heat engines ( 2) and the electric motor or motors (3) for controlling the operation of this or these according to the information transmitted by said detection means (5).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, comprising a frame (6) resting on rolling means (7) adapted via suspensions (8), characterized in that the detection means (5) are associated with these suspensions. (8).

4. Vehicle according to claim 3, whose suspensions (8) are of hydraulic type, characterized in that the detection means (5) are in the form of pressure detection means.