Control System for Improved Performance in PLUG-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
Abstract
C. Armenta-Deu
This paper aims at designing a control system that regulates the electric motor in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) to optimize the vehicle performance, extending the driving range and minimizing the energy consumption. The method bases on controlling the electric motor engagement, to maximize the delivered energy from the battery, maintaining driving conditions within specific limits, and combining combustion engine and electric motor to help the vehicle in saving energy while running. The proposed protocol consists of a regulation of vehicle speed and acceleration depending on driving conditions and road orography. The protocol specially applies for urban routes, where the appropriate use of the electric motor optimizes the battery performance, the fuel consumption, and vehicle driving range. The carried out simulation shows that the driving range extension may reach near 172% of current value under standard driving operations for the worst driving conditions (aggressive mode). The driving range extension results from adequate management of the dual power source, limiting electric motor use during daily journeys to an optimal value that depends on the driving mode and vehicle speed range. The operational range of the electric motor daily fractional time varies from 66.9% to 92.4% in diesel PHEVs, and from 47.7% to 89% in gasoline PHEVs. The dual power source management requires a control system to regulate the combustion engine and electric motor, following a protocol to maximize vehicle performance, minimizing energy consumption, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.