초록 ▼

A system and method for operating an electric heater to determine heater functionality is based on actual heater power consumption relative to expected heater power consumption during operating conditions where electrical power consumption by other system components can be accurately estimated. One

A system and method for operating an electric heater to determine heater functionality is based on actual heater power consumption relative to expected heater power consumption during operating conditions where electrical power consumption by other system components can be accurately estimated. One or more components, including a second heating source, may be controlled based on the heater functionality. The system may include a hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric heater and heater core, a valve positioned to route coolant through the engine and/or the electric heater, and a controller configured to store a diagnostic code and/or start the engine when the electric heater is commanded on and when the actual energy consumption of the electric heater is below a corresponding threshold.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric heater, comprising: estimating an actual energy consumption, using a controller, of the electric heater in response to receipt of a heat request, the actual energy consumption being based on an actual power consumption of

1. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric heater, comprising: estimating an actual energy consumption, using a controller, of the electric heater in response to receipt of a heat request, the actual energy consumption being based on an actual power consumption of the electric heater over a predetermined period of time, wherein the actual power consumption is based on a measured total vehicle power consumption adjusted by subtracting power consumed by all vehicle components using electrical power other than the electric heater;comparing the actual energy consumption of the electric heater with a corresponding threshold using the controller; andstarting the engine, using the controller, when the actual energy consumption is below the corresponding threshold. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured total vehicle power consumption is based on power supplied by a traction battery. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein vehicle components include a DC/DC converter, air conditioning compressor or an inverter system controller. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the actual energy consumption is estimated after the electric heater has achieved a minimum power upon being commanded on. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the corresponding threshold is based on an expected electric heater power consumption, integrated over the predetermined period of time, adjusted for a predetermined percentage of deviation. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the expected electric heater power consumption is estimated from coolant temperature and current electric heater duty cycle. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the actual energy consumption of the electric heater is compared with the corresponding threshold after entry conditions have been met, the entry conditions including at least one of the following: a sensor configured to measure temperature of coolant exiting the electric heater is operational,a pump configured to force coolant through an electric-only heating loop is operational,a valve configured to selectively route coolant through at least one of the engine and the electric heater is operational,vehicle speed is zero, andthe engine is off. 8. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric heater, comprising: commanding the electric heater on; andstarting the engine in response to an actual electric heater power consumption, based on measured total vehicle power consumption adjusted by subtracting power consumed by all vehicle components using electrical power other than the electric heater, being below a corresponding threshold. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is averaged over a predetermined interval of time. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is based on an instantaneous measurement of power consumption. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is integrated over a predetermined interval of time. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: storing a diagnostic code when the actual electric heater power consumption is below the corresponding threshold indicating inoperability of the electric heater. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: controlling a valve to selectively route coolant from the engine to a heater core to heat the vehicle when the actual electric heater power consumption is below the corresponding threshold. 14. A hybrid vehicle, comprising: an engine;an electric heater;a heater core;a valve positioned to route coolant through at least one of the engine and the electric heater to the heater core; anda controller configured to start the engine to provide heat to the vehicle in response to the electric heater being commanded on and an actual electric heater power consumption, based on a measured total vehicle power consumption adjusted by subtracting power consumed by all other vehicle components using electrical power other than the electric heater, being below a corresponding threshold. 15. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is averaged over a predetermined interval of time. 16. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is based on an instantaneous measurement of power consumption. 17. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, wherein the actual electric heater power consumption is integrated over a predetermined interval of time. 18. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a sensor configured to measure a temperature of coolant exiting the electric heater, wherein the temperature is used by the controller, in combination with current duty cycle, to estimate an expected power consumption of the electric heater, and wherein the corresponding threshold is based on the expected power consumption adjusted for allowable deviation. 19. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, wherein the measured total vehicle power consumption is based on power supplied by a traction battery. 20. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14, wherein vehicle components include a DC/DC converter, air conditioning compressor or an inverter system controller.