Hybrid Vehicle (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.21)
  • Patent number: 8776500
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle is presented. The control system can include an air/fuel ratio control module that selectively commands a rich air/fuel ratio upon starting an engine based on a temperature of an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) in an exhaust system of the engine, wherein the EHC includes a hydrocarbon (HC) adsorber. The control system can include an air pump control module that selectively activates an air pump supplying air into the exhaust system upstream from the EHC based on whether the engine is on and at least one of whether the HC adsorber is full and whether the EHC is saturated with oxygen. The control system can also include an electric heater control module that selectively activates an electric heater of the EHC based on whether the engine is on and the temperature of the EHC, as well as whether the HC adsorber is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Bryan N. Roos
  • Patent number: 8781659
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for controlling transition between an electric vehicle (EV) mode and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode in a hybrid vehicle. More specifically, the technique includes first determining a drive mode of the hybrid vehicle by monitoring an average vehicle speed and an accelerator position sensor. Next, an engine on map value is determined for entering into the HEV mode and a hysteresis map value is determined for controlling the transition between the EV mode and the HEV mode based on a battery's state-of-charge (SOC), the average vehicle speed, and the drive mode; Based on the above steps, the technique determines whether the hybrid vehicle should transition between the EV mode or the HEV mode based on a driver's requisite torque calculated by monitoring the accelerator position sensor and a gear position sensor and on the determined engine on map value and hysteresis map value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8781666
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an engine; an electric motor connected to the engine via a gear; and a controller configured to perform control that includes at least one of increasing a rotational speed of the engine to a value that is equal to or higher than a given value and changing an output torque of the electric motor to a value that is out of a given range including zero, provided that a target output torque of the electric motor is within the given range including zero and a target rotational speed of the engine is lower than the given value, during deceleration accompanied by motoring of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Kamijo
  • Publication number: 20140194239
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving device includes a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a clutch configured to connect and disconnect a carrier of the first planetary gear mechanism to and from a ring gear of the second planetary gear mechanism, and a brake configured to regulate a rotation of the ring gear of the second planetary gear mechanism by being engaged. The second planetary gear mechanism is of a double pinion type, a sun gear of the first planetary gear mechanism is connected to a first electric rotating machine, a carrier thereof is connected to an engine, and a ring gear thereof is connected to a driving wheel, respectively, and a sun gear of the second planetary gear mechanism is connected to a second electric rotating machine, and a carrier thereof is connected to the driving wheel, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohito Ono, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Kensei Hata
  • Publication number: 20140195097
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnostic apparatus for a vehicle, which can accurately determine whether or not there is an abnormality in a voltage detection unit, while curtailing a cost increase, is provided. Output voltages Va, Vb, Vc outputted from voltage detection units are acquired, and differences |Va?Vb|, |Vb?Vc|, |Vc?Va| between the acquired output values are calculated. If any of the calculation results is greater than a determination threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in any of the voltage detection units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro YAMANAKA, Takashi NONAKA
  • Publication number: 20140194238
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving apparatus includes: a first planetary gear mechanism; a second planetary gear mechanism; a clutch that connects and disconnects a carrier of the first planetary gear mechanism to and from a carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism; and a brake that regulates the rotation of the carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism by engaging, in which a sun gear, the carrier, and a ring gear of the first planetary gear mechanism are respectively connected to a first rotating electric machine, an engine, and a driving wheel, and a sun gear and a ring gear of the second planetary gear mechanism are respectively connected to a second rotating electric machine and the driving wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohito Ono, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Kensei Hata
  • Patent number: 8774995
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a travelable information display unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination driven by using electric power of batteries, information about places to which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move using electric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8774993
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is equipped with an engine and a motor generator (MG2) serving as a power source for driving the vehicle. A catalytic converter is provided in an exhaust pipe of the engine. An HV-ECU estimates a possible EV-running distance based on an SOC of a power storage device for comparison with a traveling distance (L) to a destination set by a navigation device. When the possible EV-running distance is longer than the traveling distance (L), the HV-ECU outputs a control signal (CTL2) instructing prohibition of warm-up of the catalytic converter, to an EG-ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Harada, Daigo Ando
  • Patent number: 8768553
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling charging of a battery supplying power to a hybrid electric vehicle according to a driving state. The method includes: detecting, by a sensor, a speed of the vehicle, generating, by a generator, power according to a driving state of the vehicle; controlling, by a controller, a charge to the battery using generated power of the power generator based on a signal of the vehicle speed detector; calculating, by the controller, an average vehicle speed for a set time; updating, by the controller, the average vehicle speed at an update period shorter than the set time; changing a state of charge (SOC) charging band, a charging reference of the battery, based on the average vehicle speed; and determining, by the controller whether to charge the battery according to a driving state based on the SOC charging band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jinkuk Cho, Yong Kak Choi, Il Kwon Park
  • Patent number: 8763736
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle, a line pressure control valve disposed at a downstream side of each of mechanical oil pump (M-O/P) and electrically driven oil pump (S-O/P) to decrease a supplied hydraulic pressure from at least one of the mechanical oil pump and the electrically driven oil pump by opening drain ports thereof in accordance with a control valve command value is provided, the control valve command value is set by adding a predetermined additive correction quantity to a required line pressure set in accordance with operating states of a hydraulic pressure clutch (CL1) and a transmission and the drain ports of the line pressure control valve are controlled to a closure side, during an actuation of the electrically driven oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Mochiyama, Hiroki Kawakami, Hideharu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140179477
    Abstract: A vehicle using a first MG, a second MG, and an engine as drive sources includes an electric oil pump, a mechanical oil pump driven by power of the engine, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes first oil passages for supplying oil to the first MG, a second oil passage for supplying oil to the second MG, a switch-over valve capable of switching over states of communication of the first oil passage, and a switch control valve that outputs pilot hydraulic pressure to the switch-over valve. States of the switch-over valve are switched over in accordance with hydraulic pressure from the switch control valve and hydraulic pressure from the mechanical pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Keita IMAI, Keisuke OMURO
  • Patent number: 8761980
    Abstract: A start support apparatus to be disposed in an electromotive vehicle includes a requested driving force calculation portion, the startable driving force calculation portion, and an indication portion. The requested driving force calculation portion calculates a requested driving force that is generated at a motor based on operation by a driver of the electromotive vehicle. The startable driving force calculation portion calculates a startable driving force that is required to be generated at the motor for starting the electromotive vehicle. The indication portion shows a degree of gap between the requested driving force and the startable driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8757304
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a plurality of electric devices; and a power control unit having a housing, the power control unit is arranged within a motor room, the housing has an upper case, a lower case, and a heat sink housing, the heat sink housing has a heat sink portion, the electric devices are each arranged at the upper and lower sides of the heat sink housing, the electric devices are covered with the upper case and the lower case, the lower case is formed with a recess, and cables that connect an electric device arranged outside the housing and the electric device covered with the upper case enter inside of the upper case through the recess from the undersurface of the heat sink housing, and the cables are connected to the electric device covered with the upper case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Amano, Ryuta Wakabayashi, Tomoyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140167654
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described comprising a first battery; a second battery; an electrical machine connected between the first battery and the second battery wherein the electrical machine is connected to the first battery via a first switching arrangement and the electrical machine is connected to the second battery via a second switching arrangement and a controller configured to control the first switching arrangement and the second switching arrangement such that a current that has a DC component flows through the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Philip Georg Brockerhoff
  • Publication number: 20140166379
    Abstract: A vehicle has a motor and an engine each serving as a driving source for running the vehicle, and assembled batteries each capable of supplying an electric power to the motor. The assembled batteries include a high-power assembled battery and a high-capacity assembled battery. The high-power assembled battery is capable of charge and discharge with a current relatively larger than that in the high-capacity assembled battery, and the high-capacity assembled battery has an energy capacity relatively larger than that of the high-power assembled battery. In running of the vehicle using an output from the motor with the engine stopped, the high-capacity assembled battery supplies a more electric power to the motor than that in the high-power assembled battery. The high-power assembled battery is placed in a riding space where a passenger rides, and the high-capacity assembled battery is placed in a luggage space different from the riding space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Kenji Kimura, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20140171261
    Abstract: A hybrid driving apparatus includes an engine configured to output a rotation driving force to an output shaft; an input shaft configured to rotate in association with rotation of driving wheels of a vehicle; a clutch that is provided between the output shaft and the input shaft to disengageably connect the output shaft and the input shaft; a clutch actuator configured to operate the clutch; a motor generator configured to rotate in association with rotation of the input shaft; a rust formation determining unit configured to determine whether there is a possibility of a rust formation on the clutch; and a rust formation suppressing unit configured to operate the clutch actuator in a case where the rust formation determining unit determines that there is the possibility of the rust formation on the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitomi HANEDA, Hiroshi IMAI, Tokiyoshi KIDA, Tomoo ATARASHI, Shigeki TAKAMI, Masaki NOMURA, Takafumi KOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140158448
    Abstract: A parallel regeneration brake torque modulation system for an electrified vehicle includes a brake pedal travel sensor adapted to transmit a brake pedal travel sensor signal upon travel of a vehicle brake pedal through at least a portion of a range of motion; and a regenerative braking system adapted to apply regeneration braking torque to a vehicle using the brake pedal travel sensor signal from the brake pedal travel sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: John Phillip McCormick
  • Patent number: 8751088
    Abstract: In a method, system and apparatus for managing vehicle energy, the amount of electric power needed for operating a vehicle is calculated, a surplus amount of electric power that is the current amount of battery power less the calculated amount of electric power is sold, or a number of received location information signals according to the current amount of battery power is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: SK Planet Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Jeong Choi, Dae Lim Son, Eun Bok Lee, Jun Yong Jung
  • Publication number: 20140151138
    Abstract: An automobile includes: a controller for controlling a motor; a main battery for supplying electric power to the motor via the controller; a normally open relay interposed in an electric power supply path extending from the main battery to the controller; and a sub-battery for supplying the electric power to the relay. The controller is mounted with a terminal cover that covers an output terminal for connection with a power supply cable to the motor. The sub-battery is disposed adjacent to the controller so as to interfere with the removal of the terminal cover by a worker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akio Kitami, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 8741472
    Abstract: An electric storage device includes: a battery block including a chassis with a plurality of storage cells installed therein; a control unit placed on the chassis for monitoring states of the plurality of storage cells based on signals concerning their physical quantities; a plurality of wires arranged on the chassis for directing the signals to the control unit; a confining member fixed on one surface of the chassis, where the control unit is placed, for defining a route along which the plurality of wires are arranged. The confining member includes a first direction restrainer defining the route for bending the wires, withstanding a reaction force accompanying bending of the plurality of wires, and a second direction restrainer withstanding a force exerted by the plurality of wires which are inserted into the route and tend to be lifted up toward a leaving direction from the one surface of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Yamamoto, Masahiro Kaneshige
  • Publication number: 20140144900
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle including a welder that is adapted to be powered off a direct current (DC) bus generated by the electronics of the hybrid vehicle is provided. A variety of exemplary placements of the welder on or in the hybrid vehicle are provided. Additionally, a parallel hybrid configuration, a series hybrid configuration, and a series-parallel configuration including welding converter circuitry that is adapted to utilize the DC bus from the hybrid vehicle to generate welding power are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Richard Beeson
  • Patent number: 8734281
    Abstract: A dual-mode electro-mechanical variable speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft system, a gear system having at least three branches, two electric machines, and at least a clutch. The first electric machine couples to a branch of the gear system, the output shaft system couples to another branch of the gear system, the input shaft couples to the remaining branch or one of the remaining branches of the gear system, and the second electric machine selectively couples either to the same branch that is coupled to the output shaft system with a speed ratio or to one of the remaining branches that that is not coupled to the first electric machine with a different speed ratio. The transmission provides at least two power splitting modes to cover different speed ratio regimes. The transmission can also provide at least a fixed output shaft to input shaft speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaolin Ai, Rui Xue, Zhonghe Xue, Xiaozhi Ai
  • Publication number: 20140138172
    Abstract: An indicator portion includes a first indicator portion and a second indicator portion. The first indicator portion indicates an accelerator pedal opening degree that changes in accordance with an operated amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The second indicator portion includes a division line and regions divided by the division line. The division line shows an accelerator pedal opening degree where traveling modes (EV mode and HV mode) are switched. The regions show the ranges of accelerator pedal opening degrees where traveling is performed in EV mode and HV mode, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto SUZUKI, Motohiro NAKASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8731756
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the operation of a vacuum pump in a brake system, the vacuum pump is operated between an activation pressure and a deactivation pressure to generate a vacuum, the evacuation period between the activation pressure and the deactivation pressure being measured and compared with a reference period. An error signal is generated if the evacuation period exceeds the reference period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Krueger, Karl Weidinger, Peter Damm
  • Patent number: 8727051
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a first drive apparatus for driving wheels on a first axle by an internal combustion engine and a second electrical drive apparatus with two electrical machines for driving wheels on a second axle. At least one electrical energy store can be discharged when the two electrical machines are operated as a motor and can be charged when the electrical machines are operated as a generator. The two electrical machines of the electrical drive apparatus are combined with a respectively associated gearbox in an electrical axle to drive the individually suspended wheels on the first axle via universally jointed shafts. Two electrical converters are associated respectively with the two electrical machines and are combined in one converter unit, such that a basic module has the mechanical link to a bodywork structure, the link to a cooling circuit and the electrical link to an electrical energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Schmid, Stephan Hennings
  • Patent number: 8731761
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle, control method, and computer program with which reliable starting is possible without modifying hardware. When a clutch is disconnected, an inverter determines whether the time period in which the absolute value of the rotational speed of a motor becomes a predetermined first threshold or less and the torque of the motor becomes a predetermined second threshold or greater has continuously equaled or exceeded a predetermined third threshold. When the clutch is disconnected and it is determined that the time period in which the absolute value of the rotational speed of the motor becomes the predetermined first threshold or less and the torque of the motor becomes the predetermined second threshold or greater has continuously equaled or exceeded the predetermined third threshold, an HV-ECU controls the motor to restrict the torque of the motor and also controls the clutch to connect the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8726887
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle (1) having an internal combustion engine (2) and an electric machine (4) that can be used individually or jointly to drive at least one axle (9, 10) of the hybrid vehicle (1) by connecting a clutch (15), and having a regeneratable filter device that takes up fuel vapors from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine (2). To improve the comfort in a purely electric driving mode and/or to improve the reproducible operation of a hybrid vehicle during a special exhaust gas test, in a purely electric driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle (1) is driven only by the electric machine (4), the internal combustion engine (2) is switched on with the clutch (15) open to regenerate the filter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Patent number: 8725339
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid traction assembly includes an initial depleting phase which begins at the beginning of the vehicle mission and where the hybrid traction assembly is controlled to cause depletion of the storage device at a high first mean depletion rate, at least one sustaining phase where the hybrid traction assembly is controlled so that the state of charge is maintained in a predetermined sustaining range. The method further includes a second depleting phase which extends between the initial depleting phase and the sustaining phase, wherein the hybrid traction assembly is controlled to cause depletion of the storage device at a second mean depletion rate, the second mean depletion rate being lower than the first mean depletion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventors: Thomas Justin, Michael Millet
  • Patent number: 8725338
    Abstract: Provided is a practical plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle as well as a charge system, a fuel consumption measurement system, and an environment protection system for the vehicles. The charge system includes an electric power source charging a vehicle having a battery, a power supply unit for supplying electric power from the electric power source to the vehicle, and a power cable communication unit for performing power cable communication concerning the vehicle and the charging via the power supply unit. The vehicle includes a fuel tank for receiving oil from outside, a storage unit for storing oil supply information, a power source which consumes the fuel in the fuel tank and provides a travel power, a travel distance information acquisition unit, and a control unit which automatically calculates the fuel consumption according to the oil supply information in the storage unit and the travel distance information in the travel distance acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8720620
    Abstract: An automobile assembly and a method of producing hydrogen gas within an automobile assembly. An automobile is provided that contains a fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity from purified hydrogen gas. The vehicle also has a standard fuel tank that holds liquid fuel and a water tank that holds water. A fuel reformation system is carried by the vehicle. The fuel reformation system reacts water with liquid fuel to produce hydrogen gas and exhaust gases. The hydrogen gas is separated and is supplied to the fuel cell as needed by the fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity that drives electric motors to power the wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle, therefore, uses traditional liquid fuel to produce the hydrogen needed to operate the fuel cell and power an otherwise electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Power & Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Bossard
  • Patent number: 8720619
    Abstract: In a method for operating a drive device of a hybrid vehicle, in particular a hybrid motor vehicle, having at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine, the torques of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are added. A torque/torque component which, with respect to a request, is not deliverable by the internal combustion engine because of the system-related inertia of the internal combustion engine, is compensated at least partially by a torque/torque component delivered by the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jens-Werner Falkenstein
  • Publication number: 20140128193
    Abstract: A regenerative brake device for a vehicle includes an output shaft (14) of a combustion engine (4), an input shaft (27) of a gearbox (8), an electrical machine (6) having a stator (24) and a rotor (26), and a planetary gear (10) which comprises a sunwheel (18), a ring gear (20) and a planet wheel carrier (22). The engine output shaft (14) is disconnectably connectable to the planetary gear (10) by a movable piston (16) which in a first position connects the engine output shaft (14) to the planetary gear (10) and in a second position disconnects the gearbox input shaft from the planetary gear. Also a method for regenerative braking of a vehicle (1) for such a regenerative brake device (2) is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Mikael Bergquist
  • Patent number: 8714288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid variant automobile drive which improves a fuel efficiency of the automobile while retaining an acceleration profile of the automobile. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an engine, wheels, and/or a supplemental motor. The engine primarily drives the wheels, but can be aided by the supplemental motor. An amount of force supplied by the engine can be dependent on an amount of force supplied by the supplemental motor. The supplemental motor uses alternative energy sources aside from the fuel used by the engine to drive the wheels. The supplemental motor can be powered by a capacitor which is charged by an energy generation unit. The energy generation unit can generate energy using, for example, solar panels, a ram induction generator, a regenerative braking unit, and/or a heat exchange unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Woodson Wayne Samuel
  • Publication number: 20140121870
    Abstract: Disclose is a control system of an E-4WD hybrid electric vehicle that includes a first controller that controls a first driving portion disposed on a front axle and a second driving portion disposed on a rear axle. A second controller is connected to the first controller and configured to maintain a predetermined target speed. A third controller controls a braking torque through the first controller and the fourth controller detects/monitors conditions in front of the vehicle and performs deceleration through the third controller. A fifth controller controls the driving torque of a motor system. In particular, the first controller distributes driving torque for realizing a target deceleration/acceleration value based on the deceleration/acceleration information of the second controller and the fourth controller to the first driving portion and the second driving portion to control a driving torque and a regenerative braking torque thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Minsu Lee
  • Patent number: 8708082
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission of a vehicle including an engine includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) module and an accumulator module. The DFCO module initiates a DECO period of engine operation. The accumulator module increases a working pressure of a transmission accumulator in response to a start of the DFCO period. A method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle including an engine includes initiating a DECO period of engine operation, and increasing a working pressure of a transmission accumulator in response to a start of the DFCO period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Richard A. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20140114516
    Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Justin R. Badger, Angel Fernando Porras, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
  • Publication number: 20140114550
    Abstract: A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 8706379
    Abstract: A technique for controlling coasting of a hybrid vehicle equipped with an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) is disclosed herein. First, the amount of regenerative braking is varied based on the degree of manipulation of an accelerator pedal within the predetermined control range of a total degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal from when the accelerator pedal is not being manipulated. The amount of regenerative braking decreases as the degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal increases. The control range is used to perform control in such a way as to vary the amount of regenerative braking according to the amount of manipulation of the accelerator pedal. Further, the control range is set to within a range of initial 5 to 20% of the total degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Pil Jang
  • Patent number: 8704495
    Abstract: A vehicle has an ECU, a battery being chargeable with off-board electricity and a motor driven by electric power of the battery. The ECU has a microcomputer to receive an operation time each time a user sets the ECU in an operation state, prepare a frequency of operation times for each time zone, and set a time of the time zone corresponding to the high frequency as a charging end target time. When the microcomputer receives a signal from an onboard charger connected with an off-board power source, the microcomputer sets a charging schedule such that the battery charged by the charger according to the schedule is set in a fully-charged state at the charging end target time. The microcomputer controls the charger to charge the battery according to the schedule and to set the battery in the fully-charged state at the charging end target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Sakai
  • Patent number: 8706346
    Abstract: A method to control a powertrain having an electric motor includes monitoring a torque command to the motor, predicting a motor torque for the motor based upon the torque command, monitoring an actual motor torque of the motor, comparing the actual motor torque to the predicted torque, and indicating a motor fault when the actual motor torque and the predicted torque differ by more than a calibratable threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wei D. Wang, Brian A. Welchko, Kevin P. Houle, Darren Crewes
  • Patent number: 8701807
    Abstract: An Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and a method and a computer program product are provided for the control of a drive train for a hybrid vehicle, and a drive train including such a control device is also provided. The hybrid vehicle includes an upstream located Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) which is connected to an Electronic Motor/Generator (EMG) via a Master Clutch (MC). The EMG is connected to the wheels via a Mechanical Transmission (MT) including synchronization. The ECU is programmed to control the MC and the MT when shifting from a generating mode, in which the ICE is powering the EMG at or near standstill, to a driving mode in such a way that at least a part of the inertial energy liberated when retarding the EMG in order to synchronize the rotational speed of the EMG and the MT is transferred to the wheels by using the synchronization in the MT to retard the EMG and transfer of power to the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Hans Stervik, Jan Öberg
  • Publication number: 20140107906
    Abstract: Embodiments for monitoring fuel system degradation are provided. In one example, a method for a vehicle comprises evacuating fuel from a first fuel tank to a second fuel tank, and indicating fuel system degradation in response to a change in fuel system pressure following the evacuation of fuel. In this way, fuel system degradation may be indicated without use of a separate pressure building device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 8696507
    Abstract: A transmission comprises an input shaft and an output shaft and two power paths between the input shaft and a main gear set. The transmission also comprises a first, second, third and fourth shafts, wherein at least one electric machine can be connected to one of the shafts of the main gear set, the first shaft can be connected via a first shifting element to a first power path and via a second shifting element to a second power path, the second shaft can be connected via a third shifting element to the first power path and via a fourth shifting element to the second power path, the third shaft is continuously connected to the output shaft, the fourth shaft can be fixed via a sixth shifting element and can be connected via a fifth shifting element to the first power path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 8695738
    Abstract: A drivetrain for a plug-in hybrid vehicle which uses constant gear ratios, rather than any type of multi-gear transmission (traditional transmission gears or CVT) to power the driven wheels in order to increase drivetrain efficiency. A transmission is not a necessary drivetrain component for vehicles with an electric motor/generator (EMG). The EMG is the only mechanical power source until highway speeds are achieved. At that time, the driver may choose to activate and engage the small internal combustion engine (ICE) and the EMG is usually electrically disconnected so that it does not regeneratively charge the vehicle batteries using the power created by the ICE. Constant gear ratios may be achieved by a mechanical gearing system or by a belt drive system. This drivetrain is only for plug-in hybrid vehicles where the batteries are primarily charged by AC electrical outlet or solar (photovoltaic) cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Diala Nassif Jordan
  • Patent number: 8692513
    Abstract: A method is described for communication with an electric vehicle, comprising a generating of a first predetermined DC voltage level on a pilot conductor, a recognition of the existence of an electrical connection to an electric vehicle by means of the detection of a second predetermined DC voltage level on the pilot conductor, a sending out of a trigger signal on the pilot conductor, a detection of a vehicle identification signal on the pilot conductor and an approval of the electricity supply on a power conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: RWE AG
    Inventors: Armin Gaul, Ingo Diefenbach, Markus Heider
  • Patent number: 8694190
    Abstract: A regeneration control device of a hybrid vehicle detects brake fluid pressure for detecting the amount of engagement of the brakes of the hybrid vehicle, and performs a first regeneration control in a closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal not being depressed, a second regeneration control in the closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal being depressed, and a third regeneration control when the accelerator pedal is in the closed state and the brake fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, wherein X(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the first regeneration control, Y(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the second regeneration control, and Z(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the third regeneration control, then X<y<Z is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Sawayama, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8689921
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle detects a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft with a pedaling force sensor, controls a motor unit of the motor-assisted bicycle in a regenerative control process to charge a battery if the torque value of the detected pedaling torque is equal to or smaller than a predetermined level, and controls the motor unit in an assistive control process if the torque value is greater than the predetermined level. The control apparatus switches between the assistive control process and the regenerative control process depending on the torque value which is detected, increases the predetermined level if the state of charge of the battery becomes lower than a first level, and restores the predetermined level if the state of charge of the battery becomes higher than a second level which is greater than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Aoki, Tsutomu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8688305
    Abstract: In a method, system and apparatus for managing vehicle energy, the amount of electric power needed for operating a vehicle is calculated, a surplus amount of electric power that is the current amount of battery power less the calculated amount of electric power is sold, or a number of received location information signals according to the current amount of battery power is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SK Planet Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Jeong Choi, Dae Lim Son, Eun Bok Lee, Jun Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 8688350
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a combustion engine, an electric machine arrangement, a gearbox operable to receive motive power from at least one of the combustion engine and the electric machine arrangement for providing motive power to a load of the powertrain. The powertrain is configurable in operation so that its combustion engine is switchable between an inactive state and an active state. The combustion engine is cranked to switch it from its inactive state to its active state. Application of cranking torque to the combustion engine is controlled in operation to substantially temporally coincide with a gear change in the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Carlhammar, Svante Karlsson, Helene Panagopoulos
  • Patent number: 8688299
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle in which a mode change between an electric drive mode and a hybrid drive mode is carried out based on information concerning an operating condition and a driving status, an impairment of operability due to a change of the drive mode at a reverse travel of the vehicle is prevented. Upon a start of the reverse travel, the drive mode before the start of the reverse travel is continued at the start of the reverse travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Saito, Munetoshi Ueno, Hidetoshi Tsukidate