Abstract: A hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator for running the vehicle, includes: a power storage device to be supplied to the motor-generator; a current leakage detection circuit detecting a decrease in insulation resistance, the current leakage detection circuit being electrically connected to a negative electrode of the power storage device; an electrical heated catalyst device; and a power supply device that converts electric power from the power storage device into energization power of the electrical heated catalyst device by a power conversion path passing through an insulating mechanism. The power supply device includes a switching device. The switching device is opened when the electrical heated catalyst device is energized, and is closed when the decrease in insulation resistance of the electrical heated catalyst device is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a catalyst device configured to be electrically heatable for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine; a first temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the catalyst device; a state-of-charge detection unit for detecting the state of charge of a power storage device; a second temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the power storage device; a catalyst power supply device supplying the catalyst device with electric power for heating it; and a controller. The controller calculates first electric power that the power storage device can supply based on the state of charge of the power storage device and an output of the second temperature detection unit, and the controller determines according to an output of the first temperature detection unit whether to cause the catalyst power supply device to supply the catalyst device with the first electric power.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a catalyst support that is heated due to supply of electricity, and a pair of electrodes that are disposed so as to contact an outer periphery of the catalyst support as seen in an orthogonal cross-section that is orthogonal to a direction in which exhaust flows. By making a volume resistivity of the electrodes be higher than that of electricity supplying portions of external cables that are connected to the electrodes respectively and are for supplying current to the electrodes, heat generated at the electrodes is provided to the catalyst support, and a generated heat amount of the catalyst support in vicinities of the electrodes is made to be large as compared with a generated heat amount at an inner portion of the catalyst support.

Abstract: To provide a catalytic converter that reduces non-uniformity of temperature of a catalyst support and that can approach a uniform temperature distribution, and a structural body for supporting a catalyst that structures this catalytic converter. At a catalyst support, gradually decreasing width portions, at which a width thereof gradually decreases toward electrode centers, are formed at regions where electrodes, are contactingly disposed, as seen in a cross-section orthogonal to a direction in which exhaust flows. The width is shorter than a length of a center line at a given position. Heat generation and heat dissipation of the catalyst support are balanced overall.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle (100) in which at least two shift ranges can be selected for a single running direction includes an engine (160), a motor generator (135), an EHC (180) raising the temperature of a catalyst for cleaning up an exhaust gas from the engine (160), and an ECU (300). While the vehicle (100) is running, if the engine (160) is stopped and, of the two shift ranges, a shift range where larger decelerating force is produced by regenerative braking of the motor generator (135) has been selected, the ECU (300) causes the EHC (180) to raise the temperature of the catalyst using electric power generated by the motor generator (135).

Abstract: A vehicle includes: an engine; an EHC (electrically heated catalyst) electrically heated for purifying exhaust gas of the engine; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the EHC; and an ECU that controls the EHC in temperature. The ECU performs a first estimation process and a second estimation process to estimate the temperature of the EHC and accordingly controls electric power applied to energize the EHC, the first estimation process being performed to estimate the temperature of the EHC based on an output of the temperature sensor before the engine starts, the second estimation process being performed to estimate the temperature of the EHC based on the temperature of the exhaust gas emitted by the engine after the engine is started.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a PCU serving as a power control unit controlling the electric power for vehicle running, a battery storing the electric power for vehicle running, and an EHC serving as an electrically heated catalyst. The PCU includes a converter, an inverter, and a positive line and a negative line each connecting the converter and the inverter. The converter boosts a voltage VL output from the battery to a requested voltage value VHsys. The EHC has a positive end connected to the positive line. The EHC also has a negative end connected to the negative line.

Abstract: In a vehicle control for a vehicle that includes: an internal combustion engine; a vehicle-driving rotary electric machine that generates drive force on a drive wheel; and an electricity storage device that supplies electric power to the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine, the internal combustion engine includes an exhaust passageway, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passageway, and a heater device that heats the catalyst by using electric power from the electricity storage device. The vehicle control includes determining whether an execution condition that a state of the drive wheel is changing between a slipping state and a gripped state is satisfied; and executing a control for causing the electric power generated by the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine to be consumed by the heater device if the execution condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a catalyst device configured to be electrically heatable for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine; a first temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the catalyst device; a state-of-charge detection unit for detecting the state of charge of a power storage device; a second temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the power storage device; a catalyst power supply device supplying the catalyst device with electric power for heating it; and a controller. The controller calculates first electric power that the power storage device can supply based on the state of charge of the power storage device and an output of the second temperature detection unit, and the controller determines according to an output of the first temperature detection unit whether to cause the catalyst power supply device to supply the catalyst device with the first electric power.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a PCU serving as a power control unit controlling the electric power for vehicle running, a battery storing the electric power for vehicle running, and an EHC serving as an electrically heated catalyst. The PCU includes a converter, an inverter, and a positive line and a negative line each connecting the converter and the inverter. The converter boosts a voltage VL output from the battery to a requested voltage value VHsys. The EHC has a positive end connected to the positive line. The EHC also has a negative end connected to the negative line.

Abstract: In a vehicle control for a vehicle that includes: an internal combustion engine; a vehicle-driving rotary electric machine that generates drive force on a drive wheel; and an electricity storage device that supplies electric power to the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine, the internal combustion engine includes an exhaust passageway, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passageway, and a heater device that heats the catalyst by using electric power from the electricity storage device. The vehicle control includes determining whether an execution condition that a state of the drive wheel is changing between a slipping state and a gripped state is satisfied; and executing a control for causing the electric power generated by the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine to be consumed by the heater device if the execution condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Solving Means: A field coil current and a stator current are controlled by a controller. The stator current is controlled under vector control and is controlled so that the phase keeps an efficient motor zone. In a case of rated power generation, when the motor speed is low, the phase current and field coil current are increased to reserve the generated power. And, as the speed is increased, the phase current is decreased to reduce the copper loss, while in place of decreasing the phase current, the field coil current is kept high to reserve the generated power. Thereafter, as the speed is increased more, the field coil current is decreased to reduce the iron loss, while in place of decreasing the field coil current, the phase current is increased to reserve the generated power.

Abstract: A current sensing device for sensing current flowing through a MOSFET has a voltage divider circuit composed of a series circuit of a first resistor and a second resistor having different resistance temperature coefficients, with a voltage division ratio designed to change depending on temperature. The sensing device is connected between a source and a drain of said MOSFET. A sensing circuit takes out the source-to-drain voltage divided with the voltage divider to sense the current flowing through the MOSFET.

Abstract: A power converter having a high side switching device and a low side switching device that are connected in series between a positive power supply terminal and a negative side power supply terminal for direct current, the connection point between the high side switching device and the low side switching device being set as an output terminal, and each of the high side switching device and the low side switching device being constructed by a switching device to which a current mirror device is appended, further including a high side current detecting unit for detecting current flowing in the current mirror device of the high side switching device, and a low side current detecting unit for detecting current flowing in the current mirror device of the low side switching device. A signal detected by the high side current detecting unit and a signal detected by the low side current detecting unit are differentiated from each other and set as a current value of the output terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor power module has insulative substrate which is configured with a metal wiring pattern formed on an upper first surface thereof, a metal conductor formed on a rear face, opposite the first surface and an insulative layer between the metal wiring pattern and the metal conductor. A semiconductor chip is joined to the metal wiring pattern formed on the first surface of the insulative substrate, using Pb-free solder with a low melting point. A heat sink is bonded to the metal conductor formed on the other surface of the insulative substrate, using a highly heat conductive adhesive having a thermal conductivity of 2 W/(mK) or more.

Abstract: In a power converter, an overvoltage suppression function of low cost and high reliability is provided. The power converter has a power conversion circuit, when driving a motor, for converting power from a battery and supplying it to the motor and when the motor generates power, converting the generated power of the motor and supplying it to the battery for storage of electricity and a drive circuit for driving the power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit includes a plurality of paired switching elements, in which one of each paired switching elements is arranged on an upper arm, and the other is arranged on a lower arm, and each pair corresponds to each phase of the motor. The drive circuit, when the voltage applied to the power conversion circuit is increased, turns on all the switching elements on one arm, turns off all the switching elements on the other arm, thereby short-circuits the output terminals of the motor.

Abstract: A current sensing device for sensing current flowing through a MOSFET has a voltage divider circuit composed of a series circuit of a first resistor and a second resistor having different resistance temperature coefficients, with a voltage division ratio designed to change depending on temperature. The sensing device is connected between a source and a drain of said MOSFET. A sensing circuit takes out the source-to-drain voltage divided with the voltage divider to sense the current flowing through the MOSFET.

Abstract: Solving Means: A field coil current and a stator current are controlled by a controller. The stator current is controlled under vector control and is controlled so that the phase keeps an efficient motor zone. In a case of rated power generation, when the motor speed is low, the phase current and field coil current are increased to reserve the generated power. And, as the speed is increased, the phase current is decreased to reduce the copper loss, while in place of decreasing the phase current, the field coil current is kept high to reserve the generated power. Thereafter, as the speed is increased more, the field coil current is decreased to reduce the iron loss, while in place of decreasing the field coil current, the phase current is increased to reserve the generated power.

Abstract: In a power converter, an overvoltage suppression function of low cost and high reliability is provided. The power converter has a power conversion circuit, when driving a motor, for converting power from a battery and supplying it to the motor and when the motor generates power, converting the generated power of the motor and supplying it to the battery for storage of electricity and a drive circuit for driving the power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit includes a plurality of paired switching elements, in which one of each paired switching elements is arranged on an upper arm, and the other is arranged on a lower arm, and each pair corresponds to each phase of the motor. The drive circuit, when the voltage applied to the power conversion circuit is increased, turns on all the switching elements on one arm, turns off all the switching elements on the other arm, thereby short-circuits the output terminals of the motor.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a control device for a vehicular AC motor, which has higher efficiency of voltage utilization in a power running mode and has higher efficiency of electricity generation in an electricity generation mode. The motor control device comprises rectifying devices and switching devices for three phases, which are connected between a DC power source and armature coils of an AC motor operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine. The motor control device has the inverter function of converting a DC power from the DC power source into an AC power and supplying the AC power to the armature coils, and the converter function of converting an AC power generated by the AC motor into a DC power and supplying the DC power to the DC power source.