Control Of Multiple Systems Specific To Hybrid Operation Patents (Class 180/65.265)
  • Patent number: 11820358
    Abstract: A charging/discharging control device includes a route information acquisition unit, a section identification unit that identifies an excessive discharging section and an excessive charging section, and a charging/discharging control unit that controls charging and discharging of a battery. The charging/discharging control unit limits a charge current value in the excessive charging section to a fixed first upper limit value. The state of charge reaches a maximum state of charge at an end point of the excessive charging section when the charge current value is maintained at the first upper limit value. The charging/discharging control unit limits a discharge current value in the excessive discharging section to a fixed second upper limit value. The state of charge reaches a minimum state of charge at an end point of the excessive discharging section when the discharge current value is maintained at the second upper limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Sakashita
  • Patent number: 11820374
    Abstract: A control device may be configured for responding to failure for ensuring the stability of a vehicle by switching from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode when detecting failure of the brake system in a two-wheel-drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gwi Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 11808818
    Abstract: A degradation determination device for a secondary battery is used for a hybrid vehicle, and configured to determine degradation of the secondary battery. The hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured to output power, a motor configured to output power, the secondary battery configured to supply electric power to the motor, and a control device configured to execute travel control in which the engine and the motor are controlled. The degradation determination device includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine degradation of the secondary battery based on data of a third parameter in a predetermined period. The third parameter is the difference between a first parameter based on the accelerator operation amount and a second parameter based on a fuel injection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11794562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a chassis having an upper frame plate and a lower frame plate. Between the upper frame plate and the lower frame plate there is provided a traction battery pack arrangement comprising one or more battery modules, and a hydrogen tank structure comprising one or more hydrogen tanks. The hydrogen tank structure is vertically tightened to the traction battery pack arrangement, so that one of the hydrogen tank structure and said traction battery pack arrangement is located on top of the other. At least one of the hydrogen tank structure and the traction battery pack arrangement is tightened to one of the upper and lower frame plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Hendriks, Anders Olsson
  • Patent number: 11794592
    Abstract: A main converter (i) converts AC power from a generator at a primary terminal into DC power at a secondary terminal, an internal combustion engine driving the generator to generate the AC power, or (ii) converts DC power at the secondary terminal into AC power and supplies the AC power to the generator. A first inverter is connected to the secondary terminal of the main converter. A step-down circuit steps down a voltage of the DC power output by the main converter and supplies the stepped-down DC power to a power storage device. The generator, using the power storage device as an electric power source, operates as an electric motor to start the internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine is started, the DC power output by the main converter is supplied to the first inverter, stepped down by the step-down circuit, and supplied to the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi Yoshida, Naoki Nishio
  • Patent number: 11787410
    Abstract: In a torque distribution method for a vehicle, torque is optimally distributed to front and rear wheels of a vehicle by reflecting pitch motion characteristics and longitudinal load movement information of the vehicle in real time. The repetition of wheel slip and the degradation of wheel slip control performance caused by the pitch motion are reduced. The longitudinal load movement of the vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Won Oh, Young Joon Chang, Jeong Soo Eo
  • Patent number: 11784559
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrical system including an electrical power source configured to supply a first DC voltage at a first voltage level and a DC/DC converter coupled to the electrical power source and configured to supply a second DC voltage is provided. The method includes monitoring a level of current supplied by the DC/DC converter, determining, based on monitoring of the level of the current, that the DC/DC converter is saturated, and in response to determining that the DC/DC converter is saturated, regulating a level of voltage outputby the DC/DC converter. Related DC/DC converters and vehicle electrical systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Leroy, David De Brito
  • Patent number: 11773761
    Abstract: The enclosed disclosure relates to vehicle systems in which an engine, a particulate filter fluidly coupled with the engine, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system fluidly coupled with the engine downstream of the particulate filter, an electrical heating device implemented with the particulate filter, and a controller operatively coupled with the engine and the electrical heating device, are implemented. The controller can detect, when the engine is turned off, a condition for turning on the engine, detect a temperature of the particulate filter of the SCR system, activate the electrical heating device in response to the detected temperature being below a lower temperature threshold, and turn on the engine in response to the detected temperature being at or above the lower temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Jinyong Luo, Xiaobo Song, Colin L. Norris, Xing Jin, Matthew L. Anderson, Ying Yuan
  • Patent number: 11772632
    Abstract: A deterioration evaluation apparatus for a secondary battery, which evaluates a degree of deterioration of the secondary battery of a hybrid vehicle including an engine that outputs a driving power, a motor that outputs a driving power, and the secondary battery configured to exchange an electric power with the motor, includes one or more processors configured to evaluate the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery based on a first relationship. The first relationship is set by using an accelerator operation amount and an operation point. The operation point includes a rotation speed of the engine and a load factor of the engine. The first relationship is a relationship between the operation point and a load on the secondary battery when the engine is operated at the operation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11760358
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling operation of a vehicle. The system includes a microphone located in a passenger cabin of the vehicle and configured to detect sound data indicating noise in the passenger cabin. The system also includes a powertrain of the vehicle including an engine/motor for propelling the vehicle and a transmission of the vehicle having a plurality of gears. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle coupled to the microphone and the transmission. The ECU is configured to determine a powertrain torque limit based on the sound data, determine whether a torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit, and instruct the transmission to downshift when the torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Hawley
  • Patent number: 11745579
    Abstract: A hybrid automated mechanical transmission includes an input shaft having a first plurality of gears mounted thereon. The input shaft is configured to be drivingly engaged with an internal combustion engine by an input clutch. A countershaft system includes a second plurality of gears mounted thereon. A main shaft is coaxial with the input shaft and includes a third plurality of gears mounted thereon, the first and third plurality of gears being in driving engagement with the second plurality of gears. A range gear system selectively receives drive input from the main shaft and the countershaft system. An electric motor provides drive torque to one of the countershaft system and the range gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Graeme Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 11745620
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an electric traction energy storage, at least two DC voltage converters, and a contact device for electrically contacting a vehicle-external energy source. The at least two DC voltage converters are each connected in series at a first side. The contact device is connected to the first sides of the DC voltage converters. The traction energy storage is connected to second sides of the DC voltage converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Martin Dehm
  • Patent number: 11745743
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle has a control device and a drive train. The drive train includes as components a motor, a clutch, and at least one wheel. The motor is coupled to the at least one wheel via the clutch. The control device controls a rotational speed of the at least one wheel based on a rotational speed specification using a model mapping the drive train of the motor vehicle. A torque generated by the motor is influenced as the manipulated variable as a function of at least one state variable of the drive train determined on the basis of the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Marc Kropf, Christian Graf, Bernd Schäfer
  • Patent number: 11745616
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein include managing, by a controller, a state of charge of a battery of a hybrid vehicle at a particular location at a particular time based on a determined potential propulsion power for the vehicle; responsive to determining a downhill grade at the particular location, determining, by the controller, an amount of braking energy available during traversal of the downhill grade; and discharging, by the controller, the battery to direct energy to at least one of a generator or an electrified accessory of the hybrid vehicle before the downhill grade to enable reception of at least a portion of the determined amount of braking energy available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Follen, Arun Prakash Thunga Gopal, Vivek A. Sujan, Pinak Jayant Tulpule, Mugdha S. Sane
  • Patent number: 11739500
    Abstract: A machine control system controls operation of any one of a plurality of interchangeable power sources mounted on a machine. The machine includes an undercarriage supporting ground engagement members that propel the machine and an upper structure rotatably supported on the undercarriage. The upper structure includes a swing frame that supports an operator cab, an interchangeable power source, hydraulic components, and electrical components. A processor processes inputs, outputs and operating characteristics specific to each of the plurality of power sources, and standardizes the power output by each of the power sources to provide a normalized, consistent control and operation of systems of the machine regardless of which of the power sources is mounted on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpilalr SARL
    Inventors: Corey Lee Gorman, Anthony D. McNealy, Yasumasa Hoshino
  • Patent number: 11738739
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method to control torque distribution among a plurality of electric machines connected to at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel of a vehicle during operation, comprising: acquiring the total torque requested; obtaining the most energy efficient torque distribution mode by using a loss model or loss map; evaluating the actual driving situation; determining if a mode switch is allowed depending on the actual driving situation; switching the torque distribution mode, if allowed; and preventing a mode switch, if not allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Juliette Utbult, Derong Yang, Mats Jonasson, Bengt Jacobson
  • Patent number: 11731609
    Abstract: A vehicle control device controls a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a drive wheel, and a lock-up clutch provided in a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the drive wheel. The vehicle control device is configured to: not execute a motor vibration damping control and a slip vibration damping control in a non-vibration damping region; execute the motor vibration damping control and the slip vibration damping control in a first vibration damping region in a high load state or a low rotation speed state; and execute the motor vibration damping control and not execute the slip vibration damping control in a second vibration damping region in a medium load state or a medium rotation speed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Fukao, Kenji Kikuchi, Sadahito Kajihara, Satoshi Watanabe, Masaya Agata
  • Patent number: 11731749
    Abstract: A system for alleviating variations in torsional loads applied to a shaft coupled to a main engine of a marine vessel, said shaft is coupled to a propeller of the marine vessel, the system comprising an electric motor-generator configured to provide power to the shaft or take out power from the shaft; a controller coupled to the electric motor-generator said controller is configured to execute instructions, comprising: measuring a group of values that are indicative of torsional loads applied on a shaft of the marine vessel over time; creating a time-based series of values that represent a predictive time-based torsional loads on the marine vessel; collecting readings indicative of power provided by a main engine of the marine vessel; computing an intervention time series of power values to be outputted by the electric motor-generator; wherein the electrical power outputs the intervention time series values of power to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MARINE EDGE LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Moran, Nevo Dotan, Amichay Haim Gross
  • Patent number: 11713080
    Abstract: Double subframes with isolation couplings are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a powertrain, a frame, a first subframe coupled to the powertrain via a first isolation coupling, and a second subframe coupled at least partially around the first subframe, the second subframe coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Hair, Steven C. Hopson, Marc Peerbolte, Thomas Trebowicz
  • Patent number: 11713034
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle is configured to be applied to a hybrid vehicle that includes an electric motor and an engine that are coupled to a drive wheel. The control apparatus includes a transmission mechanism and a torque processor. The transmission mechanism is to be provided between the engine and the drive wheel, and configured to switch between a plurality of fixed gear ratios to perform a shift. The torque processor is configured to temporarily decrease a torque of the electric motor and a torque of the engine upon execution of an upshift of the transmission mechanism, and configured to decrease, before the execution of the upshift of the transmission mechanism, a proportion of the torque of the electric motor to a drive wheel torque of the drive wheel as compared with a recent proportion of the torque of the electric motor to the drive wheel torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Inoue, Tetsu Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 11707991
    Abstract: A vehicle having a motor with a transmission, provided with a fixed gear ratio, to a propelling unit includes a virtual gearbox including a microprocessor, operatively interfaced with the motor and programmed to manage and check the generation of motor driving torque, limiting, at the motor output, a maximum angular velocity and a maximum torque which are variable with a predetermined law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Samuele Mazzini
  • Patent number: 11708007
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a traction battery electrically connected to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the vehicle approaching a decline, overrepresent a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery to cause a torque command to the engine to decrease and a torque command to the electric machine to increase such that discharge of the traction battery increases in advance of the decline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Yeakle, Alec Bolthouse, Judhajit Roy, Jonathan Barker, Jared King
  • Patent number: 11700119
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to, among other things, distributed ledger systems for modular vehicles. The disclosure may involve receiving, at a first ledger associated with a first node, information regarding an interaction between the first node and a second node. The same transaction information may also be received at a second ledger associated with the second node, as well as ledgers associated with any other number of nodes. The first node, second node, and any other number of nodes may be modular vehicle components. Additionally, the first ledger, second ledger, and any other number of ledgers include a set of the same information. The first node, second node, and third node may be nodes on a distributed ledger network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Patent number: 11691614
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main drive unit, a sub drive unit, and a control unit. The main drive unit includes a main drive rotary electric machine. The sub drive unit includes a sub drive rotary electric machine. The control unit includes a driving force distribution ratio setting unit configured to set a driving force distribution ratio between the main driving force and the sub driving force and is configured to control the outputs of the main drive unit and the sub drive unit so that the main driving force and the sub driving force have the driving force distribution ratio set by the driving force distribution ratio setting unit. The driving force distribution ratio setting unit is configured to set the driving force distribution ratio to minimize electric power loss of the vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the vehicle and a required driving force of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuto Otsuki, Satoshi Ando, Keiichi Ohiso
  • Patent number: 11679753
    Abstract: A utility vehicle with regenerative braking is disclosed. The utility vehicle includes a power bus, a battery coupled to the system power bus, and at least one electric drive motor to generate power through regenerative braking and supply the generated power onto the power bus. The utility vehicle includes a power regulation controller configured to direct the generated power to the battery to recharge the battery when the battery is not fully charged, direct the generated power to at least one power sink to consume the generated power when the battery is fully charged and the generated power is less than or equal to a power consumption limit, and reduce a maximum travel speed to reduce an amount of power generated by the at least one electric drive motor through regenerative braking when the battery is fully charged and the generated power is greater than the power consumption limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Patent number: 11673568
    Abstract: A method for providing engine start information for a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining a likelihood of engine start for each of a plurality of reasons for engine start, and displaying a reason for engine start having a highest likelihood of engine start from among the plurality of reasons for engine start and engine start information including the highest likelihood of engine start in consideration of a type of at least one reason for engine start and a level of the likelihood of engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Bae Jeon, Jae Ho Lee, Song Il Park, Sung Jae Oh, Hui Un Son, Min Gyu Heo, Jin Kyeom Cho
  • Patent number: 11654775
    Abstract: A motor drive device includes a vehicle speed sensor generating a pulse signal at a predetermined rotation angle of an output shaft in a power transmission system. The motor drive device is configured to perform: an initial setting process; an acquisition process; a detection process; a sine wave control process; and an abnormality determination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11654911
    Abstract: The powertrain device for a vehicle includes an engine and an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission includes a plurality of friction fastening elements for selectively switching motive power transmitting paths, a predetermined friction fastening element among the plurality of friction fastening elements is a travel-start friction fastening element performing slip control in a travel start, and the powertrain device includes, between the engine and the automatic transmission, a motive power connection-disconnection clutch which is released at least in an engine start and is fastened earlier than the travel-start friction fastening element in a travel start of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Narihito Hongawara, Takuya Sugisawa, Keitaro Kageyama, Satoshi Fujikawa, Hiroki Tanabe, Shingo Kodama
  • Patent number: 11648931
    Abstract: A vehicle running mode control method may include detecting, by a mode controller, a mode switching from an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) to a hybrid electric vehicle mode (HEV mode) while a vehicle runs; and performing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) cooperative mode switching control in which a drive motor is connected to an engine by engaging a clutch by operating the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Oh-Eun Kwon, Sun-Young Park
  • Patent number: 11648809
    Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Matthew Alan Kaskowicz
  • Patent number: 11623632
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a control unit. In a state where a first electric motor generates electricity by rotating an internal combustion engine and a target driving force is decided based on an operation for an accelerator pedal, the control unit performs a first driving control in which driving of a vehicle by a first driving force, which is a driving force of a first driving device including the internal combustion engine and the first electric motor, is prioritized. In a state where the first electric motor generates electricity by rotating the internal combustion engine and the target driving force is decided without being based on the operation for the accelerator pedal, the control unit performs a second driving control in which driving of the vehicle by a second driving force, which is a driving force of a second driving device including a second electric motor, is prioritized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuki Iwamitsu, Yuki Nakada, Takumi Kawano, Takaaki Kuwabara, Shigeki Kazehare
  • Patent number: 11623628
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control method and an automatic transmission control device control upshifting and downshifting of an automatic transmission of a vehicle. An electronic controller limits a number of continuous upshifts or downshifts during continuous execution of upshifts or downshifts during cruise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sergio Rossi
  • Patent number: 11618434
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine selectively coupled to the electric machine by a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a change in the driver-demanded torque necessitating starting of the engine: determine a state of driving (SOD) based on the change in driver-demanded torque, wherein the SOD is indicative of a desired responsiveness of the vehicle, and the desired responsiveness increases as SOD increases; command a speed target to the engine equal to a predicted motor speed associated with the driver-demanded torque plus an offset that is based on the SOD; and command a capacity to the disconnect clutch at a rate and a magnitude based on the SOD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott James Thompson, Rajit Johri, Jason Meyer, Francis Connolly, Minku Lee, Justin Panhans, Bradley Dean Riedle, Arun Sebastian, Ameya Gadre, Corey James Blue, Andrew Burt
  • Patent number: 11613258
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a driving force setting unit and a motor controller. The driving force setting unit sets a first requested driving force on the basis of accelerator opening and makes dulling processing on it to set a second requested driving force. The motor controller controls a motor driving force on the basis of the second requested driving force. The motor controller executes a slip control on the condition that the driving wheel slips on accelerated travel. The slip control includes controlling the motor driving force on the basis of a limited driving force smaller than the second requested driving force. In stopping the slip control, the motor controller compares the first requested driving force and the motor driving force. On the condition that the former is smaller than the latter, the motor controller controls the motor driving force on the basis of the first requested driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chihiro Oguro
  • Patent number: 11608114
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis platform including: a frame having a front frame end, a rear frame end, a longitudinal frame axis, an upper frame surface, a bottom frame surface, a first longitudinal lateral frame surface and a second longitudinal lateral frame surface, wherein the upper frame surface is substantially flat; and two or more mechanical connection assemblies each coupled to one of the first and second longitudinal lateral surfaces, each of mechanical connection assemblies to couple a vehicle corner module (VCM) to the frame and to transfer mechanical loads between the frame and the VCM when the VCM is coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Ahishay Sardes, Eran Starik, Ran Dekel, Tomer Segev, Amit Aknin, Eylon Avigur, Amos Boaz
  • Patent number: 11608049
    Abstract: A method and a device for optimizing fuel consumption includes using a charge mode of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Boris Blasinski
  • Patent number: 11608115
    Abstract: A chassis platform module for an electric vehicle may include: a frame part having a battery mounted thereon; a first support part extended from one side of the frame part in a longitudinal direction, and having a front wheel chassis module mounted thereon; and a second support part extended from the other side of the frame part in the longitudinal direction, and having a rear wheel chassis module mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hyung Kim, Suk Jin Yoon, Hyoun Young Oh
  • Patent number: 11597377
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes an overlapping-prediction determination portion configured to determine whether or not it is predicted that, during execution of a synchronous control for placing a clutch, which is provided between an engine and an electric motor, into an engaged state, a synchronization-completion time point of the clutch overlaps with an inertia phase period in process of a shift control of a transmission, and a torque limitation portion configured, when the overlapping-prediction determination portion determines that it is predicted that the synchronization-completion time point overlaps with the inertia phase period, to execute a torque limitation by which at least one of a torque capacity of the clutch and an output torque of the engine is made smaller than when the overlapping-prediction determination portion determines that it is not predicted that the synchronization-completion time point overlaps with the inertia phase period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keigo Matsubara, Masayuki Baba, Tomoya Inayoshi, Takuma Sugino
  • Patent number: 11592824
    Abstract: Controlling a vehicle according to a trained neural network model capable of being used to generate an output from which one or more vehicle operating variables can be estimated. The neural network model can be used to process, as input, aggregated data corresponding to operational and/or environmental characteristics experienced by the vehicle during at least a portion of a voyage. The aggregated data can include a range of values collected over a period of time when the vehicle is traversing the portion of the voyage. The output generated by the neural network model, based on processing the input, can be further processed in order to determine, for example, an estimated state of charge and/or an estimated remaining flight time for the vehicle. Such estimated values can thereafter be used by a controller of the vehicle to maintain course or maneuver to a charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: WING Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Kaiwen Gu, Matthew Nubbe
  • Patent number: 11577605
    Abstract: An all-wheel-drive electric vehicle includes one or more front electric motors, one or more rear electric motors, an accelerator sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a control unit. The one or more front electric motors are configured to directly drive front wheels. The one or more rear electric motors are configured to directly drive rear wheels. The accelerator sensor is configured to determine an operation amount of an accelerator. The vehicle speed sensor is configured to determine vehicle speed. The control unit is configured to control drive of the one or more front and rear electric motors based on the operation amount of the accelerator and the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Shiokawa, Chihiro Oguro
  • Patent number: 11577613
    Abstract: A system and a method of controlling a solar roof of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a solar cell panel and a controller that controls charging of a main battery and an auxiliary battery using power generated from the solar cell panel. A light amount sensor senses the amount of light collected in the solar cell panel and a temperature sensor measures a surface temperature of the solar cell panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hae-Yoon Jung, Sung-Geun Park, Seung-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 11577715
    Abstract: When a first type gear shift line is used as a gear shift line to change the gear ratio, and a predetermined condition including a condition that a state of charge of the power storage device is equal to or lower than a first ratio is satisfied, the control device changes the gear shift line to a second type gear shift line that recommends a lower speed gear ratio than the first type gear shift line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hiasa, Takahiro Kimura, Yasutaka Tsuchida, Shinichi Sasade
  • Patent number: 11577846
    Abstract: An aircraft power plant comprising a monolithic powertrain block with a composition of individual modules grouped by functionality, further comprising electric motors, high power motor controllers, logical control electronics (drivetrain computer), cooling system, hydraulics system, low voltage power system, and high voltage power source, wherein the engine mounting frame of the airplane is the main structure for mounting all individual modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZeroAvia, Inc.
    Inventor: Valery Miftakhov
  • Patent number: 11577611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (400) for discharging a high-voltage intermediate circuit (110) with a discharge circuit (120), wherein the high-voltage intermediate circuit (110) comprises an intermediate circuit capacitor (130), having the steps of: ascertaining (410) the voltage (U_ZK) of the high-voltage intermediate circuit (110); and actuating (420) the discharge circuit (120) on the basis of the ascertained voltage (U_ZK).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ekard Grossmann
  • Patent number: 11572056
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the provision of data particularly for use in generating a blockchain environment for tracking emissions of a hybrid electric vehicle. The systems and methods include reading in position data representing a geographical position of a hybrid electric vehicle, reading in operating data representing an operating state of a drivetrain of the hybrid electric vehicle, forming a data block at least comprising the position data and the operating data, and adding the data block to a blockchain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexandra Holz, Roy Hendrikx, Martin Wiecker, Stuart Easson, Detlef Kuck
  • Patent number: 11572824
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power, and an electrified air-boost system powered by the electrical power from the energy storage device to boost intake air to the engine, with the electrified air-boost system further including an electrical machine and a pressure device driven by the electrical machine to output boosted intake air to the engine. The engine system also includes a controller operably connected with the electrified air-boost system, with the controller configured to monitor engine speed and engine load during operation of the engine, identify an impending engine stall condition based on the monitored engine speed and engine load, and when the impending engine stall condition is identified, temporarily operate the electrified air-boost system to boost the intake air to the engine, thereby boosting a torque output of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott R. Miles, Pratir R. Punjani, Danan Dou
  • Patent number: 11571700
    Abstract: The mobile waste comminuting device of the invention comprises: at least one comminuting shaft; an internal combustion engine; at least one generator that is coupled to the internal combustion engine to convert mechanical energy supplied by the internal combustion engine into electric energy; at least one electric motor which is powered by the electric energy so as to drive the at least one comminuting shaft and change the direction of rotation thereof; and an energy store for storing energy and at least partly powering the at least one electric motor with electric energy, in particular for storing energy during periods of low power demand and supplying energy during periods of high power demand in relation to the nominal power of the at least one generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Manuel Lindner
  • Patent number: 11565689
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a condition determining unit, a mode switching controller, and a notification controller. The condition determining unit is configured to determine whether enabling conditions set to enable a switching control to an engine stop mode are satisfied. The engine stop mode stops an engine of a vehicle in a driving state. The mode switching controller is configured to perform the switching control to the engine stop mode in response to that the condition determining unit determines that the enabling conditions are satisfied. The notification controller is configured to compare a measured time value and a threshold both related to the enabling condition which the condition determining unit determines as not being satisfied. The notification controller is configured to perform, in response to that the measured time value exceeds the threshold, a control of making notification that the switching control is in a disabled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Hirofumi Yabe
  • Patent number: 11560139
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device has an internal combustion engine, a clutch transmission which has at least one free partial transmission and a partial transmission connected to an electric machine with in each case a clutch, and at least one electric machine. In order to start the internal combustion engine, pulse energy is provided from an inertia of the clutch associated with the free partial transmission and/or a rotation in the free partial transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11560053
    Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotatable vehicle drive axle disposed along a transverse axis and having opposed ends that are configured for attachment to a pair of opposed drive wheels. The electric vehicle also comprises a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis, the electric propulsion motor configured to be mounted within the vehicle chassis and operatively coupled to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and opposed drive wheels, the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Gaither, Robert C. MacArthur, Justin J. Chow