Having Energy Storing Means (e.g., Battery, Capacitor) (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/903)
  • Publication number: 20140039744
    Abstract: A motor generator and a power converter are driven by an engine, to supply electric power to a power storage device. ECU causes the engine to start if SOC of the power storage device falls below a first threshold value, and causes the engine to stop if SOC exceeds a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value. In the case where a running range has been selected when the vehicle stops, ECU causes the engine to stop if SOC exceeds a third threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the second threshold value. In the case where a non-running range has been selected, ECU causes the engine to stop if SOC exceeds the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Morisaki
  • Publication number: 20140038772
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a traction motor and a torque converter between an engine and a step ratio automatic transmission during a traction control event. The method includes reducing motor torque, and subsequently controlling the torque converter or the step ratio automatic transmission while maintaining engine torque constant during a wheel slip condition of the traction control event to lower driving force transmitted from a driving wheel to a road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Michael Glenn Fodor
  • Patent number: 8645022
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140032024
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electrical machine, an electrical storage device and a control system. The method includes determining a power currently available of the electrical storage device by the control system when a current state of charge of the electrical storage device is less than a charge threshold value; activating the internal combustion engine when the determined power currently available from the electrical storage device exceeds a first power threshold; and determining the power currently available from the electrical storage device by the control system when the determined power currently available from the electrical storage device is less than the first power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Christian PONGRATZ, Markus PASSATH, Manfred POSCH
  • Publication number: 20140025242
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle that reliably prevents an increase in size or a breakage of a mechanism for fixing an output shaft of an engine and handles utilization as a plug-in HEV by effectively increasing drive power in an EV mode. A hybrid vehicle includes a mechanism which outputs power generated from an engine and two motor generators to a drive shaft through a power transmitting mechanism and fixes an output shaft of the engine, the hybrid vehicle including: a control means which limits a torque generated from the two motor generators so that the torque acting on the mechanism for fixing the output shaft of the engine does not exceed an upper-limit value when the engine is stopped, the output shaft of the engine is fixed, and the vehicle runs only by the power generated by the two motor generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kuramoto, Yoshiki Ito
  • Publication number: 20140018983
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system includes determining minimum and maximum states for an object component of interest based upon a plurality of linear constraints that are associated with operating parameters for the torque machines and the multi-mode transmission. Minimum and maximum objective battery powers are determined based upon the minimum and maximum states for the object component of interest. When the minimum and maximum objective battery powers are outside the minimum and maximum battery power limits, a problem recomposition process is executed to recompose the minimum and maximum battery power limits and the linear constraints. Recomposed minimum and maximum states for the object component of interest are determined based upon the recomposed minimum and maximum battery power limits and the recomposed linear constraints. The recomposed minimum and maximum states for the object component of interest are employed to control the powertrain system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Diaz, Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20140018984
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a multi-mode transmission having a plurality of torque machines, and a driveline. A method to determine extrema for an objective function employed to control operation of the powertrain system includes establishing an objective component equation related to an objective function and corresponding to an object component of interest. A plurality of linear constraints and a non-linear constraint are imposed on the objective component equation. The objective component equation is solved in relation to the plurality of linear constraints and the non-linear constraint to determine the extrema for the objective function. The extrema for the objective function are employed to control operation of the powertrain system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Diaz, Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20140013722
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes an engine, an energy storage device, a motor/generator including an output shaft, an engine coupling, wherein, with the engine coupling disengaged, the motor/generator drives the output shaft, and with the engine coupling engaged, the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine drive the output shaft, a mower blade, a power take-off clutch, and a control unit configured to implement a first operating condition in which the engine coupling is disengaged, the engine is off, and the output shaft is driven by the motor/generator, and configured to implement a second operating condition in which the engine coupling is engaged, the engine is on, the output shaft is driven by the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140012456
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain controller includes a fuzzy logic-based adaptive algorithm with a learning capability that estimates a driver's long term driving preferences. An adaptive algorithm arbitrates competing requirements for good fuel economy, avoidance of intrusiveness and vehicle drivability. A driver's acceptance or rejection of advisory information may be used to adapt subsequent advisory information to the driving style. Vehicle performance is maintained in accordance with a driver's driving style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Finn Tseng
  • Publication number: 20140012441
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a generator, and a traction battery. Available electric power in the HEV is based upon the available power in the traction battery. The engine and the motor may both work simultaneously to propel the HEV. While the engine is powering the HEV, a controller is configured to increase a power output of the engine based upon a difference between available battery power and a combination of desired motor power and desired generator power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Carol Louise Okubo
  • Publication number: 20140012449
    Abstract: A vehicle control system, a server and a vehicle control device which improve energy efficiency of a vehicle based on the information of other vehicles is provided. The system includes a first energy information acquiring mechanism that acquires energy information indicating the energy efficiency of the vehicle including at least accelerator pedal opening information, an identification mechanism that identifies the vehicle of good energy efficiency among a plurality of vehicles based on the energy information, and a drive system control mechanism that controls the drive system of the own vehicle based on the accelerator pedal opening of the other vehicle that has been identified as energy efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arita
  • Patent number: 8624426
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is sequentially connected to one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. The sub power storage device undergoes a connection switching process, and when there is no new sub power storage device remaining for replacement, then, in accordance with that sub power storage device's SOC and the vehicle's state, a request is generated to disconnect the sub power storage device. Here, when a condition regarding a temperature of at least one of the main power storage device and the plurality of sub power storage devices is satisfied, generation of a disconnection request is prohibited, in order to protect the main power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 8626367
    Abstract: An exemplary method for operating a hybrid vehicle in the event that there is a problem with an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the method provides a power management scheme for a variety of situations where an auxiliary power source experiences a problem; this may include situations where an internal combustion engine runs out of fuel, where there is a mechanical or electrical malfunction, or any other instance where the auxiliary power source is unable to generate and/or provide electrical energy for the hybrid vehicle. The power management scheme conserves the vehicle's primary power source, which is typically a battery, in order to provide the hybrid vehicle with an extended driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Christopher A. Kinser, William R. Cawthorne, Aniket Kothari
  • Patent number: 8626403
    Abstract: Heavy equipment is designed for operation in a substantially-repetitive work cycle that includes lifting, rotating, and lowering steps. The heavy equipment includes a generator, an electrical bus, an energy storage component, and working components. The generator provides a substantially constant electrical output to the electrical bus, which is communicated to the working components. As such, the working components of the heavy equipment are driven directly or indirectly by the electrical output of the generator. The controller selectively couples the energy storage component to the electrical bus, and the energy storage component is configured to store electricity provided by the generator, and to provide electricity to the working components by way of the electrical bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Robert Weber, Peter James Miller
  • Publication number: 20140005870
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle having an obstacle detection device capable of improving the control accuracy of a motor and preventing the influence of noise on a sensor. A vehicle includes motors 31 and 32 which are AC motors, an inverter 2 that drives the motors, an ultrasonic sonar 1 which is, for example, a detector for detecting an obstacle around the vehicle, a frequency determining device 6 which determines whether noise generated from the inverter 2 is likely to interfere with a detection frequency of the detector, and a sonar ECU 5 which changes the carrier frequency of the inverter 2 when it is determined that the noise is likely to interfere with the detection frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuji Okamura, Yuka Sobue, Chika Yoshioka, Yu Hiei
  • Patent number: 8616321
    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 includes a storage unit for storing an assisted state and a regenerated state in a single event of use of the motor-assisted bicycle by a user, and a control quantity corrector for correcting a control quantity of the assistive control process and a control quantity of the regenerative control process based on the assisted state and the regenerated state which are stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Aoki, Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8615342
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a road condition acquisition portion (40, 41) that acquires information on an actual road condition; a storage portion (42) where road data is stored; a route setting portion (40) that sets a route to a destination, based on the road data stored in the storage portion (42); a travel pattern setting portion (30) that sets a travel pattern on the route set by the route setting portion (40), based on the road data stored in the storage portion (42); an operation schedule setting portion (30) that sets an operation schedule that is a schedule of operations of the engine and the motor, based on the travel pattern set by the travel pattern setting portion (30); and a control portion (30) that controls the operations of the engine and the motor based on the information on the actual road condition acquired by the road condition acquisition portion (40, 41) and the operation schedule set by the operation schedule setting portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Suganuma, Mamoru Kuraishi, Kazunao Yamada, Takashi Naitou, Toshiaki Niwa, Masatoshi Takahara, Fumiharu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130338867
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: prohibiting startup of an engine when there is a request for execution of a deterioration diagnosis process and when the deterioration diagnosis process is in execution; and releasing prohibition of startup of the engine when the deterioration diagnosis process is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keita Sato
  • Publication number: 20130327581
    Abstract: A divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system which is configured such that HVAC air entering at the HVAC air inlet is prevented from partly backflowing out the cabin air inlet via a dividing wall disposed therein so that all the HVAC air exits the divided dual inlet housing at the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Foos, Ronald A. Swartz, Brooksie J. Pollack, Teresa A. Walczyk
  • Patent number: 8606452
    Abstract: A controller determines whether or not the storage amount of a battery is below a threshold, and reduces an assist output of a sub-pump by controlling an assist control mechanism based on an assist correction coefficient, increases the discharge amount of a main pump by controlling an engine controller based on an engine rotation speed correction coefficient and increasing the rotation speed of an engine, and increases an output of the main pump by increasing the rotation speed of the engine by as much as a reduction in the assist output of the sub-pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kawasaki, Masahiro Egawa
  • Patent number: 8606442
    Abstract: A control system and method for a hybrid construction machine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding SSweden AB
    Inventors: Jong Min Kang, Ahn Kyun Jung, Chun Seung Lee, Jae Hong Kim, Eui Chul Kim, Jung Sun Jo, Sung Kon Kim, Sung Wan Koo
  • Patent number: 8606448
    Abstract: A system for controlling power in a machine includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive request signals indicative of requested operation of at least one of an electric device and a hydraulic device. The controller is further configured to determine a requested level of power required to meet the requested operation and determine an ability of the engine to supply the requested level of power. The controller is further configured to provide control signals to the at least one device to either supply power to the engine or receive power from the engine based on the ability of the engine to supply the requested level of power. The controller is also configured to provide control signals to the engine to control speed and output of the engine, wherein the control signals provided to the engine and the at least one device result in operation of the engine within a speed range of a target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Anders, Corey L. Gorman
  • Publication number: 20130325214
    Abstract: A system for controlling power of a hybrid vehicle may include a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a commanded acceleration for the hybrid vehicle and determine a potential for each of a power source, a generator, and an energy storage device to supply energy to achieve the commanded acceleration. The controller may be further configured to determine a cost associated with using each of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration, and determine a combination of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device that achieves the commanded acceleration at a lowest total cost. The controller may also be configured to provide a signal to at least one of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration based on the determined combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: David W. VOS
  • Publication number: 20130325232
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an all-wheel drive system in which the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle can be driven with differently sized front-axle and rear-axle torques, a rotational-speed difference between a front-axle-side rotational speed and a rear-axle-side rotational speed is established from a torque difference between the front-axle and rear-axle torques. The vehicle includes a unit for determining a road friction coefficient, which unit measures the rotational-speed difference and determines the road friction coefficient based on a value pair derived from the rotational-speed difference and the torque difference or determined from a parameter correlating therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Sebastian Strasser
  • Publication number: 20130325226
    Abstract: A trolley assist-capable electric drive truck includes a DC link with first, second and third contactors that may be opened and closed in different configurations to operate the truck in different modes. In a normal propel mode, the three contactors are open and electrical power is routed from an onboard electrical power source to electric propulsion motors. During normal retard mode, the three contactors are closed to route electrical energy generated by the electric propulsion motors through a grid resistor of the DC link. In a trolley mode, the first and second contactors are closed, but the third contactor is open, and electrical power is routed from the trolley lines to the motors for propulsion, or in a reverse direction for retarding the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • Publication number: 20130325236
    Abstract: Vehicle includes an engine, a first rotating electric machine and a control device controlling the rotational speed of the first rotating electric machine such that the rotational speed of the engine matches a target rotational speed. The control device calculates a torque command value of the first rotating electric machine based on an upper limit value of electric power discharged from a power storage device supplying electric power to the first rotating electric machine. The control device calculates the torque command of the first rotating electric machine based on a further restricted value of the upper limit value when a torque restricting condition including simultaneous operation of an accelerator pedal and brake pedal is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Endo, Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8600672
    Abstract: A road section where the host vehicle is currently located is identified and the work rate of a transmission shaft, which transmits a driving force from a drive source of a host vehicle to a wheel, is derived based on a rotational speed and the torque transmitted by the transmission shaft. The energy required to travel through the road section is linked to the road section and accumulated based on the work rate derived while the host vehicle travels through the road section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8600593
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle is connected to an external power supply through a charge plug. A relay is interposed in an electrical path extending to a power storage device from a power feed node electrically connected to the external power supply through the charge plug. A control device operates with electric power from an auxiliary machinery power supply provided separately from the power storage device and controls opening and closing of the relay in correspondence with a period during which the power storage device is charged. None of electric power consuming components mounted on the electrically powered vehicle is connected to the power feed node. Therefore, even during a period in which the electrically powered vehicle is connected to the external power supply, all electric power consuming components can electrically be disconnected from the external power supply by turning off the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ohno
  • Publication number: 20130317685
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric rotating machine, a second electric storage device with a lower voltage than the first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric component, a converter, and a control unit. The control unit controls the converter such that a voltage of a electric power supplied from the first electric storage device to the second electric storage device becomes equal to a target voltage. Further, the control unit sets the target voltage to a first voltage if a system stop period for a system of the vehicle is longer than a first period, and sets the target voltage to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage, if the system stop period is equal to or shorter than the first period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Gohki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130317674
    Abstract: A charge control apparatus of a train set having a plurality of trains, wherein the train has a generator, a battery and a motor supplied with power from the generator and the battery, power, generated by one of the generator and the motor, is able to charge to the battery, and a plurality of trains, driven by an operation of the motor, are connected and each battery is mutually independent, comprises an acquiring unit configured to acquiring charge information indicating charge condition of the battery from each train; and a charge amount control unit configured to control a charge amount of each battery using the charge information of the train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi ARAI, Manabu MATSUOKA, Isao TAKAHASHI, Yuki TABUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130313031
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust heat recovery system, includes generating a signal to control exhaust gas flow through an exhaust gas heat exchanger, and generating a diagnostic code based on the signal and a rate of change of coolant temperature. A vehicle has an engine and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a temperature sensor. A controller for the vehicle is configured to (i) generate a signal to control exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and (ii) generate a diagnostic code based on the signal and a rate of change of coolant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Patent number: 8594869
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor of an electrical forklift truck which includes at least one motor for traveling of the forklift truck or providing power to a pump that supplies power for operating a vehicle or oil to operational devices, a power module for controlling the power supply to the motors, and a control unit for controlling the power module and the motor, the method including the steps of: controlling to decelerate operating speed of the motor to be predetermined first decelerated speed by the control unit if a temperature of the motor and/or the power module increases and reaches a predetermined first level temperature value corresponding to the operating speed of the motor; and controlling to decelerate the operating speed of the motor to be predetermined second decelerated speed that is lower than the first decelerated speed by the control unit if the temperature of the motor and/or the power module increases in a state of the speed of the motor having been decelerated and reaches predetermined
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Doosan Corporation
    Inventor: Joon Ha Hwang
  • Patent number: 8594871
    Abstract: A vehicle battery diagnosis system diagnoses the state of use of a battery of a vehicle, and includes: an information accumulation portion that accumulates diagnostic information that includes a use condition regarding the battery; a control plan presentation portion that presents a plurality of control plans about the vehicle for increasing the service life of the battery on the basis of the diagnostic information; and an information changing portion that changes control information regarding the control of the vehicle which is retained in a vehicle-mounted ECU of the vehicle so that the control information corresponds to a control plan selected from the plurality of control plans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130311022
    Abstract: A device for operating a drivetrain, which drivetrain includes an electrical machine, has an energy management unit and an electrical machine management unit. The energy management is configured for transmitting a desired electrical, and/or a lower electrical limit, and/or an upper electrical limit power to the electrical machine management unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias SCHMIDT, Axel REUTER
  • Publication number: 20130311018
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a clutch, an electric motor, an arithmetic unit, and an engine controlling unit. The motor transmits motive power on a driving wheel side of the clutch. A first traveling mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the motor and a second traveling mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the engine are provided. The arithmetic unit calculates a first target power before the clutch engages upon changeover from the first traveling mode to the second traveling mode, the first target power being for driving by the engine after the clutch engaged. The engine controlling unit controls, before the engagement of the clutch, output motive power of the engine to a second target power that is set equal to or higher than the first target power. By the configuration, the traveling performance upon changeover of the clutch is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130311021
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an electrical storage device configured to supply electric power to a power receiving system outside the vehicle; a power generating device configured to supply electric power to the electrical storage device and the power receiving system; an engine that is a power source of the power generating device and that has a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas; and a control device. The control device is configured to control the vehicle such that a catalyst temperature becomes a first target value when there is a request to warm up the catalyst while the vehicle is travelling, and the control device configured to control the vehicle such that catalyst temperature becomes a second target value different from the first target value when there is a request to warm up the catalyst while electric power is being supplied to the power receiving system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noritake MITSUTANI
  • Publication number: 20130311025
    Abstract: A torque applied to a one-way clutch when a first motor generator and second motor generator are operated in a motor generator drive mode is restrained or prevented from becoming excessively high by setting a first motor generator sharing ratio in response to a driving torque target for the vehicle, by controlling operation of the first motor generator in response to a first motor generator first sharing ratio when vehicle vibrations due to cogging torque are likely to take place, and by reducing the torque from the first motor generator when the driving torque target is large. Torque applied to the one-way clutch which otherwise would become excessively high immediately after engine shutdown, is restrained or prevented by reducing the torque from the first motor generator in response to a second motor generator second sharing ratio when engine downtime is short.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Tagawa, Yoshiki Ito, Masakazu Saito, Hitoshi Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20130302089
    Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Sina
  • Publication number: 20130304294
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles adapted to facilitate controlling a rotation speed of an internal combustion engine, preventing excess speeds of a motor generator. The drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles is adapted for a drive control of a vehicle using outputs from an engine and motor generators, and includes a target engine operating point setter for setting up a target engine operating point to determine target engine torque and a target engine rotation speed of the engine from target engine power and an efficiency of system. A motor torque command value calculator sets up respective torque command values of the motor generators, and an engine torque corrector corrects the target engine torque by a target engine torque correction value set up based on the torque command values of the motor generators and permissible output torque of the motor generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hosoe, Yoshiki Ito, Masaaki Tagawa, Hitoshi Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20130300126
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a range extender for a hybrid vehicle configured to be driven by an electric machine. The range extender includes a generator configured to generate electrical energy, an internal combustion engine configured to drive the generator which generates a number N of generator output voltages, and an N-phase rectifier configured to rectify the number N of generator output voltages to form a rectified output voltage. The range extender further includes a direct voltage converter configured to convert the rectified output voltage of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 8583307
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. Connection of the sub power storage device is switched and, when the last sub power storage is used, a request to disconnect the sub power storage device is generated based on the SOC of the sub power storage device and the vehicle state. Specifically, where the SOC is included in a disconnection forced region in which the SOC is smaller than a reference lower limit, the sub power storage device is forced to be disconnected regardless of the vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Masaya Yamamoto, Haruki Sato
  • Publication number: 20130297193
    Abstract: A motor generator and a power converter are driven by an engine, to supply electric power to a power storage device. ECU causes the engine to start if SOC of the power storage device falls below a first threshold value, and causes the engine to stop if SOC exceeds a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value. During a vehicle stop, if SOC exceeds a third threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the second threshold value, ECU causes the engine to stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Morisaki
  • Publication number: 20130297137
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a power storage device, a motor generator using electric power from the power storage device for generating driving force, and an ECU. The vehicle is capable of running with the operation mode selectively switched between the CS mode in which the vehicle runs utilizing the driving force from the engine and the motor generator, and the CD mode in which the vehicle runs preferentially utilizing the driving force from the motor generator in the state where the engine is stopped. When the OBD is performed for detecting a malfunction in the engine in the state where the CD mode is selected, the ECU keeps the operation mode being temporarily switched from the CD mode to the CS mode until the OBD is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Fushiki, Makoto Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20130297133
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle that is in a four-wheel drive system based on FF layout and that is switchable between a two-wheel drive state and a four-wheel drive state by an electronically controlled coupling 10, the electronically controlled coupling 10 is controlled to a release side when an engine 1 is started in an EV-4WD travel state so as to reduce the transmission amount of engine torque to a drive system of a side of rear wheels 8L and 8R.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8577547
    Abstract: A system and method for putting a fuel cell vehicle into a performance mode by preloading sub-systems in the fuel cell system so that high power is available from the fuel cell stack quicker than during normal fuel cell system operation. For example, if a driver activates a vehicle performance mode, the fuel cell system can respond by, for example, increasing the compressor speed, increasing anode recirculation, increasing air and cooling fluid flow through the radiator, increasing battery state-of-charge, etc. Thus, when the driver requests the high power after the system is in the performance mode, the system is able to deliver the desired power immediately or at least quicker and for a longer time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Victor W. Logan, David A. Masten
  • Publication number: 20130286526
    Abstract: A vehicle safety device installed in a hybrid electric vehicle or an electric vehicle is provided to be capable of interrupting a current supplied from a power supply to a load via a supply line. The vehicle safety device includes first interrupting mechanism adapted to set the supply line in an interrupted condition when a temperature of the load reaches a first set temperature and second interrupting mechanism adapted to set the supply line in the interrupted condition such that the supply line cannot be returned to an energized condition when the temperature of the load reaches a second set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Satoh, Takeshi Ogasawara, Naohisa Kamiyama, Hiroki Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20130289814
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive unit that generates a driving force for driving a driving wheel, and an accelerator pedal. In the vehicle, the driving force generated by the drive unit is controlled on the basis of an operation amount of the accelerator pedal, which is operated by a user. It is determined whether or not the vehicle carries out coasting with the drive unit unactivated. It is determined whether a predetermined condition that an activation command for the drive unit be received from the user with the accelerator pedal operated is fulfilled during the coasting. An actual driving force that is transmitted from the drive unit to the driving wheel is limited with respect to a driving force that is required by the user, in comparison with a case where the vehicle travels in a state other than the coasting, if the predetermined condition is fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tanaka, Masahiro Naito
  • Publication number: 20130284524
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle or a facility utilizing an electric traction motor which is operated by a bank of batteries. The batteries are charged by a fuel operated electrical generator which is cooled by a radiator. A solar cell provides additional electrical output to the bank of batteries, while a ram air turbine may be employed for added electrical power or for regenerative braking. The traction motor operates a drive shaft through a differential gear mechanism to operate the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: WALTER COLLINS
  • Publication number: 20130289815
    Abstract: A GPS, a map information, and a communication unit which are included in a vehicle control apparatus acquire road information on a road on which a vehicle travels, and a hybrid ECU sets a battery residual capacity target value which is a target value of residual capacity of a battery which is a power source driving the vehicle. In addition, the hybrid ECU predicts a vehicle driver's operation, based on the road information acquired by the GPS and the like. Furthermore, the hybrid ECU modifies the battery residual capacity target value which has been set, based on the road information, according to the predicted vehicle driver's operation. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately set the battery residual capacity target value according to the road information on the road, and the driver's operation performed on the road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8571737
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle which runs on power from at least one of an electric motor and an engine. When a required output exceeds a sum of an output of the electric motor which is driven by electric power supplied from a battery and an output of the engine while the hybrid vehicle is running on a drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source with a clutch engaged, a transmission ratio changing unit increases a ratio of electrical transmission to mechanical transmission of the output of the engine, and an engaging/disengaging control unit releases the clutch at a time point when the mechanically-transmitted output of the engine becomes 0, with the clutch engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Tamagawa