Conjoint Control Of Different Elements (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/930)
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Publication number: 20150134166Abstract: When an engine is stopped in a state in which a supercharger is overheated (step S21: YES), a control device performs rotation processing for rotating a crankshaft of the engine under a condition in which the supply of fuel to the engine is stopped (step S23). After the rotation processing is ended (step S25: YES), the control device performs engine stop processing for stopping the rotation of the crankshaft (step S29).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takanori Aoki
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Publication number: 20150134160Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and an electric machine (M/G) connected by an upstream clutch, and a gearbox connected to the M/G by a torque converter. A controller is configured to, in response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, operate the engine at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency. A method is provided for controlling a vehicle. In response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, the engine is operated at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang
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Publication number: 20150134171Abstract: A control device is configured to control an engine to be started and stopped such that when a hybrid vehicle is required to output a vehicular required power smaller than an engine starting threshold value the control device operates to stop the engine and use only a motor generator to cause the vehicle to travel and when the vehicular required power exceeds the threshold value the control device operates to start the engine and use both the engine and the motor generator to cause the vehicle to travel. The engine starting threshold value is set to be higher when at least one of an amount of lifting the intake valve and a working angle on the intake valve controlled by a VVL device provided to the engine is small than when at least one of the amount and the angle is large.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Yoshikazu Asami, Toshikazu Kato, Ryuta Teraya
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Publication number: 20150134173Abstract: A control method of a hybrid vehicle is provided and includes determining whether a current vehicle driving mode is an EV mode, whether a current vehicle driving state satisfies a kick-down shift condition, and whether the current vehicle driving state satisfies a driving mode conversion condition for conversion into an HEV mode. The engine is started when the kick-down shift and the driving mode conversion conditions are satisfied. A current motor speed and discharging power of the battery are measured. The measured motor speed and predetermined motor reference speed are compared based on discharging power of the battery. A transmission input shaft target speed for the kick-down shift is calculated and compared to a predetermined transmission input shaft target reference speed based on discharging power of the battery. A control order is determined based on the comparisons and the kick-down shift and the engagement of the engine clutch are performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Namil Choi, Joon Young Park, Kwonchae Chung, Jongbum Oh
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Patent number: 9031770Abstract: A display device for a vehicle is provided in a vehicle having idling stop function and includes: a fuel economy display unit to display fuel economy information on the vehicle; an first fuel economy display unit to calculate a first fuel economy based on a distance traveled and fuel consumption in a first period; and a second fuel economy calculation unit to calculate an second fuel economy based on a distance traveled and fuel consumption in a second period shorter than the first period. The device also includes a display control unit to control display of the fuel economy display unit based on a fuel economy difference between the first and second fuel economies. When the second fuel economy reaches a reference value before performing idling stop, the fuel economy display control unit controls the fuel economy display unit based on the last fuel economy difference without updating the difference.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mahiro Yamasaki
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Patent number: 9031727Abstract: A vehicle running control device in a vehicle includes a power connecting/disconnecting device interrupting power transmission between an engine and drive wheels, the vehicle running control device providing free-run control of interrupting the power transmission with the power connecting/disconnecting device and stopping the engine during inertia running, the vehicle running control device being configured to determine a target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control based on a vehicle speed and to estimate an estimated vehicle deceleration when the free-run control is started, before starting the free-run control, and when the estimated vehicle deceleration is closer to the target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control, the free-run control being more easily provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
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Publication number: 20150126328Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between driveline braking and wheel brakes is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum, David Oshinsky
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Patent number: 9026293Abstract: A drive control device of a hybrid vehicle in which an electric power loss predictor and a target electric power calculator are arranged, a target engine power calculator calculates a target engine power based on a target driving power, target charging/discharging power, and estimated power that is an electric power loss, and a motor torque instruction value calculator calculates the torque instruction values of a plurality of motor generators using a torque balance equation including the target engine torque and an electric power balance equation including the target electric power. In the electric power balance equation, the electric power generated or consumed by the plurality of motor generators, the estimated power that is the electric power loss, and input/output electric power of the battery are included.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Yoshiki Ito, Masaaki Tagawa, Masakazu Saito, Hitoshi Ohkuma, Yukihiro Hosoe
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Patent number: 9026290Abstract: To reduce the size, weight, and cost of a motor and peripheral devices of the motor. A hybrid automobile is structured in which a required torque is estimated on the basis of an accelerator operation by a driver, and if it is determined that the running by the motor is possible, and an estimation result exceeds a maximum torque of the motor during execution of a running mode by the motor, a mode switch is carried out to a mode in which the automobile runs by an engine or by the engine and the motor in cooperation with each other, even though the running mode by the motor is being executed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Kabe
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Patent number: 9026310Abstract: A predictive method of detecting the depth of water ahead of a wading vehicle comprises providing a wading sensor and an attitude sensor on the vehicle, and using this information to estimate the depth of water at a location ahead of the direction of vehicle movement. Corresponding apparatus is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Thuy-Yung Tran, Edward Hoare, Nigel Clarke
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Patent number: 9026298Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine, an electric motor, a clutch disposed in a power transmitting path between the engine and the electric motor, and a transmission of a step-variable type disposed in a power transmitting path between said electric motor and drive wheels, a shift position of said transmission to be established after a shift-down action thereof performed in a vehicle drive mode using said electric motor as a drive power source being selected on the basis of an output-related value after starting of said engine, and according to a predetermined relationship, when the starting of said engine is required together with said shift-down action.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masato Yoshikawa, Shintaro Matsutani
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Publication number: 20150120122Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having a power-transferable combination of an engine and a motor-generator is controlled to prevent a vehicle vibration while preventing an over-revolution of the engine when the engine is started. In such control, while the engine is determined to be in a starting state, an instruction value correction is performed for correcting a per-unit-time change amount of an actuator instruction value, such as a target air intake amount and/or a target air load amount, according to a target output of the engine so that a steep increase of the engine revolution speed is prevented. With such a correction of the instruction value, an air intake amount of the engine and the engine revolution speed is gradually increased, thereby preventing the over-revolution of the engine and a steep increase of a load torque of the motor-generator, which prevents vehicle vibration when the engine is started.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Yamato SAKAKIBARA, Daiji ISOBE
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Publication number: 20150120108Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving air intake system hydrocarbon trap purging during engine-off time in a hybrid electric vehicle. One method includes opening the throttle during vehicle motion under battery operation and allowing airflow through the trap to purge its contents into the fuel canister via the canister purge valve. Upon transition into the engine-on mode, fuel vapors are released from the canister into the engine intake.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Timothy Watkins
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Publication number: 20150120114Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile work machine having a reversing gearbox. The driving direction reversal is initiated by detecting a driving direction reversal command. A change of the torque transmission from a current driving direction to a new driving direction is carried out as a powershift. Braking for the driving direction reversal occurs in a manner so as to recuperate energy. Furthermore, a device for controlling a mobile work machine, in particular for implementing the method, is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Manuel Gotz, Mark Mohr, Udo Brehmer, Kazutaka Iuchi
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Publication number: 20150120115Abstract: An electronic control unit executes throttle torque reduction control for decreasing an engine torque by reducing a throttle opening degree during an upshift of an automatic transmission with respect to the throttle opening degree before a start of the upshift. During the upshift of the automatic transmission, the electronic control unit actuates a waste gate valve in a closing direction with respect to a position of the waste gate valve before the start of the upshift in parallel with execution of the throttle torque reduction control. Thus, a decrease in supercharging pressure due to execution of the throttle torque reduction control is suppressed during the upshift, and the engine torque that has been temporarily decreased in an inertia phase of the upshift recovers immediately after the upshift, so it is possible to suppress deterioration of drivability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro Chinbe, Masakazu Owatari, Takaaki Tokura, Masayasu Mizobuchi
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Publication number: 20150120104Abstract: A system and a method for a hybrid vehicle for pre-charging the battery. A hybrid vehicle includes a battery having a state of charge (SOC), an engine configured to charge the battery, an actuation device having an on state and an off state, and a processor configured to activate the engine to charge the battery when the actuation device is switched to the on state until the SOC reaches a required SOC. The required SOC may be input by a driver and may exceed a normal maximum SOC utilized by the hybrid vehicle. The pre-charge feature can override the normal hybrid vehicle battery management logic. The required SOC allows the driver to perform reverse maneuvers without running out of battery power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Heraldo F. Stefanon, Kiyoshiro Ueoka
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Publication number: 20150119190Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft configured to connect the engine to the driving shaft and connectable/disconnectable to/from the engine, and a differential mechanism configured to connect the first shaft, the second shaft, and a rotating electrical machine to one another are provided, wherein, at the time of upshift to a gear shift stage of the second shaft from a state in which the engine is connected to the driving shaft through a gear shift stage of the first shaft, power transmission to the driving shaft through the second shaft is blocked, the second shaft is connected to the engine, power of the engine is transmitted to the second shaft by output control of the rotating electrical machine, the first shaft is disconnected from the engine, and the engine is connected to the driving shaft through the gear shift stage of the second shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Haruo Isomura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroyuki Shibata
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Patent number: 9017214Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus is provided with: a first replacement controlling device which replaces regenerative braking torque of the rotating electrical machine by engagement torque of the clutch if probability of starting an internal combustion engine is high on demand of changing a connection state between a rotating electrical machine and a transmission mechanism in regenerative braking by the regenerative braking torque of the rotating electrical machine; and a second replacement controlling device which replaces the regenerative braking torque by friction braking torque if the start probability is low on the change demand.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Murakami
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Patent number: 9020678Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises a mode selecting operation device selecting an acceleration drive mode oriented to vehicle acceleration and a fuel efficiency drive mode oriented to fuel efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Noritaka Nakajima
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Patent number: 9020676Abstract: A method and a system that control a drive torque of a vehicle in which there is a change in a torque of a predetermined magnitude when drive power of the vehicle enters a zone in which a predetermined maximum output is generated to allow a driver to feel that the drive power of the vehicle enters the maximum output zone during traveling. The method may include calculating, by a controller, a drive request torque of a vehicle and calculating drive power displayed on a drive power gauge of an instrument cluster based on the calculated drive request torque. In addition, the method may include adding, by the controller, a predetermined additional torque to the drive request torque when the calculated drive power displayed on the drive power gauge enters a predetermined zone of the drive power gauge.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sang Joon Kim
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Patent number: 9020675Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle transmission and a method of controlling the starting of the vehicle. The method includes: starting, by a controller, the engine by a starter; adjusting, by the controller, an input shaft speed of a transmission to a predetermined speed range to engage a coupling element of a torque transfer mechanism; and determining, by the controller, after the coupling element of the torque transfer mechanism is engaged, the input shaft speed of the transmission according to the engine speed and driving efficiency of at least two motor generators, in response to a request for engine power.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Joonyoung Park
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Patent number: 9020673Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (22), a motor (MG2), and a secondary battery (50), and travels in an electric-powered travel mode and in a hybrid travel mode. In the hybrid vehicle, an execution travel mode is set to one of two travel modes including an electric-powered travel priority mode where the hybrid vehicle travels with priority being given to the electric-powered travel mode over the hybrid travel mode, and a hybrid travel priority mode where the hybrid vehicle travels with priority being given to the hybrid travel mode over the electric-powered travel mode. When the execution travel mode is switched while the internal combustion engine (22) is being operated, the internal combustion engine (22) and the motor (MG2) are controlled so that charging/discharging electric power for charging or discharging the secondary battery (50) is gradually changed and the hybrid vehicle travels in the switched execution travel mode (S750 to S800).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso CorporationInventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Masashi Funada
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Publication number: 20150112536Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Alex J. Severinsky
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Publication number: 20150112533Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle configured to control the hybrid vehicle provided with: an engine; a flywheel with a variable inertial mass; a rotary electric machine; a regenerating device; and an electricity storage device which is charged by regenerative power of the rotary electric machine and regenerative power of the regenerating device, is provided with: a reduction control device configured to reduce the number of engine revolutions to a stop allowable number of revolutions or less; a stop control device configured to stop the engine after the number of engine revolutions is reduced to the stop allowable number of revolutions or less; a specifying device configured to specify allowable charging power of the electricity storage device at the time of the stop demand; and an inertia control device configured to reduce the inertial mass with decreasing the specified allowable charging power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Kawai
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Publication number: 20150112522Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery, and at least one controller. The vehicle may further comprise a port for supplying power to a load external to the vehicle. The controller is programmed to operate the engine at a power level based on a difference between a battery voltage and a reference voltage such that a power output by the electric machine reduces the difference. The power level may define an engine operating point that minimizes fuel consumption. The operating point may be an engine torque and an engine speed. The power level may be further based on a state of charge of the battery. The electric machine may be operated to cause the engine to rotate at an engine speed corresponding to the selected power level. The difference may be caused by varying power drawn by a load external to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang
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Patent number: 9014900Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a motor; a battery; a navigation system; and a controller configured to carry out navigation coordination traveling, the controller being configured to stop the navigation coordination traveling when a state of charge of the battery becomes lower than or equal to a first switching threshold, the controller being configured to resume the navigation coordination traveling when the state of charge of the battery becomes higher than or equal to a second switching threshold higher than the first switching threshold, the controller being configured to set a first predetermined state of charge for the first switching threshold when there is no regenerative travel section, and the controller being configured to set a second predetermined state of charge lower than the first predetermined state of charge when there is the regenerative travel section.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Hokoi, Makoto Hirai
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Patent number: 9014893Abstract: A plug-in hybrid vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine outputting driving power; an electric motor outputting driving power; an electrical storage device storing electric power; and a controller. The controller is configured to learn an electric power consumption rate by calculating the electric power consumption rate when the vehicle has traveled on the electric power stored in the electrical storage device using only the electric motor as a driving force source and to control travel of the vehicle using at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor as the driving force source. The controller is configured to, when a driving frequency of the internal combustion engine that is driven as the vehicle travels on at least one of an uphill and a downhill is higher than a predetermined frequency, invalidate the calculated electric power consumption rate or information acquired to calculate the electric power consumption rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Mikihisa Arai
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Publication number: 20150105957Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a first MG, a second MG, a main battery which can be charged and discharged, and a heating device. The heating device includes an exhaust heater which uses an exhaust heat of the engine, and a heat pump system which uses an electric power of the main battery. A hybrid control device determines a start timing of the heating device, based on a coolant temperature and a SOC. Specifically, the start timing of the heating device is determined such that a timing that the coolant temperature reaches a target temperature matches a timing that the SOC reaches a target value. After a warming-up operation is completed, an EV travelling of the vehicle can be executed according to the electric power of the main battery charged in the warming-up operation, and a fuel consumption of the engine is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Tsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Noriaki IKEMOTO, Youhei MORIMOTO, Yuutarou ITOU
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Publication number: 20150105958Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine and an E-machine of a hybrid electrical vehicle. In this case, the control of the internal combustion engine takes place as a function of a current and an expected waste heat of an electrical drive of the hybrid electrical vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rainer SCHNURR, Juergen BIESTER, Michael GLORA, Stefan Andreas KNIEP, Joerg HEYSE
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Publication number: 20150105216Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is started and idled before engine torque is required so that driveline torque response may be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
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Publication number: 20150105954Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric meter motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomohito Ono
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Publication number: 20150105949Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine includes automatically stopping the engine in response to vehicle power demand dropping below currently available electrical power, and automatically starting the engine when vehicle power demand is at a first offset below currently available electrical power to reduce a time delay for starting the engine and increase a currently available vehicle power to move the vehicle up a grade in response to receiving a signal indicating a positive grade. A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to control starting/stopping of the engine in response to a first driver demand when receiving a signal indicative of a road grade angle exceeding a corresponding threshold and in response to a second driver demand otherwise.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Wright, Jeffrey Allen Doering
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Patent number: 9005075Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline may selectively enter a sailing mode to provide quick driveline torque response with reduced impact on fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
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Patent number: 9008881Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for controlling a hybrid vehicle that can run a hybrid vehicle while preventing an engine stall when an engine clutch which controls power transmission between an engine and a motor is in a stuck-breakdown condition. The method of controlling a hybrid vehicle, which includes an engine clutch controlling power transmission between an engine and a motor, and a transmission clutch connecting the motor and an input shaft of a transmission, includes: determining whether the engine clutch is in a stuck-breakdown condition, and controlling the engine and the transmission clutch to maintain speed of the engine above a predetermined target idle RPM according to demand torque of the hybrid vehicle when the engine clutch is in a stuck-breakdown condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sang Joon Kim
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Patent number: 9008879Abstract: System including a switch control module that is configured to control operation of a first contactor and a second contactor in a vehicle system. The first and second contactors are configured to selectively connect front-end and direct-current (DC) buses, respectively, to an energy storage system of the vehicle system. The front-end bus is configured to receive electrical power from an external power source and provide the electrical power to a converter device. The converter device is configured to supply DC power to the DC bus. The switch control module is configured to close the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably coupled to the external power source so that the energy storage system is charged by the DC power. The switch control module is configured to close one of the first contactor or the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably decoupled to the external power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Wolfgang Daum, Dimitrios Ioannidis
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Patent number: 9008883Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a first running mode with an engine stopped and a second running mode with the engine operating. An ECU monitors information related to the frequency of intermittent startup of the engine in response to the startup and stoppage of the engine during vehicle running. The ECU executes running control such that startup of the engine is suppressed during the first running mode when in an operation pattern in which the frequency of intermittent startup is high. Accordingly, discomfort to the driver and degradation in fuel efficiency caused by repeating stoppage and startup of the engine frequently in a short period of time can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Ichimoto
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Patent number: 9008876Abstract: A vehicle having two forwardly positioned steerable road wheels and first and second rearwardly positioned wheels disposed on opposing lateral sides of the vehicle has first and second independently controllable electric motors to apply driving and braking torque to respective rearwardly positioned wheels. An angle sensor indicates a steering angle of the steerable road-wheels, and a speed sensor indicates vehicle longitudinal speed. A yaw-rate sensor indicates the vehicle's measured yaw-rate. The vehicle has control means to determine a target yaw-rate from the steering angle of the steerable road wheels and the longitudinal velocity; determine a yaw rate error by comparing the vehicle's measured yaw-rate with said target yaw-rate, and determine an amount of yaw torque to correct or reduce the yaw-rate error; and control the electric motors to apply an amount of differential torque to the respective first and second rearwardly positioned wheels to generate said amount of yaw torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Mira LimitedInventors: Lorenzo Pinto, Simon Aldworth, Maria Del Mar Franco-Jorge, Martin James Watkinson
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Patent number: 9008880Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Ryan J. Skaff, Paul Aldighieri, Dale Gilman, Robert David Hancasky
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Patent number: 9004207Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging unit for externally charging a power storage unit with electric power received from an external power supply, and an electric power generation unit capable of generating electric power from drive force received from an engine. The power storage unit is configured to be internally chargeable with electric power received from the electric power generation unit. The vehicle travels in selected one of EV priority mode restricting internal charging of the power storage unit and HV priority mode controlling internal charging such that a state of charge of the power storage unit is kept within a predetermined range. When a predetermined operating condition is satisfied while the vehicle is traveling, a control apparatus generates an operation request to the engine. The control apparatus changes the operating condition of the engine depending on whether the mode is EV priority mode or HV priority mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Toyoda Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryuta Teraya
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Patent number: 9008878Abstract: The control device for a hybrid vehicle including an exhaust-gas driven generator includes: a turbine (10); an exhaust-gas driven generator (11); a motor generator (16); a battery (14); and a control unit (12) for performing overall control based on a result of reading of a status signal. When the control unit determines based on the result of the reading of the status signal that an output of the internal combustion engine is required to be assisted by the motor generator, the control unit further determines whether a power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator is in an inhibited state or an allowed state. When the control unit determines that the power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator is in the inhibited state, the control unit stops the power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator to drive the motor generator by the power from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei Akashi, Hideyuki Tanaka, Hiroyuki Saito
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Patent number: 9008877Abstract: A controller executes an engine intermittent operation to stop operation of an engine when a given engine operation stop condition is satisfied and to start the engine when a given engine start condition is satisfied, makes an in-cylinder injection valve abnormality determination while causing a total amount of fuel to be injected from the in-cylinder injection valve, and makes a port injection valve abnormality determination while causing the total amount of fuel to be injected from the port injection valve. The controller inhibits execution of the engine intermittent operation until the in-cylinder injection valve abnormality determination has been made and the port injection valve abnormality determination has been made.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daigo Ando, Yukio Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20150099607Abstract: A powertrain comprising an engine, a motor, a disconnect clutch connected between the engine and the motor, and a transmission. The transmission is connected to the motor by a torque converter and lock-up clutch and selectively and indirectly connected to the engine by the disconnect clutch. A controller receives an engine torque output signal and reduces the torque output of the engine to the clutch capacity limit value. A system and a method are also provided for controlling a powertrain for a hybrid vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Bernard D. NEFCY, Daniel Scott COLVIN, Francis Thomas CONNOLLY, Walter Joseph ORTMANN
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Patent number: 9002561Abstract: A hybrid vehicle, a drive control apparatus, and a drive control method to prevent overcharging a battery, and providing an output drive force depending on a driver's request. The drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles outputs generated power at an internal combustion engine and a motor generator through a power transmission mechanism to drive axles, and includes an output shaft fixing mechanism which fixes an internal combustion engine output shaft to disable rotation. A request drive force setter sets a request drive force depending on a driver's request. A controller executes a control based on a detected battery stored energy level to operate irrespective of a magnitude of the request drive force to stop the internal combustion engine, uses the shaft fixing mechanism to fix the output shaft, and provides travel using generated power from the motor generator.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Masaaki Tagawa, Yoshiki Ito, Masakazu Saito, Hitoshi Ohkuma
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Patent number: 9002559Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain system to transfer torque among an engine, torque machines, and a driveline in response to an output torque request includes executing a selection scheme to evaluate operating in a plurality of candidate powertrain states including a pseudo-electric vehicle (EV) range responsive to the output torque request. A respective minimum cost for operating the powertrain system in each of the candidate powertrain states including the pseudo-EV range is determined. A preferred powertrain state is selected, and is one of the candidate powertrain states including the pseudo-EV range associated with a minimum of the respective minimum costs. The powertrain system is controlled in the preferred powertrain state responsive to the output torque request.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Anthony H. Heap, Kee Yong Kim, Ryan D. Martini
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Publication number: 20150094894Abstract: A hybrid vehicle controller controls a start or a stop of an engine according to a heating requirement or an engine-warming requirement. When at least one of the heating requirement and the engine-warming requirement is generated and a state of charge (SOC) of a main battery is higher than a specified threshold, the controller performs an SOC-fall-control to drop an SOC of a main battery. When the SOC of the main battery falls to a specified value, the engine is restarted. Since the engine can be started in a state where the SOC is lower enough than the upper limit by performing the SOC-fall-control, the engine output power can be converted into the heat for heating the passenger compartment or warming-up the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Yutaro ITO, Noriaki Ikemoto, Tsuyoshi Okamoto, Youhei Morimoto
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Publication number: 20150094188Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism which are selectively connected to each other through a clutch, and one of the rotary components of the first and second differential mechanisms which are selectively connected to each other through the clutch is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises: a clutch engagement control portion configured to place the clutch in an engaged state when a warm-up operation of the hybrid vehicle is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Kiyokami, Koki Ueno, Yoshiteru Hagino, Satoru Takahashi
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Publication number: 20150094892Abstract: A control device is configured to select one of a CD (Charge Depleting) mode in which an SOC of a power storage device is consumed and a CS (Charge Sustaining) mode in which the SOC is maintained within a predetermined range. The CS mode includes a first CS mode selected based on an intention of a driver, and a second CS mode selected when the SOC decreases to a predetermined amount. The predetermined range in the first CS mode is narrower than the predetermined range in the second CS mode. As a result, a distance for which a vehicle can travel using only the drive force of a rotating electric machine after mode switching from the CS mode to the CD mode based on the intention of the driver can be ensured.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventor: Masato KANEHARA
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Publication number: 20150094895Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the operation of an electric coolant pump in a hybrid vehicle system. During vehicle compression braking conditions, a motor propels the vehicle while the engine spins un-fueled to absorb torque. During such conditions, the coolant pump is operated based on the absorbed torque to maintain an engine temperature within a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventor: Osama A. Abihana
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Patent number: 8996218Abstract: A hybrid drive control device for a hybrid motor vehicle includes a control or regulation unit having a hybrid operating module that predictively controls or regulates at least a state of charge of an energy store as a function of at least one route parameter. The control or regulation unit has at least one speed control operating module that predictively controls or regulates a motor vehicle speed as a function of the at least one route parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Ottmar Gehring, Felix Kauffmann, Juergen Elser, Christophe Veber
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Patent number: 8996217Abstract: A start operation is continuously performed until the internal combustion engine starts even when an accelerator pedal opening decreases between initiation and termination of the start operation of the internal combustion engine, and an EV mode is selected again. A motor/generator is controlled such that a torque of the motor/generator exerting to reduce a slippage of the second clutch increases as the accelerator pedal opening decreases during control of the second clutch to start the internal combustion engine, compared to a case where the accelerator pedal opening does not decrease during mode switching.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaori Tanishima, Hiroaki Kawamura