Conjoint Control Of Different Elements (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/930)
  • Publication number: 20150057864
    Abstract: A vehicle drive mechanism comprises an engine and a double rotor motor as sources of motive power. The engine generates motive power by internally burning gasoline fuel. The dual rotor motor is operated by three-phase AC electric power. A control unit controls first and second inverters so as to generate first and second electromotive torque between a first rotor and a second rotor and between a stator and the second rotor respectively, and the control unit also fixes with a disk brake the drive shaft and the first rotor which rotates integrally with the drive shaft, so as to not be rotatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Koji Yoshihara, Shohei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8965609
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is presented. The electric vehicle may include a front motor for driving a front wheel; a rear motor for driving a rear wheel; a target torque determiner for determining a target torque of the front motor and a target torque of the rear motor, based on at least a displacement amount of an accelerator operation member operated by a driver; and a motor controller for controlling the front motor and the rear motor to cause the front motor to output the target torque and the rear motor to output the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20150051772
    Abstract: 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 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: an engine drive control portion configured to temporarily change an output torque of the engine when operating states of the clutch and the brake are changed in respective opposite directions to switch a vehicle drive mode from one of drive modes to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kiyokami
  • Publication number: 20150051769
    Abstract: 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 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 reverse drive control portion configured to operate the first electric motor so as to generate a positive torque and operate the second electric motor so as to generate a negative torque, with the clutch being placed in the engaged state, to run the hybrid vehicle in a reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomohito Ono
  • Publication number: 20150051773
    Abstract: 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: an engine stop control portion configured to reduce a speed of the engine with the first electric motor, and then initiate an engaging action of at least one of the clutch and the brake, to stop a rotary motion of the engine, when the engine is required to be stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Hayashi, Hiroyasu Harada, Tomohito Ono, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20150051762
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Julia Helen Buckland, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Uros Vojko Kalabic, Matthew John Gerhart, Tobias John Pallett, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Suzanne Kay Wait
  • Publication number: 20150051770
    Abstract: 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 hybrid vehicle is selectively placed in one of drive modes including a first hybrid drive mode in which the brake is placed in an engaged state while the clutch is placed in a released state, and a second hybrid drive mode in which the brake is placed in a released state while the clutch is placed in an engaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Hayashi, Hiroyasu Harada, Tomohito Ono, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20150051767
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive control system is configured to start an engine irrespective of a motor rotational speed or a driving scene. In the hybrid vehicle drive control system, upon receiving an engine startup request, the engine is started by engaging a first clutch provided between the engine and a motor using the torque of the motor. A second clutch is provided between the motor and the drive wheel. The second clutch is disengaged by a second clutch control operation to reduce the motor rotation speed as a result of the motor rotational speed control by a motor rotation speed-controlling operation. The control system may thus increase the maximum motor output enable torque to ensure the start of the engine by the surplus torque irrespective of a motor rotational speed or driving scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Takanobu Mohri
  • Publication number: 20150051775
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus uses a travel mode selection unit to select between an EV travel mode, an engine travel mode, and an engine generation mode depending on comparisons between an engine generated power cost, an EV effect, and a surplus electric energy. In such manner, according to a travel condition of a vehicle, an appropriate travel mode is selected for an improvement of fuel consumption efficiency. The vehicle control apparatus also computes a fuel consumption decrease or a fuel consumption increase for each of a plurality of travel modes based on an engine efficiency and an MG-INV efficiency. In such manner, fuel consumption increase/decrease for every travel mode may be computed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Mutsuaki GOTOH, Takashi SATOH, Masanori SUGIURA, Mitsuharu HIGASHITANI, Mamoru MABUCHI, Motoyoshi HATTA
  • Publication number: 20150051766
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device basically includes an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, a second clutch and an engine start control section. The first clutch is disposed between the engine and the motor/generator. The second clutch is disposed between the motor/generator and a drive wheel. The engine start control section has a second clutch slip transition control section that is configured to control a transition of the second clutch to slip engagement when an engine start control is begun based on a mode transition request resulting from an accelerator depression operation, by increasing the torque transmission capacity of the second clutch according to a prescribed slope after dropping the torque transmission capacity of the second clutch to a value smaller than a target drive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsui, Hiroki Shimoyama, Yutaka Takamura
  • Patent number: 8958958
    Abstract: In hybrid construction machine employing a hydraulic motor and an electric motor for the driving of the swing structure, satisfactory operability of a combined operation of the swing structure and other actuators is secured irrespective of the operating status of the electric motor. A control device of the hybrid construction machine executes control selected from: hydraulic/electric complex swing control for driving the swing structure by total torque of the electric motor and the hydraulic motor when a swing operating lever device is operated; and hydraulic solo swing control for driving the swing structure by the torque of the hydraulic motor alone when the swing operating lever device is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Imura, Kouji Ishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki, Shinji Nishikawa, Manabu Edamura, Takako Satake
  • Publication number: 20150046007
    Abstract: A control device judges whether electric power generation of an electric generator is to be performed on the basis of a state of a storage battery. When permitting the electric power generation, the control device sets an electric power generation amount equivalent to an output required for cruising, depending on a traveling state, and also sets an additional electric power generation amount, depending on an electric power amount required in a vehicle state and the traveling state. The control device controls an internal combustion engine and the electric generator on the basis of the electric power generation amount and the additional electric power generation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Wakashiro, Hiroshi Tagami, Toru Nakasako
  • Publication number: 20150045999
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle system and control method for enhancing startup flare control includes receiving a start signal for starting an internal combustion engine from a start engine actuator and starting the internal combustion engine, increasing a throttle open angle in response to the start signal to increase engine speed upon starting of the internal combustion engine and, after a desired engine speed is reached, engaging an electric motor with the internal combustion engine to add a drag force on the internal combustion engine thereby rapidly reducing engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven M. Eich
  • Publication number: 20150046008
    Abstract: 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 hybrid vehicle is selectively placed in a plurality of drive modes according to respective combinations of engaged and released states of the clutch and the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Kuwamoto, Yoshiteru Hagino, Tomohito Ono
  • Publication number: 20150046070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a start/stop vehicle are presented. One method includes deactivating an engine start/stop mode in response to an electrical load of a trailer coupled to a vehicle. By deactivating the engine start/stop mode, it may be possible to conserve consumption of electrical energy and maintain state of battery charge to ensure the vehicle has sufficient electrical energy to restart the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed Awadi, Mark Douglas Malone, William Najib Mansur
  • Publication number: 20150046000
    Abstract: An engine, electric machine and battery of a vehicle are operated, in certain examples, such that a state of charge of the battery is generally maintained while the real-time fuel consumption is estimated and minimized by the use of route segmentation and a predictive average power calculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Anthony Mark Phillips
  • Publication number: 20150046009
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle provided with: a differential device which includes a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism and which has four rotary elements; an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to said four rotary elements; and a brake configured to selectively fix the rotary element connected to said engine, to a stationary member, and wherein one of the said four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of said first differential mechanism and a rotary component of said second differential mechanism which are selectively connected to each other through a clutch, the hybrid vehicle having a motor drive mode in which the first electric motor and the second electric motor are operated to drive the hybrid vehicle while said brake and said clutch are placed in an engaged state, the drive control device comprising: an engine starting control portion configured to implement an en
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomohito Ono
  • Publication number: 20150046005
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first rotating electrical machine and a speed change mechanism are provided on a power transmission path connecting an internal combustion engine and wheels. The control device includes a first pump that is driven by the first rotating electrical machine and a second pump that is driven by a second rotating electrical machine provided independently of the power transmission path. The control device is configured with an auxiliary drive control section that, when a main power supply of a vehicle is turned on, executes auxiliary drive control of driving the first pump for a set drive time by the first rotating electrical machine before driving the second pump by the second rotating electrical machine, and starting the second pump after elapse of the set drive time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Masashi Kito, Shigeru Sugisaka
  • Publication number: 20150046004
    Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic excavator includes: an engine; a generator motor; an electric storage device; a commanding system being configured to command at least activation of a service mode for maintenance and execution of a charge-release process for the electric storage device; a display being configured to provide at least information on the charge-release process for the electric storage device; and a display controller being configured to control displaying of the display. The display controller commands the display to display charge-release-failure information when the charge-release process is ongoing at the elapse of a predetermined duration of time since the activation of the service mode was commanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitamura, Kentaro Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150045179
    Abstract: The drive apparatus (1) controls a rotating speed of a ring gear (Ri) of a power split mechanism (6) by controlling a first motor generator (3) after a rotating speed of an engine (2) is deemed to be zero by executing an engine stop control for stopping the engine (2), when a condition which a control to a clutch (31) or a parking mechanism (30) is performed is satisfied while the engine (2) is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Okuwaki
  • Publication number: 20150046010
    Abstract: A control device judges whether electric power generation of an electric generator is to be performed, depending on a state of a storage battery. When permitting the electric power generation, the control device sets an internal combustion engine rotational speed by which the electric generator is capable of performing electric power generation equivalent to an output required for cruising, depending on a traveling state, and also sets an additional internal combustion engine rotational speed by which the electric generator is capable of performing electric power generation according to a required electric power amount, from a vehicle state and the traveling state. The control device controls the internal combustion engine and the electric generator depending on the internal combustion engine rotational speed and the additional internal combustion engine rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Wakashiro, Hiroshi Tagami, Toru Nakasako
  • Patent number: 8954215
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller is configured to control motor torque through a region surrounding vehicle wheel torque reversal, control driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of driveline output torque, and control motor torque during a torque reversal of at least one driveline component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the driveline component. A method for controlling a vehicle having a traction motor includes controlling the traction motor torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal, controlling driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of output torque, and controlling traction motor torque during a torque reversal of a powertrain component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Marvin Paul Kraska, Bernard D. Nefcy, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Publication number: 20150038287
    Abstract: In a vehicle and a vehicle control method, when conditions i) and ii) are satisfied, an electronic control unit is configured to control an internal combustion engine so as to delay starting of the internal combustion engine, which is based on a condition where a vehicle request power is greater than a start threshold value, in a first mode than that in a second mode. The condition i) is a condition in which the driving mode is the first mode and the condition ii) is a condition in which the vehicle request power requested by the vehicle is greater than the start threshold value. The start threshold value is a value with which the internal combustion engine in a stopped state is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroki ENDO, Koji HOKOI
  • Publication number: 20150039163
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling power for a work machine. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying an energy storage level of an energy storage device; identifying a transmission setting of the work machine; and determining whether to control a function of the work machine using power from the energy storage device or power from a second power source different from the energy storage device based on the energy storage level and the transmission setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Sean P. West
  • Publication number: 20150039162
    Abstract: A system and method of managing power in a hybrid vehicle are provided. The system includes an engine, first and second electronic power components, a power storage device, and a controller. The power storage device is configured to supply a power output to the second electronic power component necessary for the second electronic power component to drive a second set of drive wheels, in an electronic all-wheel drive mode. In steep grade environments, the power storage device is depleted at a higher rate, and may require a power input in addition to the power input of a conventional charge to adequately supply the second electronic power component with adequate power. To provide this power, the controller executes a series of control steps to increase a power output of the first electronic power component, by increasing the speed of the engine, thereby providing continuous power to the power storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Tolkacz, Norman Schoenek, Min-Joong Kim
  • Publication number: 20150039167
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle including an electric motor and an engine as drive force sources, the hybrid vehicle being configured to execute engine running using the engine as the drive force source for running and motor running using the electric motor as the drive force source for running with the engine stopped, the control device having a predefined running performance oriented running mode such as a sport running mode and a predefined large drive force running mode with a lower requirement degree of start acceleration performance as compared to the running performance oriented running mode, in the predefined running performance oriented running mode, the motor running being inhibited, the engine running being performed in an operation range in which the motor running is normally performed, and the engine being retained in an operating state at the time of vehicle stop, and in the predefined large drive force running mode, the motor running being inhibited, the engine running being performed in t
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yuji Inoue, Shingo Eto, Yousuke Michikoshi, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20150039169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller (140) for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the controller (140) being operable to control a HEV to assume a HEV mode of operation in which each of a plurality of actuators (121, 123) of a HEV is controlled to assume a prescribed operational state, the controller being configured to control a HEV to assume an operational mode responsive to data in respect of a route of a journey to be made by a HEV, a route comprising at least one route segment, the controller (140) being configured to determine a target state of charge of an energy storage device (150) of a HEV for each said at least one route segment being a state of charge of an energy storage device (150) that is to be achieved at the end of said at least one segment responsive to the data in respect of a route, the controller (140) being further configured to control the HEV to achieve the target state of charge at the end of said at least one segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Clement Dextreit
  • Patent number: 8948950
    Abstract: In a drive control apparatus (1) of a hybrid vehicle, a provisional target engine power calculator (17D) of a controller (17) compares provisional target engine power which is calculated from a target drive power and a target charge/discharge power with a target engine power lower limit value and, when the provisional target engine power is smaller than the target engine power lower limit value, sets the target engine power lower limit value to the provisional target engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Saito, Yoshiki Ito, Masaaki Tagawa, Hitoshi Ohkuma, Yukihiro Hosoe
  • Patent number: 8948951
    Abstract: A vehicle Ve comprises six wheels of front left and right wheels FW1 FW2, middle left and right wheels MW1, MW2, and rear left and right wheels RW1, RW2. Each of in-wheel motors 21-26 is provided/installed in each of the wheels. An electronic control unit 41 calculates a target heave force for controlling a heave behavior, and a target pitching moment My for controlling a pitching behavior, using a state of a movement of a vehicle body Bo obtained from a movement state detecting sensor 43. The unit 41 calculates a driving force and a braking force of the front wheels FW1 FW2 and the rear wheels RW1, RW2, in order to achieve the calculated target heave force and the target pitching moment, and calculates a driving force and a braking force of the middle wheels MW1, MW2 for suppressing a forward-and-backward movement of the vehicle, the movement caused by independently (simultaneously) controlling the behaviors coupling with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihide Kimura, Etsuo Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 8948948
    Abstract: There is provided a generation control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having a second generation mode which controls a generation unit so as to suppress the reduction of a state of charge of a battery, wherein the generation control apparatus activates the generation unit with a high load state in which an electric power that is consumed in the hybrid vehicle over a predetermined period of time becomes larger than a maximum output electric power of the generation unit, while controlling the generation unit to operate in the second generation mode unless the battery reaches the target state of charge and thereafter continues to drive the generation unit until the state of charge of the battery reaches a target state of charge of the battery, when the electric power over the predetermined period of time becomes smaller than the maximum output electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tagami
  • Publication number: 20150032308
    Abstract: A method for selecting an engine operating point in a multi-mode powertrain system includes monitoring a desired axle torque based on an operator torque request and vehicle speed. For each available combustion mode of the diesel engine, engine torque and speed ranges are received and a plurality of fuel losses and a plurality of emissions losses are retrieved, each fuel and emissions loss corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of engine operating points within the engine torque and speed ranges. The respective fuel and emissions losses are compared at each of a plurality of potential engine operating points within the engine torque and speed ranges of the available combustion modes. A desired engine operating point within one of the available combustion modes is selected that corresponds to one of the potential engine operating points having a lowest power loss based on the compared respective fuel and emissions losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WHITNEY, LUCA SCAVONE, ANTHONY H. HEAP, CORNELIUS HEISLER
  • Publication number: 20150032317
    Abstract: An ECU serving as a control device of a hybrid vehicle including an engine; a first motor generator and a second motor generator capable of generating power and generating regenerative power; and a battery configured to supply and receive power to and from the first motor generator and the second motor generator includes a plurality prediction arithmetic expressions configured to predict a regenerative power generation amount generated by the first motor generator (or the second motor generator) at the time an own vehicle travels on a downhill road in a travel scheduled path of the own vehicle, wherein one of the plurality of prediction arithmetic expressions is selected and used for the predicting the regenerative power generation amount according to a gradient of the downhill road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Kato
  • Publication number: 20150032310
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow for reliable consumption of GPS and Map information into a Control System, for such uses as improving off cycle fuel economy in a plug in hybrid vehicle with an electric motor, and an internal combustion engine using a global position system (GPS) is provided. The system comprises a global position system (GPS), a clock, and a processor containing a function executing therein that controls the internal combustion engine based on a GPS fix and its Accuracy Information (VDOP/HDOP/Satellite Quantity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: ANDREW M. ZETTEL, NORMAN J. WEIGERT, MARK A. MANICKARAJ, CURTIS L. HAY
  • Publication number: 20150032303
    Abstract: A power system housed in one or more modules or containers may be located as a unitary structure where desired, for example secured to a locomotive platform, allowing easy retrofits. A control subsystem may maintain an RPM of a prime mover at minimum that still provides an expected level of power from an electric machine for any one of a finite number of throttle settings. The control subsystem may dynamically adjust loads between various combinations of series and/or parallel couplings. A set of processor executable instructions may be configured for specific platforms by selecting appropriate set of values based on number of loads (e.g., driven axles), rating (e.g., horse power), other criteria (e.g., manufacturer, model, year). Characteristics may be determined and verified, and operation based on the outcome of such. A telematics system method logs and provides remote access to operational data, engine data, power system data, anti-idling overrides, unauthorized changes, and/or location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: David Scott Swanson, Brian Andrew Bertlin, Donald Edward Shipper, Eric Munson, Jerome Lee Mullins
  • Publication number: 20150031487
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device having a control device making another first planetary gear device constituent member and a second planetary gear device constituent member non-rotatable by a brake to perform electric motor running for running with power of a second electric motor while an engine is put into a non-drive state, when the engine is started during the electric motor running the control device causing a first electric motor to rotate the engine while the other first planetary gear device constituent member and the one second planetary gear device constituent member are kept non-rotatable by the brake, and when the brake is released after start of the engine, the control device controlling the first electric motor before release of the brake so a torque applied to the brake due to power of the engine reaches a magnitude balancing with a torque applied to the brake due to a running load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kiyokami, Norihiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20150031503
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid system includes an engine; a motor/generator; an automatic clutch to a first engaging unit side of which an engine rotary shaft is connected; a differential device provided with a plurality of rotational elements to each of which an MG rotary shaft and a second engaging unit side of the automatic clutch are separately connected; a first transmission a rotary shaft of which is connected to the rotational element to which the second engaging unit is connected; a second transmission a rotary shaft of which is connected to another rotational element; and an output shaft connected to a driving wheel side, wherein at the time of EV driving, transmission control is performed and the automatic clutch is disengaged such that the first transmission and the second transmission can perform torque transmission between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruo Isomura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8942879
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device having an input member drivingly coupled to an internal combustion engine. Control is performed so that motor torque output by the motor produces at least a part of inertia torque needed for rotation change of input-related members during the shifting. The control device limits the motor torque in an inertia phase during the shifting to a set value that has been set to or below a value having a smaller absolute value between values of performance limit torque of the motor at times before and after the shifting, sets a target input rotational speed of the input member during the shifting, and controls the engagement state of the friction engagement elements that control the rotation change of the input-related members in the inertia phase so as to generate the inertia torque calculated from the target input rotational speed in the input-related members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yoichi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20150025725
    Abstract: An inverter converts input DC power into AC power and supplies the AC power to a motor generator. An inverter control unit executes shutdown control for stopping power conversion by the inverter, when operation of the motor generator is not requested. A transmission control unit controls the transmission. When a state quantity related to a rotation speed of the motor generator increases to a prescribed quantity during execution of the shutdown control, the inverter control unit continues the shutdown control and the transmission control unit executes shift control for controlling the transmission to reduce the rotation speed of the motor generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Kenji UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150025727
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing power consumption of a vehicle which may include sending data from a vehicle Electronic Control Unit and vehicle Global Positioning System receiver to a network cloud and/or server upon starting the vehicle, calculating a most probable final destination and most probable optimized route of the vehicle in the network cloud and/or server based on the sent vehicle data, and calculating a most probable driving mode map in the network cloud and/or server. The method may further include calculating an optimized power utilization of propulsion sources for the vehicle in the network cloud and/or server, returning the optimized power utilization of propulsion sources to the vehicle from the network cloud and/or server, and using the optimized power utilization of propulsion sources to control drive train modes and/or peripheral equipment of the vehicle during driving in order to optimize the power consumption of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Johan Lars ENGMAN, Rickard ARVIDSSON
  • Publication number: 20150025723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, engine operation is adjusted in response to a change in engine operating conditions that result in a fractional amount of cylinder charge comprised of exhaust gas changing by more than a threshold percentage. The approaches describe may improve vehicle drivability and fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Publication number: 20150019056
    Abstract: A method for driving a motor vehicle includes selecting a drive mode. The motor vehicle has a hybrid drive including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine for providing a drive torque (t) for driving the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is drivable by a torque of the internal combustion engine, by virtue of the internal combustion engine being started, or by a torque of the electric machine. The method includes detecting an amount of running activity (tB) of the internal combustion engine. The drive mode is selected based on the detected amount of running activity (tB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Marcus Heck
  • Publication number: 20150014081
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle such that drive state can be suitably selected in a configuration including an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle control method. In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, different values are set for a first switching threshold value for switching from a first independent drive state (in which one of a front wheel and a rear wheel is driven) to a combined drive state, and for a second switching threshold value for switching from a second independent drive state (in which the other of the front wheel and the rear wheel is driven by an internal combustion engine) to the combined drive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8935019
    Abstract: A power system housed in modules or containers may be located as a unitary structure for example secured to a locomotive platform, allowing easy retrofits. A control subsystem may maintain an RPM of a prime mover at minimum that still provides an expected level of power from an electric machine for any one of a finite number of throttle settings. The control subsystem may dynamically adjust loads between various combinations of series and/or parallel couplings. A set of processor executable instructions may be configured for specific platforms by selecting appropriate set of values based on number of loads (e.g., driven axles), rating (e.g., horse power), other criteria (e.g., manufacturer, model, year). Characteristics may be determined and verified, and operation based on the outcome of such. A telematics system method logs and provides remote access to operational data, engine data, power system data, anti-idling overrides, unauthorized changes, and/or location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sygnet Rail Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Scott Swanson, Brian Andrew Bertlin, Donald Edward Shipper, Eric Munson, Jerome Lee Mullins
  • Patent number: 8935028
    Abstract: An hybrid vehicle control system controls the output from one of two prime movers installed on the vehicle by reference to available angular acceleration rates for the first and second prime movers. When angular acceleration is called for and the prime mover having greater capacity for angular acceleration is active, acceleration is limited to that which would have been available from the lower capacity prime mover. One application of the system is to provide consistent throttle responsiveness, particularly for a power take-off operation vocation installed on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jay E Bissontz
  • Publication number: 20150012159
    Abstract: A speed change control system for a hybrid vehicle comprised of a first motor-generator, a differential mechanism that distributes a power of an engine to the first motor-generator and to an output member and that changes an engine speed in accordance with a speed of the first motor-generator, and a second motor-generator that exchanges a torque with any of wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Honda, Hitoshi Matsunaga, Souitirou Shimura, Seiji Masunaga, Munehiro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 8930057
    Abstract: A driving assistance device capable of increasing fuel economy by setting a driving assistance unit that is appropriate for running environment information of a vehicle, is provided with a first reliability assessment device, a second reliability assessment device, and a third reliability assessment device, to assess the reliability of the running environment information. The driving assistance device is provided with an HMI control unit, a drive force control amount calculation unit, and non-drive force control amount calculation unit, to select a driving assistance unit on the basis of fuel economy among driving assistance units that can be set, in accordance with the assessed reliability of the running environment information. The driving assistance device sets a driving assistance unit that is appropriate for the running environment information, and assists the driving of the vehicle on the basis of the set driving assistance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 8930101
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an electrically operated continuously-variable transmitting portion and a step-variable transmitting portion, which control apparatus permits an adequate control of a shifting action of the step-variable transmitting portion, while reducing deterioration of fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Naoki Ishikawa, Hideharu Nohara
  • Patent number: 8930053
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes, as a drive power source, a hybrid system that has an engine and a motor. The control apparatus includes a control unit configured to reduce an output of the hybrid system and maintain or increase an engine rotation speed when a driver performs an accelerator operation and a brake operation simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Hashimoto, Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Publication number: 20150006007
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle including an engine, an electric motor directly or indirectly coupled to the engine, and an engagement device non-rotatably fixing the engine, the vehicle further including an electric circuit controlling giving/receiving of electric power related to operation of the electric motor and having an electric storage member temporarily storing the electric power, if the vehicle is damaged, or if a damage of the vehicle is predicted, during rotating operation of the engine, a rotation speed of the engine being reduced by an engagement actuation of the engagement device, and after the rotation speed of the engine is reduced to be equal to or less than a predetermined rotation speed, electric power stored in the electric storage member being discharged by the electric circuit and the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Kitahata, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Yuji Iwase, Tomohito Ono
  • Publication number: 20150006000
    Abstract: A control system and control method for a hybrid vehicle, which properly determine based on a predicted charge amount whether or not to change a speed position, to thereby obtain a larger charge amount, thereby making it possible enhance fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle. A first charge amount is estimated which is an amount of electric power charged into a storage battery when regeneration is performed by an electric motor in a state in which the speed position of a stepped transmission is held, for a predetermined regeneration time period. Further, a second charge amount is estimated which is an amount of electric power charged into the storage battery when the speed position is changed to a target speed position within the regeneration time period, and regeneration by the electric motor 4 is performed until the regeneration time period elapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Kawata, Takashi Kon, Masahiro Takeuchi, Shigetaka Kuroda, Yuki Honma, Tetsuya Yamada, Kentaro Yokoo