Conjoint Control Of Different Elements (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/930)
  • Publication number: 20140288743
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine including a purification device, a motor, a battery, a navigation system, and a controller. The controller is configured to set a predetermined section, which is an initial section of a hybrid traveling priority section in a travel plan, for a warm-up section for warming up the purification device. The controller is configured to reset the travel plan by changing any one of an electric traveling priority sections before the predetermined section to the hybrid traveling priority section when a traveling load of the predetermined section is higher than a predetermined load corresponding to an output limit of the battery. The controller is configured to reset the section changed to the hybrid traveling priority section for the warm-up section for warming up the purification device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji HOKOI, Makoto HIRAI
  • Publication number: 20140288747
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a traveling mode determination module configured to determine a traveling mode at least one of an internal-combustion engine traveling mode for running by transmitting motive power produced by the internal-combustion engine to wheels of the vehicle and an electric motor traveling mode for running by transmitting motive power produced by the electric motor to the wheels of the vehicle. The traveling mode determination module prohibiting the internal-combustion engine traveling mode and causing the vehicle to run in the electric motor traveling mode when the amount of the remaining fuel in the fuel tank is less than or equal to a first predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jun SAITO
  • Patent number: 8843260
    Abstract: An intermittent operation control is executed, wherein a hybrid vehicle is run with a running drive source while an internal combustion engine is intermittently operated in the intermittent operation control. When the internal combustion engine is restarted after a stop due to the intermittent operation control, a rapid warm-up control is executed in which a catalytic converter is rapidly warmed up by retarding the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine. In addition, when the internal combustion engine is restarted, the internal combustion engine is operated only by port injection until the pressure of fuel for in-cylinder injection reaches a reference set pressure. Subsequently, when the pressure of the fuel for in-cylinder injection reaches the reference set pressure, the in-cylinder injection is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoya Fukuzawa
  • Patent number: 8843261
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses a battery temperature increase while suppressing a decrease in battery SOC. The present invention has: a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery; and a hybrid ECU that, when the temperature sensor has detected a battery temperature that is equal to or exceeds a predetermined temperature, controls in a manner so that an engine and an electric motor are connected during regenerative power generation during deceleration. The hybrid ECU sets the predetermined temperature in accordance with the gear stage number during hybrid vehicle deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sawayama
  • Patent number: 8843262
    Abstract: A plug-in hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a motor generator coupled to an output shaft of the engine; and an ECU that causes rotation of the output shaft of the engine by driving the motor generator, when a temperature of coolant of the engine is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value after suspending ignition and supply of fuel to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Fushiki
  • Publication number: 20140277879
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a combine includes a control wherein the hybrid system control determines a battery pack state-of-charge of the battery pack, and the hybrid system control also receives the current engine load estimate and engine speed from the engine control. Depending upon these variables, the hybrid control sends a torque command to a motor/generator control to provide a desired composite speed-torque curve from the engine and the motor/generator. In cases where the battery pack can be charged, an engine fuel curve is set by engine control to provide maximum engine power at isochronous speed, and when the battery pack is fully charged, the engine fuel curve is reduced to be shaped so that battery electric assist is not engaged until engine speed falls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Deere & Company
  • Publication number: 20140277874
    Abstract: A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, William Paul Perkins, Derek Hartl
  • Publication number: 20140277875
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle include controlling torque in a traction motor in response to a provisional motor torque that has been adjusted based on a difference between a measured traction motor speed and a calculated vehicle speed and filtered to attenuate a resonant driveline frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Thomas Chrostowski, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Publication number: 20140277885
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle minimizes fuel consumption by an internal combustion engine while controlling, for a preset period that substantially corresponds to an update cycle of an instructed fuel consumption change rate, an electrical charge-discharge energy balance of a battery to have a predetermined value, (i) by setting, in a predetermined update cycle, the fuel consumption change rate based on travel pattern information and a target electrical charge-discharge balance and (ii) by setting an engine output power increase/decrease amount based on the instructed fuel consumption change rate and the target drive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youhei MORIMOTO, Yutaro ITOH
  • Publication number: 20140277886
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a determination portion determining whether a vehicle is running by using a motor without using an engine or the vehicle is running by using both of the engine and the motor, a detection portion detecting a start-up request of the engine, a drive power calculation portion calculating a requested drive power in a case where it is detected that the vehicle is running by using the motor without using the engine and the start-up request is detected, and an engine start-up control portion driving a drive shaft by outputting the drive power by means of the motor at a start-up of the engine, the engine start-up control portion causing the vehicle to run by using both of the engine and the motor after the output of the drive power is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yo SHISHIDO, Takeshi Tojo, Takahiro Misu
  • Publication number: 20140277989
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cruise control module, an engine control module, and a brake control module. The cruise control module determines a cruise torque request based on at least one of a following distance of a vehicle and a rate at which the vehicle is approaching an object. The engine control module determines a negative torque capacity of a powertrain. The powertrain includes an engine and an electric motor. The brake control module applies a friction brake when the cruise torque request is less than the negative torque capacity of the powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: ERIC E. KRUEGER, Matthew J. Klemmer, Kiana Bassey, Christopher E. Whitney, Patrick J. O'Leary
  • Publication number: 20140277867
    Abstract: A vehicle system and a method for calculating a vehicle mass is provided. In at least one embodiment, the system and the method measure current consumed by an electric machine of the vehicle to calculate vehicle mass. A controller of the vehicle uses the calculated mass to control operation of the vehicle, for example a four wheel drive, transmission, stability control, or brake system of the vehicle. A GPS and tire speed sensor system may be incorporated to detect the presence of a towed object, for example a trailer, and to further adjust operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Matthew John Shelton, Daniel Colvin, Zhengyu Dai, Roger Lyle Huffmaster
  • Publication number: 20140277890
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a hybrid vehicle capable of attaining an assist torque generated by a clutch mechanism at an appropriate timing, upon starting the engine. Since an electronic control device outputs an engagement command for engaging a clutch (clutch mechanism) at a time preceding an (ignition) start command time for igniting an engine by a preceding-sending time, the clutch becomes engaged when the engine speed starts to increase, and the assist torque generated by the clutch mechanism can thus be obtained at an appropriate timing. Because the engine speed that was once increased upon starting the engine is not decreased, the energy that was consumed for starting the engine can be effectively used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Susumu Kojima, Naoki Nakanishi, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20140277876
    Abstract: A method of braking a vehicle includes determining via a controller a desired braking power for braking the vehicle. Under the method, a bypass valve that controls exhaust gas flow through the exhaust heat recovery device is moved via the controller to a relatively restrictive position to provide at least some of the desired braking power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20140277891
    Abstract: In a vehicle with a driving power source (an engine, a motor generator, or a similar component) to output driving power for running to a driving wheel, in a case where a restart is requested on the driving power source in an accelerator-on state after a stop operation is performed on the driving power source (a hybrid system) during running of a vehicle, the driving power corresponding to an accelerator position at the time of restart request is not directly output. Instead, the driving power is output to the driving wheels while being gradually increased. This reduces deterioration of drivability in recovery of the driving power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Hoshiba
  • Publication number: 20140277892
    Abstract: In order to provide a hybrid drive system that suppresses a useless change of a pump driving path and that has a high durability, a plurality of drive sources, an output mechanism that outputs rotational power to an outside on the basis of those operation states, a control device that controls the operation states of the drive sources, an oil pump, and a pump input selecting mechanism that causes the oil pump to be driven with one of a plurality of rotary shafts to which power from the corresponding drive sources is inputable, are included, and the control device controls the rotation speeds (V1, V2) of the plurality of rotary shafts to unequal speeds by controlling the operation state of one of the plurality of drive sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Taku Harada, Masatoshi Ito, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 8838303
    Abstract: A diesel-hybrid control device according to the present invention generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a storage battery car constituting a vehicle system of a train and driven by a motor, and includes a driving-force instruction unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a railcar constituting the vehicle system and driven by a diesel engine. The driving-force instruction unit generates an instruction signal for instructing to start driving the storage battery car and generates an instruction signal for instructing to be on standby for driving the railcar at a time of starting the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8838317
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid-vehicle control device that can continue high-speed driving, without transitioning to the HEV mode, by raising the motor torque limit during driving in the EV mode. The hybrid-vehicle control device includes: an engine; a motor that starts the engine and that drives driving wheels; a first clutch that switches between the HEV mode and the EV mode; an automatic transmission; and an electric-vehicle mode control means. The smaller the transmission ratio of the transmission is during driving in the EV mode, the smaller the value of the engine start torque, which is reserved for transitioning to the HEV mode, is made by the electric-vehicle mode control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Okuda
  • Patent number: 8838316
    Abstract: A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher, J Michael Ellenberger, James B. Nicholson, Rafat F Hattar
  • Patent number: 8838319
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of carrying out fuel cut control when an IG OFF operation is performed and when a vehicle is running, setting a target value Net for an engine rotation speed Ne, carrying out control of a first MG, and ending control of the first MG when a vehicle speed becomes lower than a prescribed vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Hoshiba
  • Patent number: 8838310
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle causes the hybrid vehicle to travel in limp-home mode with motive power from an engine when either a motor or a battery for travel cannot be used. The engine incorporated in the hybrid vehicle includes an EGR device for recirculating part of exhaust gas to an intake system of the engine again. Even if an operation state of the engine satisfies a prescribed EGR permission condition for operating the EGR device, during the travel in limp-home mode with an abnormality detection flag being set to 1, the control device prohibits operation of the EGR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Tomatsuri
  • Patent number: 8838315
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle by a control system is provided. The method comprises indicating to a vehicle operator a delay in implementation of an energy-expending action in a powered vehicle system in response to receiving an implementation request from an input device based on vehicle energy usage via a delay indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Malone, Tuan Anh Be, William Najib Mansur
  • Patent number: 8838313
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, battery module, stationary member, first and second motor generator units (MGUs), three clutches, a planetary gear set, an output member, and a controller. The first MGU is in series with the engine. The three clutches include a brake, a rotating clutch, and a passive one-way clutch between the brake and the stationary member. The brake is between the one-way clutch and a first node of the gear set. The second MGU connects to a third node of the gear set. The second node is connected to the output member. The controller executes a method to select between powertrain modes, including first and second modes each with an electric vehicle (EV) and a series hybrid state, and a third mode that is a parallel hybrid mode. A method is also disclosed for selecting between the series and parallel powertrain modes using the clutch set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Bolenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140257615
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle carries batteries for storing reserve electrical power. The batteries have a state of charge which is monitored by a control system. The state of charge indicates the amount of reserve electrical power available and, under some conditions, the rate at which reserve electrical power can be sourced as electric current. The vehicle further includes an internal combustion engine which can, depending upon vehicle configuration, be used to propel the vehicle, to drive an electrical machine to source electric current for storage, or to drive the electrical machine to source electric current to power a traction motor(s). The control system provides, in response to operator requests for propulsion and in response to the state of charge of the batteries, for allocating available power between propulsion and battery charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Teik-Khoon Tan, Cheng Chen, Hyun-Sung Choi, Matthew David Hunkler
  • Publication number: 20140257609
    Abstract: A launch control system which maximizes hybrid vehicle acceleration from a standing start. A hybrid vehicle includes wheels, an engine, a motor-generator, a processor, and an actuation device. The processor controls an engine speed and an engine torque independently from a wheel speed and a wheel torque. While the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill, the actuation device is switched to an on state, and the engine speed and engine torque is raised to optimal values. When the actuation device is subsequently switched to an off state, the engine speed and the engine torque is applied to the plurality of wheels to launch the hybrid vehicle. The processor blends or further adjusts the torque applied to the plurality of wheels to maximize the acceleration while optimizing an amount of wheel slip. The processor then learns the launch to improve performance on subsequent launches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140257608
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a fuel efficiency of a hybrid vehicle by learning from a route history. The system may be a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor-generator, a battery, a battery module, a GPS unit, a memory, and a processor. The method may include detecting a current route of the hybrid vehicle, calculating a confidence value corresponding to a probability that the current route has a match in the route history, detecting a battery state of charge (SOC), determining a target SOC based on the confidence value and the route history, and adjusting an engine start/stop threshold and/or an engine power request to achieve the target SOC. They system may learn and improve fuel efficiency over successive trips along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140257611
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle that selects a series mode in which an engine drives a motor generator to generate electric power and a driving motor drives drive wheels, the series mode is suspended to temporarily stop fuel supply to the engine, and the motor generator forcedly drives the engine using electric power supplied from a driving battery to perform motoring, and failure determination of the O2 sensors is performed based on oxygen concentrations of an exhaust gas from the engine detected by a front O2 sensor and a rear O2 sensor when the fuel supply to the engine is stopped and when the fuel supply is restarted after finish of the motoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo MATSUNAGA, Hisakazu IKEDAYA, Hitoshi KAMURA
  • Patent number: 8831811
    Abstract: A control unit for a series hybrid vehicle includes a basic required output calculator for calculating a basic required output for driving the vehicle based on a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening, a gradient calculator for calculating a rising gradient of a road surface on which the vehicle runs, a correction output calculator for calculating a correction output which is added to the basic required torque based on the rising gradient, and a target output calculator for calculating, when a required output which results from adding the correction output to the basic required output is larger than a predetermined value, based on the required output, a battery target electric power by which the battery is required to output part of the required output and an engine target output by which the engine is required to output the remaining of the required output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8831818
    Abstract: A diagnosis method of an oxygen sensor for hybrid vehicles is disclosed, which includes receiving a diagnosis request signal for the diagnosis of an oxygen sensor from an EMS (Engine Management System) which is configured to control the engine; determining when a passive-run condition is occurring, under which the speed of a vehicle is within a previously set deceleration range as an accelerator is turned off in response to receiving the diagnosis request signal, and disengaging the engine clutch when the passive-run condition is occurring. Next fuel is cut to the engine in response to receiving a diagnosis request signal while the engine operating at a previously set reference speed by controlling the HSG once the engine clutch is disengaged. Once the above steps are complete a diagnosis of the oxygen sensor is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Taekwook Park
  • Patent number: 8831859
    Abstract: The functionality of a “Launch Control” is implemented in a hybrid vehicle, i.e. the hybrid vehicle can be accelerated to a maximum degree by starting the internal combustion engine immediately from the stationary state (S20), and acceleration takes place with the aid of the electric motor with full torque (S22) before a changeover to accelerating the internal combustion engine takes place (S24). The “Launch Control” differs from a further mode in which firstly acceleration takes place from the stationary state using a partial torque of the electric motor (S14), with the result that the internal combustion engine can be tow-started by means of the electric motor (S16) before a changeover to acceleration using the internal combustion engine (S18) occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Audi Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Stefan Ullmann
  • Publication number: 20140249730
    Abstract: A process for controlling a vehicle start-stop operation having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the parking brake; automatically releasing the parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the engine by the electric motor if the engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Publication number: 20140249709
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle which runs on power from at least one of an electric motor and an engine includes a transmission ratio changing unit for changing a ratio of electrical transmission to mechanical transmission of an output of the engine, an engaging/disengaging control unit for releasing a clutch when the hybrid vehicle is shifted from a drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source to a series drive mode, and a required output calculation unit for calculating a required output based on an accelerator pedal opening and a running speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 8825338
    Abstract: A primary controller disclosed. The primary controller is configured for controlling operation of a drive system comprising a prime mover, a generator, and a motor, wherein the prime mover is configured to provide energy to the generator, which is configured to drive the motor. The controller comprises a speed controller configured for determining a target speed of the motor dependent on externally-supplied speed input and a torque controller configured for determining a target torque of the motor based on externally-supplied torque input and on parameters of the vehicle. The primary controller is configured to simultaneously determine the target speed and the target torque and to simultaneously control the prime mover, generator, and motor to operate the motor at the target speed and the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Braier, Arie Perry
  • Patent number: 8821341
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine and an electro-mechanical transmission operative to transmit torque to a driveline. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes enabling neutral operation of the transmission in response to an operator input, activating a first clutch coupled to a first planetary gear set, the first planetary gear set which includes a first element, a second element and a third element. Torque commands are coordinated between the engine and a first electric machine to establish a net zero output torque condition. If a violation of the net zero output torque condition is present, slippage of the first clutch is allowed to dissipate net output torque from reacting with the driveline of the powertrain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shaun C Bowman, Poh Fong Chin
  • Patent number: 8825242
    Abstract: Vehicle system, comprising: —a hybrid powertrain (E, EMG, B) to drive the vehicle system and configured to generate electric energy; and —at least one electrically operable refrigerator unit (R) configured to cool at least one storage compartment of the system; wherein the refrigerator unit (R) is powered by electric energy generated by the hybrid powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Darren Leigh Foster
  • Patent number: 8825307
    Abstract: In a control device of an electric vehicle, control unit switches energization such that a decrease in an output of a rotary electric machine in which a stall state is detected by stall state-detecting unit and an increase in an output of another rotary electric machine in which the stall state is not detected by the stall state-detecting unit are made to be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junya Tachikawa
  • Publication number: 20140244082
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes a high voltage DC bus and an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a non self-excited generator/motor which is preferably a switched reluctance machine. A power inverter electrically and bidirectionally couples the high voltage DC bus to the non self-excited switched reluctance generator/motor. Front and rear axle dual DC-AC inverters electrically and bidirectionally couple two traction AC non self-excited switched reluctance motors/gear reducers to the high voltage DC bus for moving the vehicle and for regenerating power. An ultracapacitor coupled to the high voltage DC bus. A bidirectional DC-DC converter interposed between a low voltage battery and the high voltage DC bus transfers energy to the high voltage DC bus and ultracapacitor to ensure that the non self-excited switched reluctance generator/motor operating in the motor mode is able to start the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: LaVerne Andrew CARON
  • Publication number: 20140244083
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic cruise control system is provided. More specifically, a request torque for the automatic cruise control system is calculated based on the target vehicle speed and the inclination angle of a road on which the vehicle travels, and the calculated request torque is distributed into engine torque and motor torque at a predetermined ratio. The engine and a motor are then controlled so that the engine and the motor generate torque at the predetermined ratio, and a speed difference between the traveling vehicle speed and the target vehicle speed are calculated. Additionally, a following motor torque is calculated for following the target vehicle speed based on the calculated speed difference and then is added to the distributed motor torque. The traveling vehicle speed is then controlled to the target vehicle speed based on the summed motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140244086
    Abstract: The present invention controls torque of a hybrid vehicle that calculates power and torque of each motor when the hybrid vehicle provided with two motors operates at a transient state are used. More specifically, target power of a battery is determined. Then calculations are performed to determine target torque of the first motor, target torque of the second motor, target torque of an engine, and target speed of the engine at a steady state. The torque of the first motor at a transient state is calculated from the target torque of the second motor at the steady state and speeds of the first and second motors. Finally, torque of the second motor at the transient state is calculated from the torque of the first motor at the transient state and the speeds of the first and second motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joonyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20140244089
    Abstract: The control apparatus according to the invention is applied to a hybrid vehicle having a manual transmission. The control apparatus controls a motor-generator such that a torque is input to the manual transmission when a neutral switch outputs a detection signal while an internal-combustion engine and the vehicle are stopped. The control apparatus starts up the internal-combustion engine when a release manipulation is performed to a clutch while the time rate of change of input-side rotating speed of the manual transmission by a torque providing control does not satisfy a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Hattori
  • Publication number: 20140244092
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor generator generating driving power for running, and an ECU. The ECU performs driving power variation operation on the motor generator in which the motor generator is switched between a first state (acceleration running) and a second state (inertial running) when power requested by a user varies within a prescribed range to run the vehicle. In the first state, the motor generator generates driving power. In the second state, the motor generator generates driving power smaller than the driving power in the first state. The ECU variably sets a time for the second state in the driving power variation operation in accordance with magnitude of the user request power. As a result, energy efficiency of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Amano
  • Patent number: 8818599
    Abstract: The control apparatus is for an electric rotating machine which is mounted as an engine on a vehicle together with a power conversion circuit to be connected to the electric rotating machine, and a cooling apparatus for circulating coolant to the electric rotating machine and the power conversion circuit through a circulation channel, including. The control apparatus includes a limiting means for performing a limiting operation to limit an amount of electric power supply from the inverter to the electric rotating machine each time a circulation starting timing of the coolant comes, and a terminating means for terminating the limiting operation after a lapse of a predefined period from start of the limiting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inamura
  • Patent number: 8818658
    Abstract: An active damping system provides a torque adjustment command that is combined with the raw motor torque command of a vehicle to compensate for oscillations and vibrations in the driveline of a hybrid vehicle. Active damping may be provided by a derivative controller or by a lead-lag compensation between initiation of clutch engagement and full clutch engagement. Active damping is terminated upon full clutch engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 8818604
    Abstract: Ina drive control apparatus (1) of a hybrid vehicle, a change rate restriction value of a target engine rotational speed which is set on the basis of a vehicle speed is preset, a restriction value of the target engine rotational speed is calculated from the change rate restriction value and a previous target engine rotational speed, a target engine operation point to decide the target engine rotational speed and a target engine torque is set on the basis of the restriction value of the target engine rotational speed and the provisional target engine rotational speed, a target electric power is calculated from a difference between a target engine power which is calculated from the target engine operation point and a target drive power, and torque instruction values of a plurality of motor generators (4, 5) are calculated by using a torque balance equation including a target engine torque which is obtained from the target engine operation point and an electric power balance equation including the target electri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Tagawa, Yoshiki Ito, Masakazu Saito, Hitoshi Ohkuma, Yukihiro Hosoe
  • Publication number: 20140236411
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a driving source generating driving power for running the vehicle, and a control device for controlling the driving source. The control device performs driving power variation operation on the driving source in which the driving source is switched between a first state where the driving source generates driving power and a second state where the driving source generates driving power of a level lower than the level of the driving power in the first state to run the vehicle. The control device performs the driving power variation operation during steady running when variation in driving power requested by a user falls within a prescribed range, and also performs the driving power variation operation during an acceleration request or during a deceleration request when the variation in the requested driving power increases or decreases beyond the prescribed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Amano
  • Publication number: 20140236410
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle, including a mode whereby the vehicle runs using a motor only, and a mode whereby the vehicle uses both the motor and an engine. When the motor temperature of an MG(2) exceeds a threshold temperature, an ECU moves from a running mode that uses the MG(2) only, to a running mode that limits the load on the MG(2). When the charging state of a battery for running exceeds a threshold value, the ECU performs control such that in addition to the system voltage for driving the MG(2) being reduced, the threshold temperature is increased, and the running mode whereby only the MG(2) is used is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Takizawa, Tomohiko Miyamoto, Shuhei Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 8808140
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, entry conditions for entering a driveline sailing mode are described. Driveline sailing mode may improve driveline torque response and vehicle drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140229048
    Abstract: A control system and control method for a hybrid vehicle, which is capable of suppressing fuel consumption, thereby making it possible to improve fuel economy, when the hybrid vehicle is caused to travel using motive power of at least one of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine is provided. The control system for the hybrid vehicle V, for controlling operations of the engine and the electric motor includes an ECU. During execution of an EV travel mode, the ECU calculates an engine fuel consumption amount FC_eng and an EV fuel consumption amount FC_ev required when an engine travel mode and an EV travel mode are executed, respectively, according to required torque TRQ and vehicle speed VP (step 41). The ECU selects and executes, when the engine fuel consumption amount FC_eng is smaller than the EV fuel consumption amount FC_ev.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Kawata, Kentaro Yokoo, Tetsuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140228165
    Abstract: Powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: EFFICIENT DRIVETRAINS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Frank, Joerg Ferchau, Leonhard Fahreddin, Julio Razo, Krishna Kumar, Anthony Serra
  • Publication number: 20140229043
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods for controlling dual motor-dual clutch powertrains for HEV and PHEV vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising: determining the state of charge (SOC) of said batteries; determining the speed of the vehicle; if the SOC is greater than a given first threshold, selecting a charge-depleting operational mode of said vehicle; during operation of said vehicle, if the SOC is less than a given second threshold, selecting a charge-sustaining operating mode of said vehicle. In another embodiment, a system having a controller that operates the powertrain according to various embodiments is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: EFFICIENT DRIVETRAINS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Frank, Chan-Chiao Lin, Krishna Kumar, Anthony Serra