Power-generating control apparatus for vehicle

• US 20010040060A1
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Morimoto, Kazuhiko, Omata, Yoshiaki
• Granted Patent: US 6,491,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0885 Capacitors, e.g. for additional power supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle having an engine and a power-generator operated by the engine or electric motor includes a slowdown detector to detect a slowdown state of the vehicle, a main battery for the vehicle, and a sub-battery. The control apparatus includes a switch-over device which switches over at least one of the main battery and the sub-battery to the power-generator or motor, which in a slowdown state detected by the slowdown detector, switches over to couple the power-generator or the motor and the sub-battery. In engine stop, the switch over device switches to the sub-battery as a power supply of operating load. Accordingly, because the sub-battery can absorb slowdown energy, driving efficiency of the power-generator or motor at slowdown becomes excellent.

Claims

1. A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle which includes an engine and a power-generator operated by the engine or an electric motor, comprising:

a slowdown detecting means to detect a slowdown state of a vehicle;

a main battery for the vehicle and a second sub-battery; and

a switch-over means which switches over at least one of the main battery and the sub-battery to said power-generator or said motor, which in a slowdown state, in response to a detected signal from said slowdown detecting means switches over to couple said power-generator or said motor and said sub-battery, and which in an engine stop, switches over to said sub-battery as a power supply for an operating load.

2. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said switch-over means switches over to said main battery as a power supply for the operating load in start-up of the engine.

3. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said switch-over means switches to provide power to the operating load during engine stop, when a voltage of the sub-battery is higher than a predetermined voltage.

4. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said main battery and a capacitor as said sub-battery.

5. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

6. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein the engine and motor are directly connected to the engine and both have driving and power-generating functions.

8. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 4

, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said main battery and a capacitor as said sub-battery.

9. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 4

, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

10. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in

claim 4

, wherein the engine and motor are directly connected to the engine and both have driving and power-generating functions.

7. A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle which includes an engine and a power-generator operated by the engine or an electric motor, comprising:

a slowdown detecting means to detect a slowdown state of a vehicle;

a main battery for the vehicle and a second sub-battery; and

a switch-over means which switches over at least one of the main battery and the sub-battery to said power-generator or said motor, which in a slowdown state, in response to a detected signal from said slowdown detecting means, switches over to couple said power-generator or said motor and said sub-battery, and which when capacity of the sub-battery is larger than a predetermined value, switches over to link the second sub-battery to a power supply line.