Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

• US 20010049571A1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Morimoto, Kazuhiko, Shimizu, Michinori
• Granted Patent: US 6,546,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• 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: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/905 Combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/906 Motor or generator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/917 with transmission for changing gear ratio

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle includes a control apparatus having an engine controller and a motor controller. A first battery and a second battery which has higher voltage than the first battery are provided. An electric power generator which is driven by the engine is provided for charging the first battery. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller, and the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the motor controller and the engine controller. In addition, the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the engine controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of the engine controller. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller. The second battery or the electric motor is connected to the motor controller through a DC/DC converter. As a result, even if the high voltage line including the electric motor in the control apparatus for the hybrid vehicle has failed, this system can drive the vehicle.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an engine and an electric motor which is connected to an output shaft of said engine, comprising:

an engine control means which controls a running state of said engine; and

a motor control means which controls a driving state of said electric motor independent from control of said engine by said engine control means;

the vehicle including a first battery and a second battery which has a higher voltage than the first battery, and an electric power generator which is driven by said engine for charging said first battery, said second battery and said electric motor being connected through said motor control means, and wherein at least one of said first battery and said electric power generator is connected to said motor control means for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said motor control means and is connected to said engine control means for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said engine control means.

2. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said first battery is connected to said second battery through a DC/DC converter.

3. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an engine and an electric motor which is connected to an output shaft of said engine, comprising:

an engine control means which controls a running state of said engine; and

a motor control means which controls a driving state of said electric motor independent from control of said engine by said engine control means;

the vehicle including a first battery and a second battery which has a higher voltage than the first battery, and an electric power generator which is driven by said engine for charging said first battery, wherein said first battery or said electric power generator are connected to said engine control means for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said engine control means, and said second battery and said electric motor are connected through said motor control means, and said second battery or said electric motor connects to said motor control means through a DC/DC converter for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said motor control means.