METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor configured to be driven by the first and/or second power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit configured to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
- determining whether the first power source is to be started;
determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value if the first power source is to be started and the hybrid electric vehicle is in motion;
maintaining a current gear ratio if the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is greater than the threshold value; and
providing a target level of torque with the motor while the current gear ratio is engaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source. The hybrid electric vehicle includes first and second power sources, a motor, and a power transfer unit adapted to drive a vehicle wheel. The method includes determining whether the first power source is to be started, determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value, maintaining a current gear ratio if the threshold value is exceeded, and providing a target level of torque to the power transfer unit.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor configured to be driven by the first and/or second power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit configured to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
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determining whether the first power source is to be started;
determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value if the first power source is to be started and the hybrid electric vehicle is in motion;
maintaining a current gear ratio if the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is greater than the threshold value; and
providing a target level of torque with the motor while the current gear ratio is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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2. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining whether the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is greater than the threshold value further comprises determining whether the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is less than an upper limit value.
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9. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle during a rolling start, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor adapted to be powered by at least one of the power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit being adapted to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
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determining whether to start the first power source;
determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value indicative of a level at which a power transfer unit gear ratio downshift would be desired;
inhibiting a downshift to a lower gear ratio for a predetermined period of time; and
providing an additional amount of torque to the vehicle wheel with the motor and second power source while the downshift to the lower gear ratio is inhibited. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle during an engine start, the hybrid electric vehicle comprising an engine, a voltage source, a power transfer unit adapted to drive a vehicle wheel and having a plurality of gear ratios, a motor-generator selectively coupled to the engine via a first clutch, selectively coupled to the power transfer unit via a second clutch, and adapted to be powered by at least one power sources, the method comprising:
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determining whether an engine start-up is requested while the hybrid electric vehicle is moving;
determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator exceeds a threshold value associated with a current gear ratio;
starting a timer;
inhibiting a gear ratio shift of the power transfer unit;
starting the engine;
calculating an amount of torque to provide to the power transfer unit while in the current gear ratio;
providing the amount of torque to the power transfer unit with the motor-generator while the engine is being started; and
repeating the inhibiting, calculating, and providing steps until a predetermined period of time measured by the timer has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification