METHOD OF CONTROLLING SERIES HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWERTRAIN

• US 20070233332A1
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Seo, Nobuhide, Kawada, Takuji
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/30 Wheel torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0622 Air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/086 Power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1061 Output power
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/143 : for use with overhead camshafts
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/344 : changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0026 : by means of an eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/0537 : Double overhead camshafts [DOHC]
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/0073 : with an oscillating cam acting on the valve of the "Delphi" type
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/00 : Methods of operation using a variable valve timing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2820/032 : Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 : Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 23/104 : the injector being placed on a side position of the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0203 : Variable control of intake and exhaust valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0207 : changing valve lift or valve lift and timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/023 : the change of valve timing is caused by the change in valve lift, i.e. both valve lift and timing are functionally related
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0253 : Fully variable control of valve lift and timing using camless actuation systems such as hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic actuators, e.g. solenoid valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0269 : Controlling the valves to perform a Miller-Atkinson cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 : Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 : for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/24 : by using an external load, e.g. a generator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 : the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0047 : Controlling exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] temperature control with cooler in recirculation circuit F02M26/33
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 : Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/01 : Internal exhaust gas recirculation, i.e. wherein the residual exhaust gases are trapped in the cylinder or pushed back from the intake or the exhaust manifold into the combustion chamber without the use of additional passages
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/48 : EGR valve position sensors details of the sensor installation in the valve housing F02M26/72
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• 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: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

There is provided a method of controlling a power-train of a hybrid electric vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine directly driven by the internal combustion engine for generating electricity, and a second electric machine driven at least partly with the electricity for driving the vehicle wheel. The method comprises adjusting the speed and adjusting the torque of the internal combustion engine, while substantially maintaining the intake manifold pressure, in response to a change of the desired electricity from the first electric machine. According to the method, the higher engine efficiency can be maintained, because the engine intake manifold pressure is maintained during adjusting the engine speed and torque. The engine speed may be adjusted corresponding to a speed of the first electric machine with higher efficiency and the desired output electricity. Therefore, both the engine and the first electric machine may achieve the respective higher efficiencies. Consequently, overall efficiency of a series HEV power-train can be improved.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a power-train of a hybrid electric vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine directly driven by said internal combustion engine for generating electricity, and a second electric machine driven at least partly with said electricity for driving the vehicle wheel, the method comprising:

adjusting the speed and the torque of said internal combustion engine, while substantially maintaining the intake manifold pressure, in response to a change of the desired electricity from said first electric machine.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the torque of said internal combustion is adjusted by adjusting fuel supplied to said engine while adjusting a valve lift of an intake or exhaust valve of said engine.

3. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the valve lift is adjusted by adjusting closing timing of said intake valve.

4. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the valve lift is adjusted by adjusting closing timing of said exhaust valve or opening timing of said intake valve, thereby adjusting internal exhaust gas recirculation.

5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting fuel supplied to said engine while adjusting the air fuel ratio of air fuel mixture charged to said engine.

6. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting fuel to be supplied to said engine while adjusting the exhaust gas re-circulated to said engine.

7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting number of active cylinders of said engine.

8. The method as described in claim 7, wherein the number of active cylinders is adjusted by shutting off fuel to at least one of said cylinders.

9. The method as described in claim 8, further comprising deactivating an intake or exhaust valve of said at least one of the cylinders.

10. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting number of strokes of an engine cycle.

11. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said electricity generated by said first electric machine substantially solely drives said second electric machine.

12. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising taking account of operating efficiency of said first electric machine to adjust its speed corresponding to said speed of said internal combustion engine.

13. The method as described in claim 12, further comprising taking account of operating efficiency of said internal combustion engine to adjust its speed and torque.

14. A method of controlling a power-train of a hybrid electric vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine directly driven by said internal combustion engine for generating electricity, and a second electric machine driven at least partly with said electricity for driving the vehicle wheel, the method comprising:

adjusting electricity supplied to said second electric machine in response to a change of the desired output from said power-train; and

adjusting the speed and the torque of said internal combustion engine, while substantially maintaining the intake manifold pressure, in response to said desired power-train output change.

15. The method as described in claim 14, wherein said electricity generated by said first electric machine substantially solely drives said second electric machine.

16. The method as described in claim 14, wherein the speed and the torque of said internal combustion engine are adjusted, further in response to a change of demand to charge an electric battery.

17. The method as described in claim 16, wherein said electricity generated by said first electric machine substantially solely drives said second electric machine, when there is no demand to charge said electric battery.

18. The method as described in claim 14, wherein the torque of said internal combustion is adjusted by adjusting fuel supplied to said engine while adjusting a valve lift of an intake or exhaust valve of said engine.

19. The method as described in claim 14, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting fuel supplied to said engine while adjusting the air fuel ratio of air fuel mixture charged to said engine.

20. The method as described in claim 14, wherein the torque of said internal combustion engine is adjusted by adjusting fuel to be supplied to said engine while adjusting the exhaust gas re-circulated to said engine.