System and Method for Starting a Combustion Engine of a Hybrid Vehicle

• US 20070276556A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tm4 Inc. (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tm4 Inc. (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Houle, Martin, Noel, Philippe, Lambert, Ghislain, Cyr, Jean-Marc, El Yacoubi, Maalainine
• Application Number:
  US10/591,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20070276556A1
• 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 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/50 Engine start by use of flywheel kinetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/112 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/022 : the starter comprising an intermediate clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0888 : DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for starting an ICE of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having a generator with a rotor rotating at an angular speed and a clutch provided between the ICE and the rotor. The method includes steps of disengaging the clutch so that the rotor and the ICE can operate independently; increasing the angular speed; upon the angular speed reaching a predetermined speed, engaging the clutch; allowing the ICE to crank; and starting the ICE.

Claims

1. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an ICE;

an electric generator linked to the ICE;

a traction motor connected to at least a wheel of the vehicle;

a low voltage battery; and

a reversible dc-dc converter interconnecting the low voltage battery to the electric generator;

wherein when said ICE has to be started, low voltage from said low voltage battery is converted to high voltage by said reversible dc-dc converter and supplied to said electric generator that is used as an electric motor to crank the ICE.

2. A hybrid vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said electric generator is linked to said ICE selectively via a clutch.

3. A hybrid vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said electric generator is linked to said traction motor via a clutch.

4. A method for starting an ICE of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having an electric generator and a clutch selectively linking the ICE and the electric generator, said starting method comprising:

disengaging the clutch so that the electric generator and the ICE can operate independently;

increasing an angular speed of the generator;

upon the angular speed reaching a predetermined speed, engaging the clutch; and

cranking and starting the ICE.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said angular speed increasing includes supplying high voltage to the generator.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said high voltage supplying includes converting low voltage coming from a low voltage battery to high voltage via a reversible dc-dc converter.

7. A method for starting an ICE of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having a generator linked to the ICE, a high voltage battery, a low voltage battery and a reversible dc-dc converter provided between the generator and the low-voltage battery, said method comprising:

detecting a failure of the high-voltage battery;

upon detection of the battery failure;

supplying the generator with energy from the low voltage battery via the reversible dc-dc converter; and

cranking and starting the ICE.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the generator is linked to the ICE selectively via a clutch and wherein the method further comprises disengaging the clutch when battery failure is detected.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising sensing an angular speed of the generator and upon the angular speed reaching a predetermined speed, engaging the clutch before the cranking and starting of the ICE.