Method And Apparatus For Starting An Internal Combustion Engine In A Hybrid Vehicle Drive

• US 20080129049A1
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Sauvlet, Nils, Goehring, Markus, Fleckner, Marco, Kraxner, Dieter
• Granted Patent: US 8,783,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/023 Fluid clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• 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 10/115 with planetary gears
• 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 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• 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 method is employed for starting an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle drive which is driven by an electric motor. A speed of the internal combustion engine is adjusted to a target speed. The internal combustion engine speed exceeds the target speed over a predefined time by a predetermined speed differential.

Claims

1. Method for starting an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle drive that is driven by an electric motor, comprising adjusting a speed of the internal combustion engine to a target speed so that the speed of the internal combustion engine exceeds the target speed over a predefined time by a predetermined speed differential for generating a speed overswinger, and thereby producing a predetermined acoustical characteristic as a function of the speed overswinger.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting further comprises:

(a) monitoring at least one start criterion for starting the internal combustion engine;

(b) coupling the internal combustion engine to an electric motor; and

(c) igniting the internal combustion engine;

3. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target speed corresponds to the current speed of the electric motor.

4. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the target speed corresponds to the current speed of the electric motor.

5. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein upon reaching a maximum speed that is equal to sum of the target speed and the speed differential, the speed of the internal combustion engine is adjusted back to the target speed of the electric motor.

6. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein upon reaching a maximum speed that is equal to sum of the target speed and the speed differential, the speed of the internal combustion engine is adjusted back to the target speed of the electric motor.

7. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are coupled together in a connecting phase by a clutching device for temporarily reducing coupling strength for generating the speed overswinger before reaching the target speed.

8. Method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the target speed corresponds to the current speed of the electric motor.

9. Method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the target speed corresponds to the current speed of the electric motor.

10. Method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed differential from 200 to 500 revolutions per minute.

11. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the time period is on a range from 0.5 to 1 second.

12. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gear change of a transmission of the hybrid vehicle is suppressed during switching to the internal combustion engine.

13. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target speed is exceeded as a function of a selector switch.

14. Apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle drive that is driven by an electric motor comprising:

a torque converter for coupling the hybrid vehicle drive with a transmission;

a clutching device for coupling the electric motor with the internal combustion engine; and

an engine control unit that is configured to start the internal combustion engine by adjusting a speed of the internal combustion engine to a target speed so that the engine speed exceeds the target speed over a predetermined speed differential to produce a predetermined acoustical characteristic as of function of speed overswing generated by the adjusting.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a selector switch for suppressing the speed overswing.