HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

• US 20100006358A1
• Filed: 07/12/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Naoki
• Granted Patent: US 8,002,058 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.265
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• 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 6/448 Electrical distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• 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: 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 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 : Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 : Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/02 : Control of vehicle driving stability
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 : Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 : Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

When an accelerator opening Acc is equal to or more than a threshold value A2 upon a shift from a N position to a D position, a target torque T* is set to gradually change in comparison with when the accelerator opening Acc is less than the threshold value A2 based on a torque demand Trq corresponding to the accelerator opening Acc and a time constant T or a gradual change restriction until a satisfaction of a release condition. An Engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled so as to ensure a driving torque equivalent to the target torque T*.

Claims

1. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force;

a motor that outputs a driving force;

an accumulator that supplies and receives electric power from the motor;

a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position;

an accelerator operation amount acquisition device that acquires an accelerator operation amount by the driver;

a target driving force setting module that sets a target driving force based on the acquired accelerator operation amount in response to a non-satisfaction of a predetermined condition upon a shift from the neutral position to the drive position, the target driving force setting module setting the target driving force so as to gradually change in comparison with that on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition based on the acquired accelerator operation amount and a predetermined gradual change restriction until a satisfaction of a predetermined release condition in response to a satisfaction of the predetermined condition upon the shift from the neutral position to the drive position, the predetermined condition being satisfied when the acquired accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount; and

a control module that controls the internal combustion engine and the motor so as to ensure a driving force equivalent to the set target driving force.

2. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the target driving force setting module sets a driving force demand for driving the vehicle based on the acquired accelerator operation amount, wherein the target driving force setting module sets the target driving force based on the set driving force demand in response to the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition, and wherein the target driving force setting module sets the target driving force so as to gradually change in comparison with that on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition based on the set driving force demand and the gradual change restriction in response to the satisfaction of the predetermined condition.

3. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the target driving force setting module sets an effective accelerator operation amount to the acquired accelerator operation amount in response to the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition and sets the target driving force based on the set effective accelerator operation amount, and wherein the target driving force setting module sets the effective accelerator operation amount so as to gradually change in comparison with that on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition based on the acquired accelerator operation amount and the gradual change restriction in response to the satisfaction of the predetermined condition and sets the target driving force based on the set effective accelerator operation amount.

4. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gradual change restriction is configured to gradually change the target driving force or an effective accelerator operation amount through an annealing with a time constant, the effective accelerator operation amount being used to set the target driving force and corresponding to the driver'"'"'s accelerator operation amount.

5. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gradual change restriction is configured to gradually change the target driving force by a rate process based on an upper limit rate that is an allowable change amount in at least an increase side of the target driving force or an effective accelerator operation amount, the effective accelerator operation amount being used to set the target driving force and corresponding to the driver'"'"'s accelerator operation amount.

6. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a limit driving force setting module that sets a limit driving force that is a target value of the driving force to reduce a behavior unstable state including at least a state in which a wheel spin occurs when the hybrid vehicle is in the behavior unstable state; and

a limit driving force setting release device that allows the driver to release a setting of the limit driving force by the limit driving force setting module;

wherein the target driving force setting module sets the target driving force based on the accelerator operation amount as well as on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition regardless of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied when the setting of the limit driving force by the limit driving force setting module is released.

7. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an electric power-mechanical power input output structure connected to a predetermined axle and an engine shaft of the internal combustion engine and outputting at least a part of power from the internal combustion engine to the axle side with input/output of electric power and mechanical power, the electric power-mechanical power input output structure supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator,

wherein the motor is capable of outputting power to the predetermined axle or another axle different from the predetermined axle.

8. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the electric power-mechanical power input output structure includes a power generation motor capable of inputting and outputting power and supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator, and a three shaft-type power input output assembly connected with three shafts, the predetermined axle, the engine shaft of the internal combustion engine, and a rotating shaft of the power generation motor, the three shaft-type power input output assembly configured to input and output power to one remaining shaft, based on input and output of powers from and to any two shafts selected among the three shafts.

9. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force;

a motor that outputs a driving force;

an accumulator that supplies and receives electric power from the motor;

a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position;

an accelerator operation amount acquisition device that acquires an accelerator operation amount by the driver;

a target driving force setting module that sets a target driving force based on the acquired accelerator operation amount, the target driving force setting module setting the target driving force through an upper limit restriction process based on an upper limit value of the target driving force or the accelerator operation amount corresponding to the accelerator operation amount upon a shift from the neutral position to the drive position until a satisfaction of a predetermined release condition when a predetermined condition is satisfied upon the shift from the neutral position to the drive position, the predetermined condition being satisfied when the acquired accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount; and

a control module that controls the internal combustion engine and the motor so as to ensure a driving force equivalent to the set target driving force.

10. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising:

a limit driving force setting module that sets a limit driving force that is a target value of the driving force to reduce a behavior unstable state including at least a state in which a wheel spin occurs when the hybrid vehicle is in the behavior unstable state; and

a limit driving force setting release device that allows the driver to release a setting of the limit driving force by the limit driving force setting module;

wherein the target driving force setting module sets the target driving force based on the accelerator operation amount as well as on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition regardless of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied when the setting of the limit driving force by the limit driving force setting module is released.

11. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising an electric power-mechanical power input output structure connected to a predetermined axle and an engine shaft of the internal combustion engine and outputting at least a part of power from the internal combustion engine to the axle side with input/output of electric power and mechanical power, the electric power-mechanical power input output structure supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator,

wherein the motor is capable of outputting power to the predetermined axle or another axle different from the predetermined axle.

12. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the electric power-mechanical power input output structure includes a power generation motor capable of inputting and outputting power and supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator, and a three shaft-type power input output assembly connected with three shafts, the predetermined axle, the engine shaft of the internal combustion engine, and a rotating shaft of the power generation motor, the three shaft-type power input output assembly configured to input and output power to one remaining shaft, based on input and output of powers from and to any two shafts selected among the three shafts.

13. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force;

a motoring device that performs a motoring of the internal combustion engine;

a motor configured to output a driving force;

an accumulator configured to supply and receive electric power from the motoring device and the motor;

a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position;

an accelerator operation amount acquisition device that acquires an accelerator operation amount by the driver;

a neutral control module that controls the internal combustion engine and the motoring device so that the internal combustion engine is started through the motoring by the motoring device when the acquired accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount while a shift position is set to the neutral position and an operation of the internal combustion is stopped.

14. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the neutral control module controls the internal combustion engine so as to autonomously operate when the acquired accelerator operation amount is less than a predetermined threshold value after the internal combustion engine is started while the shift position is set to the neutral position and the operation of the internal combustion is stopped, and wherein the neutral control module controls the internal combustion engine and the motoring device so that a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine becomes a value corresponding to the acquired accelerator operation amount when the acquired accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount after the internal combustion engine is started while the shift position is set to the neutral position and the operation of the internal combustion is stopped.

15. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the neutral control module does not make the internal combustion engine start and informs the driver that an accelerator operation is made while the shift position is set to the neutral position when a predetermined engine start prohibition condition is satisfied and the acquired accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount while the shift position is set to the neutral position and the operation of the internal combustion is stopped.

16. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the motoring device is an electric power-mechanical power input output structure connected to a predetermined axle and an engine shaft of the internal combustion engine and outputting at least a part of power from the internal combustion engine to the axle side with input/output of electric power and mechanical power, the electric power-mechanical power input output structure supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator, and wherein the motor is capable of outputting power to the predetermined axle or another axle different from the predetermined axle.

17. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the electric power-mechanical power input output structure includes a power generation motor capable of inputting and outputting power and supplying and receiving electric power from the accumulator, and a three shaft-type power input output assembly connected with three shafts, the predetermined axle, the engine shaft of the internal combustion engine, and a rotating shaft of the power generation motor, the three shaft-type power input output assembly configured to input and output power to one remaining shaft, based on input and output of powers from and to any two shafts selected among the three shafts.

18. A control method of a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force, a motor that outputs a driving force, an accumulator that supplies and receives electric power from the motor, and a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position, the control method comprising:

setting a target driving force based on an accelerator operation amount by the driver in response to a non-satisfaction of a predetermined condition upon a shift from the neutral position to the drive position, and setting the target driving force so as to gradually change in comparison with that on the non-satisfaction of the predetermined condition based on the accelerator operation amount and a predetermined gradual change restriction until a satisfaction of a predetermined release condition in response to a satisfaction of the predetermined condition upon the shift from the neutral position to the drive position, the predetermined condition being satisfied when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount; and

controlling the internal combustion engine and the motor so as to ensure a driving force equivalent to the set target driving force.

19. A control method of a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force, a motor that outputs a driving force, an accumulator that supplies and receives electric power from the motor, and a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position, the control method comprising:

setting a target driving force based on an accelerator operation amount by the driver, and setting the target driving force through an upper limit restriction process based on an upper limit value of the target driving force or the accelerator operation amount corresponding to the accelerator operation amount upon a shift from the neutral position to the drive position until a satisfaction of a predetermined release condition when a predetermined condition is satisfied upon the shift from the neutral position to the drive position, the predetermined condition being satisfied when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount; and

controlling the internal combustion engine and the motor so as to ensure a driving force equivalent to the set target driving force.

20. A control method of a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine that outputs a driving force, a motoring device that performs a motoring of the internal combustion engine, a motor that outputs a driving force, an accumulator configured to supply and receive electric power from the motoring device and the motor, and a shift position selecting device that allows a driver to select a neutral position and a drive position, the control method comprising:

controlling the internal combustion engine and the motoring device so that the internal combustion engine is started through the motoring by the motoring device when an accelerator operation amount by the driver is equal to or more than a predetermined amount while a shift position is set to the neutral position and an operation of the internal combustion is stopped.