Method And System For Initiating Starting Of An Engine In A Hybrid Electric Vehicle

• US 20100250039A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Bryan, Paul S., Lindlbauer, Mike P., Lear, Christopher A., Ringlein, Linda K., Treharne, William David
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• 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: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/485 Temperature
• 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 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• 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 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/107 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/192 Mitigating problems related to power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start-up of a cold engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0829 related to special engine control, e.g. giving priority to engine warming-up or learning
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/084 State of vehicle accessories, e.g. air condition or power steering
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0806 : Air condition state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0811 : Heating state
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A system and method is provided for initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for a first time since a vehicle drive start request. Based on a predetermined fluid temperature and a powertrain fluid temperature from at least one of the powertrain elements in the HEV, it is determined whether energy from the engine is demanded. When the energy from the engine is demanded, the engine is started to provide energy for at least one of heating of a cabin compartment in the HEV and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the HEV.

Claims

1. A method of initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, the method comprising:

obtaining the start request, a predetermined fluid temperature, and a powertrain fluid temperature from at least one of the powertrain elements in the vehicle;

determining whether energy from the engine is demanded based on the fluid temperatures; and

initiating starting of the engine for a first time since the start request to provide energy for at least one of heating of a cabin compartment in the vehicle and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the vehicle when the energy from the engine is demanded.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the powertrain fluid temperature is a coolant temperature of the engine, the method further including initiating starting of the engine to generate heat for heating of the cabin compartment when the predetermined fluid temperature exceeds the coolant temperature.

3. The method of claim 1 further including obtaining a requested temperature for engine coolant, processing the requested temperature and an indication of ambient temperature outside the vehicle to obtain a filtered engine coolant temperature, and initiating starting of the engine to generate heat for heating of the cabin compartment when the filtered engine coolant temperature exceeds the powertrain fluid temperature.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the filtered engine coolant temperature decreases as the ambient temperature decreases.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the powertrain fluid temperature is a transmission oil temperature, the method further including initiating starting of the engine when the predetermined fluid temperature exceeds the transmission oil temperature to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the vehicle to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements.

6. The method of claim 1 further including determining a time since last engine run, determining whether the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the vehicle based on the time since last engine run, and initiating starting of the engine to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the energy from the engine is demanded.

7. The method of claim 6 further including determining duration of the last engine run and whether the energy from the engine is demanded to drive the transmission lubrication system based on the duration of the last engine run.

8. The method of claim 1 further including obtaining a power level requested from the vehicle, comparing the power level to a predetermined level of power to determine whether the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the vehicle, and initiating starting of the engine to drive the transmission lubrication system to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the energy from the engine is demanded.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the powertrain fluid temperature is a transmission oil temperature, the method further including determining a time since last engine run when a second predetermined oil temperature exceeds the transmission oil temperature and processing the time to determine the predetermined level of power.

10. The method of claim 1 further including determining a speed of the vehicle, comparing the speed to a predetermined speed to determine whether the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the vehicle, and initiating starting of the engine to drive the transmission lubrication system to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the energy from the engine is demanded.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the powertrain fluid temperature is a transmission oil temperature, the method further including determining a time since last engine run when a second predetermined oil temperature exceeds the transmission oil temperature and processing the time to determine the predetermined speed.

12. The method of claim 1 further including determining a traveled distance of the vehicle, comparing the traveled distance to a predetermined distance to determine whether the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the vehicle, and initiating starting of the engine to drive the transmission lubrication system to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the energy from the engine is demanded.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the powertrain fluid temperature is a transmission oil temperature, the method further including determining a time since last engine run when a second predetermined oil temperature exceeds the transmission oil temperature and processing the time to determine the predetermined speed.

14. A system for initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, the system comprising:

at least one computer-based controller including a processor operable to execute software instructions, a computer memory operable to store software instructions accessible by the processor, and a set of software instructions stored in the memory

to obtain the start request, a predetermined fluid temperature, and a powertrain fluid temperature from at least one of the powertrain elements in the vehicle;

to determine whether energy from the engine is demanded based on the fluid temperatures; and

to initiate starting of the engine for a first time since the start request to provide energy for at least one of heating of a cabin compartment in the vehicle and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the vehicle when the energy from the engine is demanded.

15. The system of claim 14 further including a climate control system to generate a signal indicating a requested temperature for engine coolant, the controller processing the requested temperature and an indication of ambient temperature outside the vehicle to obtain a filtered engine coolant temperature, and the controller initiating starting of the engine to generate heat for the climate control system to heat the cabin compartment when the filtered engine coolant temperature exceeds the powertrain fluid temperature, the powertrain fluid temperature being an engine coolant temperature.

16. The system of claim 14 further including a transmission lubrication system, the controller initiating starting of the engine to drive the transmission lubrication system to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the predetermined fluid temperature exceeds the powertrain fluid temperature, the powertrain fluid temperature being an engine coolant temperature.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller determines whether energy from the engine is demanded to drive the transmission lubrication system based on a time since last engine run.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller determines whether energy from the engine is demanded to drive the transmission lubrication system based on duration of the last engine run.

19. At least one processor-readable storage medium having processor-readable code embodied thereon for programming at least one processor to perform a method of initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, the method comprising:

obtaining the start request, a predetermined fluid temperature, and a powertrain fluid temperature from at least one of the powertrain elements in the vehicle;

determining whether energy from the engine is demanded based on the fluid temperatures; and

initiating starting of the engine for a first time since the start request to provide energy for at least one of heating of a cabin compartment in the vehicle and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the vehicle when the energy from the engine is demanded.

20. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on a time since last engine run.