METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING A RUNNING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE IN A HYBRID VEHICLE

• US 20110208401A1
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Pantring, Juergen, Tonye Djon, Jean-Marc, Huber, Armin, Kroepke, Karsten, Weiss, Ruediger
• Granted Patent: US 9,527,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• 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 2510/06 Combustion engines, Gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/105 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

In a method for detecting a running internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine, as a first drive unit, and a second drive unit contribute toward driving the hybrid vehicle. To determine reliably whether the internal combustion engine is running during hybrid operation, an interference signal is actively introduced into the ongoing operating sequence of the internal combustion engine, and the response of the internal combustion engine to this interference signal is evaluated. If there is no response of the internal combustion engine, it is concluded that the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A method for detecting the operating status of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having the internal combustion engine as a first drive unit and also having a second drive unit, the method comprising:

actively introducing a selected interference signal into an operation sequence of the internal combustion engine;

evaluating a response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal; and

determining that the internal combustion engine is not operating if no response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal is detected.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one combustion parameter of the internal combustion engine is modified and an irregular running of the internal combustion engine is monitored, and wherein if no change in the irregular running is detected in response to the change in the combustion parameter, determining that constant misfiring is occurring on all cylinders of the internal combustion engine.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the firing angle of at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine is actively adjusted as the combustion parameter.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein an injection quantity is adjusted as the combustion parameter.

17. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

one of (i) amplifying the interference signal or (ii) increasing the frequency of occurrence of the interference signal.

18. A control unit for detecting the operating status of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having the internal combustion engine as a first drive unit and also having a second drive unit, comprising:

means for actively introducing a selected interference signal into an operation sequence of the internal combustion engine;

means for evaluating a response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal; and

means for determining that the internal combustion engine is not operating if no response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal is detected.

19. The control unit as recited in claim 18, wherein:

the means for actively introducing a selected interference signal changes at least one combustion parameter of the internal combustion engine;

the means for evaluating the response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal monitors irregular running of the internal combustion engine; and

the means for determining determines that constant misfiring is occurring on all cylinders of the internal combustion engine if there is no change in the irregular running.

20. The device as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for evaluating the response of the internal combustion engine to the selected interference signal includes a rotational speed sensor for monitoring the irregular running of the internal combustion engine.