Hybrid vehicle control methods

• US 20140297147A1
• Filed: 04/02/2013
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin Andrew Newman
• Original Assignee: Kevin Andrew Newman
• Inventors: Newman, Kevin Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,014,940 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/12 by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/093 in hydrostatic, i.e. positive displacement, retarders
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 10/04 with hydrostatic brake
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/585 comprising friction brakes and retarders
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2250/02 Vehicle mass
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/604 Merging friction therewith; Adjusting their repartition
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/18 responsive to vehicle weight or load, e.g. load distribution using electrical circuitry on regulation means B60T8/17; B60T8/30 takes precedence; responsive to weight and speed condition B60T8/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/10 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/89 Repartition of braking force, e.g. friction braking versus regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

Vehicle mass is estimated in a hybrid motor vehicle. Upon determination of a significant change in vehicle mass, adjustments are made to control of the regenerative braking systems and to energy storage levels to improve fuel efficiency. Upon determination of an increase in vehicle mass, the amount of braking force applied to the vehicle by the regenerative braking system in response to brake pedal movement is increased in order to capture more braking energy before friction braking is used.

Claims

1. A method for controlling regenerative braking in a hybrid motor vehicle with a regenerative braking system, comprising:

determining the overall mass of the vehicle including passengers and cargo,

determining changes in the mass of the vehicle due to changes in passengers or cargo;

in the event of a change in the mass of the vehicle, adjusting the amount of braking force to be applied to the vehicle by the regenerative braking system in response to a given amount of brake pedal movement;

wherein greater braking force is applied in response to brake pedal movement if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have increased, and less braking force is applied in response to brake pedal movement if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have decreased.

2. A method for controlling energy storage levels in a hybrid motor vehicle with an on-board energy storage device, comprising:

determining the overall mass of the vehicle including passengers and cargo,

determining changes in the mass of the vehicle due to changes in passengers or cargo;

in the event of a change in the mass of the vehicle, adjusting target energy storage levels for the energy storage device;

wherein a lower energy storage level prior to anticipated braking events is targeted if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have increased, and a higher energy storage level prior to anticipated braking events is targeted if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have decreased.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising targeting a higher energy storage level prior to anticipated heavy acceleration events if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have increased, and targeting a lower energy storage level prior to anticipated heavy acceleration events if the mass of the vehicle has been determined to have decreased.

4. A hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a hydraulic pump, mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine to pump fluid from a low pressure fluid line to a high pressure fluid line;

a hydraulic motor, driven by high pressure fluid in the high pressure fluid line and mechanically connected to drive wheels of the vehicle for propelling of the motor vehicle;

an engine controller, programmed to control the internal combustion engine;

a pump/motor controller, programmed to control the hydraulic pump and/or the hydraulic motor;

a master controller, configured to receive signals from a plurality of sensors located on the hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle, and programmed to send corresponding signals to the engine controller and the pump/motor controller for control of the internal combustion engine, hydraulic pump and/or hydraulic motor.