Stall-Start Method and Apparatus for a Parallel Hybrid Vehicle

• US 20160121877A1
• Filed: 05/27/2014
• Published: 05/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Hancock, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 10,011,267 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4825 Electric machine connected or connectable to gearbox input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/021 Clutch engagement state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/10 Road Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/18025 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/42 Control of clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/43 Control of engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/64 Drag run or drag torque compensation, e.g. motor to drive engine with drag torque or engine speed is brought to start speed before injection and firing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 Conjoint control of different elements

Abstract

The application relates to a method for stall-starting a hybrid vehicle comprising a combustion engine (12), an electric machine (14), a transmission (16) and two clutches (20, 22). In a first stall phase torque output of the combustion engine (12) is increased and compensated by the electric machine (14) operating as a generator. In the second start phase the method comprises configuring the electric machine (14) not to operate as a generator, in particular to operate as a motor. A further independent claim is directed to a stall-start apparatus. This avoids overheating the clutches (20, 22) and battery depletion, while at the same time providing high acceleration.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A method for stall-starting a hybrid vehicle having a combustion engine connected to an electric machine connected to a first clutch connected to a drive load, the combustion engine having a first output rotation direction, the method comprising a first stall phase and a second start phase,

wherein in the first stall phase the method comprises:

operating the first clutch in a non-engaged condition; and

operating the electric machine as a generator to apply torque in a second output rotation direction opposite the first output rotation direction; and

wherein in the second start phase the method comprises;

operating the first clutch in an engaged condition to drive the drive load; and

ceasing operation of the electric machine as a generator.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein in the second start phase, the method further comprises operating the electric machine as a motor to apply torque in the first output rotation direction.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises a second clutch positioned between the combustion engine and the electric machine, and wherein in the first stall phase the method further comprises operating the second clutch in an engaged condition to transfer torque from the combustion engine to the electric machine.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein in the second start phase, the method further comprises operating the second clutch in a non-engaged condition for a first period of time, wherein the first period of time begins substantially at a beginning of the second start phase.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second clutch is configured to operate in an engaged configuration for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is after the first period of time.

24. A stall-start control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle comprising a combustion engine connected to an electric machine connected to a first clutch connected to a drive load, the combustion engine having a first output rotation direction, the stall-start control apparatus comprising a controller operable in a first stall state and a second start state, wherein in the first stall state, the controller:

controls the electric machine to operate as a generator to apply torque in a second output rotation direction opposite the first output rotation direction; and

controls the first clutch to operate in a non-engaged configuration; and

wherein in the second start state, the controller;

controls the electric machine to cease operating as a generator; and

controls the first clutch to operate in an engaged configuration to drive the drive load.

25. The stall-start control apparatus of claim 24, wherein, in the second start state, the controller controls the electric machine to operate as a motor.

26. The stall-start control apparatus of claim 24, wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises a second clutch positioned between the combustion engine and the electric machine, wherein the controller is further adapted to control the second clutch, and wherein in the first stall state, the controller controls the second clutch to operate in an engaged condition.

27. The stall-start control apparatus of claim 26, wherein, in the second start state, the controller controls the second clutch to operate in a non-engaged condition for a first period of time, wherein the first period of time begins substantially at entry into the second start state.

28. The stall-start control apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second clutch is configured to operate in an engaged configuration for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is after the first period of time.

29. The stall-start apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a human-machine interface arranged to operate the controller of the stall-start control apparatus.

30. The stall-start apparatus of claim 29, wherein the human-machine interface comprises a stall-start control arranged to operate the controller to operate in the first stall state.

31. The stall-start apparatus of claim 30, wherein the stall-start control is arranged in the first stall state to operate the controller to operate in the second start state.

32. The stall-start apparatus of claim 30, wherein the stall-start control is a button.

33. The stall-start apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a display and a status monitor, wherein the status monitor is arranged to monitor a status of the first clutch in the first stall state and control the display in dependence on the status of the first clutch.

34. The stall-start apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a configurable countdown timer arranged to operate the controller in the first stall state to end the first stall state after a predetermined period of time.

35. A hybrid vehicle comprising the stall-start control apparatus of claim 24.