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Control apparatus for engine/electric hybrid vehicle

  • US 4,335,429 A
  • Filed: 03/12/1980
  • Issued: 06/15/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an output shaft and wheels coupled thereto, comprising:

  • an internal combustion engine having an engine shaft and a throttle;

    throttle control means for controlling opening of said throttle as a function of a first variable,a first electric motor,a second electric motor having a motor shaft coupled to said output shaft of said vehicle,a battery for supplying electric power to said first and second motors,first motor control means for controlling power flow from said battery to said first motor as a function of a second variable,second motor control means for controlling power flow from said battery to said second motor as a function of a third variable,coupling means for selectively disconnecting and connecting (a) said engine and said second motor and (b) said first and second motors,speed adjustment operating means for adjusting the speed of said hybrid vehicle,first data providing means for providing data relating said first variable to the speed and torque of said engine,second data providing means for providing data relating said second variable to the speed and torque of said first motor,third data providing means for providing data relating said third variable to the speed and torque of said second motor,first speed sensing means cooperating with said motor shaft for providing motor shaft speed data concerning the speed thereof,required torque data providing means for providing data concerning required torque based on the status of said speed adjustment operating means and said motor shaft speed data,first determining means for determining whether said required torque is positive,second determining means for determining whether said motor shaft speed data is within a predetermined optimum speed range of said engine when said first determining means determines that said required torque is positive,third determining means for determining whether said required torque exceeds a predetermined first upper limit value of a predetermined torque range of said engine when said second determining means determines that said motor shaft speed data obtained from said first speed sensing means is within said optimum speed range,first coupling means control means for causing said coupling means to connect said engine and said second motor in response to a determination by said third determining means that said required torque exceeds said first upper limit value, andfirst control means for providing said first variable to said throttle control means by referring to said first data providing means and maximizing opening of said throttle and for providing said third variable to said second motor control means by referring to said third data providing means and operating said second motor with a torque associated with a difference between said required torque and said first upper limit value, in response to a determination by said third determining means that said required torque exceeds said first upper limit value.

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