Power supply system for hybrid vehicles

• US 5,285,862 A
• Filed: 03/09/1993
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yoshiyuki, Oki, Ryoji, Furutani, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLISH, PETER C
• Application Number:
  US08/028,182
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.8, 318/139
• US Class Current: 180/65.245
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/114 Super-capacities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

When voltage at the main battery 10 is lowered, an EV-ECU 36 instructs a starting motor 24 to rotate to actuate an engine 26 for the initiation of power generation. At that time, the starting motor receives electric current mainly from a power capacitor 34, while an auxiliary battery 22 is connected to the ECU 36 and an ECU 38 so that supply voltages at the ECU'"'"'s 36 and 38 can be kept at a predetermined level irrespective of the drive of the starting motor 24. Also, when the upstream voltage of the auxiliary battery 22 is found to be less than a predetermined value through a comparator 40, the drive of the starting motor is not effected. This configuration prevents the voltage at the auxiliary battery 22 from continuing to be lowered due to the drive of the starting motor 24 in the case where the power capacitor 34 is in a poorly charged state.

Claims

1. A power supply system for use in a hybrid vehicle including an engine for power generation as well as a drive motor for vehicle propulsion, comprising:

a drive power supply for driving said drive motor;

a starting motor for the actuation of said engine;

a first power supply means which receives electric power from said drive power supply and provides electric power to said starting motor;

a control section which receives electric power from said drive power supply and controls the drive of said starting motor; and

a second power supply means which is connected between said drive power supply and said control section in parallel with said control section and maintains supply voltage at said control section.

2. A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprises an isolation means for separating said starting motor and said first power supply means from said control section and said second power supply means at the time of operation of said starting motor.

3. A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage detection means for detecting supply voltage at said control section, wherein

said control section prohibits the drive of said starting motor in the case where said supply voltage at said control section detected by said voltage detection means is less than a predetermined value.

4. A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

at least one of said first and second power supply means comprises a battery.

5. A power supply system for use in a hybrid vehicle including an engine for power generation as well as a drive motor for vehicle propulsion, comprising:

a drive power supply for driving said drive motor;

a starting motor for the actuation of said engine;

a first power supply means which receives electric power from said drive power supply and provides electric power to said starting motor;

a control section which receives electric power from said first power supply means and controls the drive of said starting motor;

a second power supply means which is connected between said first power supply means and said control section in parallel with said first power supply means and maintains supply voltage at said control section; and

an isolation means for separating said control section and said second power supply means from said first power supply means at the time of operation of said starting motor.

6. A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a voltage detection means for detecting supply voltage at said control section, wherein

said control section prohibits the drive of said starting motor in the case where said supply voltage at said control section detected by said voltage detection means is less than a predetermined value.

7. A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein

at least one of said first and second power supply means comprises a battery.