Electric vehicle with individually controlled drive electromotors

• US 5,343,971 A
• Filed: 12/04/1992
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magnet-Motor Gesellschaft Fuer Magnetmotorische Technik MbH
• Original Assignee: Magnet-Motor Gesellschaft Fuer Magnetmotorische Technik MbH
• Inventors: Grundl, Andreas, Ehrhart, Peter, Heidelberg, Gotz
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US07/949,632
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.5, 318/139
• US Class Current: 180/65.245
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/04 with the engine main axis, e.g. crankshaft axis, transversely to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2036 Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/465 Slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/106 for maintaining or recovering the adhesion of the drive wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/108 whilst braking, i.e. ABS
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/13 using AC generators and AC motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/62 charged by low-power generators primarily intended to support the batteries, e.g. range extenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 : Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 : including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 : with plurality of drive axles

Abstract

A non-rail bound vehicle comprising at least two drive electromotors (8), the one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel (12) on the left side of the vehicle and the other one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel (12) on the fight side of the vehicle, characterized in that each of the two electromotors (8) has its own motor control (30) associated therewith for presetting the instantaneous nominal power and/or the instantaneous nominal speed of the respective electromotor (8); and that a superior central control (28) connected to the central controls (30) is provided which controls the two electromotors (8) via the motor controls (30) so as to prevent drive slip and/or brake locking and/or to provide a fight/left drive differential that is favourable in terms of movement dynamics, with the central control (28) and/or the motor controls (30) taking into account information on the instantaneous actual electrical power and/or the instantaneous actual speed of the two electromotors (8).

Claims

1. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle;

(b) each of the at least two electromotors has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the respective electromotor;

(c) a superior central controller which is connected to the motor controllers and controls the at least two electromotors via the motor controllers to prevent drive slip;

(d) with at least one of the superior central controller and the motor controllers obtaining and utilizing information on;

the instantaneous actual electrical power, of the at least two electromotors

the instantaneous actual speed of the at least two electromotors, and

the instantaneous actual torque of the at least two electromotors.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one current generator drivable by the internal combustion engine.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

4. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least two electromotors and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a steering angle sensor, wherein the central controller is responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor, for generating a right/left drive differential.

6. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central controller is responsive to rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis for generating a right/left drive differential.

7. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least two electromotors are switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

8. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle;

(b) each of the at least two electromotors has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the respective electromotor;

(c) a superior central controller which is connected to the motor controllers and controls the at least two electromotors via the motor controllers to prevent brake locking;

(d) with at least one of the superior central controller and the motor controllers obtaining and utilizing information on;

the instantaneous actual electrical power, of the at least two electromotors

the instantaneous actual speed of the at least two electromotors, and

the instantaneous actual torque of the at least two electromotors.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one current generator drivable by the internal combustion engine.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

11. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the at least two electromotors and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

12. A vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising a steering angle sensor, wherein the central controller is responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor, for generating a right/left drive differential.

13. A vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the central controller is responsive to rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis for generating a right/left drive differential.

14. A vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the at least two electromotors are switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

15. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle;

(b) each of the at least two electromotors has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the respective electromotor;

(c) a superior central controller which is connected to the motor controllers and controls the at least two electromotors via the motor controllers to provide a right/left drive differential that is favorable in terms of movement dynamics;

(d) with at least one of the superior central controller and the motor controllers obtaining and utilizing information on;

the instantaneous actual electrical power, of the at least two electromotors

the instantaneous actual speed of the at least two electromotors, and

the instantaneous actual torque of the at least two

16. A vehicle according to claim 15, further comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one current generator drivable by the internal combustion engine.

17. A vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

18. A vehicle according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the at least two electromotors and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

19. A vehicle according to claim 15, further comprising a steering angle sensor, wherein the central controller is responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor, for generating a right/left drive differential.

20. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the central controller is responsive to rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis for generating a right/left drive differential.

21. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the at least two electromotors are switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

22. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle;

(b) each of the at least two electromotors has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the respective electromotor;

(c) a superior central controller which is connected to the motor controllers and controls the at least two electromotors via the motor controllers to provide a favorable power transmission of the driving wheels;

(d) with at least one of the superior central controller and the motor controllers obtaining and utilizing information on;

the instantaneous actual electrical power, of the at least two electromotors

the instantaneous actual speed of the at least two electromotors, and

the instantaneous actual torque of the at least two electromotors.

23. A vehicle according to claim 22, further comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one current generator drivable by the internal combustion engine.

24. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

25. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the at least two electromotors and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

26. A vehicle according to claim 22, further comprising a steering angle sensor, wherein the central controller is responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor, for generating a right/left drive differential.

27. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the central controller is responsive to rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis for generating a right/left drive differential.

28. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the at least two electromotors are switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

30. A vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the at least one drive electromotor comprises at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle, each of the at least two electromotors having a respective motor controller associated therewith, and the central controller controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller based on the electrical power requirements of the at least two electromotors.

31. A vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

32. A vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the at least one electromotor is switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

29. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least one drive electromotor;

(b) an internal combustion engine and a current generator adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine;

(c) the at least one electromotor has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the at least one electromotor;

(d) the internal combustion engine/generator group has a current generating controller associated therewith; and

(e) a central controller which is connected to the respective motor controller of the at least one electromotor and to the current generating controller and which, based on the electrical power requirements of the at least one electromotor, controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller to achieve low fuel consumption.

33. A vehicle according to claim 29, wherein at least one of the at least one electromotor and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

34. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least one drive electromotor;

(b) an internal combustion engine and a current generator adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine;

(c) the at least one electromotor has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the at least one electromotor;

(d) the internal combustion engine/generator group has a current generating controller associated therewith; and

(e) a central controller which is connected to the respective motor controller of the at least one electromotor and to the current generating controller and which, based on the electrical power requirements of the at least one electromotor, controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller to achieve low pollutant emissions.

35. A vehicle according to claim 34, wherein the at least one drive electromotor comprises at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle, each of the at least two electromotors having a respective motor controller associated therewith, and the central controller controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller based on the electrical power requirements of the at least two electromotors.

36. A vehicle according to claim 34, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

37. A vehicle according to claim 34, wherein the at least one electromotor is switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

38. A vehicle according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the at least one electromotor and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.

40. A vehicle according to claim 35, wherein the at least one drive electromotor comprises at least two drive electromotors, a first one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the left side of the vehicle and a second one thereof being provided for driving a driving wheel on the right side of the vehicle, each of the at least two electromotors having a respective motor controller associated therewith, and the central controller controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller based on the electrical power requirements of the at least two electromotors.

39. A non-rail bound vehicle comprising:

(a) at least one drive electromotor;

(b) an internal combustion engine and a current generator adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine;

(c) the at least one electromotor has a respective motor controller associated therewith for presetting an instantaneous nominal torque of the at least one electromotor;

(d) the internal combustion engine/generator group has a current generating controller associated therewith; and

(e) a central controller which is connected to the respective motor controller of the at least one electromotor and to the current generating controller and which, based on the electrical power requirements of the at least one electromotor, controls the internal combustion engine via the current generating controller to achieve high power output.

41. A vehicle according to claim 39, wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the internal combustion engine.

42. A vehicle according to claim 39, wherein the at least one electromotor is switchable to generator operation for braking the vehicle, and wherein at least one braking resistor is provided for dissipating braking energy.

43. A vehicle according to claim 39, wherein at least one of the at least one electromotor and the generator is a machine excited by permanent magnets, with the permanent magnets being highly coercive permanent magnets.