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Vehicle control apparatus adapted to charge energy storage device by generator driven by surplus engine power which changes with required vehicle drive force

  • US 5,722,911 A
  • Filed: 07/22/1996
  • Issued: 03/03/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A drive control apparatus for an automotive vehicle having an electric generator for generating an electric energy, an electric energy storage device for storing the electric energy generated by said electric generator, an electric motor operated as a first drive power source by said electric energy, and an engine operated as a second drive power source by combustion of a fuel, said apparatus having an electricity generating drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by operation of said engine while said electric generator is operated by surplus power of said engine to generate electric power corresponding to said surplus power, for charging said electric energy storage device, said surplus power being equal to a difference between an output of the engine and required vehicle drive power which is currently required to drive the vehicle and which is smaller than said output of the engine, wherein an improvement comprises charging control means operable in said electricity generating drive mode, for controlling said engine to operate in a substantially steady state so as to provide a steady state output, and controlling said electric power to be generated by said electric generator, such that said electric power corresponds to surplus power of the engine which is equal to a difference between said steady state output of the engine and said required vehicle drive power smaller than said steady state output, whereby said electric power is changed with a change is said required vehicle drive power;

  • and further comprising;

    an engine drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by operation of said engine;

    a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by the electric motor operated by the electric energy stored in the electric energy storage device; and

    drive source selecting means for selecting one of said engine drive mode and said motor drive mode, wherein said drive source selecting means selects a drive source on the basis of a first value in said engine drive mode of a physical quantity relating to a condition of said engine and a second value of said physical quantity reflecting energy conversion efficiencies of said electric generator, said electric motor and said electric energy storage device in said electricity generating mode, and according to a predetermined rule associated with said first and second values.

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