Vehicle control apparatus adapted to select engine-or motor-drive mode based on physical quantity reflecting energy conversion efficiencies in motor-drive mode
First Claim
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 engine drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said engine, a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said electric motor, and an electricity generating mode in which said electric generator is operated by said engine to charge said electric energy storage device, said apparatus including drive source selecting means for selecting one of said engine drive mode, said motor drive mode and said electricity generating mode, depending upon a running condition of the vehicle, wherein said drive source selecting means selects one of said engine drive mode and said motor drive mode, 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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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive control apparatus for an automotive vehicle having an electric motor and an engine operated by combustion of a fuel, the drive control apparatus including a drive source selecting device for selecting an engine drive mode or a motor drive mode on the basis of a first value in the engine drive mode of a physical quantity relating to a condition of the engine and a second value of the same physical quantity reflecting energy conversion efficiencies of the electric motor, an electric generator and an electric energy storage device during an electricity generating mode. The physical quantity is preferably a fuel consumption amount by the engine. The drive control apparatus may also include an engine output determining device that optimizes the efficiency of the system by determining the output of the engine so as to power the vehicle and also provide surplus power to operate the electric generator and charge the electric energy storage device. An enlarging device may also be included to increase the output of the electric motor to prevent excessive charging of the electric energy storage device.
153 Citations
19 Claims
- 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 engine drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said engine, a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said electric motor, and an electricity generating mode in which said electric generator is operated by said engine to charge said electric energy storage device, said apparatus including drive source selecting means for selecting one of said engine drive mode, said motor drive mode and said electricity generating mode, depending upon a running condition of the vehicle, wherein said drive source selecting means selects one of said engine drive mode and said motor drive mode, 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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10. 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 engine drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said engine, a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by said electric motor, and an electricity generating mode in which said electric generator is operated by said engine to charge said electric energy storage device, the drive control apparatus comprising:
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engine output determining means for determining a desired output of said engine in said electricity generating mode on the basis of an overall efficiency of a system assigned to charge said electric energy storage device in said electricity generating mode, said overall efficiency being associated with a physical quantity relating to a condition of said engine, and said overall efficiency reflecting energy conversion efficiencies of said electric energy storage device and said electric generator in said electricity generating mode;
wherein said desired output is larger than a value of drive power required for said engine to drive the vehicle in said engine drive mode by a predetermined amount which provides surplus power by which said electric generator is operated to charge said electric energy storage device; and
wherein said energy output determining means comprises;calculating means for calculating values of said overall efficiency which correspond to different candidate values of said desired output of the engine, respectively said values of said overall efficiency reflecting the energy conversion efficiencies of said electric energy storage device in said electric generator during operation of said electric generator by said surplus power in said electricity generating mode; and selecting means for selecting one of said different candidate values of said desired output of said engine which corresponds to one of said values of said overall efficiency which satisfies a predetermined condition, and determining the selected candidate value as said desired output of the engine. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A drive control device 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 comprising:
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engine driving means for running the vehicle by operation of the engine in an engine drive mode while a running condition of the vehicle is held within an engine driving range; motor driving means for running the vehicle by operation of the electric motor in a motor drive mode while said running condition is held within a motor driving range; regenerative driving means for running the vehicle in a regenerative drive mode in which said electric generator is driven by a kinetic energy of the running vehicle so as to store an electric energy in said electric energy storage device as well as to apply a brake to the vehicle, said regenerative drive mode is selected when said running condition of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined requirement; and enlarging means for enlarging said motor driving range when an amount of the electric energy stored in said electric energy storage device by operation of said electric generator in said regenerative drive mode is larger than a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification