Dual engine hybrid electric vehicle

• US 6,306,056 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Moore, Thomas S
• Primary Examiner(s): Estremsky, Sherry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Tisha D.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,148
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 475/2, 475/5, 475/4, 475/150, 477/3, 477/5, 477/7, 477/8, 477/2, 180/65-- 6
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/08 comprising more than one engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/50 Architecture of the driveline characterised by arrangement or kind of transmission units
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• 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 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 73/00 Combinations of two or more engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/915 Specific drive or transmission adapted for hev
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 Characterized by control of driveline clutch

Abstract

A hybrid electric powertrain system is provided including a first engine system, a second engine system and an electric motor. During normal driving conditions, a single engine is utilized for providing driving torque to the drive wheels. During periods of operation where increased levels of torque are required, the electric motor is operated temporarily while the second engine is started and brought up to speed to assist the first engine in providing driving torque to the driving wheels of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle having a hybrid electric powertrain system, comprising:

a first heat engine;

a second heat engine;

a torque transmission device operatively engagable with said first and second heat engines and adapted to selectively transfer torque from said first and second heat engines to a pair of driving wheels of a vehicle; and

an electric motor/generator for providing driving torque to at least one pair of driving wheels of the motor vehicle.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said motor/generator is connected to said transmission for providing driving torque to said at least one pair of driving wheels of the motor vehicle.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said electric motor is drivingly connected to said at least one pair of driving wheels through a differential.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said torque transmission device includes a first clutch element for transmitting torque from said first engine to a transmission geartrain and a second clutch for delivering torque from said second engine to said transmission geartrain.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said first heat engine and said second heat engine are each housed in a common engine block.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for operating said first heat engine, said second heat engine and said motor/generator in response to a torque demand determined from vehicle operating conditions.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein when a torque demand exceeds an amount of torque available from said first heat engine, said controller operates said motor/generator to supply additional torque while said second heat engine is started up.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein if said torque demand exceeds an amount of torque available from said first heat engine and said motor/generator operating within a rated capacity limit, the controller operates said motor/generator at a capacity exceeding said rated capacity limit for a predetermined limited time period.

9. A motor vehicle having a hybrid electric powertrain system, comprising:

a first heat engine;

a second heat engine;

a torque transmission device operatively engagable with said first and second heat engines and adapted to selectively transfer torque from said first and second heat engines to a pair of driving wheels of a vehicle;

an electric motor/generator for providing driving torque to at least one pair of driving wheels of the motor vehicle; and

a controller for operating said first heat engine, said second heat engine and said motor/generator in response to vehicle operating conditions.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said controller operates said electric motor/generator when said first heat engine does not have sufficient torque to meet vehicle operating conditions.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein if said vehicle operating conditions require more torque than is available from said first heat engine and said electric motor/generator operating within a rated capacity limit, the controller operates said electric motor/generator at a capacity exceeding said rated capacity for a predetermined limited time period.