Method and apparatus to provide power assistance to an engine with a starter alternator during gear shifts

• US 6,322,476 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Liu, Ning, Kahlon, Gurinder S., Mohan, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US09/597,447
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 477/3, 477/5
• US Class Current: 477/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• 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 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• 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 20/11 using model predictive control [MPC] strategies, i.e. control methods based on models predicting performance utilising navigation and traffic information in the control strategy B60W20/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/24 by using an external load, e.g. a generator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/022 in relation with the clutch status
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 : the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 : comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0888 : DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0896 : Inverters for electric machines, e.g. starter-generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/917 : with transmission for changing gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/945 : Characterized by control of gearing, e.g. control of transmission ratio

Abstract

A system (40) for an automotive vehicle (10) has an internal combustion engine (12) having a crankshaft (50) and a starter/alternator (42) coupled to the crankshaft (50). A transmission (26) is coupled to the starter/alternator (42). A gear position sensor (70) coupled to the transmission (26) generates a gear change signal. A controller (54) is coupled to the starter/alternator (42) and the gear position sensor (70) and receives the gear change signal. The controller (54) initiates the operation of the starter/alternator (42) as a motor to provide a predetermined torque.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a starter/alternator coupled to the crankshaft of the engine, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing a gear shift change;

rotating the crankshaft of the engine with the starter/alternator in response to the gear shift change;

changing a torque of the starter/alternator to a predetermined torque; and

thereby, changing an engine torque.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of changing a vehicle acceleration in response to the step of changing an engine torque.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of changing a torque of the starter/alternator comprises increasing or decreasing said torque.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of changing an engine torque comprises increasing or decreasing said torque.

5. A system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft;

a starter/alternator coupled to the crankshaft;

a transmission coupled to the starter/ alternator;

a gear position sensor coupled to the transmission generates a gear change signal;

a controller coupled to the starter/alternator and the gear position sensor for receiving the gear change signal and initiating the operation of the starter/alternator as a motor to provide a predetermined torque.

6. A system as recited in claim 5 further comprising a clutch.

7. A system as recited in claim 5 further comprising a speed sensor coupled to the crankshaft.

8. A system as recited in claim 5 wherein said controller initiates the rotation of the crankshaft to a predetermined speed.

9. A method of operating a starter/alternator comprising the steps of:

operating the starter/alternator as a alternator;

sensing a gear shift of a transmission; and

switching the operation of the starter/alternator to a motor in response to sensing a gear shift.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of changing engine torque in response to sensing a gear shift of the transmission.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of changing comprises increasing engine torque.

12. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of changing comprises decreasing engine torque.