Hybrid motive power vehicle

• US 6,342,027 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, SHERRY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/588,469
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 477/5
• US Class Current: 477/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/543 the transmission being a continuously variable transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0622 Air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1506 with particular means during starting
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/66 specially adapted for continuously variable gearings control of exclusively fluid gearing F16H61/38
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/914 : Actuated, e.g. engaged or disengaged by electrical, hydraulic or mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/918 : Continuously variable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 : Characterized by control of driveline clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/951 : Assembly or relative location of components

Abstract

The present invention provides a hybrid motive power vehicle capable of smooth switching from an electric motor to an internal combustion engine without torque fluctuation. A buffer clutch 5 is arranged in a power train system 3 common to the electric motor 1 and the internal combustion engine 2. When the power source is switched from the electric motor 1 to the internal combustion engine 2, the buffer clutch is set to a half-clutch state, so that an output torque fluctuation which may be generated at the upstream side of the power train system upon switching of the power source will not be transmitted to a differential gear 6 and drive wheels.

Claims

1. A hybrid motive power vehicle comprising:

an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources, so that at least one of the power sources is operated and its drive force is transmitted to drive wheels via a power train system common to the electric motor and the internal combustion engine;

a power source switching unit for switching the power source between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine;

a buffer clutch capable of adjusting a connection force and arranged in the power train system; and

a clutch controller for maintaining said connection force of the buffer clutch in a half-clutch state while said power source switching unit is operating and setting the buffer clutch to a complete connection state when the operation of said power source switching unit is complete.

2. The hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 1, the vehicle further comprising:

a transmission arranged at an upstream position from the buffer clutch in the power train system and having an input shaft connected to an output shaft of the electric motor; and

a start-up clutch capable of adjusting a connection force, through which clutch an output shaft of the electric motor is connected to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine,

said power source switching unit including;

a start-up condition setting block for setting a start-up control parameter for controlling an output of the internal combustion engine at starting the internal combustion engine, a stationary operation control parameter required for performing a stationary operation by the internal combustion engine alone, and a target rpm of the internal combustion engine required for reaching a running speed immediately before starting the power source switching;

an internal combustion engine start-up control block for setting, in the internal combustion engine, the start-up control parameter set by the start-up condition setting block so as to increase the drive torque of the electric motor and connect the start-up clutch in the half-clutch state, so that the internal combustion engine is cranked by the electric motor so as to start the internal combustion engine; and

a stationary operation start control block for confirming that the internal combustion engine is started and the internal combustion engine has reached the target rpm, returning the drive torque of the electric motor to a previous value, setting the start-up clutch to a complete connection state, setting, for the internal combustion engine, the stationary operation control parameter which has been set by the start-up condition setting block, and gradually reducing the drive torque application by the electric motor so as to start a drive by the internal combustion engine.

3. A hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the start-up control parameter and the stationary operation control parameter are a fuel injection cycle and an ignition cycle.

4. A hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the start-up control parameter and the stationary operation control parameter are a throttle open degree.

5. A hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the start-up control parameter and the stationary operation control parameter are an ignition timing.

6. A hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the start-up control parameter and the stationary operation control parameter are an inlet valve open-close timing.

7. A hybrid motive power vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the start-up control parameter and the stationary operation control parameter are an air/fuel ratio.