Power-generating control apparatus for vehicle

• US 6,491,121 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Morimoto, Kazuhiko, Omata, Yoshiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/851,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.3, 180/65.2, 180/65.1, 180/65.4, 318/587, 318/370, 318/445, 324/427
• US Class Current: 180/65.26
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0885 Capacitors, e.g. for additional power supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle having an engine and a power-generator operated by the engine or electric motor includes a slowdown detector to detect a slowdown state of the vehicle, a main battery for the vehicle, and a sub-battery. The control apparatus includes a switch-over device which switches over at least one of the main battery and the sub-battery to the power-generator or motor, which in a slowdown state detected by the slowdown detector, switches over to couple the power-generator or the motor and the sub-battery. In engine stop, the switch over device switches to the sub-battery as a power supply of operating load. Accordingly, because the sub-battery can absorb slowdown energy, driving efficiency of the power-generator or motor at slowdown becomes excellent.

Claims

1. A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle which includes an engine for powering the vehicle and a power-generator operated by the engine or an electric motor, comprising:

a slowdown detector to detect a slowdown state of a vehicle;

a first power supply as a main power supply for the vehicle and a second power supply as a sub-power supply; and

a switch-over circuit which switches over and connects one of the first and second power supplies while disconnecting the other of the first and second power supplies to said power-generator or said motor;

wherein during operation of the vehicle, the switch-over circuit switches to connect the first power supply with the power-generator or the electric motor by switching connection from the second power supply to the first power supply to use the first power supply for an operation load, and in a slowdown state, in response to a detected signal from said slowdown detector, said switch-over circuit switches over to couple said power-generator or said motor and said second power supply, and in an engine stop, said switch-over circuit switches over to said second power supply for an operating load.

2. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch-over circuit switches from said second power supply to said first power supply for the operating load in start-up of the engine.

3. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch-over circuit switches from the first power supply to the second power supply to provide power to the operating load during engine stop, only when a voltage of the second power supply is higher than a predetermined voltage.

4. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said first power supply and a capacitor as said second power supply.

5. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

6. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said main power supply and a capacitor as said sub-power supply.

7. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 6, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

8. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

9. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 8, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said first power supply and a capacitor as said second power supply.

10. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a motor-generator having driving and power-generating functions directly connected to the output shaft of the engine.

11. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said first power supply and a capacitor as said second power supply.

12. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

13. A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle which includes an engine for powering the vehicle and a power-generator operated by the engine or an electric motor, comprising:

a slowdown detector to detect a slowdown state of a vehicle;

a first power supply as a main power supply for the vehicle and a second power supply as a sub-power supply; and

a switch-over circuit which switches over and connects one of the first and second power supplies while disconnecting the other of the first and second power supplies to said power-generator or said motor;

wherein during operation of the vehicle, said switch-over circuit switches to connect the first power supply with the power-generator or the electric motor by switching connection from the second power supply to the first power supply to use the first power supply for an operation load, and in a slowdown state, in response to a detected signal from said slowdown detector, said switch-over circuit switches over to couple said power-generator or said motor with said second power supply, and when capacity of the second power supply is larger than a predetermined value even though the vehicle is running, said switch-over circuit switches from said first power supply to said second power supply to use for the operation load.

14. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 13, wherein the vehicle includes a motor-generator having driving and power-generating functions directly connected to the output shaft of the engine.

15. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 13, wherein said power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle uses a storage battery as said first power supply and a capacitor as said second power supply.

16. The power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle as defined in claim 13, wherein said engine possesses an automatic start-up/stop system.

17. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine for directly powering a drive shaft of the vehicle;

an electric motor connected to the internal combustion engine and having both driving and power-generating functions;

a slowdown detector for detecting slowing of the vehicle and providing a slowdown detection signal;

a main battery;

a sub-battery; and

a switch-over circuit for switching between said main battery and said sub-battery to connect one of said batteries while disconnecting the other of said batteries with the electric motor,

wherein, when said switch-over circuit receives the slowdown detection signal, said switch-over circuit connects said sub-battery to said electric motor to receive power generated by said electric motor, and when the internal combustion engine stops operating, said switch-over circuit connects said sub-battery to supply power to an operating load of said vehicle.

18. The hybrid vehicle as in claim 17, wherein said switch-over circuit connects said main battery to provide power to an alternator to start-up said engine.

19. The hybrid vehicle as in claim 17, wherein said sub-battery comprises a capacitor.

20. The hybrid vehicle as in claim 17, wherein, when said internal combustion engine stops operating, said switch-over circuit prevents connection of said sub-battery to the operating load when a voltage level of said sub-battery is less than a predetermined value.