Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

• US 6,546,320 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Morimoto, Kazuhiko, Shimizu, Michinori
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/873,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 180/165, 180/54.1, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.5, 180/65.8, 320/130, 320/132, 320/128, 320/138, 320/139, 320/140, 318/139, 318/140, 318/141, 318/151, 318/153, 318/152, 290/40.A, 290/40.C, 290/40.R, 290/38.R, 290/45, 290/50, 290/51, 290/47, 290/48, 123/142.5 R, 123/142.5 E, 477/3, 477/7
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• 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: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/905 Combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/906 Motor or generator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/917 with transmission for changing gear ratio

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle includes a control apparatus having an engine controller and a motor controller. A first battery and a second battery which has higher voltage than the first battery are provided. An electric power generator which is driven by the engine is provided for charging the first battery. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller, and the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the motor controller and the engine controller. In addition, the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the engine controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of the engine controller. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller. The second battery or the electric motor is connected to the motor controller through a DC/DC converter. As a result, even if the high voltage line including the electric motor in the control apparatus for the hybrid vehicle has failed, this system can drive the vehicle.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor connected to an output shaft of said engine, comprising:

an engine controller which controls a running state of said engine; and

a motor controller which controls a driving state of said electric motor independent from control of said engine by said engine controller;

the vehicle including a first battery and a second battery having a higher voltage than the first battery, and an electric power generator which is driven by said internal combustion engine for charging said first battery, said second battery and said electric motor being connected through said motor controller so that said second battery is charged by said electric motor, the vehicle including a starter powered by said first battery and controlled by said engine controller,

wherein at least one of said first battery and said electric power generator is connected to said motor controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said motor controller and is connected to said engine controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said engine controller.

2. The control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein said first battery is connected to said second battery through a DC/DC converter enabling said second battery to supply power to said first battery.

3. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor connected to an output shaft of said engine, comprising:

an engine controller which controls a running state of said engine; and

a motor controller which controls a driving state of said electric motor independent from control of said engine by said engine controller;

the vehicle including a first battery and a second battery having a higher voltage than the first battery, said first battery and said second battery being unconnected; and

an electric power generator which is driven by said engine for charging said first battery,

wherein said first battery or said electric power generator are connected to said engine controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of said engine controller, and said second battery and said electric motor are connected through said motor controller, and said second battery or said electric motor connects to said motor controller to maintain a power supply for operation maintenance of said motor controller.

4. The control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle of claim 3, wherein maintaining operation maintenance of said motor controller includes having said second battery provide power to a cooling fan and a coolant circulation pump.

5. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine having an output shaft;

an engine controller for controlling a running state of said internal combustion engine;

an electric motor connected to the output shaft of said engine;

a motor controller for controlling a driving state of said electric motor independent from control of said engine by said engine controller;

a main battery for providing power to said engine controller;

an alternator for receiving power from said internal combustion engine and providing power to said main battery and said engine controller; and

a high-voltage battery for providing power to and receiving power from said electric motor,

wherein at least one of said main battery and said alternator is connected to said motor controller for maintaining a power supply for operation of said motor controller so that failure of said electric motor or said motor controller does not affect operation of said hybrid vehicle.

6. The hybrid vehicle of claim 5, including a DC/DC converter connecting said high-voltage battery and said main battery, enabling said high-voltage battery to supply power to said main battery.