Hybrid vehicle with integral generator for auxiliary loads

• US 7,654,349 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Malcolm, Robert G, Hartwig, Kenneth, Doolittle, William W III, Eanes, Lewis Charles Sr., Lee, Kathi S, Schroeder, Del C
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/685,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20070158120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 180/53.8, 180/65.4, 180/65.3, 180/65.24, 180/65.31, 180/65.21, 307/10.1, 307/150, 307/47, 296/24.3, 296/37.6, 169/24, 292/341.8
• US Class Current: 180/53.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• 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

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.

Claims

1. A vehicle power distribution unit for supplying electrical power to a load, the power distribution unit comprising:

a panel adapted to be associated with a portion of a body of the vehicle and mounting a plurality of power outlets, each outlet adapted to be coupled to a power source internal to the vehicle, the panel being deployable from a stowed position, wherein the power outlets are inaccessible to the load, to an actuated position, wherein the power outlets are accessible to the load and the power distribution unit panel is adapted to be mounted behind a side surface of the vehicle in the stowed position, the panel adapted to be moved to a position beneath the side surface in the actuated position.

2. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the load is external to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the power distribution unit is operative to generate an activation signal whenever the panel is placed in the actuated position.

4. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of power outlets are selected from the group consisting of DC, one phase AC, two phase AC and three phase AC outlets.

5. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of power outlets is equipped with ground fault protection.

6. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of power outlets is equipped with a circuit breaker.

7. The vehicle power distribution unit of claim 1 further comprising a normal output voltage indicator mounted to the panel.

8. A vehicle power distribution unit for supplying electrical power to a load, the power distribution unit comprising:

a panel adapted to be associated with a portion of a body of the vehicle and mounting a plurality of power outlets, each outlet adapted to be coupled to a power source internal to the vehicle, the panel being deployable from a stowed position, wherein the power outlets are inaccessible to the load, to an actuated position, wherein the power outlets are accessible to the load, wherein the power distribution unit is operate to generate an activation signal whenever the panel is placed in the actuated position and wherein the power distribution unit panel is adapted for placement within a side surface of the vehicle, the panel facing an opening in the side surface having a movable cover such that whenever the movable cover is opened the panel is placed in the activated position, and whenever the movable cover is closed, the panel is placed in the stowed position.