Control device for hybrid vehicle

• US 7,878,282 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2008
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kumazaki, Kenta, Tabata, Atsushi, Matsubara, Tooru
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/007,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20080173485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.25, 180/65.26, 180/65.265, 180/65.285, 180/65.225, 180/65.245, 180/65.8, 180/65.235, 180/65.21, 180/65.27, 701/22, 701/84
• US Class Current: 180/65.265
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0873 with switching, e.g. to change ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0043 the gear ratios comprising four forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0047 the gear ratios comprising five forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/201 with three sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2012 with four sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2041 with four engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2043 with five engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A control device for hybrid vehicle is provided with property alter means 88 that is operative based on whether or not an EV running mode is set and alters a given property used for determining demanded output torque T_OUTt of a transmission mechanism by referring to an accelerator opening Acc. This suppresses occurrence of engine startup to meet a requirement for the EV running mode to be initiated. The property alter means alters the given property such that during an EV running mode turn-on state, demanded output torque T_OUTt determined based on the accelerator opening Acc has a lower value than that set for an EV running mode turn-off state. That is, this causes a drop in sensitivity of demanded output torque T_OUTt determined based on the accelerator opening Acc. Thus, the occurrence of engine startup induced upon depressive operation of an accelerator pedal during the EV running mode is suppressed.

Claims

1. A control device for a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor, establishing a motor running state with only the electric motor serving as a drive-power source, and being switched to an engine running state with the engine enabled to serve as a main drive-power source for running the vehicle, if a demanded drive-force relevant value demanded to the vehicle exceeds a given value during the motor running state,

the control device comprising relationship alter means for altering a given relationship used in determining the demanded drive-force relevant value depending on an output demanded operation amount applied by a driver, by referring to whether or not a motor running mode demanded for the motor running state is set.

2. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the relationship alter means is operative to alter the given relationship such that the demanded drive-force relevant value determined based on the output demanded operation amount of the driver is a lower value when the motor running mode is set, than in a value appearing when no motor running mode is set.

3. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the relationship alter means alters the given relationship, when the motor running mode is set, depending on a vehicle speed relevant value.

4. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the relationship alter means alters the given relationship such that the demanded drive-force relevant value determined based on the output demanded operation amount of the driver decreases with a decrease in the vehicle speed relevant value.

5. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the relationship alter means alters the given relationship such that with increase of the vehicle speed relevant value, the demanded drive-force relevant value determined based on the output demanded operation amount approximates a value of the demanded drive-force relevant value when no motor running mode is set.

6. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle speed relevant value is a relevant value, corresponding to a vehicle speed representing a speed of the vehicle in a one to one relationship.

7. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a drive force relevant value for the demanded drive-force relevant value is a relevant value, corresponding to a vehicle drive force with the drive wheels acting on a ground surface in a one to one relationship.

8. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the output demanded operation amount is a driver'"'"'s demand based on which the demanded drive-force relevant value is determined.

9. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the given relationship is a relation between an accelerator opening and a demanded output torque.

10. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein setting of the motor running mode is determined based on an manipulation by a driver.

11. A control device for hybrid vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the manipulation by the driver for setting of the motor running mode is a turn-on of a motor running mode switch.