Method and system for initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle

• US 8,346,421 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Bryan, Paul S., Lear, Christopher A., Lindlbauer, Mike P., Ringlein, Linda K., Treharne, William David
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAIGE, TYLER D
• Application Number:
  US12/729,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20100250039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/22
• 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: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/485 Temperature
• 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 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• 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 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/107 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/192 Mitigating problems related to power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start-up of a cold engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0829 related to special engine control, e.g. giving priority to engine warming-up or learning
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/084 State of vehicle accessories, e.g. air condition or power steering
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0806 : Air condition state
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0811 : Heating state
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A system and method is provided for initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for a first time since a vehicle drive start request. Based on a predetermined fluid temperature and a powertrain fluid temperature from at least one of the powertrain elements in the HEV, it is determined whether energy from the engine is demanded. When the energy from the engine is demanded, the engine is started to provide energy for at least one of heating of a cabin compartment in the HEV and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the HEV.

Claims

1. A method of initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, comprising:

initiating starting of the engine for a first time since the start request to provide energy for at least one of heating a cabin compartment in the HEV and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the HEV after a predetermined fluid temperature exceeds a transmission oil temperature.

2. The method of claim 1 further including operating the engine to generate heat for heating of a cabin compartment in vehicle the HEV when a second predetermined fluid temperature exceeds a coolant temperature of the engine.

3. The method of claim 1 further including obtaining a requested temperature for engine coolant, processing the requested temperature and an indication of ambient temperature outside the HEV to obtain a filtered engine coolant temperature, and operating the engine to generate heat for heating of a cabin compartment in the HEV when the filtered engine coolant temperature exceeds a coolant temperature of the engine in the HEV.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the filtered engine coolant temperature decreases as the ambient temperature decreases.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy drives a transmission lubrication system in the HEV to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements.

6. The method of claim 1 further including operating the engine to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for driving a transmission lubrication system in the HEV based on a time since last engine run.

7. The method of claim 6 further including operating the engine to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements based on a duration of the last engine run.

8. The method of claim 1 further including operating the engine to drive a transmission lubrication system in the HEV to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements based on a power level requested from the HEV.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the initiating starting of the engine for the lubrication occurs when the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for lubrication.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a power level requested from the HEV to a predetermined level of power, the predetermined level of power being based on a time since last engine run.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a speed of the HEV to a predetermined speed, the predetermined speed being based on a time since last engine run.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a traveled distance of the HEV to a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance being based on a time since last engine run.

13. A system for initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, the system comprising:

at least one computer-based controller including a processor operable to execute software instructions, a computer memory operable to store software instructions accessible by the processor, and a set of software instructions stored in the memory, wherein the software instructions, when executed by the processor, performs a step of;

initiating starting of the engine for a first time since the start request to provide energy for at least one of heating a cabin compartment of the HEV and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements in the HEV after a predetermined fluid temperature exceeds a transmission oil temperature.

14. The system of claim 13 further including a transmission lubrication system, the controller initiating starting of the engine to drive the transmission lubrication system to lubricate the portion of powertrain elements when the predetermined fluid temperature exceeds the transmission oil temperature.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the software instructions, when executed by the processor, performs a step of operating the engine to generate heat for heating of a cabin compartment in the HEV when a second predetermined fluid temperature exceeds a coolant temperature of the engine.

16. A method of initiating starting of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for a first time since a vehicle drive start request, comprising:

initiating starting of the engine to provide energy for at least one of heating an HEV cabin and lubrication of a portion of powertrain elements after a predetermined oil temperature exceeds a transmission oil temperature and when the energy from the engine is demanded to provide energy for lubrication.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a power level requested from the HEV to a predetermined level of power, the predetermined level of power being based on a time since last engine run.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a speed of the HEV to a predetermined speed, the predetermined speed being based on a time since last engine run.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on comparing a traveled distance of the HEV to a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance being based on a time since last engine run.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the energy from the engine is demanded based on a duration of last engine run.