Control systems and methods for electric motors of utility vehicles

• US 8,965,630 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Wyatt, Christopher K., Fox, Ivan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US14/041,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20140142793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/006 Control or measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0411 Arrangement in the front part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/00 Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/00 Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/025 using field orientation; Vector control; Direct Torque Control [DTC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/223 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 3/18 for stopping or slowing an ac motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An auxiliary system for a utility vehicle, comprising:

an electric auxiliary motor;

an auxiliary mechanism engaged with the electric auxiliary motor; and

an auxiliary control system in communication with the electric auxiliary motor, the auxiliary control system comprising;

an auxiliary controller for controlling the electric auxiliary motor;

a power inverter in communication with the electric auxiliary motor and the auxiliary controller; and

a dynamic brake controller in communication with the power inverter and a battery, the dynamic brake controller configured to;

brake the electric auxiliary motor; and

return excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor to the battery during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor.

2. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic brake controller is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor.

3. The auxiliary system of claim 2, wherein:

the dynamic brake controller comprises a dynamic braking resistor;

the dynamic brake controller is configured to absorb the portion of the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor with the dynamic braking resistor.

4. The auxiliary system of claim 3, wherein:

the dynamic brake controller further comprises a switch in communication with the dynamic braking resistor and the electric auxiliary motor; and

the switch is configured to connect the dynamic braking resistor and the electric auxiliary motor to absorb the portion of the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor, based on a dynamic brake PWM signal.

5. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic brake controller is further configured to absorb the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor, instead of returning the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor to the battery.

6. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein:

the electric auxiliary motor comprises an AC electric auxiliary motor; and

the auxiliary controller applies field oriented control to the AC electric auxiliary motor and controls the AC electric auxiliary motor via at least one DC control technique.

7. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises a cutting blade mechanism.

8. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the electric auxiliary motor comprises an AC PMSM motor.

9. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic brake controller is configured to brake the electric auxiliary motor when an ignition switch of the utility vehicle is opened.

10. The auxiliary system of claim 9:

further comprising a contactor in communication with the battery and the dynamic brake controller;

wherein when the ignition switch is opened, the contactor is configured to;

remain closed for a predetermined duration such that the dynamic brake controller can brake the electric auxiliary motor; and

open after the predetermined duration such that the dynamic brake controller is disconnected from the battery.

11. An auxiliary system for a utility vehicle, comprising:

an electric auxiliary motor;

an auxiliary mechanism engaged with the electric auxiliary motor; and

an auxiliary control system in communication with the electric auxiliary motor, the auxiliary control system comprising;

an auxiliary controller for controlling the electric auxiliary motor;

a power inverter in communication with the electric auxiliary motor and the auxiliary controller; and

a dynamic brake controller in communication with the power inverter and a battery, the dynamic brake controller configured to;

brake the electric auxiliary motor; and

absorb excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor.

12. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein:

the dynamic brake controller comprises a dynamic braking resistor;

the dynamic brake controller is configured to absorb the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor with the dynamic braking resistor.

13. The auxiliary system of claim 12, wherein:

the dynamic brake controller further comprises a switch in communication with the dynamic braking resistor and the electric auxiliary motor; and

the switch is configured to connect the dynamic braking resistor and the electric auxiliary motor to absorb the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor, based on a dynamic brake PWM signal.

14. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein the dynamic brake controller is further configured to return at least a portion of the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor to the battery during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor.

15. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein the dynamic brake controller is further configured to return the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor to the battery during the braking of the electric auxiliary motor, instead of absorbing the excess voltage from the electric auxiliary motor.

16. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein:

the electric auxiliary motor comprises an AC electric auxiliary motor; and

the auxiliary controller applies field oriented control to the AC electric auxiliary motor and controls the AC electric auxiliary motor via at least one DC control technique.

17. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises a cutting blade mechanism.

18. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein the electric auxiliary motor comprises an AC PMSM motor.

19. The auxiliary system of claim 11, wherein the dynamic brake controller is configured to brake the electric auxiliary motor when an ignition switch of the utility vehicle is opened.

20. The auxiliary system of claim 19:

further comprising a contactor in communication with the battery and the dynamic brake controller;

wherein when the ignition switch is opened, the contactor is configured to;

remain closed for a predetermined duration such that the dynamic brake controller can brake the electric auxiliary motor; and

open after the predetermined duration such that the dynamic brake controller is disconnected from the battery.