Hybrid electrical vehicle and method for controlling the same

• US 9,718,457 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BYD Company Limited
• Original Assignee: BYD Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Hao, Ruan, Ou
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US14/917,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20160221569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 701 22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4808 Electric machine connected or connectable to gearbox output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4833 Step up or reduction gearing driving generator, e.g. to operate generator in most efficient speed range
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• 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 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/20 Control strategies involving selection of hybrid configuration, e.g. selection between series or parallel configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/242 for electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 : Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 : Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 : Conjoint control of different elements

Abstract

A hybrid electrical vehicle and a method for controlling a hybrid electrical vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes: a transmission device (1) connected with wheels (2a and 2b) of the hybrid electrical vehicle; an engine (3) and a gearbox (4), wherein the engine (3) is connected with the transmission device (1) via the gearbox (4); an electric motor (5) and a gear reducer (6), wherein the electric motor (5) is connected with the transmission device (1) via the gear reducer (6); a power battery (7) configured to supply power to the electric motor (5); and a control module configured to start the engine (3) and the electric motor (5) according to a working mode selected by a user from a plurality of working modes, and to control the vehicle to switch between the plurality of working modes according to a driving state of the vehicle and/or a working state of the power battery.

Claims

1. A hybrid electrical vehicle, comprising:

a transmission device connected with wheels of the hybrid electrical vehicle;

an engine and a gearbox, wherein the engine is connected with the transmission device via the gearbox;

an electric motor and a gear reducer, wherein the electric motor is connected with the transmission device via the gear reducer;

a power battery configured to supply power to the electric motor; and

a control module configured to control the electric motor and the engine according to a working mode selected by a user from a plurality of working modes and to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch between the plurality of working modes according to a driving state of the hybrid electrical vehicle and/or a working state of the power battery, wherein the plurality of working modes comprise at least two of an electrical-economical mode, an electrical-sport mode, a hybrid electrical-economical mode and a hybrid electrical-sport mode,

wherein when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in at least one of the electrical-economical mode and the electrical-sport mode, when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode, a maximum output power of the power battery is less than a first predetermined power, or when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than a second predetermined power, wherein the second predetermined power is greater than the first predetermined power; and

wherein when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in at least one of the hybrid electrical-economical mode and the hybrid electrical-sport mode, when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode, each of the maximum output power of the power battery and a maximum output power of the engine is less than the first predetermined power, and a maximum output torque of the engine is less than a first torque threshold, or when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than the second predetermined power, and the control module allows the engine to output the maximum output torque and the maximum output power.

2. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode, a maximum output power of the power battery is less than a first predetermined power;

when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than a second predetermined power, wherein the second predetermined power is greater than the first predetermined power;

when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode, each of the maximum output power of the power battery and a maximum output power of the engine is less than the first predetermined power, and a maximum output torque of the engine is less than a first torque threshold; and

when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than the second predetermined power, and the control module allows the engine to output the maximum output torque and the maximum output power.

3. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the hybrid electrical-economical mode from the electrical-economical mode if a current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to a first electric quantity threshold, or a maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to a first power threshold, or a slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is greater than or equal to a maximum slope.

4. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the hybrid electrical-sport mode from the electrical-sport mode if a current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to a first electric quantity threshold, or a maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to a first power threshold, or a slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is greater than or equal to a maximum slope.

5. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to drive with a limited power if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode.

6. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode or the electrical-sport mode and a mode switching instruction is received, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the working mode corresponding to the mode switching instruction.

7. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode and the control module receives a mode switching instruction to switch to the electrical-economical mode, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the electric-economical mode if a current electric quantity of the power battery is larger than or equal to a second electric quantity threshold, or a current speed of the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to a first speed threshold.

8. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode,

the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to operate in a first manner if a slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to a minimum slope, a current electric quantity of the power battery is larger than or equal to the second electric quantity threshold, and a maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is larger than or equal to a second power threshold;

and

the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to operate in a second manner if the slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to the minimum slope and the current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to the first electric quantity threshold or if the current slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to the minimum slope and the maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to the first power threshold;

wherein the second electric quantity threshold is larger than the first electric quantity threshold, and the second power threshold is larger than the first power threshold.

9. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 8, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle operates in the first manner and the speed of the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to a second speed threshold, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the electrical-economical mode.

10. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 8, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle operates in the first manner and the speed of the hybrid electrical vehicle is larger than a third speed threshold,

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque with a predetermined torque upper limit curve and to control the electric motor to complement the torque if a torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle exceeds a predetermined torque upper limit curve of the engine;

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque with a predetermined torque lower limit curve and to control the electric motor to generate power if the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle is below a predetermined torque lower limit curve of the engine; and

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque satisfying the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle and to control the electric motor to generate power if the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle exceeds the predetermined torque lower limit curve of the engine and is below the predetermined torque upper limit curve of the engine.

11. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 8, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle operates in the second manner and is in a non-P gear,

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque with a predetermined torque upper limit curve and to control the electric motor to complement the torque if a torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle exceeds a predetermined torque upper limit curve of the engine;

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque with a predetermined torque lower limit curve and to control the electric motor to generate power if the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle is below the predetermined torque lower limit curve of the engine; and

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque satisfying the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle and to control the electric motor to generate power if the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle exceeds the predetermined torque lower limit curve of the engine and is below the predetermined torque upper limit curve of the engine.

12. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 8, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle operates in the second manner and is in a P gear, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to enter an idle stop-start mode.

13. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode and the control module receives a mode switching instruction to switch to the electrical-sport mode, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch to the electrical-sport mode if a current electric quantity of the power battery is larger than or equal to a second electric quantity threshold or a current speed of the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than a first speed threshold.

14. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode and is in a P gear, the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to enter an idle stop-start mode.

15. The hybrid electrical vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode and is in a non-P gear,

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a predetermined peak torque of the engine and to control the electric motor to complement the torque if a torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle exceeds the predetermined peak torque;

and

the control module is configured to control the engine to output a torque satisfying the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle and to control the electric motor to generate power if the torque requirement of the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to the predetermined peak torque of the engine.

16. A method for controlling a hybrid electrical vehicle, comprising steps of:

receiving a working mode selected by a user of the hybrid electrical vehicle from a plurality of working modes, wherein the plurality of working modes comprises at least two of an electrical-economical mode, an electrical-sport mode, a hybrid electrical-economical mode and a hybrid electrical-sport mode;

controlling the hybrid electrical vehicle to operate in the working mode selected by the user;

detecting a driving state of the hybrid electrical vehicle and/or a working state of a power battery; and

controlling the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch between the plurality of working modes according to driving state of the hybrid electrical vehicle and/or the working state of the power battery,

wherein when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in at least one of the electrical-economical mode and the electrical-sport mode, when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode, a maximum output power of the power battery is less than a first predetermined power, or when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than a second predetermined power, wherein the second predetermined power is greater than the first predetermined power; and

wherein when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in at least one of the hybrid electrical-economical mode and the hybrid electrical-sport mode, when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode, each of the maximum output power of the power battery and a maximum output power of the engine is less than the first predetermined power, and a maximum output torque of the engine is less than a first torque threshold, or when the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-sport mode, the maximum output power of the power battery is less than the second predetermined power, and the control module allows the engine to output the maximum output torque and the maximum output power.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the hybrid electrical vehicle is controlled to switch to the hybrid electrical-economical mode from the electrical-economical mode if a current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to a first electric quantity threshold, or a maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to a first power threshold, or a slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is greater than or equal to a maximum slope.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the hybrid electrical vehicle is controlled to switch to the hybrid electrical-sport mode from the electrical-sport mode if the current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to the first electric quantity threshold, the maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to the first power threshold, or the slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is greater than or equal to the maximum slope.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the hybrid electrical vehicle is controlled to drive with a limited power if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the electrical-economical mode or the electrical-sport mode and a mode switching instruction is received, the hybrid electrical vehicle is controlled to switch to the working mode corresponding to the mode switching instruction.

21. A hybrid electrical vehicle, comprising:

a transmission device connected with wheels of the hybrid electrical vehicle;

an engine and a gearbox, wherein the engine is connected with the transmission device via the gearbox;

an electric motor and a gear reducer, wherein the electric motor is connected with the transmission device via the gear reducer;

a power battery configured to supply power to the electric motor; and

a control module configured to control the electric motor and the engine according to a working mode selected by a user from a plurality of working modes and to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to switch between the plurality of working modes according to a driving state of the hybrid electrical vehicle and/or a working state of the power battery,

wherein the plurality of working modes comprise an electrical-economical mode, an electrical-sport mode, a hybrid electrical-economical mode and a hybrid electrical-sport mode, wherein if the hybrid electrical vehicle is in the hybrid electrical-economical mode,

wherein the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to operate in a first manner if a slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to a minimum slope, a current electric quantity of the power battery is larger than or equal to the second electric quantity threshold, and a maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is larger than or equal to a second power threshold; and

the control module is configured to control the hybrid electrical vehicle to operate in a second manner if the slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to the minimum slope and the current electric quantity of the power battery is less than or equal to the first electric quantity threshold or if the current slope detected by the hybrid electrical vehicle is less than or equal to the minimum slope and the maximum allowable discharge power of the power battery is less than or equal to the first power threshold;

wherein the second electric quantity threshold is larger than the first electric quantity threshold, and the second power threshold is larger than the first power threshold.