Vehicle driving system

• US 9,776,497 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hori, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMMONS, STEVE M
• Application Number:
  US14/347,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20140231165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/34 for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles arrangement or mounting of control devices for changing number of driven wheels B60K23/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/105 the accumulator being a flywheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/30 characterised by chargeable mechanical accumulators, e.g. flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/387 Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2054 by controlling transmissions or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/42 with use of more than one motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/465 Slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/106 for maintaining or recovering the adhesion of the drive wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/62 charged by low-power generators primarily intended to support the batteries, e.g. range extenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/10462 : Dog-type clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/1083 : Automated manual transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3026 : Stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/50615 : Facilitating disengagement of a dog clutch, e.g. by applying a pretension on the disengaging elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7041 : Position
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7044 : Output shaft torque
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/96 : having chargeable mechanical accumulator

Abstract

A vehicle driving system 1 includes a first motor/generator M/G1 which is mechanically connected to either of front wheels Wf and rear wheels Wr of a vehicle, a second motor/generator M/G2 which is electrically connected with the first motor/generator M/G1, and a flywheel FW which is mechanically connected with the second motor/generator M/G2 and which stores kinetic energy. The second motor/generator M/G2 is mechanically connected to the other of the front wheels Wf and the rear wheels Wr of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle driving system including:

a first motor/generator which is mechanically connected with a first wheel of a vehicle;

a second motor/generator which is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and which is mechanically connected with a second wheel of the vehicle;

a kinetic energy storing device which is mechanically connected with the second motor/generator and which stores kinetic energy;

a first engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the second motor/generator and the kinetic energy storing device and which engages or disengages a side of the second motor/generator and a side of the kinetic energy storing device by being applied or released;

a second engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the second motor/generator and the second wheel and which engages or disengages a side of the second motor/generator and a side of the second wheel by being applied or released; and

an electric energy storing device which is electrically connected with the first motor/generator,

wherein, when the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the first wheel, the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the second motor/generator is driven for power, and the second engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second motor/generator and the second wheel are disengaged,

when the energy stored in the kinetic energy storing device is of a predetermined level or higher, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released, the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration,

such that the first engaging/disengaging unit and the second engaging/disengaging unit are controlled so as not to be applied at the same time.

2. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein, when the energy stored in the kinetic energy storing device is of a predetermined level or higher, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released, and the driving of the second motor/generator for power running is stopped or is suppressed.

3. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the first wheel and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the second wheel, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied.

4. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein, when the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the kinetic energy storing device, the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied, and the first motor/generator is driven for power running.

5. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein, when the energy stored in the kinetic energy storing device is of a predetermined level or lower, the regenerative driving of the second motor/generator is stopped or is suppressed, and the first motor/generator is driven for power running by receiving electric energy of the electric energy storing device.

6. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when the vehicle is driven by the first wheel which rotates by receiving power from the first motor/generator and the second wheel which rotates by receiving power from the second motor/generator, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied.

7. The vehicle driving system of claim 1, further including:

an engaging/disengaging unit controller which controls the first engaging/disengaging unit and the second engaging/disengaging unit,

wherein the engaging/disengaging unit controller executes switching between a first state in which the first engaging/disengaging unit is released, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied and a second state in which the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is released.

8. The vehicle driving system of claim 7,

wherein the engaging/disengaging unit controller includes an operating element movable to a first position corresponding to the first state and to a second position corresponding to the second state.

9. The vehicle driving system of claim 1, further including:

a third engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the first wheel and the first motor/generator and which engages or disengages a side of the first wheel and a side of the first motor/generator by being applied or released.

10. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein the first motor/generator is further mechanically connected with the kinetic energy storing device.

11. The vehicle driving system of claim 10, further including:

a third engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the first motor/generator and the first wheel and which engages or disengages a side of the first motor/generator and a side of the first wheel by being applied or released; and

a fourth engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the first motor/generator and the kinetic energy storing device and which engages or disengages a side of the first motor/generator and a side of the kinetic energy storing device by being applied or released.

12. The vehicle driving system of claim 11,

wherein, when a first vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving only the first motor/generator for regeneration, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for power running, and

wherein, when a second vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving only the second motor/generator for regeneration, the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for power running.

13. The vehicle driving system of claim 12,

wherein an estimated regeneration amount resulting when the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the first wheel and another estimated regeneration amount resulting when the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration by receiving power from the second wheel are compared, and

wherein, when the estimated regeneration amount is larger, the first vehicle energy recovery is executed, and when the another estimated regeneration amount is larger, the second vehicle energy recovery control is executed.

14. The vehicle driving system of claim 12,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when the energy stored in the kinetic energy storing device is of a predetermined level or higher, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the driving of the second motor/generator for power running is stopped or is suppressed, or the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the driving of the first motor/generator for power running is stopped or is suppressed.

15. The vehicle driving system of claim 12,

wherein, when the first vehicle energy recovery control is executed, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second engaging/disengaging unit is released, and

wherein, when the second vehicle energy recovery control is executed, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the third engaging/disengaging unit is released.

16. The vehicle driving system of claim 11, further including:

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when a third vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator for regeneration, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration.

17. The vehicle driving system of claim 11,

wherein, when a first vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by the first wheel which rotates by receiving power from the first motor/generator, the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for power running,

wherein, when a second vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by the second wheel which rotates by receiving power from the second motor/generator, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for power running.

18. The vehicle driving system of claim 17,

wherein, of the first wheel which rotates by receiving power from the first motor/generator and the second wheel which rotates by receiving power from the second motor/generator,

when the first wheel is easier to slip, the second vehicle drive control is executed, and

when the second wheel is easier to slip, the first vehicle drive control is executed.

19. The vehicle driving system of claim 17,

wherein, when the first vehicle drive control is executed, the second engaging/disengaging unit is released and the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released, and

wherein, when the second vehicle drive control is executed, the third engaging/disengaging unit is released, and the first engaging/disengaging unit is released.

20. The vehicle driving system of claim 11,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when a third vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by driving the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator for power running, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the first motor/generator is driven for power running, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second motor/generator is driven for power running.

21. The vehicle driving system of claim 10,

wherein rotational shafts of the first motor/generator, the second motor/generator and the kinetic energy storing devices are disposed coaxially with one another.

22. The vehicle driving system of claim 1, further including:

another kinetic energy storing device which is different from the kinetic energy storing device,

wherein the first motor/generator is further mechanically connected with the another kinetic energy storing device.

23. The vehicle driving system of claim 22, further including:

a third engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the first motor/generator and the first wheel and which engages or disengages a side of the first motor/generator and a side of the first wheel by being applied or released; and

a fourth engaging/disengaging unit which is provided on a power transmission path between the first motor/generator and the another kinetic energy storing device and which engages or disengages a side of the first motor/generator and a side of the another kinetic energy storing device by being applied or released.

24. The vehicle driving system of claim 23,

wherein, when a first vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving only the first motor/generator for regeneration, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for power running, and

wherein, when a second vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving only the second motor/generator for regeneration, the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is applied and the first motor/generator is driven for power running.

25. The vehicle driving system of claim 23,

wherein, when a first vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by the first wheel which rotates by receiving power from the first motor/generator, the first engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied, and the first motor/generator is driven for power running, and

wherein, when a second vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by the second wheel which rotates by receiving power from the second motor/generator, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, and the second motor/generator is driven for power running.

26. The vehicle driving system of claim 23,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when a third vehicle energy recovery control is executed in which the energy of the vehicle is recovered by driving the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are driven for regeneration, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the first motor/generator is driven for regeneration, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second motor/generator is driven for regeneration.

27. The vehicle driving system of claim 23,

wherein the electric energy storing device is electrically connected with the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator,

wherein, when a third vehicle drive control is executed in which the vehicle is driven by driving the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator for power driving, the third engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the fourth engaging/disengaging unit is released and the first motor/generator is driven for power running, while the second engaging/disengaging unit is applied, the first engaging/disengaging unit is released and the second motor/generator is driven for power running.

28. The vehicle driving system of claim 22,

wherein a rotational shaft of the kinetic energy storing device and the another kinetic energy storing device are disposed on different straight lines.

29. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are disposed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

30. The vehicle driving system of claim 1,

wherein the electric energy storing device includes a secondary battery and can be charged by a charger outside the vehicle.

31. The vehicle driving system of claim 30, further including:

an electric energy generating device disposed in parallel to the electric energy storing device.

32. The vehicle driving system of claim 1, further including:

a prime mover which is mechanically connected with either of the first wheel and the second wheel.