HYBRID CONTROLLER EMPLOYING SYSTEM REMEDIAL ACTION FUNCTION

• US 20090192663A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Bennewitz, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,249,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• 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 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 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 10/115 with planetary gears
• 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 20/50 Control strategies for responding to system failures, e.g. for fault diagnosis, failsafe operation or limp mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) employing a hybrid system using both an internal combustion engine and a second motor/generator as a propelling power source for vehicle propulsion, and also employing a first generator driven by the engine for power generation, an integrated HEV control system is provided to control the engine, and the first and second motor/generators. The integrated HEV control system is also operable for detecting the presence of system failures and thereafter selecting at least one remedial action responsive to the system failures such that the system failures are corrected or minimized. The selected remedial action is also verified as being appropriate, monitored and thereafter executed.

Claims

1. A hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine for propelling the vehicle;

an electric motor for propelling the vehicle;

at least one electric generator driven by the engine for power generation;

a battery electrically connected to the motor and the at least one generator;

sensors and switches for detecting operating conditions on the engine and the vehicle;

a control system electrically connected to the engine, the motor, the at least one generator, the battery and the sensors and switches for controlling the engine, the motor, the at least one generator, the battery and the sensors and switches, the system comprising;

a system failure detection function for detecting the presence of a system failure;

a remedial action selection function for selecting at least one remedial action responsive to a detected system failure; and

an output function for triggering the remedial action to be executed.

2. The hybrid electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control system further includes a logic function for verifying whether the remedial action is appropriate for the detected system failure.

3. The hybrid electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the logic function is operable for collecting all selected remedial actions and prioritizing the execution of the remedial actions.

4. The hybrid electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control system further includes a monitoring function for monitoring the triggered remedial actions to ensure that the remedial action are executed.

5. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 4, wherein the monitoring function is operable for determining if security relevant remedial actions are required.

6. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the output function is operable for generating output and service messages to a customer.

7. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the remedial action selection function employs a selection array for selecting remedial actions, said selection array containing a hierarchic order of remedial actions responsive to corresponding system failures.

8. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 2, wherein the logic function is operable for adding or replacing remedial actions, if necessary.

9. A hybrid vehicle control system, said control system being electrically connected to an engine, a motor, a generator, a battery and a plurality of sensors and switches of a hybrid electric vehicle and being operable for controlling the engine, the motor, the generator, the battery and the sensors and switches, the control system comprising:

a detection function for detecting whether a system failure has occurred;

a selection function for selecting at least one remedial action responsive to a detected system failure; and

a output function for triggering the at least one remedial action,

wherein the control system allows the hybrid electric vehicle to be driven without the full availability of all controllers and signals.

10. The control system according to claim 9, wherein the control system further includes a logic function for verifying whether the at least one remedial action is appropriate for the detected system failure.

11. The control system according to claim 10, wherein the logic function is operable for collecting all selected remedial actions and prioritizing the execution of the remedial actions.

12. The control system according to claim 9, wherein the selection function is operable for calibrating the at least remedial action.

13. The control system according to claim 9, wherein the control system further includes a monitoring function for monitoring the triggered remedial actions to ensure that the remedial action are executed.

14. The control system of claim 13, wherein the monitoring function is operable for determining if security relevant remedial actions are required.

15. The control system of claim 9, wherein the output function is operable for generating output and service messages to a customer.

16. The control system of claim 9, wherein the selection function employs a selection array for selecting remedial actions, said selection array containing a hierarchic order of remedial actions responsive to corresponding system failures.

17. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 10, wherein the logic function is operable for adding or replacing remedial actions, if necessary.

18. A method for selecting and implementing at least one remedial action responsive to a system failure of a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising the steps of:

detecting the presence of a system failure within the hybrid electric vehicle;

selecting at least one remedial action responsive to the detected system failure;

calibrating the at least one remedial action, if necessary;

verifying that the at least one remedial action is appropriate for the detected system failure;

if more than one remedial action is required and selected, prioritizing the remedial actions to be executed;

triggering the at least one remedial action to be executed,

motoring that the at least one remedial action has been executed, and

triggering a substitute remedial action if the at least one remedial action is not executed.