Hybrid motor vehicle having an electric motor and utilizing an internal combustion engine for fast charge during cruise mode off condition

• US 5,346,031 A
• Filed: 10/25/1993
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conrad O Gardner
• Original Assignee: Conrad O Gardner
• Inventors: Gardner, Conrad O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US08/140,507
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/178, 180/179, 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.8
• US Class Current: 180/179
• 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 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 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 2540/103 Accelerator thresholds, e.g. kickdown
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 Characterized by control of driveline clutch

Abstract

A hybrid motor vehicle utilizing electric motor propulsion prior to cruise mode detection condition and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode.

Claims

1. In combination in a motor vehicle having a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels:

an electric motor;

a combustion engine;

a fast charge-discharge battery for transferring electrical energy to said electric motor;

a cruise mode control circuit having preprogrammed cruise mode operating conditions which includes a cruise mode on condition when the vehicle operating speed exceeds a predetermined level and for a predetermined time interval and a cruise mode off condition when the cruise mode operating conditions have not been satisified, said control circuit automatically activating first coupling means for connecting said electric motor to one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode off condition and automatically activating second coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode on condition;

said cruise mode control circuit activating third coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to an electric power generator for charging said fast charge-discharge battery during the cruise mode off condition; and

user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for activating said first coupling means for connecting said electric motor to one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode on condition, and user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for activating said second coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to one of said first and second pairs of wheels in the event of failure of said fast charge-discharge battery.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said first coupling means connects the electric motor to said first pair of wheels.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said second coupling means connects the combustion engine to said second pair of wheels.

4. In combination in a motor vehicle having a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels:

an electric motor;

a combustion engine;

a fast charge-discharge battery for transferring electrical energy to said electric motor;

a cruise mode control circuit having preprogrammed cruise mode operating conditions which includes a cruise mode on condition when the vehicle operating speed exceeds a predetermined level and for a predetermined time interval and a cruise mode off condition when the cruise mode operating conditions have not been satisified, said control circuit automatically activating first coupling means for connecting said electric motor to one of said first and second pairs of wheels and deactivating second coupling means for disconnecting said combustion engine from one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode off condition and said control circuit automatically activating said second coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to one of said first and second pairs of wheels and deactivating said first coupling means for disconnecting said electric motor from one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode on condition;

said cruise mode control circuit activating third coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to an electric power generator for charging said fast charge-discharge battery during the cruise mode off condition; and

user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for activating said first coupling means for connecting said electric motor to one of said first and second pairs of wheels during the cruise mode on condition, and user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for activating said second coupling means for connecting said combustion engine to one of said first and second pairs of wheels in the event of failure of said fast charge-discharge battery.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said first coupling means connects the electric motor to said first pair of wheels.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said second coupling means connects the combustion engine to said second pair of wheels.