Method and arrangement in a hybrid vehicle for maximizing efficiency by operating the engine at sub-optimum conditions

• US 6,500,089 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lasson, Anders, Lennevi, Jerker
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US09/728,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.4, 477/3
• US Class Current: 477/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• 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 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0012 Feedforward or open loop systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/068 Engine exhaust temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 : Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0622 : Air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 : Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/00 : Starting aids for combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Method for optimizing the operational efficiency of a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises operating an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle preferentially on an optimized power curve of the engine for maximizing the efficiency of the engine and sensing a state-of-charge (SOC) condition of a battery of the hybrid electric vehicle being at a preferential value indicative of no additional charging being desired. The running torque of the engine is reduced below the optimized torque curve to a point that the power produced by the engine is substantially equal to the power demanded for driving the hybrid electric vehicle.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a vehicle steering-wheel, said arrangement comprising:

a hub for fixing to a steering column;

a bowl-shaped element connected to the hub with at least one spoke, the at least one spoke further connecting the bowl-shaped element to a steering-wheel rim;

wherein the hub, the bowl-shaped element and the at least one spoke are integrally formed as a single material item;

the bowl-shaped element further comprising a casing for enclosing an airbag and a means for inflating the airbag in the event of a collision involving the vehicle; and

a wall section of the bowl-shaped element at least partly forming a part of the means for inflating the airbag.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

affecting the reduction in running torque of the engine by adjusting air flow to, fuel flow to, and ignition parameters at the engine.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

reconfiguring the drive train of the hybrid electric vehicle from a negative power-split mode in which engine power is split through a planetary gear arrangement between the drive wheels and the generator to a parallel mode in which the generator is locked and all engine power is output to the drive wheels of the hybrid electric vehicle through the planetary gear arrangement.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:

minimizing time spent in negative power-split mode and maximizing time spent in parallel mode.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

avoiding utilization of the generator to motor the engine to a slowed operational speed thereby avoiding sequential charge and discharge cycles in the drive train of the hybrid vehicle.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

reducing energy losses in the power train of the hybrid electric vehicle by avoiding charge and discharge of the hybrid electric vehicle'"'"'s battery.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

reducing cooling requirements for the hybrid electric vehicle'"'"'s battery.