Method for controlling a hybrid vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor configured to be driven by the first and/or second power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit configured to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
- determining whether the first power source is to be started;
determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value if the first power source is to be started and the hybrid electric vehicle is in motion;
maintaining a current gear ratio if the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is greater than the threshold value; and
providing a target level of torque with the motor while the current gear ratio is engaged.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source. The hybrid electric vehicle includes first and second power sources, a motor, and a power transfer unit adapted to drive a vehicle wheel. The method includes determining whether the first power source is to be started, determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value, maintaining a current gear ratio if the threshold value is exceeded, and providing a target level of torque to the power transfer unit.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle when starting a power source, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor configured to be driven by the first and/or second power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit configured to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
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determining whether the first power source is to be started; determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value if the first power source is to be started and the hybrid electric vehicle is in motion; maintaining a current gear ratio if the level of torque requested by the vehicle operator is greater than the threshold value; and providing a target level of torque with the motor while the current gear ratio is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle during a rolling start, the hybrid electric vehicle having first and second power sources, a motor adapted to be powered by at least one of the power sources, and a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios, the power transfer unit being adapted to be driven by the motor to drive a vehicle wheel, the method comprising:
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determining whether to start the first power source; determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator is greater than a threshold value indicative of a level at which a power transfer unit gear ratio downshift would be desired; inhibiting a downshift to a lower gear ratio for a predetermined period of time; and providing an additional amount of torque to the vehicle wheel with the motor and second power source while the downshift to the lower gear ratio is inhibited. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling a wheel drive system of a hybrid electric vehicle during an engine start, the hybrid electric vehicle comprising an engine, a voltage source, a power transfer unit adapted to drive a vehicle wheel and having a plurality of gear ratios, a motor-generator selectively coupled to the engine via a first clutch, selectively coupled to the power transfer unit via a second clutch, and adapted to be powered by at least one power sources, the method comprising:
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determining whether an engine start-up is requested while the hybrid electric vehicle is moving; determining whether a level of torque requested by a vehicle operator exceeds a threshold value associated with a current gear ratio; starting a timer; inhibiting a gear ratio shift of the power transfer unit; starting the engine; calculating an amount of torque to provide to the power transfer unit while in the current gear ratio; providing the amount of torque to the power transfer unit with the motor-generator while the engine is being started; and repeating the inhibiting, calculating, and providing steps until a predetermined period of time measured by the timer has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification