×

Mode change control system for hybrid vehcile

  • US 7,826,941 B2
  • Filed: 10/10/2007
  • Issued: 11/02/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A control system of a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor/generator, a battery operable to provide the motor/generator with electric power and to receive and store electric power regenerated by the motor/generator, a first clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one driving wheel, the control system comprising:

  • a controller configured to;

    select a drive mode wherein the drive mode comprises at least one of an electric drive mode, in which the first clutch is released and power transmission is made only between the motor/generator and the at least one driving wheel, and a hybrid drive mode, in which the first clutch is engaged and power transmission is made between at least the engine and the motor/generator and the at least one driving wheel, wherein the hybrid drive mode is selected by initiating a mode change from the electric drive mode to the hybrid drive mode when a battery charge state of the battery becomes lower than a first set battery charge state and wherein the electric drive mode is selected by initiating a mode change from the hybrid drive mode to the electric drive mode when the battery charge state becomes higher than or equal to a second set battery charge state, wherein an initial value of the second set battery charge state is higher than the first set battery charge state;

    determine a vehicle driving condition when the battery charge state of the battery becomes lower than the second set battery charge state; and

    reduce the second set battery charge state to a lower value than the initial value when the vehicle driving condition is judged to be a low load drive condition in which a regenerative braking is carried out under the battery charge state during the hybrid drive mode such that the electric drive mode is selected, initiating the mode change from the hybrid drive mode to the electric drive mode at the lower value of the second set battery charge state.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×