Control system for hybrid vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016159341-A1
Application number	US-201314905401-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 2, 2013
Priority date	Jul 17, 2013
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A control system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a plurality of motors is provided. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle is selected depending on a required driving force from a first mode where the vehicle is powered by the engine, a second mode where the vehicle is powered by the plurality of motors, and a third mode where the vehicle is powered by any one of the motors. The control system is characterized by a detection means that detects an output power of the prime mover (step S 3 ), and a setting means that alters a selectability of the second mode in accordance with the output power of the prime mover (stops S 5 to S 7 ).

First claim

1 . A control system for a hybrid vehicle in which a prime mover includes an engine and a plurality of motors, and in which an operating mode is selected depending on a required driving force from a first mode where the vehicle is powered by the engine, a second mode where the vehicle is powered by the plurality of motors, and a third mode where the vehicle is powered by any one of the motors, comprising:
a control unit that is configured to detect an output power of the prime mover and to alter a selectability of the second mode in accordance with the output power of the prime mover.

2 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to reduce the selectability with an increase in the output of the prime mover.

3 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to inhibit the second mode if the output of the prime mover is greater than a predetermined value.

4 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to render the second mode unavailable to be selected if the output of the prime mover is greater than a predetermined value.

5 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 3 ,
wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a speed of the engine, and to inhibit the second mode if the speed of the engine is greater than a predetermined value.

6 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 4 ,
wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a speed of the engine, and to render the second mode unavailable to be selected if the speed of the engine is greater than a predetermined value.

7 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the required driving force is calculated based on an opening degree of an accelerator and a vehicle speed.

8 . The control system for a hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises: a power distribution device as a differential gear unit having a first rotary element connected to the engine, a second rotary element connected to a first motor to serve as a reaction element against a rotation of the first motor, and a third rotary element that is connected to a second motor and a drive shaft and that is rotated at a speed governed by speeds of the first rotary element and the second rotary element; and a brake that selectively halts a rotation of the first rotary element; and wherein the power distribution device is adapted to transmit a torque between the prime mover and the drive shaft while splitting or synthesizing the torque.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Tabata Atsushi
• Kanada Toshiki
• Mamura Tatsuya
• Satou Isao
• Shiiba Kazuyuki
• Matsubara Tooru

Classifications

• B60W20/20 Primary

  Control strategies involving selection of hybrid configuration, e.g. selection between series or parallel configuration · CPC title

• B60Y2300/182

  Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes · CPC title

• B60Y2200/92

  Hybrid vehicles · CPC title

• B60Y2300/43

  Control of engines · CPC title

• B60W10/08

  including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators · CPC title