Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017282908-A1
Application number	US-201715624958-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 16, 2017
Priority date	May 4, 2012
Publication date	Oct 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be manually selected to improve hybrid driveline operation during off road conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.

First claim

1 . A method of adjusting operation of a hybrid vehicle driveline, comprising:
providing a manual driver input for a driveline operating mode parameter; adjusting engaging of a driveline disconnect clutch positioned between an engine and a motor in response to the driveline operating mode parameter; and further adjusting a first schedule for automatically idling the engine and decoupling the engine from the hybrid vehicle driveline via the driveline disconnect clutch in response to a condition of a driving surface.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically restarting the engine in response to the condition of the driving surface degrading to a threshold level.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting disengaging the driveline disconnect clutch in response to the driveline operating mode parameter.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the engine to stop rotating in response to the condition of the driving surface.

5 . The method of claim 1 , where adjusting engaging of the driveline disconnect clutch includes unlocking the driveline disconnect clutch to an open position such that the engine is not mechanically coupled to the motor.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising where the driveline disconnect clutch is automatically closed in response to a state of battery charge being lower than a threshold charge level.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second schedule that is applied when the hybrid vehicle is operated in a four wheel drive mode.

8 - 14 . (canceled)

15 . A method of adjusting operation of a hybrid vehicle driveline, comprising:
providing a manual hill descent control input for a driver; providing a manual driver input for adjusting activation of a driveline disconnect clutch in response to a state of the hill descent control input; and automatically restarting a stopped engine in response to the driver selecting a four wheel drive range.

16 . The method of claim 15 , where the driver selects four wheel drive range while in a two wheel drive range.

17 . The method of claim 15 , where the four wheel drive range is a high or low gear range.

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising opening and closing the driveline disconnect clutch according to a first schedule based on operating the hybrid vehicle in the four wheel drive range.

19 . The method of claim 15 , where automatically restarting the stopped engine includes closing the driveline disconnect clutch.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising stopping engine rotation in response to a vehicle battery reaching a first threshold state of charge based on operating the hybrid vehicle in the four wheel drive range.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Pietron Gregory Michael
• Banker Adam Nathan
• Reed Dennis Craig
• Lee Seung-Hoon
• Mccallum James William Loch

Classifications

• B60W10/026

  of lock-up clutches · CPC title

• B60W30/186

  excessive wear or burn out of friction elements, e.g. clutches · CPC title

• B60W20/13

  in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion · CPC title

• B60W10/08

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

• B60W2540/215

  Selection or confirmation of options · CPC title