Hybrid vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9944270-B2
Application number	US-201715428728-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2017
Priority date	Feb 16, 2016
Publication date	Apr 17, 2018
Grant date	Apr 17, 2018

Abstract

An engine ECU executes a control routine including steps of performing output variation control for periodically varying the output of an engine, if control of the engine is not being stopped, at the time of a communication abnormality, and a predetermined time elapses from the time of occurrence of the communication abnormality, and a step of performing fuel-cut control, when the engine speed falls outside a predetermined range.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hybrid vehicle comprising:
an engine;
a first motor-generator connected to the engine;
a second motor-generator coupled to an axle;
a first electronic control unit configured to control the engine; and
a second electronic control unit configured to control the first motor-generator and the second motor-generator, the second electronic control unit being configured to transmit a command signal regarding activation or stop of the engine, to the first electronic control unit,
the first electronic control unit being configured to stop the engine, when an engine speed is outside a predetermined range, during operation of the engine at a time of a communication abnormality, the communication abnormality being a failure to communicate between the first electronic control unit and the second electronic control unit,
the second electronic control unit being configured to operate the first motor-generator such that the engine speed is within the predetermined range, during operation of the engine at the time of the communication abnormality,
the second electronic control unit is configured to stop torque output of the first motor-generator, when the engine is to be stopped at the time of the communication abnormality, and
the first electronic control unit being configured to control the engine such that an output of the engine periodically varies, during operation of the engine at the time of the communication abnormality.

2. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the first electronic control unit is configured to control the engine by periodically varying a throttle opening of the engine, at the time of the communication abnormality, such that the output of the engine is periodically varied.

3. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the first electronic control unit is configured to control the engine by periodically executing fuel-cut control while the engine is rotating, at the time of the communication abnormality, such that the output of the engine is periodically varied.

4. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising
a planetary gear mechanism configured to mechanically couple the engine, the first motor-generator, and the second motor-generator.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nawata Hidekazu
• Yamazaki Makoto
• Asami Yoshikazu

Classifications

• B60W20/40

  Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers {(power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192)} · CPC title

• B60W10/08

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

• B60W2050/0006

  Digital architecture hierarchy · CPC title

• B60W20/50 Primary

  Control strategies for responding to system failures, e.g. for fault diagnosis, failsafe operation or limp mode · CPC title

• B60W2710/083

  Torque · CPC title