Motor vehicles – Power – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-06-12
Camby, Richard M. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Electric
C180S065310, C180S065800, C477S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244368
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to hybrid powered vehicles including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a variety of hybrid powered vehicles provided with an electric motor and/or an engine have been developed to tackle environmental pollution. The method for driving the hybrid powered vehicle is roughly classified into the following three methods. First, drive wheels are driven solely by an output of an electric motor connected to the drive wheels. Secondly, the vehicle is driven solely by an output of the electric motor, and an internal combustion engine connected to a power generator is used for power generation only. Thirdly, the engine and the electric motor are selectively connected to the drive wheels so that the output of the electric motor and the output of the engine can be transmitted to the drive wheels. For example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 6-17727 discloses the hybrid powered vehicle provided with the electric motor and the engine. When the engine is started by engaging a clutch disposed between the engine and the electric motor while the vehicle is driven solely by the electric motor, the output of the electric motor is increased in order to decrease the transmission of the torque to the drive wheels. This prevents the vehicle from being shocked by the start of the engine, and improves the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
In general, there is a change in the torque of the engine when the engine is started. In the case of the hybrid powered vehicle, the change in the torque is transmitted to the electric motor that drives the engine. In the vehicle disclosed by Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 6-17727, an output shaft of the power generator is connected directly to the drive wheels, and thus, the change in the torque is transmitted to a body of the vehicle through a wheel drive system. This may result in the vibrations of the vehicle, giving a driver an unpleasant feeling. Similarly, if the output shaft of the electric motor is connected directly to the wheel drive system and a vehicle driving power source including the electric motor can be set to a plurality of driving modes by changing the engagement state of friction devices, the shock caused by the change in the driving modes is transmitted to the body, resulting in the vibrations of the vehicle. The vibrations are contrary to driver's expectations, and deteriorate the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid powered vehicle, which reduces the vibrations caused by changes in torque and changes in driving modes to thereby achieve excellent driving characteristics.
The above object may be accomplished by controlling a variable torque transmission capacity of a starting clutch provided between a vehicle driving power source and drive wheels according to a required output, and increasing an output of the electric motor by adding the amount of output required for slipping the starting clutch to the amount of increase in the output of the electric motor in order to start the engine while the vehicle is running in an electric motor single driving mode. If the torque is changed at the start of the engine, the slip of the starting clutch absorbs the change in the torque and prevents the transmission of the undesirable vibrations to a body of the vehicle.
In one preferred form of the present invention, the control means detects a slip velocity of the starting clutch, and controls the amount of increase in the output of the electric motor in such a manner as to keep the slip velocity within a predetermined range. This prevents the excessive slip of the starting clutch, and improves the durability thereof.
The above object can also be accomplished by controlling a variable torque transmission capacity of a starting clutch provided between a vehicle driving power source and drive wheels in accordance with a required output, and increasing an output of the electric motor by a control means such that a driving output equal to or more than the required output is outputted from the vehicle driving power source in order to slip the starting clutch when driving modes of the vehicle driving power source are changed. Therefore, the slip of the starting clutch absorbs the shock caused by the change in the driving modes, and this prevents the transmission of the undesirable vibrations to a body of the vehicle.
In one preferred form of the present invention, the control means detects a slip velocity of the starting clutch, and controls the increase in the output of the electric motor in such a manner as to keep the slip velocity within a predetermined range. This prevents the excessive slip of the starting clutch and improves the durability of thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6028733 (2000-08-01), Ibaraki et al.
patent: 6098735 (2000-08-01), Sadarangami et al.
patent: 6115663 (2000-09-01), Yasuda
patent: 6122587 (2000-09-01), Takahara et al.
patent: 6123163 (2000-09-01), Otsu et al.
patent: 6131680 (2000-10-01), Nii et al.
patent: 6134498 (2000-10-01), Oba
Ando Koji
Sawase Kaoru
Ushiroda Yuichi
Camby Richard M.
Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Rossi & Associates
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