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US 10,814,860 B1Granted
Limiting engine on condition while coasting
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorGeoffrey D. Gaither
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided that prevent or override a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) from operating in an engine-on mode or condition when the HEV is coasting, such as when the HEV is traveling on a downhill grade. Regenerative torque is generated by one or more electric motors of the HEV so that the pinion gear of a planetary gear set of a power distribution mechanism operates below an overspeed limit at which hardware failure may occur.
Claims12
A method comprising:
- determining a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is experiencing a coast condition;
- setting an initial amount of regenerative torque to be generated by a motor of the HEV;
- determining whether a pinion gear of the HEV is approaching a pinion gear overspeed limit;
- in response to a determination that the pinion gear of the HEV is not approaching the pinion gear overspeed limit, generating the initial amount of regenerative torque and applying the initial regenerative torque amount to drive the HEV while maintaining the HEV in an engine-off condition.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.