Method and device for monitoring/controlling the starting of a heat engine of a hybrid vehicle

A method for commanding and controlling starting of a combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle including at least one electric motor, the method comprising:

• beginning a pseudo starting sequence of starting the combustion engine using a starting battery;
• measuring and recording an evolution with respect to time of at least one parameter of the starting battery comprising a given current strength and a given voltage across terminals of the starting battery;
• detecting whether or not the evolution with respect to time of the parameter or parameters reaches a predetermined value defining a state of capacity of the starting battery of having or not having a capacity to start the combustion engine, over a given interval of time;
• if it is detected that the state of the starting battery has the capacity, starting the combustion engine, using the starting battery;
• and
• if it is not detected that the state of the starting battery has the capacity, allowing the electric motor to be used for propelling the hybrid vehicle and warning a driver that the detected state of the starting battery does not have the capacity.

A device for command and control of starting of a combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a combustion engine, at least one electric motor, a means of starting the combustion engine or a starter motor, a starting battery, all operated by a main electronic control unit,
• wherein the main electronic control unit is configured to:
• begin a pseudo starting sequence of starting the combustion engine by the starting means powered by the starting battery;
• measure and record an evolution with respect to time of at least one parameter of the starting battery comprising a given current strength and a given voltage across terminals of the starting battery;
• detect whether or not the evolution with respect to time of the parameter or parameters reaches a predetermined value defining a state of capacity of the starting battery of having or not having a capacity to start the combustion engine, over a given interval of time;
• if it is detected that the state of the starting battery has the capacity, starting the combustion engine, using the starting battery;
• and
• if it is not detected that the state of the starting battery has the capacity, allowing the electric motor to be used for propelling the hybrid vehicle and warning a driver that the detected state of the starting battery does not have the capacity.