Methods and system for improving hybrid vehicle efficiency
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsKenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Ted Haladyna
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Abstract
Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide different ways to transition engine operating conditions between two low engine fuel consumption operating regions that are separated by a higher engine fuel consumption operating region. In one example, engine torque is increased at a higher rate in a fuel economy mode to increase an amount of time an engine operates in one of the two low fuel consumption operating regions.
Claims20
A powertrain operating method, comprising:
- providing a first relationship between driver powertrain demand power and requested engine and electric motor power via a controller in in an engine power region between a first engine low fuel consumption operating region and a second engine low fuel consumption operating region in a first operating mode;
- providing a second relationship between driver powertrain demand power and requested engine and electric motor power via the controller in the engine power region in a second operating mode, the engine power region a higher engine fuel consumption region than the first and second engine low fuel consumption regions;
- and
- operating an engine and an electric motor attached to a battery in response to the first and second relationships.
A powertrain operating method, comprising:
- adjusting operation of an engine in response to a requested powertrain power in an engine high fuel consumption operating region positioned between a first engine low fuel consumption operating region and a second engine low fuel consumption operating region;
- and
- providing haptic feedback to a driver in response to the requested engine power being in the high fuel consumption operating region for greater than a threshold amount of time.
A powertrain operating method, comprising:
- in response to a first requested engine power trajectory based on a first accelerator pedal position progression, transitioning engine operating conditions between two low engine fuel consumption operating regions in a first amount of time;
- and
- in response to a second requested engine power trajectory based on a second accelerator pedal position progression, transitioning engine operating conditions between the two low engine fuel consumption operating regions in a second amount of time, the first accelerator pedal position progression and the second accelerator pedal progression a same accelerator pedal progression.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.