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US 6,186,253 B1Granted
Brake activated torque disable in hybrid electric vehicles
AssigneeNavistar International Transportation Corp.
InventorsBrent A. Barnhart, Nathan L. Schuler, Michael P. Lasecki, Theodore L. Badgley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interface for interfacing an accelerator control input, a service brake control input, and a parking brake control input with a hybrid electric vehicle's electric control system that controls propulsion of the vehicle by controlling the motor torque output of an electric traction drive motor that drives driven wheels of the vehicle. The application of either the service brakes or the parking brake concurrent with the accelerator pedal being at non-idle causes the interface to override the motor torque being requested by the accelerator control input in favor of a zero motor torque request to the control system.
Claims14
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a drivetrain, including wheels for supporting the vehicle on a surface along which the vehicle is propelled;
- an on-board electric motor that, when operated, delivers torque output through the drivetrain to driven ones of the wheels for propelling the vehicle along such a surface;
- an on-board internal combustion engine;
- an on-board electric generator;
- an on-board D.C. power supply;
- an electric control system for controlling the electric motor, including the application of electric power input to the electric motor selectively from the generator and from the D.C. power supply respectively;
- an accelerator control input for requesting motor torque output from the electric motor;
- a service brake control input for selectively applying a service brake associated with one or more of the wheels;
- a parking brake control input for selectively applying a parking brake associated with the drivetrain;
- and an interface for interfacing the accelerator control input, the service brake control input, and the parking brake control input with the electric control system to control propulsion of the vehicle;
- the interface comprising a service brake interface portion for detecting application of the service brake by the service brake control input, a parking brake interface portion for detecting application of the parking brake by the parking brake control input, and an interface output portion for causing the electric control to operate the electric motor such that no motor torque output is delivered through the drivetrain from the motor when either brake interface portion detects application of the respective brake by the respective brake control input.
8 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a drivetrain, including wheels for supporting the vehicle on a surface along which the vehicle is propelled;
- an on-board electric motor that, when operated, delivers torque output through the drivetrain to driven ones of the wheels for propelling the vehicle along such a surface;
- an on-board internal combustion engine;
- an on-board electric generator;
- an on-board D.C. power supply;
- an electric control system for controlling the electric motor, including the application of electric power input to the electric motor selectively from the generator and from the D.C. power supply respectively;
- an accelerator control input for requesting motor torque output from the electric motor;
- a brake control input for selectively applying a brake associated with the drivetrain;
- and an interface for interfacing the accelerator control input and the brake control input with the electric control system to control propulsion of the vehicle;
- the interface comprising a brake interface portion for detecting application of the brake by the brake control input, and an interface output portion for causing the electric control to operate the electric motor such that when the brake interface portion detects application of the brake by the brake control input, the motor torque output is rendered insufficient to cause propulsion of the vehicle along the surface.
7 more elements
A method of operating an automotive vehicle that has:
- a drivetrain, including wheels for supporting the vehicle on a surface along which the vehicle is propelled;
- an on-board electric motor that, when operated, delivers torque output through the drivetrain to driven ones of the wheels for propelling the vehicle along such a surface;
- an on-board internal combustion engine;
- an on-board electric generator;
- an on-board D.C. power supply;
- an electric control system for controlling the electric motor, including the application of electric power input to the electric motor selectively from the generator and from the D.C. power supply respectively;
- an accelerator control input for requesting motor torque output from the electric motor;
- a brake control input for selectively applying a brake associated with the drivetrain;
- and an interface for interfacing the accelerator control input and the brake control input with the electric control system to control propulsion of the vehicle;
- the interface comprising a brake interface portion for detecting application of the brake by the brake control input, and an interface output portion;
- the method comprising:
- causing the electric control to operate the electric motor such that when the brake interface portion detects application of the brake by the brake control input, the motor torque output is rendered insufficient to cause propulsion of the vehicle along the surface.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.