Maximum output setting device, driving device including the maximum output setting device, power output apparatus including the driving device, motor vehicle mounted with the power output apparatus, and maximum output setting method

A driving device that drives a drive shaft, the driving device comprising:

• a motor that is capable of inputting power to and outputting power from the drive shaft;
• a capacitor that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor;
• an accumulator unit that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor and is connected in parallel to the capacitor with respect to the motor;
• a state detecting unit that detects a state of the capacitor including a voltage, an electric current, and temperature of the capacitor;
• a voltage-resistance calculating unit that calculates an open-circuit voltage and an internal resistance of the capacitor on the basis of at least the voltage, the electric current, and the temperature included in the state of the capacitor detected;
• a maximum-output calculating unit that calculates three maximum outputs including a maximum output due to a maximum current, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of an allowable maximum current of the capacitor from the open-circuit voltage and the internal resistance calculated and an allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor, a maximum output to an open-circuit voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the open-circuit voltage calculated and an open-circuit lower limit voltage applied to the capacitor, and a maximum output due to a capacitor voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the voltage of the capacitor detected and the allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor;
• an execution maximum output setting unit that sets a smallest maximum output of the calculated three maximum outputs as an execution maximum output of the capacitor;
• a driving-power-demand setting unit that sets a driving power demand required of the drive shaft;
• and
• a control unit that controls the motor such that a driving force based on the driving power demand set is outputted to the drive shaft and is outputted from the capacitor in a range of the execution maximum output of the capacitor set.

A power output apparatus that outputs power to a drive shaft, the power output apparatus comprising:

• an internal combustion engine that is capable of outputting power to the drive shaft;
• a motor that is capable of inputting power to and outputting power from the drive shaft;
• a capacitor that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor;
• an accumulator unit that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor and is connected in parallel to the capacitor with respect to the motor;
• a state detecting unit that detects a state of the capacitor including a voltage, an electric current, and temperature of the capacitor;
• a voltage-resistance calculating unit that calculates an open-circuit voltage and an internal resistance of the capacitor on the basis of at least the voltage, the electric current, and the temperature included in the state of the capacitor detected;
• a maximum-output calculating unit that calculates three maximum outputs including a maximum output due to a maximum current, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of an allowable maximum current of the capacitor from the open-circuit voltage and the internal resistance calculated and an allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor, a maximum output due to an open-circuit voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the open-circuit voltage calculated and an open-circuit lower limit voltage applied to the capacitor, and a maximum output due to a capacitor voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the voltage of the capacitor detected and the allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor;
• an execution maximum output setting unit that sets a smallest maximum output of the calculated three maximum outputs as an execution maximum output of the capacitor;
• a driving-power-demand setting unit that sets a driving power demand required of the drive shaft;
• and
• a control unit that controls the internal combustion engine and the motor such that a driving force based on the driving power demand set is outputted to the drive shaft and is outputted from the capacitor in a range of the execution maximum output of the capacitor set.

A motor vehicle, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine that is capable of outputting power to the drive shaft linked to an axle;
• a motor that is capable of inputting power to an outputting power from the drive shaft;
• a capacitor that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor;
• an accumulator unit that is capable of exchanging electric power with the motor and is connected in parallel to the capacitor with the respect to the motor;
• a state detecting unit that detects a state of the capacitor including a voltage, an electric current, and temperature of the capacitor;
• a voltage-resistance calculating unit that calculates an open-circuit voltage and an internal resistance of the capacitor on the basis of at least the voltage, the electric current, and the temperature included in the state of the capacitor detected;
• a maximum-output calculating unit that calculates three maximum outputs including a maximum output due to a maximum current, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of an allowable maximum current of the capacitor from the open-circuit voltage and the internal resistance calculated and an allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor, a maximum output due to an open-circuit voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the open-circuit voltage calculated and an open-circuit lower limit voltage applied to the capacitor, and a maximum output due to a capacitor voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the voltage of the capacitor detected and the allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor;
• an execution maximum output setting unit that sets a smallest maximum output of the calculated three maximum outputs as an execution maximum output of the capacitor;
• a driving-power-demand setting unit that sets a driving power demand required of the drive shaft;
• and
• a control unit that controls the motor such that a driving force based on the driving power demand set is outputted to the drive shaft and is outputted from the capacitor in a range of the execution maximum output of the capacitor set.

A maximum output setting method of setting a maximum output of a capacitor, the maximum output setting method comprising the steps of:

• (a) calculating an open-circuit voltage and an internal resistance of the capacitor on the basis of at least a voltage, an electric current, and temperature included in a state of the capacitor;
• (b) calculating three maximum outputs including a maximum output due to a maximum current, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of an allowable maximum current of the capacitor from the open-circuit voltage and the internal resistance calculated and an allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor, a maximum output due to an open-circuit voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the open-circuit voltage calculated and an open-circuit lower limit voltage applied to the capacitor, and a maximum output due to a capacitor voltage, which can be outputted from the capacitor, calculated on the basis of the voltage of the capacitor and the allowable lower limit voltage of the capacitor;
• and
• (c) setting a smallest maximum output of the calculated three maximum outputs as an execution maximum output of the capacitor.