IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,382,638
Granted Patent B2
US 8,382,638 · App. 13/473,856 · Granted Feb 26, 2013

Method for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle

Inventors: Carsten Erbguth (Munich, DE); Florian Gramer (Munich, DE); Mathieu Front (Dachau, DE); Gerd Kraemer (Munich, DE)
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,382,638
App. No.
13/473,856
Granted
Feb 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle with an automatic or automated transmission. The drive unit includes at least one drive motor, which generates a drive torque in an overrun mode. The drive torque acts as a drag torque or as a creep torque on the drive wheels as a function of the current speed. The level of the drive torque in the overrun mode can be at least partially controlled by actuating a brake pedal. The drag torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode can be controlled by actuating the brake pedal in such a way that a reduced drag torque dependent on the actuation of the brake pedal is applied to the drive wheels.

Claims (20)

1. A method for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic or automated transmission, the method comprising the acts of:

generating a drive torque, via a drive motor, by the drive unit in an overrun mode of the vehicle, the drive torque acting as a drag torque or a creep torque on drive wheels as a function of a current speed of the vehicle; and

controlling, by actuation of a brake pedal, the drag torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode such that a reduced drag torque dependent on the brake pedal actuation is applied to the drive wheels.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reduced drag torque, dependent on the brake pedal actuation in a free play range of the brake pedal, is applied to the drive wheels.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the creep torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode is controllable via actuation of the brake pedal such that a reduced creep torque dependent on the brake pedal actuation is applied to the drive wheels.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the reduced creep torque is dependent on the brake pedal actuation in a free play range of the brake pedal.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the creep torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode is controllable via actuation of the brake pedal such that a reduced creep torque dependent on the brake pedal actuation is applied to the drive wheels.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the reduced creep torque is dependent on the brake pedal actuation in a free play range of the brake pedal.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reduced drag torque and a reduced creep torque applied to the drive wheels is at least partially generated by reducing the drive torque, generated by the drive motor, by a recuperation torque; and

wherein the recuperation torque is predetermined as a function of the brake pedal actuation.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the recuperation torque is predetermined as a function of the brake pedal actuation in a free play range of the brake pedal.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the recuperation torque is generated by an electric motor operating in a generator mode.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the recuperation torque is generated by an electric motor operating in a generator mode.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reduced drag torque and a reduced creep torque applied to the drive wheels is at least partially generated via the drive motor by applying a drive torque, the drive torque being reduced by a predetermined reducing torque.

12. The method according to claim 3 , wherein a level of the reducing creep torque is preset as a function of at least one of an actuation travel and a pressure applied to the brake pedal.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the actuation travel and/or the pressure applied to the brake pedal occurs in a free play range of the brake pedal.

14. The method according to claim 7 , wherein a level of the recuperation torque is preset as a function of at least one of an actuation travel and a pressure applied to the brake pedal.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the actuation travel and/or the pressure applied to the brake pedal occurs in a free play range of the brake pedal.

16. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the level of the reducing torque is preset additionally as a function of the current speed of the vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the level of the recuperation torque is preset additionally as a function of the current speed of the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2012
From: ERBGUTH, CARSTEN; GRAMER, FLORIAN; FRONT, MATHIEU; KRAEMER, GERD
To: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 028622/0212 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2009 056 160 · Nov 27, 2009 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2010068271 · Nov 26, 2010
Related Publication 20120231926A1 · Sep 13, 2012