IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,712,960
Granted Patent B2
US 11,712,960 · App. 17/690,407 · Granted Aug 1, 2023

Vehicle control apparatus

Inventor: Satoshi Inoue (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
B60K6/52B60K6/387B60K6/445B60K6/547B60W10/02B60W10/08B60W10/119B60W20/14B60K6/365B60W2510/244B60W2520/10B60W2710/021B60W2710/1005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,712,960
App. No.
17/690,407
Granted
Aug 1, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle control apparatus includes a planetary gear mechanism, first and second wheels, an engine, a motor generator, a wheel drive clutch, and a control system. The planetary gear mechanism includes first, second, and third rotation elements. The first wheel is coupled to the first rotation element via a first path. The second wheel is coupled to the second rotation element via a second path. The engine is coupled to the third rotation element via a third path. The motor generator is provided on the first path. The wheel drive clutch is provided on the first path and between the motor generator and the first wheel. The control system controls the motor generator and the wheel drive clutch. The control system executes a motor stop mode in which the wheel drive clutch is brought into a released state and the motor generator is brought into a rotation stop state.

Claims (21)

1. A vehicle control apparatus, the vehicle control apparatus being configured to control a vehicle and comprising:

a planetary gear mechanism including a first rotation element, a second rotation element, and a third rotation element;

a first wheel coupled to the first rotation element via a first path;

a second wheel coupled to the second rotation element via a second path;

an engine coupled to the third rotation element via a third path;

a motor generator provided on the first path;

a wheel drive clutch provided on the first path and between the motor generator and the first wheel; and

a control system including a processor and a memory communicably coupled to each other, the control system being configured to control the motor generator and the wheel drive clutch, wherein

the control system is configured to execute a motor stop mode in which the wheel drive clutch is brought into a released state and the motor generator is brought into a rotation stop state.

2. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a power storage device coupled to the motor generator, wherein

the control system is configured to execute the motor stop mode in a case where a state of charge of the power storage device is greater than a threshold state of charge while the vehicle is decelerating.

3. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising

a differential limiting clutch configured to engage at least two of the first rotation element, the second rotation element, and the third rotation element, wherein

the control system is further configured to execute a motor regeneration mode in which the differential limiting clutch is brought into a first engaged state, the wheel drive clutch is brought into the released state, and the motor generator is brought into a regenerative state, and

the control system is configured to execute the motor regeneration mode when the state of charge of the power storage device is less than or equal to the threshold state of charge while the vehicle is decelerating.

4. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to execute the motor stop mode in a case where a vehicle speed of the vehicle is greater than a threshold speed.

5. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a transmission mechanism provided on the third path, wherein

the control system is configured to execute an all-wheel drive mode in which the wheel drive clutch is brought into a second engaged state and the motor generator is brought into a power-running state, and

the control system is configured to execute up-shifting of the transmission mechanism upon making a switch from the motor stop mode to the all-wheel drive mode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2022
From: INOUE, SATOSHI
To: SUBARU CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059310/0501 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2021-052667 · Mar 26, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220305901A1 · Sep 29, 2022