IP Library Granted Patent US 8,480,537
Granted Patent B2
US 8,480,537 · App. 13/281,891 · Granted Jul 9, 2013

Hybrid vehicle and control method therefor

Inventors: Yukihiro Sano (Fuji, JP); Ippei Suzuki (Hitachinaka, JP); Yuukou Nojiri (Hitachi, JP)
Assignee: Jatco Ltd
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,480,537
App. No.
13/281,891
Granted
Jul 9, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The second clutch is caused to transition to an engaged state after setting the second clutch in a slip state when the vehicle starts in the hybrid start mode, the temperature of a magnet of the electric motor is estimated based on the temperature of the hydraulic oil and an operating condition of the electric motor when the second clutch is controlled to be in the slip state; and an output torque and a lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor is restricted and reduced when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a restrictive temperature.

Claims (28)

1. A hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor generator as drive sources, a first clutch interposed between the engine and the motor generator and released by supplying hydraulic oil, and a second clutch interposed between the motor generator and drive wheels and engaged by supplying the hydraulic oil, the hybrid vehicle being able to travel in a hybrid travel mode in which the engine and the motor generator are used as the drive sources by engaging the first clutch and the second clutch, comprising:

a mechanical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by a drive force of the vehicle;

an electrical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by an electric motor for pump;

a start-time slip control unit which causes the second clutch to transition to an engaged state after setting the second clutch in a slip state when the vehicle starts in the hybrid start mode;

a motor temperature estimating unit which estimates the temperature of a magnet of the electric motor based on the temperature of the hydraulic oil and an operating condition of the electric motor when the second clutch is controlled to be in the slip state; and

a motor restricting unit which restricts and reduces an output torque and a lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a restrictive temperature.

2. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein:

the motor restricting unit reduces the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor more as the estimated temperature of the magnet increases.

3. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein:

the motor restricting unit lifts restriction on the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a limit temperature higher than the restrictive temperature.

4. A control method for a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor generator as drive sources, a first clutch interposed between the engine and the motor generator and released by supplying hydraulic oil, a second clutch interposed between the motor generator and drive wheels and engaged by supplying the hydraulic oil, a mechanical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by a drive force of the vehicle, and an electrical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by an electric motor for pump, the hybrid vehicle being able to travel in a hybrid travel mode in which the engine and the motor generator are used as the drive sources by engaging the first clutch and the second clutch, comprising:

causing the second clutch to transition to an engaged state after setting the second clutch in a slip state when the vehicle starts in the hybrid start mode;

estimating the temperature of a magnet of the electric motor based on the temperature of the hydraulic oil and an operating condition of the electric motor when the second clutch is controlled to be in the slip state; and

restricting and reducing an output torque and a lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a restrictive temperature.

5. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein:

the restricting reduces the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor more as the estimated temperature of the magnet increases.

6. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein:

the restricting lifts restriction on the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a limit temperature higher than the restrictive temperature.

7. A hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor generator as drive sources, a first clutch interposed between the engine and the motor generator and released by supplying hydraulic oil, and a second clutch interposed between the motor generator and drive wheels and engaged by supplying the hydraulic oil, the hybrid vehicle being able to travel in a hybrid travel mode in which the engine and the motor generator are used as the drive sources by engaging the first clutch and the second clutch, comprising:

a mechanical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by a drive force of the vehicle;

an electrical oil pump which discharges the hydraulic oil by being driven by an electric motor for pump;

start-time slip control means for causing the second clutch to transition to an engaged state after setting the second clutch in a slip state when the vehicle starts in the hybrid start mode;

motor temperature estimating means for estimating the temperature of a magnet of the electric motor based on the temperature of the hydraulic oil and an operating condition of the electric motor when the second clutch is controlled to be in the slip state; and

motor restricting means for restricting and reducing an output torque and a lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a restrictive temperature.

8. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein:

the motor restricting means reduces the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor more as the estimated temperature of the magnet increases.

9. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein:

the motor restricting means lifts restriction on the output torque and lower limit rotation speed of the electric motor when the estimated temperature of the magnet exceeds a limit temperature higher than the restrictive temperature.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNOR ASSIGNS 50% INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2014
From: JATCO LTD
To: JATCO LTD; NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 032018/0901 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 2ND ASSIGNOR DOC DATE TO READ AS 10/03/2011 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 027127 FRAME 0249. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 23, 2011
From: SANO, YUKIHIRO; SUZUKI, IPPEI; NOJIRI, YUUKOU
To: JATCO LTD
Reel/Frame 027279/0667 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2011
From: SANO, YUKIHIRO; SUZUKI, IPPEI; NOJIRI, YUUKOU
To: JATCO LTD
Reel/Frame 027127/0249 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-245992 · Nov 2, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120108385A1 · May 3, 2012