IP Library Granted Patent US 11,731,608
Granted Patent B2
US 11,731,608 · App. 17/530,478 · Granted Aug 22, 2023

Vehicle controller, vehicle control system, and hybrid vehicle

Inventors: Hirotaka Sasaki (Nagoya, JP); Kunihiko Jinno (Toyota, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60W20/13B60W10/06B60W10/08B60W10/26B60W20/40B60W2520/04B60W2520/10B60W2556/45B60W2710/0644B60W2710/244
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,731,608
App. No.
17/530,478
Filed
Nov 19, 2021
Granted
Aug 22, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3747
USPC
701/22
Abstract

A vehicle controller includes: a prediction unit that acquires position information on a parking place where parking time is predicted to exceed a prescribed threshold value in a travel route of the hybrid vehicle; and a target setting unit that sets a target state of charge of the battery and to change setting of the target state of charge from a first state of charge to a second state of charge that is lower than the first state of charge when the hybrid vehicle satisfies an approach condition to the parking place. A charge and discharge amount of the battery when the state of charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second state of charge is controlled to be smaller than the charge and discharge amount of the battery when the state of charge of the battery is larger than the second state of charge.

Claims (16)

1. A vehicle controller mounted on a hybrid vehicle having a battery chargeable with electric power generated by driving an engine, comprising:

a prediction unit configured to acquire position information on a parking place where parking time is predicted to exceed a prescribed threshold value in a travel route of the hybrid vehicle; and

a target setting unit configured to set a target state of charge of the battery and to change setting of the target state of charge from a first state of charge at normal time to a second state of charge that is lower than the first state of charge when the hybrid vehicle satisfies an approach condition to the parking place, wherein

a charge and discharge amount of the battery when the state of charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second state of charge is controlled to be smaller than the charge and discharge amount of the battery when the state of charge of the battery is larger than the second state of charge.

2. The vehicle controller according to claim 1 , wherein when the state of charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second state of charge, and then the state of charge of the battery becomes larger than the second state of charge, the charge and discharge amount of the battery at the time is controlled to be maintained.

3. The vehicle controller according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is controlled to be discharged at a constant discharge rate until the state of charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second state of charge after the target setting unit sets the target state of charge to the second state of charge.

4. The vehicle controller according to claim 1 , wherein an upper limit and a lower limit of the charge and discharge amount of the battery is determined based on charge capacity of the battery, vehicle speed, and driving characteristics.

5. A vehicle control system, comprising:

the vehicle controller according to claim 1 mounted on a hybrid vehicle; and

an acquisition unit configured to be communicable with the vehicle controller and acquire external information at the parking place.

6. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

an engine;

a battery chargeable with electric power generated by driving the engine;

a travel motor driven with the electric power that is charged to the battery; and

the vehicle controller according to claim 1 , wherein

the vehicle travels by switching driving by the engine and driving by the motor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: SASAKI, HIROTAKA; JINNO, KUNIHIKO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 058158/0257 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2021-002212 · Jan 8, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220219672A1 · Jul 14, 2022