Vehicle control apparatus adapted to charge energy storage device by generator driven by surplus engine power which changes with required vehicle drive force
US5722911A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S903/945
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive control apparatus for an automotive vehicle having an electric motor operated by an electric energy generated by an electric generator and stored in an energy storage device, and an engine operated by combustion of a fuel, the apparatus having an electricity generating drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by the engine while the electric generator is operated by the engine to charge the electric energy storage device, wherein a changing control device is operable in the electricity generating drive mode, for controlling the engine to operate in a substantially steady state so as to provide a steady state output, and controlling electric power to be generated by the electric generator such that the electric power corresponds to surplus power of the engine which is equal to a difference between the steady state output of the engine and required vehicle drive power which is currently required to drive the vehicle and which is smaller than the steady state output.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.