US3842287A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid electric car
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-11
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-06-11
Abstract
Abstract In the hybrid electric car disclosed, a generator driven by a heat engine turns a motor which moves the vehicle. A main circuit controls the motor with power from the generator. The main circuit includes a first thyristor and relay contact for connecting the main circuit and the battery in series with each other or in parallel with each other and a commutation circuit that operates as a chopper. A second thyristor passes the energy from the generator to the motor in the form of pulses. A switchover circuit opens the relay contact on the basis of the relationship between the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed and the motor speed so as to connect the main battery and the generator in series. An output ratio control circuit turns the two thyristors on so that the generator and main battery outputs are supplied to the motor together. The output of the battery is varied by the first thyristor in response to the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed.
Inventors
- 👤 K Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W20/00; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/46; B60L; B60L50/00; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/08; B60W10/24; B60W10/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A hybrid-type electric power drive apparatus for a vehicle having an accelerator pedal, comprising a heat engine, a generator driven by said heat engine, a main battery, coupling means between said battery and said generator and changeable between one condition connecting said battery and said generator in parallel so that said generator charges said battery and a second condition connecting said generator and said battery in series, main circuit means for controlling the power from said battery and said generator, a DC motor for driving the vehicle with power from said main circuit means, detecting means for detecting the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed and for detecting the current supplied to the motor as well as the speed of the motor, and ratio control circuit means responsive to said detecting means and said main circuit means and coupled to said coupling means for controlling the connection between said battery and said generator by changing the coupling means between one condition and the other in response to the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal and the motor speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A hybrid-type electric power drive apparatus for a vehicle having an accelerator pedal, comprising a heat engine, a generator driven by said heat engine, a main battery, coupling means between said battery and said generator and changeable between one condition connecting said battery and said generator in parallel so that said generator charges said battery and a second condition connecting said generator and said battery in series, main circuit means for controlling the power from said battery and said generator, a DC motor for driving the vehicle with power from said main circuit means, detecting means for detecting the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed and for detecting the current supplied to the motor as well as the speed of the motor, and ratio control circuit means responsive to said detecting means and said main circuit means and coupled to said coupling means for controlling the connection between said battery and said generator by changing the coupling means between one condition and the other in response to the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal and the motor speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes series connecting means for connecting said battery and said generator in series and parallel connecting means for connecting said battery and said generator in parallEl, said control circuit means enabling said parallel connection means and disabling said series connection means when the relation between the extent to which the accelerator is depressed and the speed of the motor exhibit a first relationship, said control circuit means disabling said parallel connection means and enabling said series connection means when the relation between the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed and the speed of the motor exhibits a second relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes first and second switch means connected across said generator and forming a junction between them, said battery being connected to said junction, and unidirectional means connecting said generator and said battery, said ratio control means alternately opening and closing one of said switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said ratio control means further controls the operation of said main circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said main circuit means includes a thyristor connected in series between said generator and said motor, and extinguishing means for extinguishing said thyristor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said extinguishing means includes a capacitor and a diode connecting said capacitor across said thyristor so as to charge the capacitor with current in the same direction as the main current flow through said thyristor, and means for reversing the charge on said capacitor for producing a charge which extinguishes said thyristor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said means for reversing includes an inductor connected in series with said capacitor and a switch connected across said inductor and capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said ratio control means further controls the operation of said main circuit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said main circuit means includes a thyristor connected in series between said generator and said motor, and extinguishing means for extinguishing said thyristor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said extinguishing means includes a capacitor and a diode connecting said capacitor across said thyristor so as to charge the capacitor with current in the same direction as the main current flow through said thyristor, and means for reversing the charge on said capacitor for producing a charge which extinguishes said thyristor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in calim 10, wherein said means for reversing includes an inductor connected in series with said capacitor and a switch connected across said inductor and capacitor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in calim 10, wherein said means for reversing includes an inductor connected in series with said capacitor and a switch connected across said inductor and capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said ratio control means further controls the operation of said main circuit means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |