EP2346711A2

EP2346711A2 - Method and device for controlling a micro-hybrid system with brake energy recovery capable of being mounted in an automobile

Info

Publication number: EP2346711A2
Application number: EP09755962A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ertugrul Taspinar; Daniel Benchetrite; Paul-Eric Chupin; Oussama Rouis; Cyrille Corniglion; Jean-François DUGUEY; Ryadh Ben Omrane; Hajar Hercouet; Benoit Soucaze-Guillous
Original assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2009-10-05
Publication date: 2011-07-27
Also published as: CN102196939B; CN102196939A; WO2010046575A3; FR2937593B1; US20120022732A1; BRPI0919395A2; MX2011004253A; RU2011120795A; KR20110081821A; JP2012506691A; WO2010046575A2; US8996211B2; FR2937593A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the brake energy recovery in a micro-hybrid system (1) comprising at least one rotary electric machine (2) and an electrochemical battery, said micro-hybrid system (1) being provided in a vehicle. The method comprises a step of controlling, when the electrochemical battery (8) has a first predetermined energy state corresponding to an initial optimal charge state (CBth1), a reduction of said first energy state to a second energy state corresponding to an intermediate charging state so as to provide a charging capacity during an eventual occasion of electric energy recovery during a braking phase of the vehicle.

Description

Method and device for controlling a micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking suitable for equipping a motor vehicle

The present invention relates to a micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking equipping a motor vehicle and a control method of this micro-hybrid system.

In a micro-hybrid system with conventional regenerative braking, there may be problems to efficiently recover energy produced during braking phases of the motor vehicle. This energy recovery is notably affected by the type of energy storage unit used.

In general, in the micro-hybrid system, a rotating electrical machine and an electrochemical battery supply electrical consumers via a vehicle electrical distribution network. The rotating electrical machine, capable of operating as an alternator, is also intended to recharge the battery via a regulating device.

Typically, when the vehicle's engine is running, the alternator powers the electrical consumers and charges the battery. When the alternator does not deliver power, the battery provides all the electrical energy that the vehicle needs.

When the vehicle is in a transient braking phase, a large amount of kinetic energy is recoverable.

It then becomes very interesting to convert this kinetic energy into electrical energy for use in the electrical distribution network. There are known systems that allow a direct supply of certain electrical consumers with the energy recovered by braking.

Other systems also allow a battery power with said recovered energy so as to charge said battery.

From a battery point of view, this charge corresponds to an increase in a regulation set point imposed by the control device. However, according to a first aspect, the battery can not be imposed too high a regulation set the risk of accelerated degradation of its state of health ("State of Health" in English, called "SOH").

Under usual conditions, this regulation setpoint is a function of the temperature of the battery. For example, for a lead-acid battery, and using voltage regulation, the regulation set point is about 14.3V at an internal battery temperature of about 20 ^° C.

In addition, for this lead-acid battery, the maximum allowable voltage is in the range of about 15V to about 16V. This results in a maximum voltage variation within a range of about 0.7V to about 1.7V.

This results in a current entering the battery relatively low and therefore, during braking phases, a quantity of energy recovered at the battery relatively limited, particularly in comparison with the energy produced during these phases.

In a second aspect, the battery can not receive too much energy transiently, for example resulting in a voltage variation of about 5V.

Indeed, if the battery has a voltage of about 10V, a charge thereof during a braking phase, which corresponds to the control of a regulation setpoint of about 15V, could degrade the state of health of the battery, especially irreversibly.

It follows that in these micro-hybrid systems, there may be problems of efficiency of the so-called regenerative braking function, this function being impacted by an energy state of the battery.

There is therefore a need to improve the efficiency of the regenerative braking function reliably, simply and standard at least for a battery technology, and thus enhance the performance of micro-hybrid systems.

The invention aims to meet the aforementioned needs. The invention thus relates to a regenerative braking control method of a micro-hybrid system comprising at least one rotating electrical machine and an electrochemical battery, the micro-hybrid system equipping a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of controlling, when the electrochemical battery has a first predetermined energy state corresponding to an initial optimum state of charge, a decrease of said first energy state to a second energy state corresponding to a state of charge. intermediate, so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle.

Thanks to the invention, the micro-hybrid system allows efficient use of the regenerative braking function.

Indeed, a management of the energy state of the electrochemical battery is performed according to predetermined threshold values representative of energy states, so as to anticipate an opportunity for regenerative braking.

This anticipation results in the reduction of the energy state of the battery and thus by the release of a charging capacity of the battery. This energy state can be controlled so as to be located between different thresholds for charging the battery with energy from braking phases without risk of degradation of said battery.

This control is conditioned by a first initial optimum energy state of the electrochemical battery.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the first energy state can be in the range of about 70% to about 95% of a full load state.

The initial optimum energy state therefore corresponds to a sufficiently good state of charge of the battery. According to another characteristic of the invention, the second intermediate energy state can be in a range of about 50% to about 80% of the full load state.

The electrochemical battery may be for example a lead-acid battery, a lithium battery, or a nickel battery.

According to one aspect, the step of controlling the reduction of the energy state of the battery so as to make available a charging capacity during a subsequent opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle may include: a substep of controlling, when the electrochemical battery has the first predetermined energy state, supplying a supply current to an electrical distribution network of the vehicle comprising the electrochemical battery so as to obtain a substantially negative energy balance at the terminals of said electrochemical battery, and

a substep of controlling an authorization to recover energy produced during braking phases, said recovered energy being intended to be partially transmitted to the electrochemical battery. This therefore means that an energy recovery phase can advantageously be controlled when there is a substantially negative energy balance across the battery.

The energy balance is determined by a sum of a quantity of incoming energy and a quantity of outgoing energy. These amounts of energy correspond to an integration of the current Ibat. In addition, a coefficient, called coefficient of efficiency, can be assigned to at least a quantity of energy.

In other words, this leads to the creation of phases of life of the micro-hybrid system during which a regulation instruction imposed on the battery is lowered to voluntarily and reasonably reduce its energy state so to make available a charging capacity of said battery to promote the recovery of energy to it.

The regulation setpoint can correspond to a voltage setpoint or a current setpoint. According to one aspect of the invention, the current regulation setpoint may be zero (in other words, the rotating electrical machine is no longer regulated), and consequently, electrical consumers of the electrical distribution network may be powered solely by the electrochemical battery.

In the case of a voltage regulation setpoint, it may be lower than the voltage of the electrochemical battery.

This aspect is advantageously used when the battery has an energy state at least equal to the first optimum initial energetic state. In this case, the energy state of the battery can be reasonably degraded and it becomes advantageous to control the authorization of the energy recovery function. Thus, when a braking phase opportunity of the vehicle occurs, the energy that can be recovered, in particular by the electrochemical battery, can be important.

Advantageously, the load capacity made available from the battery may be in the range of about 20% to about 60% of its total charging capacity.

This charge capacity made available may depend on the type of electrochemical battery used.

In another aspect, the step of controlling the reduction of the energy state of the battery so as to make available a charging capacity during a subsequent opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle may comprise :

a substep of controlling, when the energy state of the electrochemical battery is lower than the first predetermined energy state, and greater than a third predetermined energy state corresponding to a state of payload, the supply, by the rotating electrical machine, a supply current to the electrical distribution network so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance at the terminals of the electrochemical battery, and - a substep of controlling an authorization to recover energy produced during braking phases, said recovered energy being intended to be partially transmitted to the electrochemical battery.

The payload state may be representative of a state of charge of the battery sufficient to perform certain functions, for example a restart of the engine after a stopping of the vehicle.

In addition, the third predetermined energy state may correspond to information representative of this state of payload.

According to this aspect of the invention, the regulation setpoint can be calculated such that the rotating electrical machine provides substantially exactly the amount of energy needed to supply electrical consumers of the electrical distribution network.

In this case, the energy balance of the battery is substantially zero. In addition, this can be achieved by substantially zero incoming and outgoing currents flowing through the battery, for example in the case of current regulation.

Thus, the energy state of the battery is stabilized around a value substantially corresponding to the state of payload, and the authorization to recover the energy is controlled. It follows from these various aspects of the invention that, during a braking phase of the motor vehicle, energy is recovered and transmitted to consumers and the electrochemical battery.

The amount of energy allowed by the battery depends on the load capacity that has been made available, and if applicable, the thresholds of states predetermined energy between which the energy state of the battery is controlled.

According to an exemplary implementation, the step of controlling the decrease in the energy state of the battery so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle may include a substep to order a cancellation of an authorization to recover energy.

According to one characteristic, the sub-step of canceling an authorization to recover the energy can be performed when the electrochemical battery has an energy state less than a fourth predetermined energy state corresponding to a critical state of charge.

The critical state of charge can be representative of a state of charge of the battery not sufficient to perform certain functions, for example the restart of the engine during a stopping of the vehicle. In other words, this fourth critical energy state can correspond to an information representative of a too degraded energy state of the battery, imposing for example control, following the stopping of the engine during a temporary phase of stopping the vehicle (eg at a traffic light), a restart of the engine. According to an exemplary implementation, the step of controlling the decrease in the energy state of the battery so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle may be preceded by a step of obtaining the energy state of the electrochemical battery. According to one characteristic of the invention, this determined energetic state can be from at least one parameter representative of said energetic state of the electrochemical battery. This parameter can be one of the parameters among a temperature, a voltage or a current of the electrochemical battery.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the energy state can correspond to a determined energy balance as a function of the battery current. Advantageously, this energy balance can be initialized, for example at zero, when the battery has an energy state at least equal to the first initial optimum energy state, or to the third useful energy state.

The initialisation of the energy balance at at least one of these instants makes it possible to define a reference energy state from which the control acting on the energy state of the battery is carried out.

Starting from this reference energy state, it is thus possible to manage the energy state of the battery in a simple and reliable manner by defining in particular fixed thresholds of energetic states. According to another characteristic of the invention, the energy state can correspond to a current value determined as a function of the battery temperature.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the energy state may correspond to the voltage of the battery. According to an exemplary implementation of the method, the step of controlling the decrease of the energy state of the battery so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a phase of Vehicle braking may be preceded by a step of comparing the temperature of the battery to a predetermined temperature threshold value.

According to different examples of implementation of the method: the substep of controlling an authorization to recover energy during an opportunity of a braking phase of the vehicle can be achieved when the energy balance of the battery is higher at an energy balance threshold value, or when the battery current is greater than a current threshold value, or when the battery voltage is greater than a voltage threshold value, and the substep of cancel an authorization to recover this energy can be achieved when the energy balance of the battery is lower than a threshold value of energy balance, or when the battery current is less than a current threshold value, or when the battery voltage is lower than a voltage threshold value.

These values of energy, current and voltage balance thresholds may be predetermined, or determined in particular as a function of temperature. Advantageously, in these different modes of implementation of the invention, it is possible to order an authorization to recover energy during an opportunity of a braking phase of the vehicle when the battery has an energetic state. between a high threshold value and a low energy threshold value. In addition, the method according to the invention makes it possible to degrade the energy state of the electrochemical battery, by locating the energy state thereof between the high and low values of the energy state threshold, in order to make a capacitance available. maximum load with a view to the subsequent desirability of a braking phase of the vehicle. This maximum capacity is advantageously defined so as not to harm the state of health of the electrochemical battery, and therefore its lifetime.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a rotating electrical machine, at least one power converter adapted to be connected to an electrical distribution network, said network comprising at least one electrochemical battery,

a control circuit capable of controlling the power converter to supply a supply current to the network. According to the invention, the method comprises means associated with the control circuit for controlling, when the electrochemical battery has a first energetic state. predetermined state corresponding to an initial optimum state of charge, the converter for decreasing said first energy state to a second energy state corresponding to an intermediate state of charge, so as to make available a charging capacity during an opportunity subsequent recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the associated means may make it possible to control a cancellation of an authorization to recover the energy. According to one characteristic of the invention, the associated means may comprise a management and monitoring module comprising: means for obtaining at least one parameter representative of a state of the electrochemical battery, and means for determining an energy state of the electrochemical battery from said at least one parameter obtained.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for obtaining at least one parameter representative of a state of the battery may comprise sensors designed to obtain at least one of a temperature, a voltage or a current of the battery. drums. The sensors can be placed on the electrochemical battery.

If desired, the management and monitoring module can be placed in the sensors.

The rotating electrical machine can be an alternator-starter. According to a last aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a micro-hybrid system as described above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the figures which it comprises, among which:

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a micro-hybrid system 1 comprising associated means 5 of a control circuit 4 according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a graph illustrating operating phases of a control method of the micro-hybrid system 1 of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 to 7 relate to processing sub-modules of an authorization to recover energy from a braking phase of a motor vehicle, of the control circuit 4 of FIG. particular examples of implementation of the method, and - Figures 8 and 9 relate to processing sub-modules of a cancellation of the authorization to recover energy, the control circuit 4 of Figure 1, according to particular examples of implementation of the method.

FIG. 1 shows a micro-hybrid regenerative braking system 1 comprising a polyphase rotating electrical machine 2, an analog digital converter 3, a control circuit 4, and a means 5 associated with the control circuit 4. The electric machine polyphase rotating 2 is formed in this example by a motor vehicle alternator.

Alternatively, the machine 2 may be reversible and thus form a motor vehicle alternator starter.

In this case, the alternator / starter 2 is capable, in addition to being rotated by a heat engine 9 to produce electrical energy (alternator mode), to transmit a torque to this engine 9 for a start ( starter mode).

In the following description, the machine 2 will be mentioned as an alternator, but could be an alternator-starter. The alternator 2 is used in a recuperative braking type architecture, in order to transform a portion of the mechanical energy from a braking phase of the vehicle into electrical energy.

The alternator 2, the converter 3 and an energy storage unit 8 are connected in series. The energy storage unit 8 comprises at least one electrochemical supply battery, for example of the lead-acid battery type.

In a variant, this electrochemical battery 8 may comprise lithium or nickel.

This battery 8 makes it possible, in addition to supplying a starter 2 during a starting phase (motor mode), to supply electrical energy to consumers. vehicle, for example headlamps, a car radio, an air conditioning system, wipers.

These electrical consumers are fed via an electrical distribution network 7 which includes the lead battery 8. The converter 3 allows electrical energy transfers between the alternator 2 and the electrical distribution network 7, these transfers being in particular controlled by the circuit control 4 connected to the converter 3.

In the case of an alternator-starter, the electrical energy transfers are bidirectional between said alternator-starter 2 and the battery 8. The converter 3 is reversible.

The control circuit 4 of the micro-hybrid system 1 can be built around a microprocessor.

In the starter mode (or motor mode), the microprocessor 4 controls the converter 3 to take a DC voltage from the battery 8 to power a starter, or the alternator-starter.

In the alternator mode (or generator mode), in normal operation or in regenerative braking, the microprocessor 4 controls the converter 3 to take alternating voltages from the alternator 2 to, on the one hand, charge the battery 8, and on the other hand, power the electrical consumers of the vehicle.

The microprocessor 4 is also connected to a motor control unit 10 capable of managing the heat engine 9.

The micro-hybrid system 1 comprises a management and monitoring module 11 and sensors 12.

The management and monitoring module 11 can be implemented at least partially in the microprocessor 4.

In a variant, the management and monitoring module 11 may be implanted in a means provided for receiving the sensors 12, said means being able to be placed close to the battery 8. During a braking phase of the motor vehicle, kinetic energy is recoverable to be transformed by the alternator 2 into electrical energy and then supplied to the network 7.

There is therefore, at each braking phase of the vehicle, an opportunity to recover energy to power the network 7.

To take advantage of these opportunities, according to the invention, the associated means 5 of the control circuit 4 establishes a control method for recovering at least partially the energy resulting from braking phases and acts on the network 7 via the converter 3. FIG. 2 relates to a graph illustrating different phases of life of the micro-hybrid system 1, with abscissa the phases in time, and ordinate information representative of the energy state of the battery.

The operation of the control circuit 4 and its associated means 5 according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9. More specifically, each step of the control method of the invention illustrated by the life phases of the micro-hybrid system in FIG. 2 and implemented in this control circuit 4 is described in detail.

FIG. 2 illustrates in a first phase 0 a normal charge of the battery 8, regulated by the alternator 2 as a function of the temperature of the battery 8, called Tbat in the following description.

In this case, the energy recovery is not allowed in case of opportunity of a braking phase.

FIG. 3 relates to a processing sub-module ST1 of an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST1 is activated during a normal charging phase of the battery 8, like the phase 0, and processes steps S101 to S104 of the control method to obtain an authorization to recover the energy resulting from a phase of vehicle braking (RE = 1). In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 3, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains at step S101 a current delivered by the battery 8, called Ibat in the rest of the description.

The current Ibat comes from the sensors 7. It is for example measured using a shunt.

The current Ibat is then transmitted to a step S102 for determining the energy status information of the battery 8.

Step S102 has substeps S1021 and S1022.

The sub-step S1021 determines an energy balance of the battery 8, called CB in the remainder of the description, as a function of the current Ibat.

The energy balance is determined by a sum of a quantity of incoming energy and a quantity of outgoing energy. These amounts of energy correspond to an integration of the current Ibat. In addition, a coefficient, called coefficient of efficiency, can be assigned to at least a quantity of energy. The management and monitoring module 11 performs a comparison calculation with substep S1021 between the determined energy balance CB and a predetermined energy balance threshold value CBthi.

This predetermined energy balance threshold value CBthi advantageously corresponds to a useful energy state of the battery 8, for example about 70% of its fully charged state.

If the comparison calculation results in an energy balance CB less than or equal to CBthi, this result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which deactivates the processing sub-module ST1 at a step S104.

If the comparison calculation results in a CB energy balance higher than CBthi, as illustrated in phase 1 of FIG. 2, this result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S103, the micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking 1 via the microprocessor 4 to allow the recovery of energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase.

Step S103 comprises two substeps S1031 and S1032. The associated means 5 controls the sub-step S1031 the supply to the network 7 by the alternator 2 of a feed stream so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance CB.

In other words, the alternator provides exactly the amount of energy needed to power the electrical consumers on the network 7.

For this, a current sensor (not shown) may be arranged on the network so as to know exactly the energy requirement on the network 7, and the energy balance substantially zero would be obtained through a current control acting to control current Incoming and outgoing Ibat substantially invalid.

Alternatively, in the case of voltage regulation, it is possible to gradually reduce the voltage of the battery, called Ubat in the following description, with predetermined steps, for example about 50mV, up to that the battery 8 has a current Ibat substantially zero. If, at a given instant, the current Ibat is substantially negative, the associated means 5 controls a progressive increase of the voltage Ubat until the battery 8 again has a current Ibat substantially zero.

In this way, the battery 8 retains a charging capacity for an opportunity of a braking phase. The associated means 5 allows the substep S1032 energy recovery

(RE = 1).

It should be noted that the energy balance CB is initialized by the associated means 5 when a first authorization to recover the energy (RE = 1) is controlled by this associated means 5. FIG. 2 illustrates a phase 1 during which the energy balance CB of the battery is constant, corresponding to a rolling phase of the vehicle, without braking.

A phase 2 illustrates a decrease in the energy balance CB followed by an increase in this balance CB, so as to have a zero Ibat current as explained above. A phase 3 illustrates a braking of the motor vehicle and an opportunity to recover the energy resulting from this braking concretized. Indeed, the energy balance CB increases and therefore the energy state of the battery also.

A phase 4 illustrates the same situation as phase 1 and then during phase 5 a new opportunity to recover the energy resulting from a concrete braking.

FIG. 4 relates to a processing sub-module ST2 of an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST2 is activated during phases 1 to 5, where a recovery authorization has already been authorized in accordance with FIG. 3, and deals with steps S111 to S114 of the control method for obtaining an authorization to recover energy from a braking phase of the vehicle (RE = 1).

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 4, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains a current Ibat in step S111. The current Ibat is then transmitted to a step S112 for determining the energy status information of the battery 8.

Step S112 has substeps S1121 and S1122.

The sub-step S1121 determines the energy balance CB of the battery 8, as a function of the current Ibat. The management and monitoring module 11 then performs a comparison calculation with substep S1121 between the determined energy balance CB and a predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth2.

This predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth2 advantageously corresponds to an initial optimum energy state of the battery 8, for example corresponding to approximately 85% of its fully charged state.

The threshold value CBth2 may, for example, correspond to a value of approximately 50OmAh entered in the battery 8 (mAh for MiIIi Ampere Hour, symbol of the unit of electric charge), in the case where the battery 8 has a total capacitance of about 60Ah. If the comparison calculation results in an energy balance CB less than or equal to CBth2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which deactivates the processing sub-module ST2 in a step S114.

If the comparison calculation results in an energy balance CB greater than CBth2, as illustrated in step 6 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S113, the micro-hybrid system 1 via the microprocessor 4 to allow the recovery of energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase.

Step S113 comprises two substeps S1131 and S1132. The associated means 5 controls the substep S1131 a decrease in the energy state of the battery 8, with a current entering Ibat zero and a positive outgoing Ibat current, so as to obtain a negative energy balance CB.

In other words, the alternator does not regulate and the electrical consumers on the network 7 are only powered by the battery 8. This allows to degrade the energy state of the battery to make available a load capacity for an opportunity after a braking phase.

The associated means 5 allows the substep S1132 energy recovery (RE = 1). Alternatively, the processing sub-module ST2 could be implemented initially. In other words, the processing sub-module ST1 could only be optional, depending on the micro-hybrid systems.

For example, useful energy balances and initial optimum energy could be confused. In this case, it should be noted that the energy balance CB could be initialized by the associated means 5 when an authorization to recover the energy (RE = 1) is controlled by this associated means 5.

During phase 6 illustrated in FIG. 2, the energy balance CB increases thanks to a braking phase enabling energy recovery and its partial storage in the battery 8. A phase 7 illustrates a phase without braking, and therefore a decrease in the energy balance CB.

A phase 8 illustrates again a braking of the motor vehicle and an opportunity to recover the energy resulting from this braking concretized. Indeed, the energy balance CB increases and therefore the energy state of the battery 8 also. The energy state of the maximum battery 8 is reached, corresponding to a state of full charge. The additional energy that can be recovered is passed on to the consumers on the grid 7. It is the alternator 2 that regulates the sharing of recovered energy. Phases 9 and 10 illustrate the same situation as phase 7 except that the decrease in the energy state is greater, for example due to a high electrical need at the level of consumers on the network, including air conditioning.

FIG. 5 relates to a processing sub-module ST3 for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST3 is activated during the phases 6 to 10 where an authorization to recover the energy is authorized in accordance with FIG. 4, and deals with steps S121 to S124 of the control method for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy from a braking phase of the vehicle (RE = 1).

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 5, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains in phase S121 a current Ibat.

The current Ibat is then transmitted to a step S122 for determining the energy state information of the battery 8. The step S122 comprises substeps S1221 and S1222.

The substep S1221 determines the energy balance CB of the battery 8, as a function of the current Ibat.

The management and monitoring module 11 then performs a comparison calculation with the sub-step S1221 between the determined energy balance CB and a predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth3. This predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth3 corresponds to an energy state lower than the initial optimum energy state of the battery 8, and can correspond substantially to the useful energy state.

For example, the threshold value CBth3 may correspond to a decrease of about 80OmAh in the charge of the battery 8.

If the comparison calculation results in an energy balance CB greater than or equal to CBth3, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which deactivates the processing sub-module ST3 in a step S124.

If the comparison calculation results in a CB energy balance lower than CBth3, as illustrated in phase 11 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S123, the micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking 1 via the microprocessor 4 to maintain an authorization to recover energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase.

Step S123 comprises two substeps S1231 and S1232. The associated means 5 controls the sub-step S1231 the supply to the network

7 by the alternator 2 of a supply current so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance CB, thanks to substantially zero incoming and outgoing Ibat currents, in the same way as in the substep S1031 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3. This makes it possible to no longer degrade the energy state of the battery 8 while maintaining an available charging capacity of this battery 8 for the purpose of an opportunity of a braking phase.

The associated means 5 allows substep S1232 an authorization to recover the energy (RE = 1). Figure 2 illustrates phases 11 and 12 similar to phases 1 and 2.

In addition, a phase 13 corresponds to a very rapid decrease in the energy state of the battery 8, for example following a stopping phase of the vehicle, where a large number of consumers have been put into service, generating an electrical need very large compared to the electrical need before stopping the vehicle. It should be noted that the phases 12 to 14 can also take place in the various embodiments of the method according to the invention detailed below, in particular illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As a variant, FIG. 6 relates to a processing sub-module ST4 for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST4 is activated during the phases 6 to 10 where an authorization to recover the energy is authorized in accordance with FIG. 4, and deals with steps S131 to S135 of the control method for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy from a braking phase of the vehicle (RE = 1).

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 6, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains the current Ibat at step S131.

The current Ibat is then transmitted to a step S132 which comprises a sub-step S 1321. The substep S1321 performs a comparison calculation between the current Ibat and a predetermined threshold value Ith.

This predetermined threshold value Ith can correspond to a value of the current Ibat of about -50A.

If the comparison calculation results in a current Ibat greater than or equal to Ith, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which terminates the processing sub-module ST4 in step S133.

If the comparison calculation results in a current Ibat less than Ith, as illustrated in phase 11 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S133, the micro-hybrid system via the microprocessor 4 to maintain an authorization to recover energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase.

Step S133 comprises two substeps S1331 and S1332 which are respectively identical to substeps S1231 and S1232. The associated means 5 therefore controls the sub-step S1331 the supply to the network 7 by the alternator 2 of a feed stream so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance CB.

The associated means 5 allows the substep S1332 energy recovery (RE = 1).

As a further variant, FIG. 7 relates to a processing sub-module ST5 for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST5 is activated during the phases 6 to 10 where an authorization to recover the energy is authorized in accordance with FIG. 4, and deals with steps S141 to S144 of the control method for maintaining an authorization to recover the energy a braking phase of the vehicle (RE = 1).

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 7, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains at step S141 the voltage Ubat. The voltage Ubat is then transmitted to a step S142 for determining the energy state information of the battery 8, which comprises a substep S1421.

Sub-step S1421 performs a comparison calculation between the obtained voltage Ubat and a predetermined voltage threshold value, called Uth1. For example, the voltage Uth1 can range from about 11.5V to about 12.5V for a 14V lead-acid battery.

If the comparison calculation results in a voltage Ubat greater than or equal to Uth1, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which terminates the processing sub-module ST5 in step S144. If the comparison calculation results in a voltage Ubat lower than Uth1, as illustrated in phase 11 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S143, the micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking 1 via the microprocessor 4 to maintain an authorization to recover energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase. Step S143 comprises two substeps S1431 and S1432 which are respectively identical to substeps S1231 and S1232.

The associated means 5 therefore controls the sub-step S1431 the supply to the network 7 by the alternator 2 of a feed stream so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance.

The associated means 5 allows the substep S1432 energy recovery (RE = 1).

FIG. 8 relates to a processing sub-module ST6 of a cancellation of an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises (RE = O) of the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST6 is activated during phases 1 to 5, 12 and 13 where an authorization to recover the energy is authorized in accordance with FIGS. 4 to 7, and deals with steps S151 to S154 of the control method for canceling an authorization of recover energy from a braking phase of the vehicle (RE = 0).

Alternatively, the submodule ST6 could be activated during the phases 1 to 13, that is to say as soon as an authorization to recover the energy would be controlled.

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 8, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains a current Ibat at step S151.

The current Ibat is then transmitted to a step S152 for determining the energy state information of the battery 8.

Step S152 has substeps S1521 and S1522.

Sub-step S1521 determines the energy balance CB of the battery 8, as a function of the current Ibat.

The management and monitoring module 11 then performs a comparison calculation with substep S1521 between the determined energy balance CB and a predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth4.

This predetermined energy balance threshold value CBth4 corresponds to a critical energy state, for example about 60% of the state of full charge. If the comparison calculation results in an energy balance CB greater than or equal to CBth4, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which deactivates the processing sub-module ST6 at a step S154.

If the comparison calculation results in a CB energy balance lower than CBth4, as illustrated in phase 14 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S153, the micro-hybrid system via the microprocessor 4 to cancel an authorization to recover energy

(RE = 1) at an opportunity of a braking phase.

Step S153 comprises two substeps S1531 and S1532. The associated means 5 controls the substep S1531 a normal regulation of the current Ibat as a function of the temperature Tbat.

Phase 14 is therefore similar to phase 0 illustrated in FIG. 2, the network 7 being powered electrically by alternator 2.

The associated means 5 cancels in substep S1532 an authorization to recover energy (RE = O).

As a variant, FIG. 9 relates to an ST7 processing sub-module for canceling an authorization to recover the energy produced during a braking phase when such an opportunity arises for the associated means 5.

This sub-module ST7 is activated during the phases 1 to 5, 12 and 14 where an authorization to recover the energy is authorized in accordance with FIGS. 4 to 7, and deals with the steps S161 to S164 of the control method to cancel an authorization of recover energy from a braking phase of the vehicle

(RE = O).

The ST7 sub-module could be activated during phases 1 to 13, ie when an authorization to recover energy would be ordered.

In the particular embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 9, the management and monitoring module 11 obtains at step S161 a voltage Ubat.

The voltage Ubat is then transmitted to a step S162 for determining the energy status information of the battery 8. Step S162 comprises a substep S1621 which performs a comparison calculation between the obtained voltage Ubat and a predetermined voltage threshold value, called Uthc.

This threshold value Uthc corresponds to a critical energy state. For example the voltage Uthc can be between 11V and 12V for a 14V lead-acid battery.

If the comparison calculation results in a voltage Ubat greater than or equal to Uthc, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which terminates the processing sub-module ST7 in step S164. If the comparison calculation results in a Ubat voltage lower than Uthc, as illustrated in phase 14 of FIG. 2, the result is transmitted to the associated means 5 which controls, at a step S163, the micro-hybrid regenerative braking system 1 via the microprocessor 4 to cancel an authorization to recover energy (RE = 1) during an opportunity of a braking phase. Step S163 comprises two substeps S1631 and S1632 which are similar to substeps S1531 and S1532 illustrated in FIG. 8.

The associated means 5 controls the substep S1631 a normal regulation of the current Ibat as a function of the temperature Tbat.

The associated means 5 cancels the substep S1632 an authorization to recover energy (RE = O).

According to another embodiment of the invention, in particular in the case of a micro-hybrid system comprising the stop / restart function of the heat engine, the associated means 5 can receive information representative of the energy state of the battery. and deducing from it control commands such as an authorization to stop the heat engine (SA = 1), and a request for restarting the heat engine (RR = 1) following an authorization to stop the engine (SA = 1) and a stop of this engine. In this case, the means 5 can associate the representative information SA and RR with threshold values of the energy state of the battery 8.

Preferably, an authorization for stopping the heat engine (SA = 1) can correspond to the useful energy status threshold value of the battery 8. It is also possible to condition the useful energy threshold value. from the battery to this authorization (SA = 1) to which is added a positive energy balance, for example about 10OmAh.

As a variant or in addition, the information representative of the stopping permission of the heat engine (SA = 1) to which a positive energy balance of the battery 8, for example of approximately 50OmAh, is added may correspond to the initial optimum energy state threshold value of the battery 8.

As a further variant or in addition, the information representative of a request for restarting the engine (RR = 1) may correspond, by adding or not adding a negative energy balance of the battery 8, to the threshold value of the energy state. battery review 8.

Claims

claims

1. A method for controlling regenerative braking of a micro-hybrid system (1) comprising at least one rotating electrical machine and an electrochemical battery (8), the micro-hybrid system equipping a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a step of controlling, when the electrochemical battery (8) has a first predetermined energy state (CBth2) corresponding to an initial optimum charge state, a decrease from said first energy state to a second energy state corresponding to an intermediate charge state, in order to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle, and in that the second energy state is in a range of about 50% to about 80% from the state of full charge.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first energy state is in a range of about 70% to about 95% of a state of full load.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of controlling the decrease in the energy state of the battery (8) so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of electrical energy recovery during a braking phase of the vehicle comprises: - a substep of controlling, when the electrochemical battery

(8) presents the first predetermined energy state (CBth2), supplying a supply current to an electrical distribution network (7) of the vehicle comprising the electrochemical battery (8) so as to obtain a substantially energy balance (CB ) negative across said electrochemical battery (8), and a substep of controlling an authorization to recover energy produced during braking phases (RE = 1), said recovered energy being intended to be partially transmitted to the electrochemical battery (8).

4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of controlling the decrease in the energy state of the battery (8) so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of energy recovery during a braking phase of the vehicle comprises:

a substep of controlling, when the energy state of the electrochemical battery (8) is lower than the first predetermined energy state (CBth2), and greater than a third predetermined energy state corresponding to a payload state (CBthi), supplying, by the rotary electric machine (2), a supply current to the electrical distribution network (7) so as to obtain a substantially zero energy balance (CB) across said electrochemical battery (8), and

a substep of controlling an authorization to recover energy produced during braking phases (RE = 1), said recovered energy being intended to be partially transmitted to the electrochemical battery (8).

5. Method according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the step of controlling the decrease in the energy state of the battery

(8) so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle comprises a substep of controlling a cancellation of an authorization to recover the energy ( RE = O).

6. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sub-step of canceling an authorization to recover the energy (RE = O) is performed when the electrochemical battery (8) has an energy state less than a fourth. predetermined energy state corresponding to a critical state of charge (CBth4; Uthc).

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of controlling the decrease of the energy state of the battery (8) so as to make available a charging capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle is preceded by a step of obtaining the energy state of the electrochemical battery (8).

8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the energy state is determined from at least one parameter representative of said energy state of the electrochemical battery (8) among the following parameters:

a temperature (Tbat) of the electrochemical battery (8),

- a voltage (Ubat) of the electrochemical battery unit (8), - a current (Ibat) of the electrochemical battery (8).

9. Micro-hybrid system (1) with regenerative braking for a motor vehicle, comprising:

- a rotating electrical machine (2), - at least one power converter (3) adapted to be connected to an electrical distribution network (7), said network (7) comprising at least one electrochemical battery (8),

a control circuit (5) able to control the power converter (3) to supply a power supply current to the network (7), characterized in that it comprises an associated means (6) for the power supply circuit; command for controlling, when the electrochemical battery (8) has a first predetermined energy state (CBth2) corresponding to an initial optimum charge state, the converter (3) for decreasing said first energy state to a second energy state corresponding to a state of intermediate load, so as to make available a load capacity at a later opportunity of recovery of electrical energy during a braking phase of the vehicle.

10. Micro-hybrid system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the associated means (6) allows to control a cancellation of an authorization to recover energy.

11. micro-hybrid system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the associated means comprises a management and monitoring module comprising:

means for obtaining at least one parameter (Ubat, Ibat) representative of a state of the electrochemical battery (8), and

means for determining the energy state of the electrochemical battery (8) from said at least one parameter obtained

(Ubat, Ibat).

12. Micro-hybrid system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the rotating electrical machine (2) is an alternator-starter.

13. Motor vehicle comprising a micro-hybrid system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.