GB2449051A - Hybrid vehicle - Google Patents

Hybrid vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2449051A
GB2449051A GB0706777A GB0706777A GB2449051A GB 2449051 A GB2449051 A GB 2449051A GB 0706777 A GB0706777 A GB 0706777A GB 0706777 A GB0706777 A GB 0706777A GB 2449051 A GB2449051 A GB 2449051A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
driven
operating mode
driven wheels
heat engine
vehicle
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
GB0706777A
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GB0706777D0 (en
GB2449051B (en
Inventor
Stephen John Doyle
James William Griffith Turner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lotus Cars Ltd
Original Assignee
Lotus Cars Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Lotus Cars Ltd filed Critical Lotus Cars Ltd
Priority to GB0706777A priority Critical patent/GB2449051B/en
Publication of GB0706777D0 publication Critical patent/GB0706777D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2008/001196 priority patent/WO2008122783A2/en
Publication of GB2449051A publication Critical patent/GB2449051A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2449051B publication Critical patent/GB2449051B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/42—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by the architecture of the hybrid electric vehicle
    • B60K6/44—Series-parallel type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/08—Prime-movers comprising combustion engines and mechanical or fluid energy storing means
    • B60K6/12—Prime-movers comprising combustion engines and mechanical or fluid energy storing means by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B60K17/34—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles
    • B60K17/356—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/42—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by the architecture of the hybrid electric vehicle
    • B60K6/44—Series-parallel type
    • B60K6/442—Series-parallel switching type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/50—Architecture of the driveline characterised by arrangement or kind of transmission units
    • B60K6/52—Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K7/00—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
    • B60K7/0007—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel the motor being electric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K7/00—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
    • B60K7/0015—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel the motor being hydraulic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D61/00—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
    • B62D61/06—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels
    • B62D61/08—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels with single front wheel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
    • B62M7/00—Motorcycles characterised by position of motor or engine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/3011—Controlling fuel injection according to or using specific or several modes of combustion
    • F02D41/3076—Controlling fuel injection according to or using specific or several modes of combustion with special conditions for selecting a mode of combustion, e.g. for starting, for diagnosing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K3/00—Arrangement or mounting of steam or gaseous-pressure propulsion units
    • B60K3/04—Arrangement or mounting of steam or gaseous-pressure propulsion units of turbine type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W20/00—Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/12—Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/3011—Controlling fuel injection according to or using specific or several modes of combustion
    • F02D41/3017—Controlling fuel injection according to or using specific or several modes of combustion characterised by the mode(s) being used
    • F02D41/3035—Controlling fuel injection according to or using specific or several modes of combustion characterised by the mode(s) being used a mode being the premixed charge compression-ignition mode
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/62—Hybrid vehicles

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hybrid vehicle comprising a heat engine 11, an electrical generator 12 driven by the heat engine 11 and a transmission 13 which can connect the heat engine to a pair of driven wheels 19, 20 via a differential 18. An electric motor 14, 15 is associated with a respective wheel of the driven wheels 19, 20 and located wheel-side of the differential 18. The hybrid vehicle has a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electric motors 14, 15 associated with the driven wheels 19, 20 and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator 12. The vehicle has a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electric motors 14, 15 associated with the driven wheels 19, 20 and by the heat engine 11 driving the driven wheels 19, 20 through the transmission 13 and via the differential 18. Alternatively the vehicle may be a motorcycle or a tricycle and may comprise hydraulic instead of electric motors. An engine homogeneous charge compression ignition mode may be provided in some embodiments. An alternative having a gas turbine (51 see fig 5) is also provided.

Description

HYBRID VEHICLE
The present invention relates to a hybrid vehicle, that is a vehicle which can be driven by an internal combustion engine, by electric motors (or hydraulic motors) and by a combination of internal combustion engine and electric motors (or hydraulic motors) Hybrid vehicles are now well known. In known hybrid vehicles an electric traction motor is located on the engine side of the differential which splits drive between the wheels on opposite sides of a vehicle. The internal combustion engine and the electric traction motor both drive the driven wheels via the differential.
The present invention in a first aspect provides a hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to the pair of driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electric motors, each electrical motor being associated with a respective wheel of the driven wheels and located wheel-side of the differential; wherein the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention in a second aspect provides a hybrid engine comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels; and a plurality of electrical motors, each electrical motor being associated with a respective wheel of a second pair of the driven wheels; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention provides in a third aspect a hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electrical motors, one electrical motor being provided and associated with each of the driven wheels of the two pairs of driven wheels, the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels of the first pair being located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine is either in active or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the fist pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention in a fourth aspect provides a hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least one pair of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to the pair of driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of hydraulic motors, each hydraulic motor being associated with a respective wheel of the pair of driven wheels and located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine drives the hydraulic fluid pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention in a fifth aspect provides a hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels; and a plurality of hydraulic motors, each hydraulic motor being associated with a respective wheel of a second pair of the driven wheels; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and the heat engine drives the hydraulic fluid pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention in a sixth aspect provides a hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels, via a differential; and a plurality of hydraulic motors, one hydraulic motor being provided for and associated with each of the driven wheels of the two pairs of driven wheels, the hydraulic motors associated with the first pair of driven wheels being located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine drives the pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving its first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
The present invention provides in a seventh aspect a hybrid motorcycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; an electrical generator driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a rear wheel of the motorcycle; and at least one electric motor associated with at least one wheel of the motorcycle; wherein: the hybrid motorcycle has: a first operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the electric motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the rear wheel by the transmission; and a second operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven both by the electrical motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the rear wheel through the transmission.
The present invention provides in an eighth aspect a hybrid motorised tricycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; an electrical generator driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission wheel which can connect the internal combustion engine to a first of a pair of rear wheels of the tricycle; at least one electric motor associated with at least one wheel of the tricycle; wherein: the tricycle has: a first operating mode in which the tricycle is driven solely by the electric motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the tricycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the first rear wheel by the transmission; a second operating mode in which the tricycle is driven both by the electrical motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the first rear wheel through the transmission.
The present invention provides in a ninth aspect a hybrid motorcycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; a hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a rear wheel of the motorcycle; and at least one hydraulic motor associated with at least one wheel of the motorcycle; wherein: the hybrid motorcycle has: a first operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the rear wheel by the transmission, and a second operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven both by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the rear wheel through the transmission.
The present invention provides in a tenth aspect a hybrid motorised tricycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; a hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a first of a pair of rear wheels of the tricycle; and at least one hydraulic motor associated with at least one wheel of the tricycle; wherein: the tricycle has: a first operating mode in which the tricycle is driven solely by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the tricycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the first rear wheel by the transmission; a second operating mode in which the tricycle is driven by both the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the first rear wheel through the transmission.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic layout drawing of a first embodiment of a hybrid drive system according to the present invention for a rear wheel drive hybrid vehicle operating in a first operating mode; Figure 2 is a schematic layout drawing of the Figure 1 hybrid drive system operating in a second operating mode; Figure 3 is a schematic layout drawing of a second embodiment of a hybrid drive system according to the present invention for a rear wheel drive hybrid vehicle; Figure 4 is a schematic layout drawing of a third embodiment of a hybrid drive system according to the present invention, for a transverse/front wheel drive hybrid vehicle; and Figure 5 is a schematic layout drawing of a fourth embodiment of a hybrid drive system according to the present invention.
In Figure 1 there can be seen a schematic drawing of the layout of a hybrid drive system for a hybrid vehicle.
The drive system 10 comprises an internal combustion engine 11, a generator 12 (which also functions as an electric starter), a reduction gear set 13, a differential 18 and hub motors 14 and 15 associated respectively with wheels 19 and 20. The differential 18 acts between the driven wheels 19 and 20. In Figure 1 the hybrid drive system is working in series operation. The engine 11 is used to drive an electrical generator 12 which then generates electrical power supplied to a battery (not shown) and also to the electric hub motors 14 and 15. The driven wheels 19 and 20 are driven electrically by the electric hub motors 14 and 15. The engine 11 is disconnected from the wheels 19 and 20 by the gear set 13. This is shown by a gear 16 mounted on a shaft 21 connected to the engine 11 being shown out of mesh with a gear 17 mounted on a shaft 22 connected to the differential 18.
Figure 2 shows the hybrid drive system of Figure 1 in a second mode of operation, a parallel mode of operation. In this mode of operation the engine 11 is connected via the gear set 13 and differential 18 to the driven wheels 19 and to drive the wheels 19 and 20. The engine 11 drives the wheels 19 and 20 in parallel with the electric hub motors 14 and 15. The engine 11 may in this mode also drive the generator 12 to produce electric power for the hub motors 14 and 15 or in this mode the hub motors 14 and 15 may draw power only from the battery (not shown) with operation of the generator 12 suspended so that the generator 12 does not draw power from the engine 11. In the Figure 2 it can be seen that the gear 12 mounted on shaft 21 is in mesh with the gear 17 mounted on gear 22.
Where the hybrid drive system illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 differs from those known in the prior art is in the use of hub motors as traction motors driving the driven wheels instead of a dedicated traction motor which drive the driven wheels via a differential. The hub motors 14 and 15 will be used for full regenerative braking; i.e. the hub motors 14 and 15 will be used to brake the driven wheels 19 and 20 and in the process generate electric power to be relayed to the battery (not shown). The battery could be supplemented as a storage device by a capacitor or a -10 -flywheel -in fact the type of accumulator is not important to the invention.
The hub motors 14 and 15 will be designed to make them capable of full regenerative braking i.e. there is no need for additional brakes. This does lead to a trade off in the motors' abilities to drive the driven wheels 19 and 20 at high speed. This is overcome by the high speed parallel mode of Figure 2 in which the engine 11 will supply most of the tractive effort. In the Figure 2 parallel mode of operation the hub motors 14 and 15 will merely be used to boost the performance of the engine 11 or to increase loading on the engine 11 to improve the efficiency of operation of the engine 11 whilst recharging the battery (not shown); in other words, in the parallel mode the motors 14 and 15 can be used as generators in addition to generator 12 to generate power relayed to a battery for storage.
At low speeds the hybrid drive system of Figures 1 and 2 uses the hub motors 14 and 15 as traction motors with the engine 11 used to provide electrical energy only (i.e. the Figure 1 operating condition). In this condition there is no mechanical link between the engine 11 and the driven wheels 19 and 20. This means that the generator 12 can be designed to function very efficiently since it does not have to act as a traction motor at all (in the prior art systems the electric traction motor would also have doubled as generator). The only tractive power to be supplied by the generator 12 is power to act as a starter for the engine 11.
Even this requirement could be dispensed with by the use of -11 -an additional starter so that the generator 12 functions only as a generator.
The switchover from the Figure 1 operation to the Figure 2 operation would happen by first starting the engine 11 (if it were not previously running) and then synchronising the speed of the engine crankshaft 21 with the differential shaft 22 so that the gears 16 and 17 can be engaged without the need for a clutch. This also means that only one gear set 13 is required, the gears 16 and 17 of which can be dogged into engagement (thereby saving the cost of synchromesh and reducing mass and complexity). However, more gear sets could be used if desired.
Ideally, no foundation brakes would be used in the vehicle at all for the driven wheels 19 and 20 and instead all braking would be provided by the hub motors 14 and 15.
However, foundation brakes could be provided to provide a fail-safe arrangement or to act in parallel if so required by law.
The hybrid system described above allows better optimisation of the electrical components by use of two modes of operation.
The internal combustion engine 11 could be of a number of different types. For instance, the engine 11 could be a 4-stroke engine with two different modes of operation; for the series mode of operation (figure 1) the engine 11 could be operated in an HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) operating mode, whilst the engine 11 could be operated in conventional gasoline spark (Otto cycle) -12 -ignition or in compression ignition (diesel) operating mode for the parallel operation of the system shown in Figure 2.
Alternatively, a two-stroke engine could be used as the engine 11, the engine operating with a wide range of HCCI combustion; the hybrid drive system could eliminate idle operation and low speed operation of the engine 11 and thus possibly make the use of a two-stroke HCCI engine the ideal choice. Additionally, a Wankel engine could be used as the engine 11; Wankel engines do not operate efficiently at low speeds and loads but have a much higher degree of efficiency (comparable to a 4-stroke engine) at high loads, with the advantages of compactness and low vibration when compared to a reciprocating piston engine. Additionally, the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 does not require the internal combustion engine 11 to run at all times (indeed the engine 11 would be inactive at low speed operations) -this would extend the durability of a Wankel engine, which would last significantly longer when the engine operation is considered in terms of distance travelled by a vehicle.
Whilst above the system 10 is described as avoiding the need for a clutch by synchronisation of the shaft speeds of shafts 21 and 22 prior to engagement of gears 16 and 17, an alternative approach would be to use a clutch 31 in a system 30 as shown in Figure 3. The components of the system 30 which correspond with the components of the system 10 of Figures 1 and 2 have been given reference numerals identical to those of Figures 1 and 2. Once more the driven wheels 19 and 20 are each provided with a hub motor 14 and 15 and an internal combustion engine 11 can additionally drive the driven wheels 19 and 20 via a differential 18. Once more a generator 12 can be driven by the engine 11 to generate -13 -electrical power. In the Figure 3 embodiment the gears 16 and 17 are in constant mesh. The clutch 31 is provided to switch the hybrid system between series operation and parallel operation. When the clutch 31 disconnects engine 11 from the gear 16 then the engine 11 will operate in series operation in the same way as shown in Figure 1 and will operate to drive the generator 12 to generate electrical power (or alternatively will remain inactive) When the engine 11 is connected via clutch 31 to the gear 16 then the engine 11 will provide traction power to the driven wheels 19 and 20 in addition to any tractive power supplied by the hub motors 14 and 15.
Instead of using a clutch as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to replace the meshed gears 16 and 17 with an epicyclic gear arrangement and then control by braking the rotation of the planet cage and/or the annulus to either allow transmission of motive power from the engine 11 via differential 18 to the driven wheels 19 and 20 or to allow the engine 11 to rotate independently of the rotation of the driven wheels 19 and 20.
The arrangements of Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the driving of a pair of rear wheels of a vehicle, but the invention is equally applicable to the driving of front wheels of a vehicle. In Figure 4 there is a hybrid drive system layout 40 shown which is for a transverse engine and front wheel drive application. The components of the system which are components in common with the previous systems described have been given the same reference numerals. The Figure 4 system 40 is, in many ways, identical to the system of Figures 1 and 2, save that the orientation of the engine 14 - 11 is transversely across the vehicle rather than longitudinally along it and the shafts 21 and 22 extend transversely across the vehicle rather than longitudinally along the vehicle. The hybrid drive system will operate with a series operation and parallel operation in the same way as previously described for Figures 1 and 2.
Although the possibility is not illustrated in drawings attached, the present invention could also be applied to a 4-wheel drive vehicle. In a 4-wheel drive application there could be a hub motor associated with each of the 4 wheels of a vehicle, in order to maximise regenerative braking potential. The mechanical drive for the engine could be transmitted to all 4 wheels of such a vehicle, or to only 2 wheels. It is also possible to arrange a 4-wheels drive application with a mechanical drive to 2 wheels and the electrical drive via hub motors to the other 2 wheels.
The present invention could be applied to mid-engined and rear-engined vehicles as well as front-engined vehicles as described above.
The present invention also envisages a system in which the internal combustion engine 11 of the previous embodiment is replaced with a gas turbine; this is illustrated in Figure 5. In Figure 5 a hybrid drive system 50 is shown in which a free power gas turbine 51 is coupled to electrical generator 52 which also acts as a starter for the gas turbine 51. The gas turbine 51 will drive an output shaft connected to the generator 52 to cause the generator 52 to generate electrical power. The gas turbine 51 will also have an output of pressurised gases. These will be relayed -15 -to a free power turbine 53 to drive the turbine 53 to rotate. The turbine 53 is then connected via a shaft 54, a gear 55, a gear 56 and a shaft 57 to a differential 58 and through the differential 58 to a pair of driven wheels 59 and 60. Electric hub motors 61 and 62 are respectively associated with the driven wheels 59 and 60. The hub motors 61 and 62 will be powered by electricity generated by the gas turbine 51 and/or stored in a battery (not shown). The battery will be charged by electricity generated by the generator 52.
With the arrangement shown in Figure 5, control of how much mechanical power is delivered via the differential 58 to the driven wheels 61 and 60 can be achieved by control of the operation of the generator 52. By reducing the work extracted from the driven shaft by the generator 52 the power produced by the free power turbine 53 is increased.
Therefore, there is a gradual switching process with the low speed operation involving maximising electrical power generated by the generator 52 and the high speed operation minimising electrical power generated by generator 52 so that the mechanical power provided by turbine 53 is maximised. There will be smooth transition between these two extremes with varying vehicle speed.
The hub motors of all of the embodiments described above could additionally be used to provide traction control and stability control for the vehicle and also anti-lock braking. Rather than being mounted on the wheels themselves, as illustrated, the hub motors could be attached to the lay shafts extending between the differential and the driven wheels.
-16 -Whilst above the hub motors are described as electric motors and indeed this is preferred, it is possible that the hub motors could be hydraulic motors instead, with the electrical generator replaced by a pump generating a supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid. The electrical accumulator (e.g. battery) would be replaced by a hydraulic accumulator; a flywheel could be used as well to store energy.
The present invention could also be applied to motorcycles and tricycles. In a motorcycle, a hub motor would be provided for the rear wheel and the heat engine selectively coupled to the rear wheel to drive the rear wheel alone or in co-operation with the hub motor or selectively decoupled from the rear wheel so that the rear wheel is driven by the hub motor alone. Alternatively, the hub motor could be used to drive the front wheel and the heat engine used selectively to drive the rear wheel.
In the case of a motorised tricycle, the pair of rear wheels could be each provided with a hub motor and the heat engine selectively used to drive the rear wheels via a differential provided for the rear wheels. However, in some cases a tricycle will have only one wheel driven by the heat engine. Then in an arrangement according to the present invention the heat engine will be selectively coupled to only one rear wheel and either: a hub motor provided for each rear wheel; a hub motor provided for all three wheels; or a hub motor provided for only the rear wheel which would be driven by the heat engine.

Claims (20)

-17 - CLA I MS
1. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to the pair of driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electric motors, each electrical motor being associated with a respective wheel of the driven wheels and located wheel-side of the differential; wherein the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
2. A hybrid engine comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels; and a plurality of electrical motors, each electrical motor being associated with a respective wheel of a second pair of the driven wheels; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the second -18 -pair of driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
3. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electrical motors, one electrical motor being provided and associated with each of the driven wheels of the two pairs of driven wheels, the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels of the first pair being located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine is either in active or drives the electrical generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the fist pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
-19 -
4. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has a third operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the heat engine driving the or the first pair of driven wheels.
5. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein in the second operating mode the heat engine drives both the driven wheels and the electrical generator.
6. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the heat engine is an internal combustion engine and is connected to the driven wheels via a transmission which comprises a pair of gears which are engaged with each other at least in the second operating mode.
7. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pair of gears are disengaged in the first operating mode and are brought into meshing engagement to switch from the first to the second operating mode.
8. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein operation of the heat engine is controlled to synchronise rotational speed of the pair of gears prior to meshing engagement on switchover from the first to the second operating mode.
9. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pair of gears are dogged into meshing engagement on switchover from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.
10. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim B or claim 9 which operates without a clutch in the transmission.
-20 -
11. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the heat engine is an internal combustion engine and the transmission comprises a clutch and in the first operating mode the clutch disconnects the internal combustion engine from the driven wheels and in the second operating mode the clutch connects the internal combustion engine with the driven wheels.
12. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the heat engine is an internal combustion engine and the transmission comprises an epicyclic arrangement of gears which relays drive from the engine to the driven wheels in the second operating mode and which allows the driven wheels to rotate independently of rotation of the engine in the first operating mode.
13. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are used to brake the driven wheels and generate electrical power during braking.
14. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric motors are the sole providers of braking for the driven wheels.
15. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are hub motors.
16. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric generator also functions as a starter motor for the heat engine.
-21 -
17. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein in the second operating mode the electrical motors use electrical power produced by the electrical generator driven by the heat engine.
18. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the heat engine is a four-stroke internal combustion engine which operates homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when the vehicle is operating in the first operating mode and which operates either spark ignition Otto cycle combustion or compression ignition diesel combustion when the vehicle is operating in the second operating mode.
19. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the heat engine is a two-stroke internal combustion engine which operates homogenous charge compression ignition combustion.
20. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are controlled by an/the electrical controller and provide anti-lock braking to the vehicle.
922177; AWP; SJW * eS SI * * I. * *5. * 0 * *0. * IS S. S 0Sa * S., f** * * ** * _* *.e.. * .
20. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the heat engine is a Wankel engine.
21. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the heat engine is a gas turbine which outputs power via a shaft to drive the electrical generator and which outputs pressurised gas to drive a power turbine, the power turbine being connected by the transmission and via the differential to the driven wheels.
22. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 21 which is switched between the first and second operating modes by -22 -controlling work extracted from the gas turbine by the electrical generator.
23. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical motors are controlled by an electric controller and provide traction control to the vehicle.
24. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical motors are controlled by an/the electrical controller and provide stability control to the vehicle.
25. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical motors are controlled by an/the electrical controller and provide anti-lock braking to the vehicle.
26. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least one pair of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to the pair of driven wheels via a differential; a plurality of hydraulic motors, each hydraulic motor being associated with a respective wheel of the pair of driven wheels and located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven -23 -wheels and the heat engine drives the hydraulic fluid pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
27. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels; a plurality of hydraulic motors, each hydraulic motor being associated with a respective wheel of a second pair of the driven wheels; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and the heat engine drives the hydraulic fluid pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
28. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; a hydraulic fluid pump driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; -24 -a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels, via a differential; a plurality of hydraulic motors, one hydraulic motor being provided for and associated with each of the driven wheels of the two pairs of driven wheels, the hydraulic motors associated with the first pair of driven wheels being located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine drives the pump; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the hydraulic motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving its first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential.
29. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 26, 27 or 28 wherein in the second operating mode the heat engine drives both the driven wheels and the pump.
30. A hybrid motorcycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; an electrical generator driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a rear wheel of the motorcycle; at least one electric motor associated with at least one wheel of the motorcycle; wherein: the hybrid motorcycle has: a first operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the electric motor(s) associated with the -25 -wheel(s) of the motorcycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the rear wheel by the transmission,; and a second operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven both by the electrical motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the rear wheel through the transmission.
31. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 30 wherein the electrical motor(s) is/are (a) hub motor(s) associated with the wheel (s).
32. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 31 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with the rear wheel.
33. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 31 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a front wheel of the motorcycle.
34. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 which has a third operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the internal combustion engine.
35. A hybrid motorised tricycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; an electrical generator driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission wheel which can connect the internal combustion engine to a first of a pair of rear wheels of the tricycle; and -26 -at least one electric motor associated with at least one wheel of the tricycle; wherein: the tricycle has: a first operating mode in which the tricycle is driven solely by the electric motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the tricycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the first rear wheel by the transmission; a second operating mode in which the tricycle is driven both by the electrical motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the first rear wheel through the transmission.
36. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 35 wherein (an) electrical motor(s) is/are (a) hub motor(s) associated with the wheel (s) 37. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 36 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a second rear wheel.
38. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 36 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a front wheel of the motorised tricycle.
39. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 36 wherein the hub motors are associated with each wheel of the motorised tricycle.
40. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 39 which has a third operating mode in which the motorised tricycle is driven solely by the internal combustion engine.
-27 - 41. A hybrid motorcycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; a hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a rear wheel of the motorcycle; and at least one hydraulic motor associated with at least one wheel of the motorcycle; wherein: the hybrid motorcycle has: a first operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the rear wheel by the transmission, and a second operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven both by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the rear wheel through the transmission.
42. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 41 wherein the hydraulic motor(s) is/are (a) hub motor(s) associated with the wheel(s).
43. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 42 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with the rear wheel.
44. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in claim 42 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a front wheel of the motorcycle.
-28 - 45. A hybrid motorcycle as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 44 which has a third operating mode in which the motorcycle is driven solely by the internal combustion engine.
46. A hybrid motorised tricycle comprising: an internal combustion engine; a hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine; a transmission which can connect the internal combustion engine to a first of a pair of rear wheels of the tricycle; and at least one hydraulic motor associated with at least one wheel of the tricycle; wherein: the tricycle has: a first operating mode in which the tricycle is driven solely by the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the tricycle and the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the first rear wheel by the transmission; a second operating mode in which the tricycle is driven by both the hydraulic motor(s) associated with the wheel(s) of the motorcycle and by the internal combustion engine driving the first rear wheel through the transmission.
47. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 45 wherein the hydraulic motor(s) is/are (a) hub motor(s) associated with the wheel Cs) 48. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 47 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a second rear wheel.
-29 - 49. A hybrid rnotorised tricycle as claimed in claim 47 wherein the hub motor(s) is/are associated only with a front wheel of the motorised tricycle.
50. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in claim 47 wherein the hub motors are associated with each wheel of the motorised tricycle.
51. A hybrid motorised tricycle as claimed in arTy one of claimed 46 to 50 which has a third operating mode in which the motorised tricycle is driven solely by the internal combustion engine.
52. A hybrid vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
805441; AWP;04.04.07 AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-CIiA I MS 1. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a pair of driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electric motors, each electric motor being associated with a respective wheel of the driven wheels and located wheel-side of the differential; wherein the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electric motors associated with the driven * ** wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electrical generator; and * S..
a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electric motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential; *..: 20 wherein the heat engine is a four-stroke internal combustion engine which operates homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when the vehicle is operating in the first operating mode and which operates either spark ignition Otto cycle combustion or compression ignition diesel combustion when the vehicle is operating in the second operating mode.
2. A hybrid engine comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels via a differential; and a pair of electric motors, each electric motor being associated with a respective wheel of a second pair of driven wheels; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electric motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electric generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electrical motors associated with the second pair of driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the * ,* first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential; ***.
wherein the heat engine is a four-stroke internal combustion engine which operates homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when the vehicle is operating in the first operating mode and which operates either spark : 20 ignition Otto cycle combustion or compression ignition diesel combustion when the vehicle is operating in the second operating mode.
3. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a heat engine; an electrical generator driven by the heat engine; at least two pairs of driven wheels; a transmission which can connect the heat engine to a first pair of the driven wheels via a differential; and a plurality of electric motors, one electrical motor being provided and associated with each of the driven wheels of the two pairs of driven wheels, the electric motors
-
associated with the driven wheels of the first pair being located wheel-side of the differential; wherein: the hybrid vehicle has: a first operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the electric motors associated with the driven wheels and the heat engine is either inactive or drives the electric generator; and a second operating mode in which the vehicle is driven both by the electric motors associated with the driven wheels and by the heat engine driving the first pair of driven wheels through the transmission and via the differential; wherein the heat engine is a four-stroke internal combustion * ** engine which operates homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when the vehicle is operating in the first operating mode and which operates either spark ignition Otto cycle combustion or compression ignition diesel combustion when the vehicle is operating in the *. second operating mode.
* *.20 4. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has a third operating mode in which the vehicle is driven solely by the heat engine driving the or the first pair of driven wheels.
5. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein in the second operating mode the heat engine drives both the driven wheels and the electrical generator.
6. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the four-stroke internal combustion engine is connected to the driven wheels via a transmission which comprises a pair of gears which are engaged with each other at least in the second operating mode.
7. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pair of gears are disengaged in the first operating mode and are brought into meshing engagement to switch from the first to the second operating mode.
8. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein operation of the four-stroke internal combustion engine is controlled to synchronise rotational speed of the pair of gears prior to meshing engagement on switchover from the first to the second operating mode. * **
9. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pair of gears are dogged into meshing engagement on switchover from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. *** *
I *
I
10. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 which *..20 operates without a clutch in the transmission.
I.....
I
11. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the transmission comprises a clutch and in the first operating mode the clutch disconnects the four-stroke internal combustion engine from the driven wheels and in the second operating mode the clutch connects the four-stroke internal combustion engine with the driven wheels.
12. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the transmission comprises an epicyclic arrangement of gears which relays drive from the four-stroke internal combustion engine to the driven wheels in the second operating mode and which allows the driven wheels to rotate independently of rotation of the engine in the first operating mode.
13. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are used to brake the driven wheels and generate electrical power during braking.
14. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric motors are the sole providers of braking for the driven wheels.
15. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are hub motors. * SI * * I * 15 * II* * S
16. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric generator also functions as a * starter motor for the heat engine. I..
S r. *
: 20 17. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein in the second operating mode the electric motors use electrical power produced by the electric generator driven by the heat engine.
18. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are controlled by an electric controller and provide traction control to the vehicle.
19. A hybrid vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electric motors are controlled by an/the electrical controller and provide stability control to the vehicle.
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