JPH023528A - Automobile with internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve a fuel consumption without impairing a safe operation performance by forming the rotor of a starter motor with a flywheel for compensating the nonuniform rotation of an internal combustion engine and connecting and disconnecting the flywheel to and from the internal combustion engine according to the operating conditions of a motor car. CONSTITUTION: A flywheel 3 for compensating its nonuniform rotation is installed in an internal combustion engine 2 of a motor vehicle 1. The flywheel 3 is connected to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine 2 through a clutch 4, and the clutch 4 is operated by a servo-device 5. Also, a transmission 10 is connected to the internal combustion engine 2 through another clutch 7. In this case, the rotor of a starter motor 15 is formed with the flywheel 3. The starter motor 15 drives a starter wheel 16 when a switch 17 is turned on. Then, when the internal combustion engine 2 is, for example, started, after the flywheel 3 is started by a control device 18 through the starter wheel 16, the clutch 4 is connected so as to start the crankshaft 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an automobile having an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine is provided with a flywheel for compensating for non-uniformity of rotational motion, and the flywheel is connected to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. or can be uncoupled and rotatably mounted relative to this crankshaft, depending on the specific driving situation, such as when the internal combustion engine is not driving the vehicle, i.e. , for example, relates to a motor vehicle in which the flywheel can be uncoupled from the internal combustion engine and the connection between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheels is released in the case of short stops, such as coasting, braking, etc., as well as waiting at traffic lights, etc.

In operating states in which the drive engine does not drive the vehicle, thus for example during engine braking or coasting and no-load operation, and when the flywheel or flywheel that can be coupled or uncoupled to the crankshaft is still rotating at its minimum rotational speed. A method has already been proposed for operating an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, in which the drive engine and the flywheel are decoupled and the engine is stopped in order to save fuel. The flywheel then continues to rotate as an energy storage device, and when the above-mentioned driving state has ended, the internal combustion engine can be started again by coupling the flywheel. This method is particularly well suited for relatively small vehicles in which road safety is not compromised by stopping the drive engine.

Furthermore, the vehicle drive system described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-50810 is a hybrid drive system, that is, a system that uses the power of a rotational energy source and the power of a flywheel as vehicle driving force. The ability to independently control the rotational speed of the flywheel has the advantage of making it possible to maintain maximum efficiency of the flywheel and the rotary energy source under various operating conditions and to reduce fuel consumption. At this time, the vehicle is started and accelerated mainly by the power of the flywheel, and the power of the rotational energy source can be controlled to a low rotational speed sufficient to compensate for the energy loss of the vehicle.

For this reason, a large inertial body is used in the flywheel.

In the case of this vehicle drive, a flywheel with a fairly high inertia or mass is used, which can store enough kinetic energy to drive the entire vehicle, i.e. one flywheel. The vehicle can be driven by connecting only the wheels to the transmission, without any need for an internal combustion engine to drive the vehicle.

The object of the invention is that a rotating flywheel for minimizing the non-uniformity of rotational movements can be coupled and uncoupled to the internal combustion engine by a first clutch, said flywheel being coupled to the wheels of a motor vehicle by a second clutch. and a motor vehicle with a flywheel that can be uncoupled, even if the motor vehicle is a relatively large motor vehicle, with the aim of minimizing energy consumption, in particular fuel consumption, as much as possible without impairing road safety. be.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the uncoupleable flywheel forms the rotor of the electric drive and/or the starting motor.

The flywheel or flywheel described above has only a relatively small inertia or mass, which is not large enough to drive the vehicle; (i.e., the flywheel is not used to drive the vehicle by itself). It may also be possible to connect the flywheel to the transmission only if the flywheel is already connected to the internal combustion engine.

In the operating state, when the engine is not driving the moving vehicle, the transmission is decoupled from the internal combustion engine, with the flywheel remaining coupled to the internal combustion engine and at a minimum speed, e.g. no-load speed. It can be further rotated by the number. By doing so, it is possible to operate the motor vehicle more safely in an operating state where the engine is not driving the vehicle while the vehicle is running, which is necessary at least for the safety of driving the motor vehicle. This is because auxiliary devices driven by the internal combustion engine, such as steering auxiliaries, brake auxiliaries, generators, etc., are driven and continue to function at least as long as the vehicle is in motion. Conditions in which it is not necessary to drive a running vehicle occur, for example, in coasting, throttle down, braking, and the like.

In operating conditions in which the vehicle is brought to a standstill, as soon as the internal combustion engine reaches the lower speed limit, the flywheel is also uncoupled from the internal combustion engine, so that the internal combustion engine can be stopped and the flywheel The wheel is free to rotate further. The lower speed limit value at which the flywheel is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine is selected such that the kinetic energy stored by the flywheel at the time of standstill is sufficient to start the internal combustion engine again at a predetermined time. obtain. The lower speed limit, at which the flywheel is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine, can for example be of the order of 1000-1500 revolutions per minute, and the minimum speed of the flywheel that makes it possible to start the internal combustion engine is , for example 500 to 1 per minute
000 rotations. As soon as the minimum speed of the flywheel required to reliably restart the internal combustion engine is reached, e.g. for short restarts of the internal combustion engine or for electric motors with very low power consumption, By means of an additional small drive motor, the flywheel can again be brought to relatively high rotational speeds. As an alternative means of maintaining the kinetic energy in the flywheel high enough for starting the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine can be operated at a lower speed limit, e.g. The flywheel, which is uncoupled from the flywheel, can be held at a predetermined rotational speed by an electric drive motor during short stops of the motor vehicle.

In order to preserve the maximum kinetic energy of the flywheel during deceleration or braking of the vehicle, it is possible to ensure that the flywheel is not always disconnected from the transmission or from the internal combustion engine. If it is desired to always disconnect the 7-live wheel from both the transmission and the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine must be stopped. This is because, if a flywheel is not connected to compensate for the non-uniformity of the rotational movement of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine will stop anyway. However, if the internal combustion engine stops, it is not possible to drive any auxiliary equipment, such as steering aids, braking aids, or generators, even though the vehicle is still moving at high speed. A drawback arises.

Naturally, therefore, driving safety can no longer be guaranteed. This is because, for example, steering aids and brake aids are effectively switched off.

To avoid this situation, as long as the vehicle is in motion and the internal combustion engine is rotating above the predetermined lower speed limit, the internal combustion engine connected to the flywheel and the clutch is disconnected from the transmission. It can be adjusted so that it is released and continues to rotate at the lower speed limit. As soon as the vehicle is stopped and the internal combustion engine reaches a lower speed, the flywheel is also declutched from the internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine can be stopped. The flywheel can therefore initially rotate further at a lower speed limit, with this speed gradually decreasing, for example due to friction within the bearing. In order to prevent the rotation of the flywheel when it is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine from dropping below the minimum rotational speed that is absolutely necessary to be able to restart the internal combustion engine by coupling the flywheel, the flywheel As soon as the minimum speed has been reached, the flywheel can be spun up again to a relatively high speed, for example by a short restart of the internal combustion engine or by an additional small drive motor, such as an electric motor, which consumes very little power. Be counted. The time interval during which the internal combustion engine can be started again by the flywheel is
It depends on the time required for the flywheel to reach the aforementioned minimum speed, which is absolutely necessary to be able to start the internal combustion engine reliably starting from the lower speed limit.

This time, of course, depends on the quality of the flywheel bearing and the external geometry, which affects the air resistance. The lower rotational speed limit value can be set, for example, to 1000 rotations per minute, and the minimum rotational speed can be set, for example, to 500 rotations per minute.

Such a method makes possible, on the one hand, a minimum fuel consumption and, on the other hand, at the same time guarantees safe operation of the motor vehicle. This is because at least the devices necessary for driving safety and which are driven by the internal combustion engine, such as steering assist devices, brake assist devices, or generators, are driven, and these devices are operated at least when the vehicle is in motion. This is because it will continue to function as long as possible. In an automatic engine and with a negative pressure brake servo system, the braking force multiplication effect can be maintained during operation. This is because the negative pressure source continues to be driven.

In order to restart the internal combustion engine if necessary after the end of an intentional short-term stop, such as stopping at a traffic light, this can be controlled, for example, by coupling the flywheel depending on the actuation of the accelerator pedal, In addition, in order to maintain the necessary kinetic energy of the flywheel at all times, the flywheel is maintained at a predetermined rotational speed by an electric motor when the vehicle is stopped, the flywheel is cut off from the internal combustion engine, and the flywheel continues to rotate. The rotational speed is then sufficient to reliably start the drive engine when reconnected to it. The electric motor is then always supplied with a small current or with a train of short pulses, so that the flywheel can be maintained at an at least approximately constant rotational speed level. The demand for electrical energy required is therefore very low.

Another means of maintaining the kinetic energy of the spring force for restarting the internal combustion engine at a predetermined minimum level and thus not practically weakening the existing energy management of the vehicle is as follows. That is, in order to start the internal combustion engine and thereby bring it to a higher rotational speed, the flywheel is again coupled to the internal combustion engine so that the specified limit rotational speed is lowered; accelerated to the level,
When a predetermined setpoint rotational speed is reached, the flywheel is switched off again and the internal combustion engine is stopped. The flywheel then continues to rotate freely and is actually only slightly slowed down by bearing friction and air resistance.

Another possibility of keeping the energy consumption as low as possible and preserving the kinetic energy of the flywheel required for restarting consists in the following. That is, when the drive engine stops and the flywheel reaches a predetermined lower rotational speed limit, the flywheel
A higher rotational speed level is established via means such as a starter motor, and such means are switched off again when the predetermined setpoint rotational speed is not reached. The starter can then be a friction wheel starter, the friction wheels of which can be engaged with the flywheel in order to accelerate the flywheel to the desired rotational speed.

According to the invention, in order to maintain the kinetic energy of the flywheel necessary for restarting the internal combustion engine by means of the electric motor, the cut-off flywheel forms the rotor of the electric motor or starting motor.

The stator can then be fixed to the internal combustion engine or to the transmission housing. This feature according to the invention can be used in a device in which the flywheel is arranged rotatably concentrically and relative to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and the bearing position remote from the crankshaft is It can be used where a flywheel is provided so that it can rotate.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the starter motor can be switched into generator operation when the internal combustion engine is running. Such a device is simple and reliable. This is because the two auxiliary devices can be combined into one unit and no mechanical transmission means, such as friction wheels or V-belts, need to be provided between the electric motor or generator and the flywheel.

In this case, it is advantageous if the flywheel rotor integrated in the motor-generator has no windings and operates according to the known magnetoresistive method. It is also possible to configure the motor-generator according to the linear method or the guy method.

In the drawings, which explain embodiments of the invention, there is shown a device 1 for driving a motor vehicle by means of a drive engine 2 consisting of an internal combustion engine and a flywheel 3 connected downstream of the internal combustion engine via a clutch 4. This clutch can be coupled to and disengaged from the crankshaft 6 of the internal combustion engine by means of a servo device 5 via an actuator, which is not shown in detail. A transmission 10 can also be coupled to and decoupled from the engine 2 via a transmission input shaft 9 via a further clutch 7 which is switched by a servo device 8 via an actuator, which is also not shown in detail in the figure. be.

The transmission lO is connected to the drive shaft 1 for driving the wheels 13.14.
1.12.

Furthermore, the device has a starter 15, which can drive a starting wheel, for example a friction wheel 16, when a switch 17 is closed, for example via an ignition lock.

The following describes how the device of the present invention operates in response to common driving patterns of automobiles. First, when starting a car, the internal combustion engine 2 is started first, so both clutches 4.7 must be disengaged when starting to drive. This takes place via servo devices 5 and 8 which are controlled from device 18 . The stopped flywheel 3 , which is supported for rotation relative to the crankshaft 6 , is then moved through the friction wheel 16 when current is supplied to the starter 15 via the switch 17 and the switching or control device 18 . As soon as a suitable starting rotational speed has been achieved using the rotational speed measurement generator 19, the starting rotational speed is detected via the rotational speed measurement value generator 19.
The clutch 4 is closed via the servo motor 5 , in which case the servo motor 5 receives a corresponding command from the switching or control device 18 and the flywheel 3 is closed by the crankshaft 6 of the internal combustion engine 2 .
and thus start the internal combustion engine.

During start-up or normal driving operation in which the internal combustion engine drives the vehicle, the transmission clutch 7 is closed. To change gears, a clutch 7 is opened and closed via a servo motor 8 in a known manner.

For example, in operating conditions in which the engine 2 does not drive the moving vehicle, such as during deceleration, braking or engine braking or coasting, each time the accelerator pedal 20 is released and the contact 21 is closed, the drive train is is disconnected between the drive wheels 13 , 14 and the engine 2 via the clutch 7 and also via the switching or control device 18 . Depending on said operating state, this device:
Also, both measured value generators 22 can be switched or controlled by the control device 18.
When the rotary movement is signaled to the servomotor 8, it provides a control signal to the servo motor 8, which disengages the clutch 7, thus leaving the flywheel 3 coupled to the engine and moving the engine to the drive wheel 13.
．． Separate from 14. At that time, the position corresponding to the accelerator pedal,
Thus, depending on the position of the throttle valve in the carburetor engine, the engine 2 rotates in no-load operation. Fuel consumption is then limited to a minimum value, but the functionality of auxiliary systems necessary for driving safety, such as brake servos, steering servos and generators, is maintained.

However, the above-mentioned uncoupling of the latch 7 while still maintaining full operational safety, and therefore the above-mentioned economical operation, can be carried out depending on the torque variation, i.e. the drive torque in the drive train. This may take place as soon as the engine 2 is no longer transmitted to the drive wheels, or each time engine braking or coasting is performed, or each time there is a changeover from traction operation to engine braking or coasting.

Furthermore, the disconnection of the clutch 7 can also be controlled as a function of changes in the negative pressure occurring in the internal combustion engine, for example in the intake pipe. Normally this can be done if the rise is made from some negative pressure level that existed. However, instead of relying on torque or pressure measuring devices, the transmission may be switched off each time the accelerator pedal or the element actuated thereby is returned from the position once occupied in the "reducing fuel" direction. This is done, for example, by means of an entrainment switch 23 using a freewheel or the like. Such measures or measures ensure that this fuel-saving operating state occurs not only when the accelerator pedal is fully released, but also when part-load operation or engine braking or coasting has already begun. .

In the event of a short-term stop, for example at a stoplight, the rotational speed measurement value generator 22 signals a "stop" and, in addition, the drive train between the drive wheels 13, 14 and the internal combustion engine 2
The switching or control bag [18 is switched off by the further clutch 4 via the servo motor 8, so that the flywheel 3 can continue to rotate relative to the crankshaft 6 and the internal combustion engine 2 is then stopped. This takes place via a fuel supply or ignition current interrupter 24 which is controlled by the switching or control device 18 .

To restart the engine during the desired continuation (restart), the flywheel 3 is again connected to the engine via the clutch 4, so that the engine is started.

This is done by operating the servo motor 5 via the switching or control device 18 as a function of the accelerator pedal actuation via the switch 21 or 23.

The flywheel 3 is maintained above a predetermined rotational speed level to ensure that the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel 3 is sufficient to ensure an unimpeded restart of the engine 2 in the event of a short stop. be done.

This means that the switching or control device 18 receives from the measured value generator 19 a value which corresponds to a fall below a predetermined lower limit speed, and from the measured value generator 25 an "engine stop" signal is issued.
When signaled, the switching or control device 18 can do this by closing the clutch 4 via the servo motor 5 and thus reconnecting the engine 2 and the flywheel 3, thereby starting the engine and thus starting the flywheel. is again accelerated to a high rotational speed, and when this high rotational speed is reached, a further control signal is generated by the measured value generator 19 so that the clutch 4 is activated via the switching or control device 18 and the servo motor 5. is shut off again, so that the freewheel rotates freely and at the same time via device 24 engine 2
stops again.

Another way of obtaining sufficient kinetic energy of the flywheel 3 to restart the engine is as follows. That is, when the measured value generator 19 informs the switching or control device of the lower limit speed, the starting l115 is activated via this device 18. This starter can, for example, be configured as a Penjix starter, and the switching or control device 18 stops the starter as soon as a corresponding rotational speed is detected via the measured value generator 19. It is possible to drive the flywheel via the friction wheel 16 up to However, the starter 15
It is also possible to maintain the flywheel 3 at a constant rotational speed after the lower limit rotational speed has been reached or as soon as the engine 2 has stopped. The switching off of the starter 15 can then take place via the switching or control device 18 as a function of the accelerator pedal, actuation of the clutch 4 or rotational movement of the crankshaft 6 . Initial starting of the internal combustion engine takes place by operating switch 17.

In the case of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the flywheel 3 is part of an electric motor 26 that starts the drive engine 2 . The flywheel 3 is configured as a rotor of an electric motor, and the stator 27 is
They are arranged concentrically around the rotor. Drive engine 2
The initial start-up takes place via the switching or control device 18 by actuating the switch 17, with the clutch 4.7
is removed via the attached servo motor 5.8 as described above. When the stator 27 is energized and reaches a predetermined rotational speed, which is transferred via the measuring sensor 19 to the switching or control device 18, the clutch 4 is closed by the servo motor 5. The power supply to the stator 27 with which the drive engine is started is therefore cut off via the switching or control device 18, and a signal is sent to the switching or control device 18 via the measured value generator I9 to indicate that the rotational speed has fallen below a predetermined limit speed. It will remain that way until you no longer notify it. The number of revolutions has fallen below a predetermined limit and the crankshaft 6 has stopped (
(this is signaled by the measured value generator 25), the stator 27 is supplied with electricity so that the momentum force 3
The kinetic energy of is maintained for restarting the drive engine 2, which can be done, for example, by actuating the accelerator pedal 20. The power supply can then take place steadily, but it can also take place in pulses or in such a way that the flywheel reaches a speed significantly higher than the required starting speed, until the lower limit speed is again reached. Allow it to rotate freely.

However, the electric motor 26 can also be switched into a generator depending on the minimum rotational speed of the drive engine, which minimum rotational speed is detected via the signal generator 25 and transmitted to the switching or control device 18. It is something that A switching or control device switches from generator to motor operation and vice versa.

The motor generator 26 can operate according to the guy method or the linear method.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure q is a block diagram showing an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An automobile having an internal combustion engine, in which the internal combustion engine is provided with a flywheel to compensate for non-uniformity of rotational motion, and the flywheel is connected to or disconnected from the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. the flywheel is mounted rotatably relative to the crankshaft, depending on the given driving situation, such as when the internal combustion engine does not drive the vehicle; in a motor vehicle, in which the internal combustion engine and the drive wheels are uncoupled, the uncoupled flywheel (3) constitutes the rotor of the electric drive and/or the starting motor (15); An automobile with an internal combustion engine, characterized by: 2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotor of the flywheel (3) has a non-wound configuration. 3. The automobile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stator is attached to an internal combustion engine. 4. The automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stator is attached to the casing of the transmission. 5. During the operating state of the internal combustion engine (2), the starting motor (15)
A motor vehicle (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the motor (15) with which the flywheel rotor (3) is integrated and which can be switched to generator operation is of the magnetoresistive type. Any one of claims 1 to 5 which operates under
Vehicles listed in section. 7. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the motor (15) switchable to generator operation operates in a linear manner. 8. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the motor (15) switchable to generator operation operates in a guy-type manner.