Hybrid Vehicle Drivetrain and Energy Storage Components

Figure 1 depicts a typical plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV). A typical plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle 116 may comprise one or more electric machines 128 mechanically connected to a hybrid transmission 124. The electric machines 128 may be capable of operating as a motor or a generator. In addition, the hybrid transmission 124 is mechanically connected to an engine 122. The hybrid transmission 124 is also mechanically connected to a drive shaft 140 that is mechanically connected to the wheels 120. The electric machines 128 can provide propulsion and deceleration capability when the engine 122 is turned on or off. The electric machines 128 also act as generators and can provide fuel economy benefits by recovering energy that would normally be lost as heat in the friction braking system. The electric machines 128 may also reduce vehicle emissions by allowing the engine 122 to operate at more efficient speeds and allowing the hybrid-electric vehicle 116 to be operated in electric mode with the engine 122 off under certain conditions. 

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A traction battery 138 or battery packstores energy that can be used by the electric machines 128. A vehicletraction battery 138 typically provides a high voltage DC output. The traction battery 138 is electrically connected to one or more power electronics modules 134. One or more contactors 142 may isolate the traction battery 138 from other components when opened and connect the traction battery 138 to other components when closed. The power electronics module 134 is also electrically connected to the electric machines 128 and provides the ability to bi-directionally transferenergy between the traction battery 138 and the electric machines 128. For example, a typical traction battery 138 may provide a DC voltage while the electric machines 128 may operate using a three-phase AC current. The power electronics module 134 may convert the DC voltage to a three-phase AC current for use by the electric machines 128. In a regenerative mode, the power electronics module 134 may convert the three-phase AC current from the electric machines 128 acting as generators to the DC voltage compatible with the traction battery 138. The description herein is equally applicable to a pure electric vehicle. For a pure electric vehicle, the hybrid transmission 124 may be a gear box connected to an electric machine 14 and the engine 122 may not be present. 

In addition to providing energy for propulsion, the traction battery 138 may provide energy for other vehicle electrical systems. A typical system may include a DC/DC converter module 132 that converts the high voltage DC output of the traction battery 138 to a low voltage DC supply that is compatible with other vehicle loads. Other electrical loads 144, such as compressors and electric heaters, may be connected directly to the high-voltage without the use of a DC/DC converter module 132. The low-voltage systems may be electrically connected to an auxiliary battery 130 (e.g., 116V battery). 

The hybrid-electric vehicle 116 may be an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle in which the traction battery 138 may be recharged by a wireless vehicle charging system 108. The wireless vehicle charging system 108 may include an external power source 102. The external power source 102 may be a connection to an electrical outlet. The external power source 102 may be electrically connected to electric vehicle supply equipment 106. The electric vehicle supply equipment 106 may provide an EVSE controller 104 to provide circuitry and controls to regulate and manage the transfer of energy between the external power source 102 and the hybrid-electric vehicle 116. The external power source 102 may provide DC or AC electric power to the electric vehicle supply equipment 106. The electric vehicle supply equipment 106 may be coupled to a 110 for wirelessly transferring energy to a receive coil 112 of the vehicle 116. The receive coil 112 may be electrically connected to a charger or on-board power conversion module 136. The receive coil 112 may be located on an underside of the vehicle 116. The power conversion module 136 may condition the power supplied to the receive coil 112 to provide the proper voltage and current levels to the traction battery 138. The power conversion module 136 may interface with the electric vehicle supply equipment 106 to coordinate the delivery of power to the hybrid-electric vehicle 116. 

One or more wheel brakes 126 may be provided for decelerating the hybrid-electric vehicle 116 and preventing motion of the hybrid-electric vehicle 116. The wheel brakes 126 may be hydraulically actuated, electrically actuated, or some combination thereof. The wheel brakes 126 may be a part of a brake system 118. The brake system 118 may include other components to operate the wheel brakes 126. For simplicity, the figure depicts a single connection between the brake system 118 and one of the wheel brakes 126. A connection between the brake system 118 and the other wheel brakes 126 is implied. The brake system 118 may include a controller to monitor and coordinate the brake system 118. The brake system 118 may monitor the brake components and control the wheel brakes 126 for vehicle deceleration. The brake system 118 may respond to driver commands and may also operate autonomously to implement features such as stability control. The controller of the brake system 118 may implement a method of applying a requested brake force when requested by another controller or sub-function. 

One or more electrical loads 144 may be connected to the high-voltage bus. The electrical loads 144 may have an associated controller that operates and controls the electrical loads 144 when appropriate. Examples of electrical loads 144 may be a heating module or an air-conditioning module. 

The wireless vehicle charging system 108 may define an area (e.g., a parking space) for parking the hybrid-electric vehicle 116 for charging. The area may be suitable for charging a variety of different sized vehicles. The wireless vehicle charging system 108 may provide visual feedback to a vehicle operator. The visual feedback may include one or more indicators to indicate that charging is in progress, charging is completed, or that a diagnostic condition is present that inhibits charging. The visual feedback may be part of a display that is external to the vehicle or within the vehicle.