U.S. patent application number 11/642244 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for hybrid golf car.
Invention is credited to Reinier Hoogenraad.
Application Number | 20070163820 11/642244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38459471 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoogenraad; Reinier |
July 19, 2007 |
Hybrid golf car
Abstract
A hybrid golf car type vehicle powered by a gasoline engine or
an electric motor in the forward direction and by the electric
motor in the reverse direction with the gasoline engine charging
the batteries when the batteries fall below a threshold charge
either with a motor generator or an alternator.
Inventors: |
Hoogenraad; Reinier; (Chino,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM G. LANE;WILLIAM G. LANE, INC., PC
16485 LAGUNA CANYON RD
SUITE 250
IRVINE
CA
92618
US
|
Family ID: |
38459471 |
Appl. No.: |
11/642244 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60753662 |
Dec 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/65.28 ;
903/903 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/70 20130101;
B60W 10/06 20130101; B62B 5/0056 20130101; B62B 2202/404 20130101;
B60K 6/48 20130101; B60W 10/08 20130101; B60L 2260/26 20130101;
B60Y 2200/86 20130101; B60W 20/40 20130101; B62B 5/0026 20130101;
Y02T 10/7072 20130101; B60W 20/00 20130101; B60L 58/15 20190201;
B60W 2300/405 20130101; B60W 2510/244 20130101; B60L 2200/22
20130101; B60W 10/26 20130101; Y02T 10/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/065.2 |
International
Class: |
B60K 6/00 20060101
B60K006/00 |
Claims
1. A hybrid golf car type vehicle comprising an engine with on and
off modes, the engine off mode being the default mode; a reversible
motor operable in a forward or reverse direction, the motor in the
forward direction being the default mode; a drive shaft connected
to the motor, the motor driving the drive shaft in a forward or
reverse direction; a differential connected and driven by the drive
shaft; two independent power axles connected to and driven by the
differential; a directional drive train connecting the engine to
the drive shaft, the engine driving the drive train and the drive
shaft in the forward direction when the engine is turned on and the
motor is turned off, and the motor driving the drive shaft in the
forward or reverse direction when the motor is turned on and the
engine is turned off; a battery to power the motor; and an
alternator connected to and driven by the drive shaft when the
engine drive the drive shaft, the alternator charging the
battery.
2. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 1 including
a controller monitoring the voltage of the battery and adapted to
start the engine and turn off the motor if turned on when the
battery charge drops below a predetermined voltage, and to turn off
the engine if operating and turn on the motor when the battery
charge is at least 48 volts.
3. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 1 including
a reversing switch adapted when activated to stop the engine if
operating and turn on the motor in the reverse direction or if the
motor is turned on switching the motor to the reverse
direction.
4. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 2 including
an on/off switch adapted when turned on to turn on the motor in a
forward direction when the battery charge at least equals the
predetermined voltage, or to start the engine when the battery
charge is less than the predetermined voltage, and when the on/off
switch is turned off to turn off the motor and the engine.
5. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 1 including
a manual override switch which can be turned on to a first on mode
which turns off the engine if operating and turns on the motor in
the forward direction regardless of the battery charge.
6. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 5 wherein
the manual override switch can be turned on to a second on mode
which turns off the motor if operating and turns on the engine
regardless of the battery charge.
7. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 1 including
an accelerator adapted to control the power of the motor generator
when the motor is turned on and to control the power of the engine
when the engine is turned on.
8. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 3 including
a controller having a microprocessor, the controller monitoring the
battery charge and the on/off status of the engine, the controller
controlling operation of the engine and motor, the reverse switch
connected to the controller and the controller carrying out the
reverse operation.
9. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 2 wherein
the on/off switch is directly connected to the controller and the
on/off switch when turn on sends a signal to the controller which
carries out the automatic operation of the vehicle
10. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 2 including
a reverse switch, the reverse switch connected directly to the
controller and the controller carrying out the reverse
operation.
11. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 2 including
a manual override switch having a first on mode, the manual
override switch connected directly to the controller and the
controller carrying out the operation of the first on mode which
turns off the engine if operating and turns on the motor in the
first direction regardless of the battery charge.
12. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 8 including
an accelerator to control the power of the motor and engine, the
accelerator connected to the controller and the controller carrying
out control of the power of the motor when the motor is turned on
and controlling the power of the engine when the engine is turned
on.
13. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 2 including
a starter motor to start the engine, the starter motor connected to
the controller and the controller activating the starter motor, for
a predetermined time, to start up the engine when operation of the
vehicle requires the engine to be turned on.
14. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 13 wherein
the controller monitors the on/off status of the engine and
activates the starter motor periodically until the engine
starts.
15. A hybrid golf car type vehicle comprising an engine with on and
off modes, the engine off mode being the default mode; a motor
generator having a reversible direction motor mode and a generating
mode, the motor mode in the forward direction being the default
mode; a drive shaft connected to the motor generator, the motor
generator adapted to drive the drive shaft in a forward or reverse
direction when the motor generator is in the motor mode; a
differential connected and driven by the drive shaft; two
independent power axles connected to and driven by the
differential; a directional drive train connecting the engine to
the drive shaft, the engine when turned on driving the drive train
and the drive shaft in the forward direction and driving the motor
generator in the generator mode, and the motor generator driving
the drive shaft in the forward or reverse direction when the motor
generator is in the motor mode and is turned on; and a battery to
power the motor generator in the motor mode, the motor generator
charging the battery when the motor generator is in the generator
mode, and the engine is turned on.
16. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 15
including a controller monitoring the charge of the battery and
on/off status of the engine, the controller adapted to starting the
engine and switching the motor generator to the generator mode when
the battery drops below a predetermined voltage, and turning off
the engine if operating and switching the motor generator to the
motor mode in a forward direction when the battery exceeds a second
predetermined voltage.
17. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 16
including a reversing switch which when activated turns off the
engine if the engine is turned on and switches the motor generator
to the motor mode in a reverse direction, or switches the motor
generator in the motor mode from a forward direction to a reverse
direction if the motor generator is already turned on.
18. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 16
including an on/off switch connected to the controller and the
controller when the switch is turned on switching the motor
generator into the motor mode in a forward direction when the
battery charge at lease equals a predetermined voltage, or starting
the engine and switching the motor generator to the generating mode
when the battery charge is less than the predetermined voltage, and
turning off the motor generator and the engine when the on/off
switch is turned off.
19. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 16
including a manual override switch which can be activated to a
first on mode or a second on mode, the manual override switch
connected to the controller and the controller when the manual
override switch is switched to a first on mode turning off the
engine if operating and switching the motor generator from
generator mode to a motor mode in the forward direction regardless
of the battery charge, and the controller when the manual override
switch is switched to the second on mode switching the motor
generator from the motor mode to the generator mode and starting
the engine regardless of the battery charge.
20. The hybrid golf car type vehicle according to claim 16
including an accelerator adapted to control the power of the motor
generator when the motor generator is in the motor mode and to
control the power of the engine when the engine is turned on, the
accelerator connected to the controller which controls the power of
the motor generator in the motor mode and the engine when turned
on.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60,753,662, filed on Dec. 23, 2005.
[0002] This application incorporates by reference the entire
specification and disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60,753,662.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to a hybrid golf car type
vehicle. This type of vehicle used by golfers, gardeners and
maintenance people in a park or development, and by people on
residential streets where high speeds, such as 60 miles-per-hour
are rare and not required.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Golf car type vehicles have been around for at least 60
years. Originally, both gasoline engine powered and electric motor
powered golf cars were available. Because of improvements in motor
technology and battery technology, electric powered golf car type
vehicles have prevailed. However, gasoline powered golf car type
vehicles are available and are used in situations where higher
speeds are required and/or higher loads are being carried or
towed.
[0005] Hybrid automobiles have become very popular over the last
decade. These automobiles have both a gasoline engine and an
electric motor connected to a transmission and have a relatively
large battery pack to power the electric motor. The hybrid vehicle
has been successful primarily because of technology advancements in
the transmission and technology advancements in batteries.
Batteries based on a given weight have a far greater charge or
ability to take a charge than the batteries of 20 or 30 years ago.
It has been the computer controlled transmission that has really
made the hybrid vehicle possible. At high speeds and/or high loads
or at low battery charges, the transmission is driven primarily by
the gasoline engine. At lower speeds when there is a sufficient
charge, the electric motor handles most of the power requirements
for the vehicle. When the vehicle comes to a stop, such as at a
stop sign or a signal, if the gasoline engine is operating, after
being stopped for a predetermined period of time, such as two or
three seconds, the engine is turned off. When the driver commences
to move the car, the transmission is powered by the electric motor,
first. The engine is started when the car moves out and kicks in to
take up the power requirements during acceleration. Use of
sophisticated computer controlled transmissions has not made its
way to the golf car type vehicles for a variety of reasons,
including cost, weight and power losses that are experienced
through any transmission. For a vehicle having an engine from 100
to 200 horsepower, the power losses through the transmission are de
minimus. However, for a golf car type vehicle where the electric
motor is normally in the 5 to 10 horsepower and a gasoline engine
is from 7.5 to 15 horsepower range, the power losses in a
transmission are prohibitive.
[0006] An electric motor powered golf car type vehicle normally is
easy to place in reverse by activating a switch that reverses the
polarity of the current being fed to the motor and reverses
direction of the motor. When the golf car is powered by a gasoline
engine, reversing directions of a golf car type vehicle becomes
relatively complicated and requires at a minimum a clutching system
to switch power from one pulley to the other pulley where one
pulley powers an endless belt to move the vehicle in a forward
direction and the other pulley powers the vehicle to go in a
reverse direction. The clutching system activates one pulley or the
other pulley depending upon what direction the vehicle wants to go.
Because of the power limitations of the gasoline engine for a small
golf car type vehicle, the weight of a transmission, the complexity
of a transmission, and the cost of a transmission, transmissions
having forward direction and at least one reverse direction, have
not been widely utilized in small golf car type vehicles. The
reverse direction problem has been one of the most difficult
problems facing the use of a gasoline powered engine in the golf
car type vehicles.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid
type golf car type vehicle which can be powered either with a
gasoline engine or with an electric motor. It is a further object
to provide a vehicle that can go in a forward direction or in a
reverse direction.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
hybrid type golf car that operates on an electric motor when its
battery has sufficient charge to operate the electric motor and
which is operated with a gasoline engine which both operates the
vehicle and charges the battery when the battery charge falls below
a predetermined level.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a golf car that in the default mode operates with an
electric motor either in the forward or reverse direction when the
vehicle battery has sufficient charge, and operates with a gasoline
engine in the forward direction and charges the vehicle battery
when the vehicle battery charge falls below a predetermined
level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present is directed to a hybrid golf car type vehicle
(also referred to as the "vehicle") comprising a gasoline engine
with on and off modes, the off mode being the default mode; a motor
generator having a reversible motor mode and a generating mode, the
motor mode in the forward direction being the default mode; a drive
shaft connected to the motor generator, the motor generator driving
the drive shaft in a forward or reverse direction when the motor
generator is in the motor mode; a differential connected and driven
by the drive shaft; two independent power axles connected to and
driven by the differential; a directional drive train connecting
the engine to the drive shaft, the engine driving the drive train
and the drive shaft in the forward direction when the motor
generator is in the generator mode, and the motor generator driving
the drive shaft in the forward or reverse direction when the motor
generator is in the motor mode; and a battery to power the motor
generator in the motor mode, the motor generator charging the
battery when the motor generator is in the generator mode.
[0011] Preferably, the hybrid golf car type vehicle has a
controller monitoring the voltage of the battery and adapted to
starting the engine and switching the motor generator to the
generator mode when the battery charge drops below a predetermined
voltage.
[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
hybrid golf car type vehicle includes a reversing switch adapted
when activated to stop the engine, if running, switch the motor
generator to the motor mode, if in the generator mode, and switch
the motor generator to a reverse direction, the reversing switch
being off when not activated.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid
golf car type vehicle includes an on/off switch to turn on or turn
off the vehicle automatic operation which turns on the motor
generator in the motor mode in a forward direction when the battery
charge is at least equal to a predetermined voltage, or to start
the engine when the battery charge is less than the predetermined
voltage and switch the motor generator to the generating mode, and
when turned off to switch off the motor generator and the engine.
Preferably, the on/off switch is connected to the controller and
the controller carries out the vehicle automatic operation.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hybrid golf car type vehicle includes a manual override switch
to override the vehicle automatic operation. The manual override
switch can be activated to a first on mode which turns off the
engine and switches the motor generator from a generator mode to a
motor mode in the forward direction regardless of the battery
charge. Preferably the manual override switch can be activated to a
second on mode which switches the motor generator from the motor
mode to the generator mode and turns on the engine regardless of
the battery charge. Preferably, the manual override switch is
connected to the controller and the controller overrides the
vehicle automatic operation.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
hybrid golf car type vehicle has an accelerator to control the
power of the motor generator when the motor generator is in the
motor mode and to control the power of the engine when the engine
is turned on. Preferably, the accelerator is directly connected to
the controller and the controller controls the power of the motor
sensor in the motor mode and the engine in response to signals from
the accelerator.
[0016] The present invention is directed to a hybrid golf car type
vehicle comprising a gasoline engine with on and off modes, the off
mode being the default mode; a motor operable in a forward or
reverse direction, the motor in the forward direction being the
default mode; a drive shaft connected to the motor, the motor
driving the drive shaft in a forward or reverse direction; a
differential connected and driven by the drive shaft; two
independent power axles connected to and driven by the
differential; a directional drive train connecting the engine to
the drive shaft, the engine driving the drive train and the drive
shaft in the forward direction when the motor is not powered, and
the motor driving the drive shaft in the forward or reverse
direction when the motor is powered and the engine is turned off; a
battery to power the motor; and an alternator to charge the battery
when the engine is driving the drive shaft.
[0017] Preferably, the hybrid golf car type vehicle has a
controller monitoring the voltage of the battery and adapted to
starting the engine and turning off the motor when the battery
charge drops below a predetermined voltage.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
hybrid golf car type vehicle includes a reversing switch to reverse
direction of the vehicle which when activated turns off the engine,
switches on the motor, and switches the motor to a reverse
direction, the reversing switch being off when not activated.
Preferably, the reversing switch is connected to the controller and
the controller controls the reversing of direction of the
vehicle.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid
golf car type vehicle includes an on/off switch to turn on or turn
off the vehicle automatic operation which turns on the motor in a
forward direction when the battery charge at least equals a
predetermined voltage, or starts the engine and turns off the motor
when the battery charge is less than the predetermined voltage, and
which when turned off, turns off the motor and the engine. The
motor is turned off by cutting off electrical power to the motor.
The engine is turned off by turning off the ignition.
[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hybrid golf car type vehicle includes a manual override switch
to override the vehicle automatic operation. The manual override
switch can be activated to a first on mode which turns off the
engine and turns on the motor in the forward direction regardless
of the battery charge. Preferably the manual override switch can be
activated to a second on mode which turns off the motor and turns
on the engine regardless of the battery charge. Preferably, the
manual override switch is connected to the controller which then
controls the override over the vehicle automatic operation.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
hybrid golf car type vehicle has an accelerator to control the
power of the motor when it is turned on or to control the power of
the engine when it is operating. Preferably, the accelerator is
connected to the controller which controls the power of the motor
or engine in response to the signals from the accelerator.
[0022] When the motor is powered, the engine is off and when the
engine is operating, the motor is turned off.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
on/off switch is directly connected to the controller.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
reverse switch is connected directly to the controller and the
controller carries out and the controller reverses direction of the
vehicle.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
manual override switch is connected directly to the controller and
the controller carries out the commands of the first on mode and
second on mode of the manual override switch.
[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the accelerator is connected directly to the controller and the
controller controls the power of the motor generator when the motor
generator is in the motor mode and controls the power of the engine
when the engine is on.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
hybrid golf car type vehicle has a starter motor to start the
engine. The started motor is connected to the on/off switch which
activates the starter motor for a predetermined time to start up
the engine. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
starter motor is connected directly to the controller and the
controller activates the starter motor for a predetermined time to
start the engine. Preferably, the controller monitors the on/off
status of the engine and activates the starter motor periodically
when the vehicle on/off switch is turned on and the battery charge
is below a predetermined value or the manual override switch is
activated to operate the engine until the engine starts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0028] FIG. 1 is a symbolic representation of the layout of the
hybrid golf type vehicle of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the
hybrid golf car type vehicle system of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation commands of the
present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another
embodiment of the hybrid golf car type vehicle of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the hybrid golf car type vehicle 10 of
the present invention has a frame 12 with front wheels 18 supported
by suspension 22 and rear drive wheels 20 driven by drive axles 56A
and 56b, respectively. A battery pack 24 ("battery" herein) is
situated on the frame and is connected to a control box 30 via
battery cables 26 which extend to a motor generator 52 through
battery cables 26D. Most vehicles 10 operate on nominal 48-volt
systems using an array of six 8-volt batteries connected in series.
The control box 30 contains a microprocessor and switch controls
and controls operation of the vehicle. The control box 30 can be
made up of several separate independent components that are not
combined in one unit. For ease in describing the invention, we have
referred to the controls collectively as the control box 30. The
control box has leads to starter 32. The starter 32 is electrically
powered and is used to start the gasoline engine 34. A sensor (not
shown) on the engine is connected to the control box and the
control box monitors the on/off status of the engine. The sensor
can measure intake manifold pressure or engine rpm's to determine
if the engine is on. The engine drive shaft 36 extends out of the
left side of the engine and a torque converter/centrifugal pulley
38 is mounted thereon. An endless belt 42 is fitted to the pulley
and the other end of the endless belt is connected to a second
torque converter/centrifugal pulley 44. Centrifugal pulleys 44 and
38 have reverse actions. As pulley 38 increases in rpm, the
effective pulley diameter increases. As centrifugal pulley 44
increases in rpm, the effective pulley diameter is reduced. A sprag
clutch 46 rides on drive shaft 48 and is connected to pulley 44.
Pulley 44 through sprag clutch 46 engages the drive shaft 48 which
extends through differential 50 and extends to the motor shaft (not
shown) of the motor generator 52. The drive axles 56A and 56B, for
the wheels 20, are also connected to the differential 50 and are
driven by the differential. The differential in turn is driven by
shaft 48 and either driven by motor generator 52 or engine 34 as
described herein.
[0033] The motor generator 52 drives shaft 48, but it does not
drive centrifugal pulley 44 because the sprag clutch does not
engage shaft 48 when shaft 48 is being driven by the motor
generator. When the engine 34 is operating, the gas engine drives
centrifugal pulley 38 and endless belt 42 which in turn drives
pulley 44. In that mode of operation, the sprag clutch 46 connected
to pulley 44 engages and drives drive shaft 48. This in turn drives
the differential 50 and drives the drive axles 56A and 56B. In
other words, shaft 48 when powered by the motor generator cannot
engage sprag clutch 46 to turn pulley 44. However, when pulley 44
is turned by endless belt 42, the sprag clutch 46 engages and
drives shaft 48.
[0034] For operation, the on/off switch 68 is turned on and sends a
signal via line 70 to the control box 30. The control box monitors
the voltage of the battery continuously when it is on. If the
battery is above a threshold voltage, about 35 volts, the
controller when the on/off switch is turned on, activates vehicle
operation by the motor generator in the motor mode. If the control
box determines that the voltage is above 35 volts for the battery
24, it will not start the engine 34. It will let the vehicle
operate in the electric mode to be describe below. If the control
box determines that the voltage is below 35 volts for the battery,
then it starts the engine 34 by activating starter 32. The starter
32 operates for a predetermined period and then stops to prevent
the starter from being burned out. The control box via sensor on
the engine (not shown) will determine if the engine is started and
running. If the engine has not started, after a predetermined
second period, the control box will again activate the starter 32
and repeat the above process until the engine starts. The same
operation is carried out in the manual override modes described
herein and when, during vehicle operation, the battery falls below
about 35 volts or when the vehicle has been in reverse and the
reverse switch is turned off so the vehicle 10 can be driven
forward again and the battery is below 35 volts.
[0035] The vehicle is fitted with a manual override switch 74 which
has two on modes or settings. The manual override switch can either
be off or it can be on, in one of two on modes. In the first on
mode, the manual override switch sends a signal via line 76 to
controller 30 to start the engine 34 for operation of the vehicle
with the engine. The control box will start the engine and switch
the motor generator from the motor mode to the generator mode. In
the second on mode, the control box will not activate the engine
44, rather it will have the vehicle operated in the electric mode
employing the motor generator in the motor mode and kill or turn
off the engine (stop it).
[0036] The vehicle is also fitted with a reverse switch 78
connected to the control box via line 80. When the reverse switch
78 is activated, it sends a signal to the control box 30 which
overrides all other signals being sent to the control box if other
signals are being sent to the control box. When the reverse switch
is activated or turned on, the control box kills the ignition or
stops the engine 34 if it is operating and switches operation of
the motor generator from the generating mode, if it is operating in
that mode, to the motor mode in the reverse direction. This permits
the vehicle to be reversed or backed up when the situation requires
it. When the reverse switch is turned off, the control box will
return to its previous mode of operation depending upon whether
automatic operation has been activated, or manual override
operation, or off. The ability to reverse the vehicle is an
important element or benefit of the present invention. In order to
accomplish this, the battery 24 cannot be allowed to be completely
discharged. For that reason, a threshold voltage has been set
around 35 volts. The battery, when fully charged, is about 48
volts. When the battery pack voltage falls below about 35 volts,
the control box in automatic operation will automatically start up
the gasoline engine and convert the motor generator from the motor
mode to a generating mode. Manual override can override this
automatic operation, but if the voltage of the battery is below 35
volts, a warning signal will be given by an alarm (not shown). If
the batteries are fully charged, the controller, which senses the
battery charge status, will not carry out the manual override to
start the engine and thus charge the battery to prevent
over-charging the battery. The alarm can be either an optical
alarm, such as a flashing light, and/or a sound alarm. When the
battery has been fully charged by the engine, the battery is above
48 volts, the controller turns off the engine and turns on the
motor generator in the motor mode.
[0037] During operation of the vehicle, either in the automatic
mode or the manual mode, or the reverse mode, the speed of the
vehicle is controlled by an accelerator 62. Accelerator 62 sends
out a signal to the control box 30 by line 68 and to the engine 34
by line 64. Optionally, the signal can be sent to the controller
and the controller then sends power control signals to the motor or
engine. Depending upon the operation mode, the accelerator with
either control the speed of the engine 34 or the speed of the motor
52. The engine and the motor generator in the motor mode do not
operate simultaneously in any mode of operation.
[0038] In operation, most of the time, the system will be operated
in the automatic mode controlled by the microprocessor in control
box 30. The vehicle will be turned on by on/off switch 68. The
control box or controller 30 will monitor the voltage of the
battery 24 and if the battery 24 is above the threshold voltage, it
will operate the vehicle with the motor 52. The default mode for
motor generator 52 is the motor mode, and the engine 34 will not be
started. Motor generator 52, the speed of which will be controlled
by accelerator 62, drives shaft 48 which drives the differential 50
which in turn drives the power axles 56A and 56B and the wheels 20.
If the voltage of the battery 24 is below the threshold voltage,
the control box 30 will start up the engine 34 by a signal through
line 72. It will shift the operating mode of motor generator 52
into the generating mode. Engine 34 turns shaft 36 and pulley 38.
Pulley 38 drives endless belt 42 which drives pulley 44. Sprag
clutch 46 when driven by pulley 44 engages shaft 48 which drives
differential 50 and drives the motor generator 52 in the generating
mode. The drive axles 56A and 56B are driven by the differential.
The current generated by the motor generator is used to charge the
battery 24.
[0039] If the operator of the vehicle comes to a situation where he
or she has to back up, they activate switch 78, in other words turn
it on, which sends a signal to control box 30. If the vehicle is
already in the motor mode, the control box reverses the polarity to
the motor generator 52 reversing direction of the motor generator
which reverses direction of the differential and the drive axles
56A and 56B to reverse the vehicle. If the vehicle is operating in
the engine mode, control box 30 kills the ignition of the engine 34
and switches the operating mode of the motor generator 52 to the
motor mode in the reverse direction. Since the battery 24 is never
fully discharged, there is sufficient current to power motor 52 in
the reverse direction, at least for a limited distance and for a
limited time. After the back up operation has been made, and the
reverse switch turned off, the vehicle returns back to its mode of
operation before activation of the reverse switch. As mentioned
above, when the motor generator is operating in the motor mode and
driving shaft 48 in the forward direction or the reverse direction,
clutch 48 does not engage shaft 48 and thus pulley 44 is not turned
by shaft 48 being driven by the motor generator.
[0040] As mentioned above, the manual override switch has two modes
of on operation, first mode on, and a second mode on. The default
is to have the manual override switch off. If the vehicle is in the
engine mode, the manual override switch can be utilized to convert
operation from the engine mode to the motor mode. If the vehicle is
in the motor mode, the manual override switch can be utilized to
convert operation of the vehicle to the engine mode. The engine
mode can be useful when greater speeds are required, or if the
vehicle is going to be driven a substantial distance which will
exhaust the battery.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred
embodiment of the hybrid golf car vehicle of the present invention.
For those components that are identical to the components shown for
the vehicle in FIG. 1, the same numbers are used and it is not
required to redescribe them here. The vehicle 10A of FIG. 4 does
not utilize a reversible motor generator 52, but rather it utilizes
an electric motor 54 which is reversible. The operation of vehicles
10 and 10A are identical with regard to turning on and off
employing the manual override switches, activating the reverse
switch, and using the accelerator. The difference between the two
vehicles is that vehicle 10 employs a motor generator 52 whereas
vehicle 10A employs an electric motor 54 and an alternator 92,
preferably a permanent magnet alternator. A generator can be used
in place of an alternator. Shaft 48 in vehicle 10A is extended
farther out to receive a second pulley 84 which is connected to
pulley 88 be endless belt 86. Pulley 88 is connected to shaft 90
which extends out from alternator 92. The sprag clutch 46 operates
in the same manner that the sprag clutch 46 operates in vehicle 10.
However, sprag clutch is connected to both pulleys 84 and 44 and
sprag clutch only engages shaft 48 when pulley 44 is being driven
by engine 34. In vehicle 10A when electric motor 54 is operated,
the shaft 48 does not engage sprag clutch 46 and pulleys 84 and 44
are not turned. However when engine 34 is operated and endless belt
42 rotates pulley 44, sprag clutch 46 is engaged and engages shaft
48 to turn differential 50. Preferably, the end of shaft 48 is
supported by a bearing 96 because of its length. Bearing 96 may be
eliminated if shaft 48 is robust enough to prevent bending motions
and the bearing in the differential can support the radial forces
on the shaft. The current from the alternator 92 is fed to a
voltage regulator 94 via lines 26B. The output from the voltage
regulator 94 is fed to battery 24 via battery cables 26A through
cables 26C.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram showing the control path of
the utility runabout 10 as illustrated. When the power switch 100
is turned on, the charge status of the battery 108 is checked via
signal 102. If the battery is not sufficiently charged, a signal
110 is sent to engine control 114 commanding start up of the
gasoline engine. The signal 110 is also sent via line 118A to the
motor control 116 deactivating the motor control. The battery
charge is periodically checked via signals 118, 104 and 108. Motor
control 116 interrogates the engine control 114 to determine the
engine status (on or off). The engine control interrogates the
engine status 128 via signal 126. If the engine is running, a
signal 132 is sent to the charger control 134 commanding the motor
generator to operate in the charging mode. If a motor and separate
alternator or generator are used (FIG. 4), a charger control can be
optional. The charger control 134 controls the charger operation of
the motor generator. If the engine is not on, a signal 130 is sent
to the engine control commanding the control to attempt to restart
the engine. This is repeated until the engine starts. If the
battery has sufficient charge, a signal 112A is sent to the motor
control 116 activating motor control. The motor control controls
the status of the electric motor or motor generator. A signal 112B
is also sent to the charger control to deactivate the charger
operation of the motor generator. The accelerator 150 for the
hybrid utility runabout is connected to the motor control and to
the engine control. When the battery does not have a sufficient
charge, the accelerator can only operate the engine control because
the motor control receives a signal 135 deactivating the motor
control. In contrast, when there is sufficient battery charge, the
accelerator can only operate the motor control because the engine
control is deactivated by the signal 137.
[0043] When the hybrid utility runabout has to be reversed, it is
reversed by the motor or the motor generator and not by the
gasoline engine. The system is designed never to exhaust the
batteries. A determination is made whether the battery is charged
above or below 35 volts. When the voltage of the batteries drops
below 35 volts, then the engine control takes over. When the
battery charge is 35 volts or more, the motor control takes
over.
[0044] When the vehicle must be reversed, the reverse switch 156 is
activated and the reverse signals 158 and 120B are sent to the
motor control 116 activating the motor control for reverse
movement. The signals 158, 120A and 120B are sent to the engine
control 114 commanding the engine ignition to be killed and
deactivating the engine control. Normally, a reverse operation is
only for very short distances and for very brief period of time and
a weak battery charge can handle the operation.
[0045] The manual override switch 160 permits operation of either
the gasoline engine or the motor generator. The override switch 160
if switched to motor or motor generator power, sends signals 162
and 120B to the motor control 116 activating the motor control 116
and signals 162, 120B and 120A are simultaneously sent to the
engine control 114 deactivating the engine control. If on the other
hand the operator wishes to operate the vehicle with the gasoline
engine, signal 164 is sent to the engine control 114 activating the
engine control and signal 164 is sent to the motor control 116
deactivating the motor control. The reverse switch 156 overrides
the manual override switch 160 and automatic operation and
control.
[0046] The power switch 100 also can send a signal 106 to the motor
control to permit control of the motor via accelerator 150. The
accelerator sends a signal 152 to the motor control to control the
power output of the motor and it also sends a signal 154 to the
engine control to control the power output of the engine. If the
motor or motor generator is in the motor mode, the signal 152
controls the power of the motor. If the motor generator is in the
generating mode and the engine is on, the signal 154 controls the
power output of the engine. In the startup phase of the engine, the
sensor on the engine sends a signal 126 to the engine control
regarding the on/off status of the engine. If the engine is not
started, a signal is sent to the engine control and the engine
control after a predetermined period of time will initiate the
starting operation again until such time as the engine is
operating. When the engine is on, it sends a signal 132 to the
charger control 134 which switches operation of the motor generator
from the motor mode to the charging mode. A charger control is not
required when a separate alternator or generator is utilized rather
than a motor generator.
[0047] When the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 4 is utilized, there is
no need to switch the operating mode of the motor during operation
of the vehicle in automatic operation or mode, reverse mode or
manual mode since the motor is a straight motor and have no
generating mode. The alternator or the generator will automatically
produce current to charge the battery 54 when the engine operation
is initiated.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the hybrid flow chart is illustrated
which shows that when the on/off switch (key switch) is turned on,
it initiates the default the electric mode where operation of the
vehicle is carried out with an electric motor or motor generator.
The default mode can be interrupted by the manual override switch
as described above. The system automatically monitors the voltage
of the battery. If there is low voltage in the battery, the system
automatically turns on the starter for 5 seconds, or until it
monitors an engine vacuum or an rpm threshold for the engine which
indicates that the engine has started up. If no vacuum is detected
or the rpm's are not reached, the system automatically will retry
to start the engine after 10 seconds. If the engine is running, the
system powers down the 48 volts speed controller and activates the
regen or generation mode of the motor generator. If during the low
voltage mode where the engine is operating as an engine, and the
operator wishes to reverse the vehicle, the operator activates a
reverse switch and the system switches the vehicle to reverse which
involves shutting down the engine, powering up the 48 volts speed
controller which overrides the low voltage status of the battery to
permit reversing of the vehicle with the motor generator in the
motor mode in a reverse direction as described above. If or when
the car is switched back to a forward motion, in other words if the
reverse switch is turned off, then operation of the vehicle is
returned to the low voltage mode described above.
[0049] If when the key switch is turned on for automatic mode of
operation and the battery is monitored to have a high voltage or a
voltage above the threshold voltage, the engine will not be started
up, or if the engine is running, it will be shut down. The system
will power up the 48 volts speed controller and deactivate the
regen or generation mode by switching the motor generator from the
generating mode to the motor mode to operate the vehicle with the
motor generator in the motor mode.
[0050] As described above, the manual override can reverse the
above operation by switching from electric mode or motor mode to
engine mode or vice versa as described herein.
[0051] The sprag clutch transmits power to the drive shaft but not
vice versa. Thus, when the vehicle is being operated with the gas
engine, the sprag clutch 48 connected to pulley 44 engages shaft 48
and drives the motor generator in the generating mode and drives
the vehicle through differential 50. However when the gasoline
engine has ignition off, the drive shaft 48 is driven by the motor
54, or by the motor generator 52 in the motor mode, through
differential 50. In this mode the sprag clutch will not engage
shaft 48 and pulley 44 will not be driven by shaft 48.
* * * * *