Electronic control unit for a system controlling acceleration as a function of speed

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic control unit (12) for a hybrid vehicle (1) comprising a control system (10), an electric machine (20) and a combustion engine (40), the electronic control unit being configured to receive, via a communication network (13), an acceleration request made by a user of the vehicle (1) by actuating the control handle (11) of a control system (10); to compare the value of the speed measured by a speed measurement module (14) with the minimum speed value recorded following receipt of the acceleration request; to generate, according to the acceleration request, a single torque command intended for the electric machine (20) if the measured speed is lower than the minimum recorded speed; and to send the single torque command to the electric machine (20).

Description

Electronic control unit for speed-dependent acceleration control system DESCRIPTION [Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicles and more particularly concerns an acceleration control system for such a vehicle. [State of the prior art]

[0002] Due to the various regulations regarding vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, the transport vehicle industry is increasingly developing less polluting electric models.

[0003] However, the complete electrification of certain types of vehicle, particularly two-wheeled motorized vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters, still faces technical difficulties which make these vehicles very expensive given their performance.

[0004] To solve this problem, hybrid vehicles are being developed, which can operate either solely on electric power in certain situations, particularly in built-up areas at limited speeds, or solely on conventional thermal power, or in a combination of the two modes.

[0005] However, hybrid two-wheeled motor vehicles are still underdeveloped today and the adaptation of essential functions to driving a hybrid vehicle is not a widely used technology.

[0006] When such a vehicle is in hybrid mode, both the electric and combustion engines are in operation. When the user wishes to accelerate, the electric machine and the combustion engine are used to produce the engine torque required for acceleration.

[0007] Depending on the gear ratio of the internal combustion engine's mechanical clutch and the vehicle speed, the contribution of the internal combustion engine to overall acceleration may be too great and cause the internal combustion engine to stall.

[0008] This situation can occur, in particular, when starting the vehicle, if the user has not shifted down to the lowest gear.

[0009] In addition to user comfort, this type of situation can also impact driving safety and vehicle fuel consumption.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a simple and effective solution to at least partially overcome these drawbacks. [Statement of the invention]

[0011] To this end, the invention firstly relates to an electronic control unit for a hybrid vehicle, in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising: a. a control system, b. an electric machine c. a heat engine, d. a mechanical gearbox comprising a centrifugal clutch, the gearbox being connected to the heat engine by a centrifugal clutch, the gearbox being characterized by a speed ratio, said control system comprising a control handle, said electronic control unit called "main", a speed measurement module configured to measure the speed of the vehicle and a communication network, said main electronic control unit comprising a memory area in which for each speed ratio value is recorded a maximum threshold value associated with an acceleration of the vehicle, the electronic control unit being configured to: • receive via the communication network the gear ratio engaged on said mechanical gearbox, • receive via the communication network an acceleration request required by a user of the vehicle by operating the control handle, • following receipt of said acceleration request, compare the value of the speed measured by the speed measurement module with the value of the maximum speed threshold recorded in the memory area, • generate a single torque command for the electric machine based on the acceleration request if the measured speed is lower than the maximum recorded speed threshold • and send the single torque command to the electric machine via the communication network.

[0012] The electronic control unit according to the invention thus makes it possible to avoid using the thermal engine at a speed that does not correspond to the speed of the vehicle, which makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption, the noise generated by the vehicle and the risk of damaging the thermal engine and risking stalling. If the vehicle speed is too low, it is the electric machine that carries out the entirety of the user's acceleration request.

[0013] Preferably, in the memory area is recorded, for each gear ratio, a minimum threshold value associated with a deceleration of the vehicle, the electronic control unit being configured to: • receive a braking request, • following receipt of said braking request, compare the value of the speed measured by the speed measurement module with the value of the minimum speed threshold corresponding to the speed ratio received, • if the measured speed is lower than the minimum speed, generate a single torque command for the electric machine based on the braking request, and send the single torque command to the electric machine via the communication network.

[0014] Preferably, the vehicle further comprises an electric battery and the control system further comprises a charge control module configured to measure the charge level of said electric battery, and the main electronic control unit as shown is configured to receive via the communication network a value of the charge level of the electric battery measured by said charge control module, to include in the memory area a pre-recorded charge threshold value, to compare the charge value of the electric battery with said charge threshold value, to generate a single torque command intended for the electric machine if the charge of the electric battery is above the charge threshold value and to send the single torque command via the communication network to the electric machine. Thus, the main electronic control unit according to the invention does not send a torque command to the electric machine which requires more charge than the charge level of the electric battery, thus avoiding the vehicle not being able to accelerate due to lack of charge.

[0015] More preferably, the main electronic control unit as presented is configured to receive via the communication network the performances of the electric machine measured by said electric machine, to compare the torque command with the maximum performances of the electric machine and to send via the communication network a complementary torque command to the thermal engine when the command is greater than the performances of the electric machine even if the measured speed is lower than the minimum speed recorded.

[0016] The invention also relates to a torque control method implemented by a main electronic control unit as presented above, comprising the steps of: receiving a torque command, receiving the vehicle speed, receiving via the communication network the gear ratio of the mechanical gearbox, comparing the received vehicle speed with the stored maximum speed threshold value corresponding to the gear ratio engaged, generating, if the received vehicle speed is lower than the stored maximum speed threshold, a single torque command and sending the single torque command to the electric machine, generating, if the received vehicle speed is higher than the stored maximum speed threshold, a torque command intended for the electric machine and a torque command intended for the heat engine and sending the torque commands.

[0017] This method allows the generation of either the single torque command or an electric torque command and a thermal torque command if the speed is greater than the pre-recorded minimum speed. Advantageously, the method can also switch to the generation of an electric torque command and a thermal torque command if the charge of the electric battery and / or if the performance of the electric machine are not sufficient to implement the single torque command generated.

[0018] The invention also relates to a computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement the method as presented.

[0019] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a hybrid vehicle control system, in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising said control system, an electric machine and a heat engine, said control system comprising a control handle, a main electronic control unit as described above, a speed measurement module configured to measure the speed of the vehicle and a communication network. The control system according to the invention thus allows the generation of the acceleration request and its routing to the electric machine and to the heat engine.

[0020] The invention also relates to a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular two- or three-wheeled, comprising a control system as presented, an electric machine, a heat engine and a mechanical gearbox connected to the heat engine.

[0021] The invention also relates to a hybrid motor vehicle as described above, in which the mechanical gearbox is connected to the thermal engine by a centrifugal clutch. The centrifugal clutch engages autonomously when the rotation of the drive shaft of the thermal engine is sufficient, and disconnects the thermal engine from the mechanical gearbox automatically when the rotation is lower. This device allows the vehicle to simply disconnect the thermal engine and the mechanical gearbox when the thermal engine is not operating and only the thermal machine is accelerating the vehicle, without the user having to perform a manual action.

[0022] The invention also relates to a torque control method implemented by a vehicle as presented, comprising the steps of: generating, by the user, an acceleration request by actuation of the control handle, reception, by the main electronic control unit, of the generated acceleration request, reception, by the main electronic control unit, of a value of the vehicle speed measured by the speed measurement module, reception via the communication network of the gear ratio of the mechanical gearbox, comparison, by the main electronic control unit, of the received vehicle speed with the stored maximum speed threshold value corresponding to the received gear ratio, generation, if the received vehicle speed is lower than the stored maximum speed threshold value, of a single torque command intended for the electric machine, sending said single torque command to the electric machine via the communication network, reception and implementation of the single torque command by the electric machine and acceleration of the vehicle by the electric machine, generation,if the received vehicle speed is greater than the stored minimum speed value, a torque command intended for the electric machine and an additional torque command intended for the thermal engine, sending said torque commands to the electric machine and to the thermal engine via the communication network, reception and implementation of the torque commands by the electric machine and the thermal engine and acceleration of the vehicle by the electric machine and the thermal engine., [Description of the drawings]

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig 1] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a hybrid vehicle comprising an electric machine and a heat engine as well as a control system according to the invention, an electric machine.

[0025] [Fig 2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the assembly formed by the thermal engine and the mechanical gearbox connected by the centrifugal clutch.

[0026] [Fig 3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the steps of the electrical and / or thermal torque control method according to the invention. [Description of embodiments]

[0027] Vehicle 1

[0028] With reference to figure 1, the vehicle 1 is a hybrid two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a control system 10, an electric machine 20, an electric battery 30, a thermal engine 40 and a mechanical gearbox 50.

[0029] Control system 10

[0030] The control system 10 comprises a control handle 11, a brake lever, a main electronic control unit 12, a communication network 13, a speed measurement module 14 and a load control module 15.

[0031] The control handle 11 is configured to generate an acceleration request when actuated by the user of the vehicle 1 and to send the generated acceleration request over the communication network 13.

[0032] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive an acceleration request (generated by the control handle 11) or a deceleration / braking request (generated by the brake lever) via the communication network 13.

[0033] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to generate a so-called “electric” torque command and to send said electric torque command to the electric machine 20 via the communication network 13.

[0034] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to generate a so-called “thermal” torque command and to send said thermal torque command to the thermal engine 40 via the communication network 13.

[0035] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive a value of the speed of the vehicle 1 measured by the speed measuring module 14 via the communication network 13.

[0036] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive a value of the charge of the electric battery 30 measured by the charge control module 15 via the communication network 13.

[0037] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive performance information from the electrical machine 20, via the communication network 13.

[0038] The communication network 13 is for example a CAN type communication network.

[0039] The speed measurement module 14 is configured to measure the speed of movement of the vehicle 1. The measurement can be carried out, for example, by a sensor of the number of rotations of one of the wheels of the vehicle 1 or by a device for sending and receiving ultrasonic signals on the ground.

[0040] The speed measurement module 14 is configured to send the measured speed value to the main electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0041] The charge control module 15 is connected to the electric battery 30 which supplies the electric machine 20 and is configured to measure a value of the charge of the electric battery 30 and to send this value to the main electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0042] The main electronic control unit 12 will be described in more detail at the end of the detailed description, when the other elements of the vehicle have been introduced.

[0043] Electric machine 20

[0044] The electric machine 20 makes it possible to produce an acceleration torque of the vehicle 1 according to an electric torque command. The drive torque makes it possible to drive the rotation of the wheels.

[0045] The electric machine 20 is configured to receive an electric torque command from the main electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0046] Preferably, the electrical machine 20 comprises an electronic control unit which ensures the sending and receiving of electronic signals via the communication network 13.

[0047] The electric machine 20 is supplied with charge by the electric battery 30.

[0048] Electric battery 30

[0049] The electric battery 30 is connected to the electric machine 20 and allows it to be supplied with current in order to operate it and produce an acceleration torque.

[0050] The electric battery 30 is configured to be recharged when the vehicle 1 is stopped by connection to an external energy source or by the electric machine 20 during a recovery mode, in particular when the vehicle 1 is braking.

[0051] 40 thermal engine

[0052] The thermal engine 40 makes it possible to produce a driving torque for the vehicle 1 according to a thermal torque demand, in particular with an internal combustion engine.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the heat engine 40 comprises a drive shaft 41 which is rotated during operation of the heat engine 40.

[0054] The thermal engine 40 is connected to the mechanical gearbox 50 by the drive shaft 41.

[0055] Preferably, the heat engine 40 comprises an electronic control unit which ensures the sending and receiving of electronic signals via the communication network 13.

[0056] 50 manual gearbox

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the mechanical gearbox 50 comprises a centrifugal clutch 51, a shaft 52, a plurality of speed ratios 53 and a transmission 54.

[0058] The centrifugal clutch 51 is fixed to the end of the drive shaft 41. When the drive shaft 41 rotates at a sufficient speed, the centrifugal clutch 51 opens and becomes secured to the shaft 52 to which it transmits the rotation produced by the heat engine 40.

[0059] The centrifugal clutch 51 may in particular consist of weights connected to the drive shaft 41 which move apart during rotation under the effect of centrifugal force. Above a rotation speed threshold, these weights are far enough apart to drive the shaft 52 by friction, each inserting into a dedicated orbit for example.

[0060] The plurality of speed ratios 53 are located on the shaft 52. The user of the vehicle 1 can choose a speed ratio 53 depending on the torque provided by the heat engine 40 and the use of the vehicle 1.

[0061] The rotational torque thus obtained is transmitted to at least one wheel of the vehicle 1 by the transmission 54.

[0062] Main electronic control unit supplements 12

[0063] The main electronic control unit 12 comprises a memory area in which at least one threshold value is pre-recorded for each gear ratio 53.

[0064] More precisely, in the memory area are recorded two threshold values for each gear ratio 53. In other words, the memory area associates with each gear ratio 53 the following two threshold values: a. A maximum speed threshold associated with an acceleration of the vehicle. When the vehicle is operating in an electric mode (in which only the electric machine 20 provides energy to the vehicle), the maximum speed threshold allows the transition from an electric-only mode to a hybrid mode. In other words, when the speed of the vehicle increases until it becomes greater than the maximum speed threshold, this means that a torque request is sent to the heat engine 40, b. a minimum speed threshold associated with a deceleration of the vehicle.When the vehicle is operating in a hybrid mode (in which the electric machine 20 and the thermal engine 40 provide energy to the vehicle), the minimum speed threshold allows the transition from a hybrid mode to an electric mode. In other words, when the speed of the vehicle decreases until it becomes lower than the minimum speed threshold, this means that a stop request is sent to the thermal engine 40.

[0065] For each speed ratio 53, the value of the maximum speed threshold is defined so that: at this speed and for this speed ratio 53, the speed of the thermal engine 40 (in revolutions / minute) is sufficient for the centrifugal clutch 51 to open and become secured to the shaft 52 (in other words, for the centrifugal clutch 51 to be able to transmit the torque). For example, the number of revolutions / minute making it possible to ensure effective and trouble-free securing of the centrifugal clutch is approximately 5000.

[0066] For each speed ratio 53, the value of the minimum speed threshold is defined so that: at this speed and for this speed ratio 53, the speed of the thermal engine 40 (in revolutions / minute) is sufficiently low, so that the centrifugal clutch 51 becomes detached from the shaft 52 (in other words, the centrifugal clutch 51 can no longer transmit torque). For example, the number of revolutions per minute required to ensure smooth detachment of the centrifugal clutch is approximately 2000.

[0067] Therefore, the minimum and maximum thresholds are defined according to the technical characteristics of the centrifugal clutch. Thus, the use of hybrid or electric modes is adapted according to the ratio chosen by the driver and dependent on the technical characteristics of the centrifugal clutch.

[0068] The value of the minimum speed threshold is strictly lower than the maximum speed threshold.

[0069] For example, for the first gear: a. The maximum speed threshold corresponds to a speed higher than the maximum speed at which the vehicle can move, b. The minimum speed threshold also corresponds to a speed higher than the maximum speed at which the vehicle can move,

[0070] More specifically, in the case described here, first gear is not used since at low speed, the vehicle is in electric mode. In other words, the thermal engine 40 is not used to provide energy to the vehicle. Only the electric machine 20 provides torque.

[0071] For the second gear: a. The maximum speed threshold corresponds to a value between 30 and 40 km / h and preferably 35 km / h, b. The minimum speed threshold corresponds to a value between 10 and 20 km / h and preferably 15 km / h.

[0072] For the third gear: a. The maximum speed threshold corresponds to a value between 50 and 60 km / h and preferably 55 km / h, b. The minimum speed threshold corresponds to a value between 15 and 25 km / h and preferably 20 km / h.

[0073] For fourth, fifth and sixth gears: a. The maximum speed threshold corresponds to a zero value, b. The minimum speed threshold corresponds to a zero value.

[0074] In the case presented here, when the centrifugal clutch 51 operates in gears 4, 5 or 6, the vehicle always operates in hybrid or thermal mode. In other words, the thermal engine 40 necessarily provides torque. Indeed, the electric machine 20 alone does not allow the vehicle to move at the speed desired by the driver.

[0075] Furthermore, the main electronic control unit 12 is also configured to, when the vehicle switches from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, maintain the electric torque demand while the centrifugal clutch 51 opens and engages with the shaft 52. This makes it possible to avoid a temporary and sudden reduction in torque.

[0076] Similarly, the main electronic control unit 12 is configured to, when the vehicle switches from a hybrid mode to an electric mode, maintain the electric torque demand while the centrifugal clutch 51 disengages from the shaft 52. This makes it possible to avoid an involuntary torque jump.

[0077] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive the gear ratio 53 engaged in the mechanical gearbox 50 via the communication network 13.

[0078] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to determine whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating based on the type of request received (acceleration or deceleration) and / or based on the variation in speed of the vehicle.

[0079] The main electronic control unit 12 is therefore configured to determine, by selecting from the memory area, the threshold (maximum or minimum) to be selected as a function of the gear engaged 53 received and the information concerning the acceleration or deceleration state of the vehicle.

[0080] The main electronic control unit 12 is configured to compare the received measured (vehicle) speed with the selected minimum / maximum threshold.

[0081] Example of implementation

[0082] When the vehicle 1 , with hybrid propulsion, is in operation, that is to say when it is traveling at a certain speed and is driven by a user, the user may want to accelerate the vehicle 1 .

[0083] To do this, the user operates the control handle 11 of the control system 10 in a step E1. The control handle 11 then generates an acceleration request which is sent over the communication network 13.

[0084] In another case, the user can also generate a request for deceleration / braking of the vehicle, for example, by actuating the vehicle's brake lever. The deceleration request is also sent over the communication network 13.

[0085] The acceleration request or the deceleration request is received by the main electronic control unit 12 in a step E2. Preferably, due to the nature of the communication network 13, for example a CAN network, the acceleration request or the deceleration request is intended to be received by the main electronic control unit 12 and not by another element on the communication network 13.

[0086] In a step E3, the main electronic control unit 12 receives via the communication network 13 a value of the speed of the vehicle 1 measured by the speed measurement module 14.

[0087] Step E3 may begin with the main electronic control unit 12 sending a signal to the speed measurement module 14 to trigger the return sending of the measured speed value on the communication network 13.

[0088] The sending of the measured speed value on the communication network 13 by the speed measurement module 14 can alternatively be done continuously at a given time frequency.

[0089] The control unit deduces from the type of request received (acceleration or deceleration) and / or the variation in vehicle speed, whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating.

[0090] In a step E4, the main electronic control 12 receives via the communication network 13 the gear ratio 53 of the mechanical gearbox 50 engaged.

[0091] Step E4 can begin with the main electronic control unit 12 sending a signal to the mechanical gearbox 50 to trigger the return sending of the engaged gear ratio 53 on the communication network 13.

[0092] The sending of the gear ratio 53 engaged on the communication network 13 by the mechanical gearbox 50 can alternatively be done continuously at a given time frequency.

[0093] In a step E5-1, the main electronic control unit 12 receives performance information from the electric machine 20. This information may include the maximum number of revolutions / minute achievable by the electric machine under the current conditions of use.

[0094] Step E5-1 may begin with the main electronic control unit 12 sending a signal to the electrical machine 20 to trigger the return sending of performance information over the communication network 13.

[0095] The sending of performance information on the communication network 13 by the electrical machine 20 can alternatively be done continuously at a given time frequency.

[0096] In a step E5-2, the main electronic control unit 12 receives the value of the charge of the electric battery 30 from the charge control module 15.

[0097] Step E5-2 may begin with the main electronic control unit 12 sending a signal to the charge control module 15 to trigger the return sending of the value of the charge of the electric battery 30 on the communication network 13.

[0098] The sending of the value of the charge of the electric battery 30 on the communication network 13 by the electric machine 20 can alternatively be done continuously at a given time frequency.

[0099] Steps E3, E4, E5-1 and E5-2 can alternatively be performed in any order.

[0100] In a step E6, the main electronic control unit 12 selects the minimum or maximum speed threshold to be considered, depending on the received gear 53 engaged and whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating. Then, still in step E6, the main electronic control unit 12 compares the received value of the speed of the vehicle 1 with the selected minimum or maximum speed threshold value.

[0101] Case of an accelerating vehicle:

[0102] First of all, the process will be described in the case where the vehicle is accelerating, and the selected speed threshold corresponds to a maximum speed threshold.

[0103] If at the end of step E6 the value of the speed of the vehicle 1 received is lower than the selected maximum speed threshold, the main electronic control unit 12 generates a single torque command in a step E7.

[0104] In a step E8, the main electronic control unit 12 compares the generated single torque command with the performance of the received electric machine 20 and compares the load required to implement the single torque command with the charge level of the electric battery 30.

[0105] Steps E5-1 and E5-2 can alternately take place between step E7 and step E8.

[0106] If at the end of step E8, the single torque command is lower than the performance of the electric machine 20 received and the value of the charge of the electric battery 30 is sufficient, this single torque command is sent in a step E9 to the electric machine 20 via the communication network 13.

[0107] In a step E10, the single torque command is received by the electrical machine 20 which implements said single torque command.

[0108] In a step E11, the vehicle 1 is thus accelerated by the electric machine 20 in accordance with the acceleration request generated by the user.

[0109] If at the end of step E8, the single torque command is greater than the performance of the electric machine 20 received or the value of the charge of the electric battery 30 is insufficient, the main electronic control unit 12 recalculates in a step E9* a secondary torque command corresponding to the performance of the electric machine 20 and calculates during step E9* a complementary torque command intended to be sent to the heat engine 40.

[0110] In a step E10*, the secondary torque command is sent to the electric machine 20 by the main electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13 and the additional torque command is sent to the heat engine 40 by the main electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0111] In a step E11*, the secondary torque command is received by the electric machine 20 which implements it and the complementary torque command is received by the thermal engine 40 which implements it.

[0112] In a step E12*, the vehicle 1 is thus accelerated by the thermal engine 40 and the electric machine 20 in accordance with the acceleration request generated by the user.

[0113] If at the end of step E6 the value of the speed of the vehicle 1 received is greater than the selected maximum speed threshold, the main electronic control unit 12 generates in a step E7** an electric torque command intended for the electric machine 20 and a thermal torque command intended for the thermal engine 40.

[0114] In a step E8**, the electric torque command is sent to the electric machine 20 and the thermal torque command is sent to the thermal engine 40 via the communication network 13.

[0115] In a step E9**, the electric torque command is received by the electric machine 20 and the thermal torque command is received by the thermal engine 40, which implement them.

[0116] In a step E10**, the vehicle 1 is thus accelerated by the thermal engine 40 and the electric machine 20 in accordance with the acceleration request generated by the user.

[0117] In the case where following step E11 the vehicle 1 is accelerated only by the electric machine 20, the thermal engine 40 is not in operation and the axis 41 is not rotating.

[0118] This scenario can arise in particular when the user wants to accelerate the vehicle 1 after a stop without having downshifted to gear ratio 53 of the manual gearbox 50. When restarting, it is therefore the electric machine 20 which provides the acceleration.

[0119] Since the axle 41 is not rotating, the centrifugal clutch 51 is not deployed.

[0120] During acceleration of the vehicle 1, the main electronic control unit 12 can detect that the user requests acceleration greater than the performance of the electric machine 20 and therefore send a thermal torque command to the thermal engine 40.

[0121] This torque command causes the thermal engine 40 to start operating and sets the shaft 41 into rotation, which deploys the centrifugal clutch 51 which transmits the rotation of the shaft 41 to the mechanical gearbox 50.

[0122] If the gear ratio engaged is too low, the rotation transmitted to the mechanical gearbox 50 is too high and risks damaging the thermal engine 40 and / or the mechanical gearbox 50 as well as causing the thermal engine 40 to stall.

[0123] It is therefore important that the user shifts to a higher gear ratio 53 when accelerating by the electric machine 20 alone. This change of gear ratio 53 can alternatively be carried out automatically.

[0124] Alternatively, the lowest gear ratios 53 present on conventional 50 manual gearboxes can be omitted. Thus, when the user starts and remains at low speeds, the vehicle 1 is accelerated by the electric machine 20 alone, and when the user increases the speed beyond and the thermal engine 40 is activated, the gear ratio 53 already corresponds to the higher speed of the vehicle 1.

[0125] Case of a vehicle decelerating:

[0126] The method can also be implemented for a decelerating vehicle. In this case, the selected speed threshold corresponds to a minimum speed threshold and the vehicle operates in a hybrid operating mode beforehand.

[0127] When the speed of the vehicle decreases to become lower than the minimum speed threshold, the method then comprises a step of sending a stop request to the thermal engine 40. The centrifugal clutch 51 separates from the shaft 52. Thus, as the speed of the vehicle decreases, the electric machine 20 alone is sufficient to drive the vehicle to the desired speed.

Claims

Claims

1. Electronic control unit (12) for a hybrid vehicle (1), in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising: • a control system (10), • an electric machine (20) • a heat engine (40), • a mechanical gearbox (50) comprising a centrifugal clutch (51), the gearbox (50) being connected to the thermal engine (40) by a centrifugal clutch (51), the gearbox (50) being characterized by a speed ratio (53), said control system (10) comprising a control handle (11), said so-called “main” electronic control unit (12), a speed measurement module (14) configured to measure the speed of the vehicle (1) and a communication network (13), said main electronic control unit (12) comprising a memory area in which for each speed ratio value (53) is recorded a maximum threshold value associated with an acceleration of the vehicle, the electronic control unit (12) being configured to: receive via the communication network (13) the speed ratio (53) engaged on said mechanical gearbox (50),receiving via the communication network (13) an acceleration request required by a user of the vehicle (1) by actuation of the control handle (11), following the reception of said acceleration request, comparing the value of the speed measured by the speed measurement module (14) with the value of the maximum speed threshold corresponding to the speed ratio (53) received, generating as a function of the acceleration request a single torque command intended for the electric machine (20) if the measured speed is lower than the maximum speed threshold, and sending via the communication network (13) the single torque command to the electric machine (20).,

2. Electronic control unit (12) according to the preceding claim, in the memory area is recorded, for each gear ratio (53), a minimum threshold value associated with a deceleration of the vehicle, the electronic control unit being configured to: • Receive a braking request, • following receipt of said braking request, compare the value of the speed measured by the speed measurement module (14) with the value of the minimum speed threshold corresponding to the speed ratio (53) received, • if the measured speed is lower than the minimum speed, generate a single torque command intended for the electric machine (20) based on the braking request, and send the single torque command to the electric machine (20) via the communication network (13).

3. Main electronic control unit (12) according to the preceding claim, the vehicle (1) further comprising an electric battery (30) and the control system (10) further comprising a charge control module (15) configured to measure the charge level of said electric battery (30), the main electronic control unit (12) being configured to receive via the communication network (13) a value of the charge level of the electric battery (30) measured by said charge control module (15), to include in the memory area a pre-recorded charge threshold value, to compare the charge value of the electric battery (30) with said charge threshold value,to generate a single torque command to the electric machine (20) if the charge of the electric battery (30) is above the charge threshold value and to send the single torque command via the communication network (13) to the electric machine (20).,

4. Main electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, said main electronic control unit (12) being configured to receive via the communication network (13) the performance of the electric machine (20) measured by said electric machine (20) and to compare the torque command with the maximum performance of the electric machine (20) and to send via the communication network (13) a complementary torque command to the thermal engine (40) when the command is greater than the performance of the electric machine (20) even if the measured speed is lower than the minimum speed recorded.

5. A torque control method implemented by a main electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - reception (E2) of a torque command, - reception (E3) of the speed of the vehicle (1) measured by the speed measuring module (14), - reception (E4) via the communication network (13) of the speed ratio (53) of the mechanical gearbox (50), - comparison (E6) of the received vehicle speed (1) with the stored maximum speed threshold value corresponding to the received speed ratio (53), - generation (E7), if the received speed of the vehicle (1) is lower than the stored maximum speed threshold, of a single torque command and sending (E8) of the single torque command to the electric machine (20), - generation (E7**), if the received speed of the vehicle (1) is greater than the stored maximum speed threshold, of a torque command intended for the electric machine (20) and of a torque command intended for the thermal engine (40) and sending (E8**) of the torque commands.

6. Computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement a method according to the preceding claim.

7. Control system (10) for a hybrid vehicle (1), in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising said control system (10), an electric machine (20) and a heat engine (40), said control system (10) comprising a control handle (11), a main electronic control unit (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a speed measurement module (14) configured to measure the speed of the vehicle (1) and a communication network (13).

8. Vehicle (1) with a hybrid engine, in particular two or three wheels, comprising a control system (10) according to the preceding claim, an electric machine (20), a heat engine (40) and a mechanical gearbox (50) connected to the heat engine (40).

9. Vehicle (1) with hybrid engine according to the preceding claim, in which the mechanical gearbox (50) is connected to the thermal engine (40) by a centrifugal clutch (51).

10. A method of torque control implemented by a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 7 and 8, comprising the steps of: - generation (E1), by the user, of an acceleration request by activating the control handle (11), - reception (E2), by the main electronic control unit (12), of the generated acceleration request, - reception (E3), by the main electronic control unit (12), of a value of the speed of the vehicle (1) measured by the speed measurement module (14), - reception (E4) via the communication network (13) of the speed ratio (53) of the mechanical gearbox (50), - comparison (E6), by the main electronic control unit (12), of the speed of the vehicle (1) received with the value of the stored maximum speed threshold corresponding to the speed ratio (53) received, - generation (E7), if the received speed of the vehicle (1) is lower than the stored maximum speed threshold, of a single torque command intended for the electric machine (20), sending (E9) of said single torque command to the electric machine (20) via the communication network (13), reception and implementation (E10) of the single torque command by the electric machine (20) and acceleration (E11) of the vehicle (1) by the electric machine (20), - generation (E7**), if the received speed of the vehicle (1) is greater than the stored maximum speed threshold, of a torque command intended for the electric machine (20) and of a complementary torque command intended for the thermal engine (40), sending (E8**) of said torque commands to the electric machine (20) and to the thermal engine (40) via the communication network (13), reception (E9**) and implementation of the torque commands by the electric machine (20) and the thermal engine (40) and acceleration (E10**) of the vehicle (1) by the electric machine (20) and the thermal engine

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