1. A method of signaling an operator of a motor vehicle to optimize stopping distance, the method comprising:
determining a vehicle speed;
determining a stop location;
determining a preferred stopping parameter, wherein the preferred stopping parameter comprises at least one of a preferred time to stop and a preferred distance to stop based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed;
determining a maximum acceptable time andor distance to stop based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed;
determining the coast rate for the vehicle;
determining an optimal distance from the stop location to begin coasting;
providing a signal to an operator of the vehicle to begin coasting, wherein the signal is provided to an operator when the vehicle is at or prior to the optimal distance to begin coasting.
2. The method of claim 1, including:
utilizing an operator input to determine at least one of a preferred time to stop and a preferred distance to stop.
3. The method of claim 2, including:
prompting an operator to input at least one of a preferred time to stop and a preferred distance to stop.
4. The method of claim 3, including:
providing an operator with a plurality of inputs comprising time to stop inputs andor preferred distance to stop inputs;
prompting an operator to select at least one of the time to stop inputs andor at least one of the preferred distance to stop inputs.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the plurality of inputs comprise time to stop inputs including a range of time to stop inputs bounded by a minimum time to stop input and a maximum time to stop input.
6. The method of claim 4, including:
providing an operator with fuel consumption information corresponding to the plurality of inputs.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein:
determining the coast rate for the vehicle includes retrieving coast rate data utilizing the vehicle speed.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the optimal distance is determined based, at least in part, on at least one of the preferred time to stop and the preferred distance to stop.
9. The method of claim 1, including:
determining an optimal distance from the stop location to begin braking.
10. The method of claim 9, including:
providing a signal to an operator of the vehicle to begin braking.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the signal comprises at least one of a visual indicator and a noise.
12. The method of claim 1, including:
providing a NORMAL COAST mode of operation corresponding to coasting with a vehicle’s automatic transmission in DRIVE followed by braking to stop the vehicle at the stop location;
providing a NEUTRAL COAST mode of operation corresponding to coasting with an automatic transmission in NEUTRAL and wherein the vehicle coasts to a stop at the stop location without braking;
providing a FULL COAST mode of operation corresponding to coasting with an automatic transmission in NEUTRAL and wherein the vehicle coasts to a stop at the stop location without braking;
providing an operator with an input feature enabling the operator to select one of the NORMAL COAST, NEUTRAL COAST, and FULL COAST modes;
utilizing an operator mode selection to determine the coast rate for the vehicle to determine when to provide the operator with a signal to begin coasting.
13. The method of claim 1, including:
measuring a plurality of vehicle speeds and corresponding distances at which an operator begins to coast when approaching a stop; and
utilizing the measured vehicle speeds and corresponding distances to determine at least one of a preferred time to stop and a preferred distance to stop.
14. A method of optimizing a stopping distance of a vehicle comprising:
prompting a vehicle operator to input a preferred time to stop;
utilizing a vehicle speed and the preferred time to stop to determine a preferred stopping point;
determining an optimal distance to begin coasting utilizing a coast rate of the vehicle; and
providing a signal to the operator to begin coasting when the vehicle is at or approaching the optimal distance.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
the preferred stopping point comprises a preferred stopping distance.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein:
the preferred stopping point comprises a preferred stopping time.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein:
prompting a vehicle operator to input a preferred time to stop includes providing a display comprising a plurality of inputs corresponding to a plurality of preferred times to stop.
18. A motor vehicle comprising:
a propulsion system that provides power to propel the vehicle;
a first operator input feature that allows an operator to control an amount of power provided by the propulsion system to propel the vehicle;
a device that determines a position of the vehicle;
a second operator input feature that permits an operator to input a preferred stopping parameter;
a signaling device; and
a controller that, during vehicle operation, utilizes vehicle speed and information concerning a preferred stopping parameter from the second operator input feature to determine a preferred stopping point, and wherein the controller utilizes the preferred stopping point and a vehicle coast rate to determine an optimal stopping distance, and wherein the controller causes the signaling device to generate a signal to begin coasting when the vehicle is in the vicinity of the optimal stopping distance.
19. The motor vehicle of claim 18, including:
a braking system that selectively slows the vehicle; and wherein:
the controller determines an optimum braking distance and generates a signal alerting a vehicle operator to begin braking when the vehicle is in the vicinity of the optimum braking distance.
20. The motor vehicle of claim 19, wherein:
the propulsion system comprises a hybrid system having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor; and
the braking system generates electrical power when the braking system is actuated to slow the motor vehicle.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage;
a dynamic braking loop associated with the current regulator, wherein the dynamic braking loop is configured to command a current to the current regulator;
a controller configured to cause the torque axis voltage to be zero, or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least one of the plurality of input current commands to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero; and
a current limiter for limiting a current that the dynamic braking loop commands to the current regulator.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor is a permanent magnet motor having a winding with a plurality of phases and at least one permanent magnet is movable relative to the winding, wherein when the permanent magnet moves, the permanent magnet motor has an internal voltage that causes a dynamic braking current to flow.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the current regulator is at least partially implemented in code executed by a processor.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the current regulator is at least partially implemented in discrete hardware.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the discrete hardware comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the current regulator further comprises a feedback device configured to provide feedback to the current regulator.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the current regulator further comprises a feedback device configured to provide feedback relating to the position of the winding relative to the at least one permanent magnet.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the feedback comprises a commutation angle.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the feedback device is configured to receive current output from the motor and determine current feedback signals based on the current output and the commutation angle.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the feedback device is further configured to provide the current feedback signals to the current regulator.
11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a switch for selecting between the dynamic braking loop and a normal input current command.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor includes a permanent magnet and is a brushless motor.
13. The system of claim 1,
wherein the motor is a permanent magnet motor having a winding with a plurality of phases and at least one permanent magnet is movable relative to the winding, and wherein the permanent magnet motor has an internal voltage when a current is applied to the winding;
wherein the current regulator further comprises a feedback device configured to provide feedback comprising a commutation angle relating to the position of the winding relative to the at least one permanent magnet;
wherein the feedback device is configured to receive current output from the motor, determine current feedback signals based on the current output and the commutation angle, and provide the current feedback signals to the current regulator; and
wherein the system further comprises a means for implementing a three phase short to dynamically brake the motor when the commutation angle from the feedback device is not available.
14. The system of claim 1,
wherein the motor is a permanent magnet motor having a winding with a plurality of phases and at least one permanent magnet is movable relative to the winding, and wherein the permanent magnet motor has an internal voltage when a current is applied to the winding;
wherein the current regulator further comprises a feedback device configured to provide feedback comprising a commutation angle relating to the position of the winding relative to the at least one permanent magnet;
wherein the feedback device is configured to receive current output from the motor, determine current feedback signals based on the current output and the commutation angle, and provide the current feedback signals to the current regulator; and
wherein the system further comprises a means for implementing a three phase short to dynamically brake the motor when a speed of the motor approaches zero.
15. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage, applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
a controller configured to cause the torque axis voltage to be zero, or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor,
wherein the current regulator further comprises a feedback device configured to provide feedback comprising a commutation angle;
wherein the feedback device is configured to receive current output from the motor, determine current feedback signals based on the current output and the commutation angle, and provide the current feedback signals to the current regulator; and
wherein the system further comprises a means for implementing a three phase short to dynamically brake the motor when the commutation angle from the feedback device is not available.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a sensorless commutation means, wherein the sensorless commutation means is configured to determine the commutation angle, and
wherein the sensorless commutation means is further configured to use the commutation angle to bring the motor from a high speed to a low speed before implementing the three phase short to dynamically brake the motor.
17. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
a controller configured to cause the torque axis voltage to be zero, approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least one of the plurality of input current commands to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero;
a dynamic braking loop associated with the current regulator, wherein the dynamic braking loop comprises a voltage loop for driving the torque axis voltage to zero; and
an electronically added resistance, wherein the electronically added resistance increases damping to eliminate any ringing when the motor is dynamically braked.
18. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
a controller configured to cause the torque axis voltage to be zero or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor,
wherein the controller is further configured to control the first voltage to be only positive or only negative such that dynamic braking of the motor is effected in only a single direction.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the first voltage is based on one or more directional dynamic braking inputs.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the motor continues normal operation in a direction other than the single direction in which the dynamic braking of the motor is effected.
21. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
a controller configured to cause the torque axis voltage to be zero, or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor,
wherein the controller is further configured to control the first voltage such that the dynamic braking of the motor is effected in both a forward and a reverse direction.
22. The system of claim 21 further comprising a switch for selecting between dynamic braking in a forward direction and dynamic braking in a reverse direction, and wherein the controller is further configured to:
control the first voltage for a first time period such that dynamic braking of the motor is effected in a forward direction when the switch selects dynamic braking in a forward direction;
control the first voltage for a second time period such that the dynamic braking of the motor is effected in a reverse direction when the switch selects dynamic braking in a forward direction.
23. A method of dynamic braking in a motor comprising:
providing a plurality of input current commands to a current regulator to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage;
causing the torque axis to be zero, or approximately zero, such that current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, wherein at least one of the plurality of input current commands is controlled to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero; and
controlling the first voltage to be only positive or only negative such that dynamic braking is effected in only a single direction.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing current feedback from the motor to the current regulator, wherein providing the current feedback further comprises receiving current output from the motor and determining current feedback signals based on the current output and a commutation angle.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising allowing the motor to continue normal operation in a direction other than the single direction in which the dynamic braking of the motor is effected.
26. A method of dynamic braking in a motor comprising:
providing a plurality of input current commands to a current regulator to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
limiting a current that a dynamic braking loop commands to the current regulator, wherein the at least one of the plurality of input current commands is controlled to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero, such that current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising electronically adding resistance to the dynamic braking loop to increase damping to eliminate any ringing when the motor is dynamically braked.
28. A method of dynamic braking in a motor comprising:
providing a plurality of input current commands to a current regulator to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage, wherein the at least one of the plurality of input current commands is controlled to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero;
causing the torque axis to be zero, or approximately zero, such that current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor; and
controlling the first voltage such that dynamic braking is effected in both a forward direction and a reverse direction.
29. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a motor;
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage;
a controller configured to control the torque axis voltage to be zero, or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least one of the plurality of input current commands to drive the torque axis voltage to zero, or approximately zero
and wherein a current commanded to the current regulator is limited by a current limiter.
30. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a motor;
a motor drive for driving the motor; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the motor drive, the controller configured to control at least one of the plurality of input current commands to a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage, wherein the controller is further configured to control the at least one of the plurality of input current commands such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, and wherein a current commanded to the current regulator is limited by a current limiter.
31. An apparatus for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a controller configured to control at least one of the plurality of input current commands to a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage, wherein the controller is further configured to control the at least one of the plurality of input current commands such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor, and wherein a current commanded to the current regulator is limited by a current limiter.
32. A system for dynamic braking a motor, comprising:
a current regulator having a plurality of input current commands to control a first voltage applied to the motor to provide a torque axis voltage and a second voltage applied to the motor to provide a non-torque axis voltage; and
a dynamic braking loop associated with the current regulator, wherein the dynamic braking loop uses the torque axis voltage as an input and controls at least one of the plurality of input current commands such that the torque axis voltage is driven to zero, or approximately zero, such that the current provided to the motor is in phase with an internal voltage of the motor in order to achieve dynamic braking of the motor.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the dynamic braking loop is implemented such that a gain of the dynamic braking loop is fixed and does not vary with a gain of the current regulator.
34. The system of claim 32 further comprising a current limiter for limiting a current that the dynamic braking loop commands to the current regulator.