Patent ID: 6186253
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60T,B60W,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
An automotive vehicle comprising:a drivetrain, including wheels for supporting the vehicle on a surface along which the vehicle is propelled;an on-board electric motor that, when operated, delivers torque output through the drivetrain to driven ones of the wheels for propelling the vehicle along such a surface;an on-board internal combustion engine;an on-board electric generator;an on-board D.C. power supply;an electric control system for controlling the electric motor, including the application of electric power input to the electric motor selectively from the generator and from the D.C. power supply respectively;an accelerator control input for requesting motor torque output from the electric motor;a service brake control input for selectively applying a service brake associated with one or more of the wheels;a parking brake control input for selectively applying a parking brake associated with the drivetrain;and an interface for interfacing the accelerator control input, the service brake control input, and the parking brake control input with the electric control system to control propulsion of the vehicle;the interface comprising a service brake interface portion for detecting application of the service brake by the service brake control input, a parking brake interface portion for detecting application of the parking brake by the parking brake control input, and an interface output portion for causing the electric control to operate the electric motor such that no motor torque output is delivered through the drivetrain from the motor when either brake interface portion detects application of the respective brake by the respective brake control input.