A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

An apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (112) for storing kinetic energy and an electrical machine (190) mechanically coupled to the flywheel and arranged for conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. The apparatus is arranged for transferring energy between the flywheel and a vehicle transmission via a variable ratio transmission (182). The electrical machine is coupled to the flywheel via a disconnect clutch which comprises a magnetic coupling (116).

A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid vehicle having first and second electric machines include starting the engine in response to an engine start request using the first electric machine and releasing second electric machine reserved engine starting torque for use in propelling the vehicle. The first electric machine may be controlled to start the engine in response to the first engine start after key-on and when the vehicle speed is below a corresponding threshold, with the second electric machine used when vehicle speed is above the threshold. The first electric machine may be an integrated starter-generator.

A control method for a hybrid power system. The method is applied to a hybrid power system composed of an engine (10) and a motor (20). A motor stator (21) of the motor (20) is connected to a driving shaft (40) of a motor vehicle by means of a transmission mechanism (32) such that, when rotated, the driving shaft (40) drives the motor stator (21) to rotate; the motor (20) is used to determine output torque according to the rotating speed of the motor and transmit same to the driving shaft (40); the rotating speed of the motor is equal to the difference between the rotating speed of the motor rotor (22) and the rotating speed of the motor stator (21). The method comprises, according to operating parameters of the hybrid power system and operating parameters of the motor vehicle, controlling a motor controller to provide a drive signal to the motor stator such that the operating parameters of the motor meet a first preset formula, thereby avoiding the possibility of the motor operating at zero rotating speed or within a low rotating speed range under various operating conditions, avoiding the occurrence of problems with the motor such as efficiency and torque response being poor under such operating states, and improving user experience. Also provided is a control system for achieving a control method for a hybrid power system.

A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

The rotor of the rotary electric machine according to the present invention includes: a cylindrical rotor core; magnets that are respectively housed in a plurality of magnet housing apertures that are formed circumferentially so as to pass axially through an outer circumferential side of the rotor core; and a rotor boss that includes: a cylindrical rotor ring that holds the rotor core; an annular mounting portion that is linked to the crankshaft so as to be disposed coaxially at a first axial end inside the rotor ring; and a linking plate that links the rotor ring and the mounting portion, and the linking plate is formed so as to have a curved shape that is convex toward a second axial end of the rotor boss, and has a thickness that reduces continuously from a radially inner side toward a radially outer side.

The rotor of the rotary electric machine according to the present invention includes: a cylindrical rotor core; magnets that are respectively housed in a plurality of magnet housing apertures that are formed circumferentially so as to pass axially through an outer circumferential side of the rotor core; and a rotor boss that includes: a cylindrical rotor ring that holds the rotor core; an annular mounting portion that is linked to the crankshaft so as to be disposed coaxially at a first axial end inside the rotor ring; and a linking plate that links the rotor ring and the mounting portion, and the linking plate is formed so as to have a curved shape that is convex toward a second axial end of the rotor boss, and has a thickness that reduces continuously from a radially inner side toward a radially outer side.

A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid vehicle having first and second electric machines include starting the engine in response to an engine start request using the first electric machine and releasing second electric machine reserved engine starting torque for use in propelling the vehicle. The first electric machine may be controlled to start the engine in response to the first engine start after key-on and when the vehicle speed is below a corresponding threshold, with the second electric machine used when vehicle speed is above the threshold. The first electric machine may be an integrated starter-generator.

A control method is applied to a hybrid power system including an engine and a motor. A motor stator of the motor is connected to a driving shaft of a motor vehicle by means of a transmission mechanism such that, when rotated, the driving shaft drives the motor stator to rotate; the motor is used to determine output torque according to the rotating speed of the motor and transmit same to the driving shaft; the rotating speed of the motor is equal to the difference between the rotating speed of the motor rotor and the rotating speed of the motor stator. The method includes, according to operating parameters of the hybrid power system and operating parameters of the motor vehicle, controlling a motor controller to provide a drive signal to the motor stator such that the operating parameters of the motor meet a first preset formula.