Claims
- 1. A method of controlling motor response in an electrically powered vehicle having a motor and a manually operable accelerator, comprising the steps of:monitoring a temperature of the motor; determining a maximum available power output based upon the current motor temperature; and increasing the motor response to manipulation of the accelerator as the determined heat increases.
- 2. A method of controlling motor response in an electrically powered vehicle having a motor and a manually operable accelerator, comprising the steps of:monitoring a temperature of the motor; determining a maximum available power output based upon the current motor temperature; and adjusting a motor response to manipulation of the accelerator based upon the determining maximum power by increasing a gain of a motor control signal as the determined heat increases, wherein the motor control signal corresponds to a manipulation of the accelerator.
- 3. A method of controlling motor response in an electrically powered vehicle having a motor and a manually operable accelerator, comprising the steps of:monitoring a temperature of the motor; determining a maximum available power output based upon the current motor temperature; adjusting a motor response to manipulation of the accelerator based upon the determined maximum power; and determining a first response level for a manipulation of the accelerator when the motor heat is at a first temperature and determining an adjustment to the motor response necessary to obtain the first response level for the same manipulation of the accelerator when the motor temperature is at a second temperature.
- 4. A method of controlling motor response in an electrically powered vehicle leaving a motor and a manually operable accelerator, comprising the steps of:monitoring a temperature of the motor; determining a maximum available power output based upon the current motor temperature; and determining a charge level of a fuel cell that provides electrical energy to the motor and increasing the motor response as the charge level decreases.
- 5. An electric vehicle power control system, comprising:an electric motor; a manually operable accelerator; and a controller that controls a response of the motor to a manipulation of the accelerator, wherein the controller monitors a temperature of the motor and increases the motor response to manipulation of the accelerator based upon the determined temperature increasing.
- 6. The system of claim 5, including a fuel cell that provides electrical energy to the motor and wherein the controller increases the motor response as a charge level in the fuel cell decreases.
- 7. The system of claim 5, including an indicator for a driver of the vehicle that indicates a condition where the controller can increase the motor response responsive to a manual input from the driver.
- 8. The system of claim 7, including an input switch that is manually operable by the driver to request an increased motor response.
- 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the indicator includes an audible signal.
- 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the indicator includes a visible indication.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/152,998, which was filed on Sep. 9, 1999.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
196 17 548 |
Nov 1997 |
DE |
0 771 688 |
May 1997 |
EP |
0 773 131 |
May 1997 |
EP |
09238402 |
Sep 1997 |
JP |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
European Search Report mailed Jan. 26, 2001. |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/152998 |
Sep 1999 |
US |