MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A motor vehicle has at least two drive units which can be operated in a drive train, with devices assigned to the drive units which permit identical or different power output from the drive units, and the power output from the drive units is coordinated such that the drive units are operated in the range of low fuel consumption. In this manner it is ensured that the drive units integrated in one drive train are operated at nearly optimal operating points.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention, in a side view

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the engine control according to the present invention

FIG. 3 shows a detailed depiction of various families of engine characteristics in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising at least two drive units operatable in a drive train; and means assigned to said drive units for permitting identical or different power output from said drive units, wherein the power output from said at least two drive units is coordinated such that said at least two drive units are operated in a range of low fuel consumption.

2. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said means is configured so that a sum of partial outputs from said drive units corresponds to a total amount of power required, and, to provide the partial outputs, said drive units are operated at operating points with substantially identical specific fuel consumption.

3. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1; and further comprising means for operating one of said drive units in a full-load range and the other of said drive units in a partial-load range, wherein operating points of said two drive units are located on a same fuel consumption characteristic.

4. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for operating the drive units in the full-load range and the partial-load range is configured as a control and regulating device engaging in a motor control of a particular one of said drive units and changing it.

5. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein said means is configured so that said drive units are operated in the partial and/or full-load ranges at a same engine speed.

6. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a control and evaluation unit configured so that a specific fuel consumption of said drive units is defined in fuel consumption characteristics, and these fuel consumptions characteristics are stored in said control and evaluation unit in a manner that allows the fuel consumption characteristics to be called up and edited.

7. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a control and evaluation unit configured so that families of characteristics are stored in said control and evaluation unit in a manner that allows the characteristics to be called up and edited, and the families of characteristics include at least engine characteristics of said drive units and related fuel consumption characteristics.

8. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two drive units have a same design and are operated on a same fuel consumption characteristic and substantially a same engine speed, and at least one of said drive units functions in full-load operation.

9. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two drive units have different designs and are operated on different fuel consumption characteristics at substantially a same engine speed, and at least one of said drive units functions in full-load operation.

10. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive units are configured so that they are operated in partial load ranges at different engine speeds, and a gear stage is assigned to at least one of said drive units to match rotational speeds.

11. A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said drive units is assigned to the at least one drive train.