System and method for increasing operating efficiency of a hybrid vehicle

摘要

A method is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine having a cylinder provided with an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a piston configured to rotate the engine's crankshaft. The method includes determining whether deceleration of the vehicle is desired and also includes ceasing supply of fuel to the cylinder when such condition is satisfied. The method additionally includes selecting a fuel-off actuation arrangement for the intake valve via a mechanism configured to provide variable valve timing and lift, such that a magnitude of compression pulses in the cylinder during deceleration is limited. A system for controlling the hybrid vehicle and a vehicle employing such a system are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, a cylinder provided with an intake valve and a piston configured to reciprocate inside the cylinder and rotate the crankshaft, the method comprising:
determining whether a deceleration of the vehicle is desired; ceasing supply of fuel to the cylinder when the deceleration is desired; and selecting a fuel-off actuation arrangement for the intake valve via a mechanism configured to provide variable valve timing and lift, such that an amount of lift for the intake valve when the supply of fuel has been ceased is lower than before the supply of fuel has been ceased and a magnitude of compression pulses in the cylinder during deceleration is limited thereby.