US 12,479,312 B2
Electric propulsion unit
Yuji Shizuka, Saitama (JP)
Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/467,116.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-156155 (JP), filed on Sep. 29, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109428 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 17/00 (2019.01); B60L 7/18 (2006.01); B60L 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 15/20 (2013.01) [B60L 7/18 (2013.01); B60L 2200/32 (2013.01); B60L 2240/421 (2013.01); B60L 2240/423 (2013.01); B60L 2250/00 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric propulsion unit for generating a propulsion force in an electric moving body, the electric propulsion unit comprising:
an electric motor;
a propulsion force generation member configured to be driven by the electric motor to generate a propulsion force;
a battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor;
an operation unit configured to receive a change operation for changing an output torque of the electric motor; and
a control device configured to set a target output torque of the electric motor based on an operation amount of the operation unit and to control the electric motor such that the target output torque is achieved,
wherein the operation unit is configured to be displaceable in a normal direction and a reverse direction from a neutral position,
the control device sets the target output torque to a positive value when the operation unit is operated in the normal direction during forward rotation of the electric motor, and sets the target output torque to a negative value when the operation unit is operated in the normal direction during reverse rotation of the electric motor,
the control device sets the target output torque to a negative value when the operation unit is operated in the reverse direction during forward rotation of the electric motor,
a predetermined second threshold value is set for switching the target output torque between 0 and a negative value depending on a rotation speed of the electric motor in a reverse rotational direction,
when the operation unit is operated in the reverse direction during the forward rotation or a stopped state of the electric motor, the control device controls the electric motor to place the electric motor in a reverse state in which the control device drive-controls the electric motor in the reverse rotational direction such that an absolute value of the rotation speed of the electric motor does not exceed the second threshold value, and
when the operation unit is operated in the normal direction during the reverse state of the electric motor, the control device controls the electric motor to increase the rotation speed of the electric motor in the reverse rotational direction.