Configurable Powertrain Controller for Multi-Source Hybrid Architectures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of controlling hybrid powertrains with multiple power sources and varying architectures poses challenges in designing and evaluating controllers, as existing solutions are often biased towards specific control methods and struggle to adapt to diverse powertrain configurations.
Innovation Solution
A universal powertrain controller is developed, featuring a configurable model and optimiser module that can control a wide range of powertrains by using a generic powertrain component library and connection parameter module, allowing for input parameter modification to adapt to different architectures without recompilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal configurable powertrain model is implemented, then adaptability to different powertrain architectures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal powertrain model that can represent multiple powertrain architectures (series hybrid, parallel hybrid, plug-in hybrid, conventional) through a single configurable framework. The model uses generic components (power sources, power sinks, couplings) that can be instantiated in different configurations without requiring separate models for each architecture type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adaptation to different powertrain architectures by modifying model parameters and connection definitions rather than changing the fundamental model structure. Configuration files define parameters such as the number of power sources, their types, and interconnections, allowing the same model framework to represent diverse architectures through parameter variation.
2Ease of operation
If existing control methods are used, then control implementation is simplified, but adaptability to diverse powertrain configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control method is designed to be architecture-agnostic, working with any powertrain configuration that fits the generic model framework. The same control algorithms and optimization approaches can be applied regardless of whether the powertrain is series hybrid, parallel hybrid, or another configuration, eliminating the need for architecture-specific control implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the powertrain into standardized generic components (power sources, power sinks, couplings) with defined interfaces and behaviors. This segmentation allows the control system to interact with each component through consistent methods while accommodating different numbers and types of components based on the specific powertrain architecture.
3Power
If multiple power sources are added to hybrid powertrains, then powertrain performance is improved, but control problem complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified model framework handles any number of power sources (N power sources as defined in the patent) through consistent component definitions and connection rules. Whether the powertrain has two power sources or five, the same modeling approach and control methods apply, preventing control complexity from increasing with the number of power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages control complexity by parameterizing the powertrain model with variables such as N (number of power sources), M (number of power sinks), and X (number of couplings). This parameterization allows the control system to automatically adapt to different configurations without requiring manual reconfiguration or architecture-specific control logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a universal powertrain for controlling an effort request and/or a flow request to a powertrain based on a demanded effort or demanded flow for the powertrain. The universal controller includes a configurable powertrain model and a configurable optimiser module. The universal controller is configurable to control a class of generic powertrains comprising J generic power sources, K generic power sinks, and L generic couplings. The universal controller is arranged to receive an input file of a plurality of input parameters to configure the universal controller to control a specific powertrain having a powertrain architecture with N power sources, M power sinks, and X couplings, the configurable powertrain model comprising: (a) a generic powertrain component library configured to provide a model of each of the N power sources, M power sinks and X couplings of the specific powertrain, and (b) a connection parameter module configured to define a model architecture of the N power source models, M power sink models and X coupling models which is representative of the powertrain architecture based on flow weight parameters and effort weight parameters of the input file, the configurable optimiser module comprising: a generic performance objective function library comprising a plurality of configurable performance objective functions from which a cost function is configurable based on input parameters of the input file, wherein the configurable optimiser module is configurable to calculate at least one of an optimised effort request or an optimised flow request for each of the N power sources of the specific powertrain based on: the cost function, the powertrain model of the specific powertrain, the demanded effort request or demanded flow request.