Feedforward Compensation for Hydrostatic Power Unit Swash Plate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Closed loop control in hydrostatic power units of continuously variable transmissions suffers from oscillations and slow response due to disturbances caused by changes in hydrostatic power unit pressure and power flow direction during range shifts.

Innovation Solution

A feedforward compensation term is calculated based on hydrostatic power unit pressure, swash plate angle, and pump speed, which is added to the PID control terms to reduce reliance on closed loop control, improving system response and reducing oscillations by compensating for disturbances and avoiding integrator windup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If closed loop PID control is used for swash plate angle control, then the control system is simple to implement, but the system response is slow and oscillations occur during range shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol implementation simplicityVSAvoidsystem response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The feedforward compensation term is calculated in advance based on the desired transmission reciprocal ratio and current operating conditions (pressure, pump speed). This preliminary calculation allows the control system to anticipate required swash plate angle adjustments before actual disturbances occur, enabling faster response without waiting for closed-loop error detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses pressure feedback from the hydrostatic power unit to dynamically adjust the feedforward compensation term. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing operating conditions and maintain optimal compensation, reducing oscillations while preserving fast response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If closed loop PID control is used for swash plate angle control, then the control structure is simple, but oscillations occur due to pressure changes during range shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structure complexityVSAvoidsystem stability during range shifts
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feedforward compensation term anticipates pressure changes during range shifts by calculating the required swash plate angle adjustment in advance based on the desired transmission reciprocal ratio. This preliminary action prevents oscillations by proactively compensating for pressure disturbances before they affect system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The feedforward compensation term acts as an intermediary between the desired transmission reciprocal ratio and the actual swash plate angle control. It mediates the effect of pressure changes during range shifts by providing a compensating signal that counteracts disturbances, thereby maintaining system stability without requiring complex control structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If feedforward compensation based on pressure feedback is added to PID control, then system response improves and oscillations reduce, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem response speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedforward compensation term is calculated in advance using the desired transmission reciprocal ratio and current operating conditions, allowing the system to respond faster without waiting for closed-loop error detection. This preliminary calculation improves response speed while maintaining relatively simple control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pressure feedback to dynamically adjust the feedforward compensation term, ensuring optimal compensation under varying operating conditions. This feedback mechanism improves response speed and reduces oscillations while adding only moderate complexity through a single pressure sensor input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2785550B1Method of using feedforward compensation based on pressure feedback for controlling swash plate angle in a hydrostatic power unit of a continuously variable transmission
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 CNH IND ITALIA SPA
  • EP2785550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2785550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2785550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A swash plate angle for a hydrostatic power unit of a continuously variable hydromechanical transmission is determined using a feedforward compensation term, to reduce reliance on closed loop control. The feedforward term is based on knowledge of the hydrostatic power unit determined as a function of knowledge of certain parameters, including, but not limited to, hydrostatic power unit pressure, swash plate angle, desired hydrostatic power unit ratio, and pump speed.