Hybrid Powertrain Coupling Control During Progressive Pedal Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with automatic gearboxes, progressive pressure on the accelerator pedal often leads to multiple gear changes occurring after coupling with the driving machine, delaying torque availability and causing 'several-stage' acceleration, which affects driving pleasure.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects progressive pressure on the accelerator pedal by calculating the signed gradient of its position and inhibits coupling control until the gradient stabilizes, preventing premature torque transmission and synchronizing gear changes with coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If coupling control is enabled during progressive accelerator pedal pressure, then torque transmission begins earlier, but multiple gear changes occur after coupling causing delayed torque availability and multi-stage acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque availability speedVSAvoiddelay in torque availability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of progressive accelerator pedal pressure and proactively inhibits coupling control before gear changes occur. By detecting the gradient of accelerator pedal position and predicting upcoming gear changes, the system prevents coupling from occurring during periods that would trigger multiple sequential gear changes, thereby ensuring immediate torque availability when coupling finally occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If coupling control is inhibited during progressive accelerator pedal pressure, then multiple gear changes are prevented, but torque transmission is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear stabilityVSAvoidcoupling delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the accelerator pedal position and calculates its gradient to detect progressive pressure. This feedback mechanism allows the coupling control to be dynamically adjusted - inhibited only when progressive pressure indicating upcoming gear changes is detected, and enabled when the pedal position stabilizes. The confirmation duration parameter ensures the feedback signal is sustained before changing coupling state, preventing premature resumption of coupling control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate independent functions control coupling and gear selection, then each function operates independently, but coordination between them causes multiple gear changes after coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol independenceVSAvoidgear-coupling coordination stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the previously independent coupling control function with gear selection logic by introducing a unified detection mechanism. The coupling control now incorporates detection of progressive accelerator pedal pressure and upcoming gear changes, combining what were previously separate decision-making processes into a coordinated control system that considers both coupling timing and gear state simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4088046B1Method for controlling the coupling of a wheel train to a drive machine, in particular in a hybrid vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4088046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4088046B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method is designed to control the coupling of a wheel train to a drive machine (MM) in a drive train of a vehicle, the drive train comprising an automatic gearbox (BV) and a coupling member (OC) for coupling with the drive machine, the method comprising a provision, by a computer (CTRL) of the vehicle, of a coupling command (CC) to the coupling member depending on an actuation of an accelerator pedal (PA) of the vehicle. According to the invention, the method comprises a detection of a predetermined type of actuation of the accelerator pedal likely to result in at least one gear change in the automatic gearbox, and the inhibition (AC) of the coupling command in order to prevent torque from being transmitted by the coupling member when the predetermined actuation type is detected.