Hybrid Driveline Torque Estimation via Communication Delay Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles experience disturbances in driveline torque due to communication delays between controllers, leading to inaccuracies in motor and engine torque delivery, which affects driveline torque estimation and transmission shifting.

Innovation Solution

Estimating motor torque based on requested torque and communication delays, adding it to estimated engine torque to calculate driveline torque, and adjusting driveline actuators accordingly to compensate for these delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If communication between controllers is implemented using a controller area network, then ease of operation and system integration are improved, but communication delays occur causing driveline torque disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller communicationVSAvoiddriveline torque delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of motor torque based on requested torque and known communication delays before actual torque delivery. This allows the driveline actuator to be adjusted in advance with accurate torque predictions, compensating for the inherent communication delays in the controller area network and ensuring reliable driveline torque delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controllers are used to operate various devices, then adaptability and control capability are improved, but communication delays cause values of control variables to differ from actual values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller operation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol variable accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated motor torque is continuously calculated based on requested torque and communication delay characteristics. This estimated value is fed back to adjust the driveline actuator, ensuring that the actual driveline torque matches the requested torque despite communication delays between multiple controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If communication delays are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but driveline torque disturbances increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque estimation systemVSAvoiddriveline torque disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of torque estimation by incorporating communication delay compensation into the estimation calculation. Instead of using only requested torque values, the system adjusts the estimation based on known communication delays, thereby reducing driveline torque disturbances while maintaining manageable device complexity through a straightforward calculation approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10308233B2Methods and system for estimating driveline torque of a hybrid vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods align in time an estimated motor torque and an actual motor torque to provide an estimated driveline torque. The alignment compensates for communications delays between different controllers over a controller area network.