Hybrid Powertrain Engine Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powertrain control systems for hybrid vehicles are inefficient in managing engine power losses and emissions due to reliance on pre-calibrated tables that do not account for variations in operating conditions such as engine warm-up and overtemperature, leading to suboptimal fuel economy and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts engine power output based on coolant temperature and uses a control strategy that optimizes power transmission to the driveline by minimizing total energy loss through real-time calculations and adjustments, incorporating algorithms that estimate future energy loss and manage engine and exhaust aftertreatment system temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-calibrated tables are used to determine engine power losses, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot accommodate variations in operating conditions such as engine warm-up and overtemperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static pre-calibrated tables to dynamic real-time calculations that continuously adapt to changing operating conditions. The control system now calculates engine power losses dynamically based on current operating parameters including coolant temperature, allowing the system to accommodate variations such as warm-up and overtemperature conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through efficient algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from fixed parameter tables to variable parameter calculations. By introducing real-time coolant temperature measurements and dynamic adjustment of power loss calculations based on current temperature conditions, the system achieves adaptability to various operating conditions without requiring complex multi-dimensional tables for every possible scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-calibrated tables with engine operating modes are used, then more operating conditions can be covered, but substantial computer memory is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential temperature-dependent parameters from large pre-calibrated tables and implements them as real-time calculations. Instead of storing extensive tables for all operating modes and temperatures, the system calculates power losses on-the-fly using current operating conditions, significantly reducing memory requirements while maintaining comprehensive coverage of operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical storage approach (large lookup tables in memory) with a computational approach (real-time calculations). This substitution eliminates the need for substantial memory storage by using algorithms that compute power losses based on current sensor inputs, achieving both memory efficiency and comprehensive operating condition coverage.
3Loss of energy
If engine power output is adjusted based on real-time coolant temperature, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring coolant temperature and using this information to adjust engine power output in real-time. This closed-loop approach optimizes fuel efficiency by adapting engine operation to actual thermal conditions, while the feedback mechanism is integrated into existing control architectures to minimize added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically changes engine power output parameters based on measured coolant temperature. By adjusting power delivery in response to real-time temperature data, the system optimizes fuel consumption across different operating conditions without requiring fundamentally new control hardware or excessively complex control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine is connected to a transmission to transmit tractive power to a driveline. Engine coolant temperature is determined, and power output of the engine is adjusted based upon the coolant temperature and preferred coolant temperature range. The transmission is controlled to transmit tractive power to the driveline to meet an operator torque request based upon the adjusted power output of the engine.