Hybrid Powertrain Control Architecture Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle powertrain control systems face challenges in simultaneously managing competing objectives such as meeting operator power demands, maintaining optimal battery reserve, extending battery life, and optimizing energy capture and fuel economy, often resulting in sub-optimal outcomes due to complexity and coupling with power-split decision making.
Innovation Solution
The system decouples power-split decision making from driver demands by determining a total output based on operator input and battery state of charge, independently managing engine and battery outputs within operating limits, and implementing reallocation techniques to ensure power sources operate within constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing control schemes are used to manage multiple competing objectives, then the system attempts to meet operator power demands and maintain battery reserve, but the control complexity increases and coupling with power-split decision making produces sub-optimal outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into independent modules: a power management controller that handles high-level decisions about power source selection and battery state of charge management, and individual power source controllers that manage each power source independently. This segmentation decouples the complex multi-objective control into manageable, independent control functions, reducing overall control complexity while maintaining reliability through specialized control for each module.
2Productivity
If existing control schemes couple power-split decision making with total power demanded, then the system responds to operator input, but it produces sub-optimal outcomes for energy capture, fuel economy, and battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The power management controller acts as an intermediary between the operator's power demand input and the individual power source controllers. It receives the total power demand, independently determines optimal power split decisions based on battery state of charge and efficiency maps, and distributes power commands to appropriate power sources. This intermediary approach optimizes fuel economy and energy capture while still responding accurately to operator demands.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system manages multiple competing control objectives simultaneously, then it attempts to optimize total power generation efficiency and maintain operating limits, but the competing demands create a challenging and complex controls problem
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into independent power source controllers, each managing a specific power source within its operating limits, and a power management controller that coordinates them. Each controller optimizes its own power source for efficiency independently, while the power management controller handles high-level efficiency optimization by selecting appropriate power sources based on operating conditions. This segmentation reduces controls complexity by eliminating the need for a single complex controller to simultaneously manage all efficiency objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and systems for hybrid powertrain control are disclosed. Certain example embodiments control an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator of a hybrid electric powertrain. Example controls may determine a total output demanded of a powertrain based at least in part upon an operator input, a battery output target based upon a battery state of charge and independent of the operator input, and an engine output target based upon the total output demanded and the battery output target. Such example controls may further determine a constrained engine output target, a modified battery output target based upon the total output demanded and the constrained engine output target, and a constrained battery output target based upon the modified battery output target and a battery constraint. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and figures.