Hybrid Powertrain Mode Stabilization via Load-Weighted Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powertrain systems with electro-mechanical transmissions face challenges in efficiently managing transmission operating range states and engine states to optimize fuel economy, torque output, and battery state-of-charge, particularly under varying road conditions and operator demands, leading to frequent and undesirable shifts in operating modes.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines current and potential transmission operating range states and engine states, calculates preferability factors, and selectively changes these states based on weighted preferability factors to stabilize and optimize the powertrain operation, minimizing unnecessary shifts by incorporating load-stabilizing factors to reduce power losses and improve drivability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the powertrain system frequently shifts between different transmission operating range states and engine states to optimize fuel economy and torque output, then the system can adapt to varying road conditions and operator demands, but this leads to excessive mode changes that increase power losses and reduce drivability
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies preliminary anti-action by using load-stabilizing preferability factors to prevent excessive mode changes before they occur. The system proactively identifies when a mode change would be detrimental to load stability and preemptively adjusts the shifting logic to maintain the current mode, thereby avoiding the power losses associated with frequent transitions while still allowing necessary adaptations to road conditions and operator demands.
2Productivity
If the control system implements comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of multiple transmission operating range states and engine states, then the system can make optimized decisions for fuel economy and torque output, but this increases the complexity of the control system
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies parameter changes by transforming the complex multi-state optimization problem into a preferability factor evaluation framework. Instead of managing numerous individual control parameters for each transmission and engine state combination, the system converts these into weighted preferability factors that capture the essential trade-offs. This parameter transformation simplifies the control logic while maintaining the ability to optimize fuel economy and torque output across different operating conditions.
3Loss of energy
If the system stabilizes transmission operating range states and engine states to reduce power loss, then fuel economy and drivability improve, but the system's ability to respond quickly to changing conditions may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies dynamics by implementing adaptive stabilization through load-stabilizing preferability factors. The system dynamically adjusts the degree of stabilization based on current operating conditions, operator demands, and road conditions. When stability is prioritized, the factors encourage maintaining current modes to reduce power loss. When rapid response is needed, the factors allow quicker mode transitions. This dynamic balancing act enables the system to reduce power loss while maintaining adequate response speed to changing conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A powertrain system includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative in one of a plurality of transmission operating range states and one of a plurality of engine states. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a current transmission operating range state and engine state, determining at least one potential transmission operating range state and engine state, determining preferability factors associated with the current and potential transmission operating range state and the engine state wherein the preferability factors associated with potential transmission operating range states include load-stabilizing preferability factors, preferentially weighting the preferability factors for the current transmission operating range state and engine state, and selectively commanding changing the present transmission operating range state and engine state based upon the preferability factors.