Hybrid Powertrain Torque Control via Predicted and Immediate Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid powertrain systems face challenges in effectively controlling torque transfer to optimize vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and battery charging, particularly in managing immediate and predicted torque requests from both accelerator and brake pedals.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system that monitors operator inputs to determine immediate and predicted torque requests, utilizing a distributed control module system to coordinate engine, electric machines, and transmission operations, ensuring optimal torque management and power distribution between the engine and electric machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hybrid powertrain system controls torque transfer to optimize vehicle performance, then vehicle performance and fuel efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control modules: an accelerator pedal control module that processes accelerator inputs, a brake pedal control module that processes brake inputs, and a torque synthesis module that combines these inputs. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific torque control functions independently, improving overall system performance while managing complexity through modular architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the control system monitors both accelerator and brake pedal inputs to determine immediate and predicted torque requests, then responsiveness to operator inputs is improved, but the measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system determines both immediate torque requests and predicted torque requests from accelerator and brake pedal inputs simultaneously. By calculating predicted torque requests in advance based on current operator inputs, the system prepares torque commands that anticipate future operational needs, thereby improving responsiveness without requiring complex real-time adjustments during transient operations.
3Measurement precision
If the control system determines output torque command based on immediate and predicted torque requests, then torque management precision is improved, but the computational requirements and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system introduces an intermediary torque synthesis module that receives immediate torque requests from the accelerator control module and immediate torque requests from the brake control module, then combines these inputs to determine the final output torque command. This intermediary structure simplifies the computational process by separating torque synthesis from individual pedal control, enabling precise torque management through modular computation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling torque in a hybrid powertrain system to selectively transfer mechanical power to an output member (64) includes monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and to a brake pedal. An immediate accelerator output torque request, a predicted accelerator output torque request, an immediate brake output torque request, a predicted brake output torque request, and an axle torque response type are determined. An output torque command to the output member (64) of the transmission (10) is determined based upon the immediate accelerator output torque request and the immediate brake output torque request.