Hybrid Transmission Engine Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine control methods for hybrid transmissions do not adequately consider the actual capacity of the transmission to react input torque from the engine, leading to inefficient fuel usage.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a preferred input torque from the engine based on operator inputs and adjusts engine operation within maximum and minimum allowable torques, ensuring efficient fuel use by controlling engine torque within the transmission's capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is controlled to operate at preferred input torque based solely on operator inputs, then the engine operates optimally for fuel efficiency, but the transmission capacity constraints are not considered leading to potential overload or inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual capacity of the hybrid transmission to react input torque and uses this feedback to adjust engine operation. When the transmission capacity changes, the system receives feedback and modifies the engine torque output accordingly, ensuring the engine operates within acceptable constraints while maintaining fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine control parameters are made dynamic rather than static. The preferred input torque is continuously adjusted based on the actual transmission capacity, which varies with operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize fuel efficiency at each moment while respecting the transmission's instantaneous capacity limits.
2Reliability
If the engine torque is adjusted to respect transmission capacity limits, then the transmission is protected from overload, but the engine may operate outside its optimal fuel efficiency range
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the engine dynamically based on transmission capacity. When transmission capacity allows, the engine operates at torque values optimized for fuel efficiency. When capacity constraints are detected, the parameters are adjusted to keep the engine within acceptable operating ranges, balancing protection with efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different control strategies are applied in different operating conditions. When transmission capacity is sufficient, optimal fuel efficiency control is applied. When capacity constraints are active, protective control is applied. This localized quality control ensures fuel efficiency is maximized wherever possible without compromising transmission protection.
3Speed
If the engine control responds rapidly to changes in transmission capacity, then the system adapts quickly to changing conditions, but the control complexity and response management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system determines the actual capacity of the hybrid transmission in advance and uses this information proactively to adjust engine operation. By assessing capacity before it becomes a constraint and preparing appropriate control responses, the system achieves rapid adaptation without requiring complex real-time control algorithms during transient events.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine (14) is coupled to an input member (12) of a hybrid transmission (10) and the hybrid transmission (10) is operative to transfer torque between the input member (12) and a torque machine (56,72) and an output member (64) to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request. The torque machine (56,72) is connected to an energy storage device (74). A method for controlling the engine (14) includes determining a preferred input torque from the engine (14) to the hybrid transmission (10) based upon operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, determining maximum and minimum allowable input torques from the engine (14) to the hybrid transmission (10), controlling the engine (14) at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the maximum and minimum allowable input torques, and controlling the engine (14) based upon the maximum and minimum allowable input torques when the preferred input torque is outside one of the maximum and minimum allowable input torques.