Powertrain Control Method for Engine Clearance Traversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powertrain control methods prolong the engine clearance traversal state, leading to reduced vehicle acceleration due to variable torque thresholds that change with driver input, causing acceleration holes.

Innovation Solution

The method fixes the value of at least one of the first and second thresholds during engine clearance traversal to the driver's setpoint at entry, reducing the duration of the traversal state and minimizing acceleration holes by maintaining a constant modified setpoint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the thresholds are defined as a function of the driver setpoint that evolves over time, then the control adapts to driver input changes, but the duration of the engine clearance traversal state is prolonged causing acceleration holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol adaptation to driver inputVSAvoidduration of clearance traversal state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by freezing the driver setpoint at its value at the moment of entering the clearance traversal state. This predetermined value is used to define the thresholds throughout the traversal, preventing the thresholds from evolving with subsequent driver input changes. This approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through initial setpoint consideration while eliminating prolonged traversal duration caused by dynamic threshold adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the thresholds evolve with the driver setpoint, then the control responds to acceleration requests, but vehicle acceleration is limited due to extended traversal state duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to acceleration requestVSAvoidvehicle acceleration performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures the driver's acceleration intent at the moment of entering the clearance traversal state by freezing the setpoint value. This preliminary capture ensures the control system responds to the driver's acceleration request while preventing subsequent setpoint evolution from extending the traversal duration. The frozen setpoint is used to define thresholds that remain constant throughout traversal, thereby maintaining acceleration responsiveness without sacrificing vehicle acceleration performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2799698B1Control method for a powertrain during a transition period of engine play

Publication Date: 2016.01.20 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA

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AI summary

In this method of controlling (100) a powertrain of a vehicle comprising at least one step (20) of calculating a preventive torque of a thermal engine to limit the jerks of the powertrain, the preventive torque depending on a driver setpoint, this calculation step (20) comprising a state of engine clearance when said torque is between a first threshold and a second threshold, at least one of the thresholds of the method (100) is defined according to a modified setpoint whose value is constant when the calculation step is in the state of engine clearance and which is equal to that of the driver setpoint at the time of entry into this state.