Electric Powertrain Operating Region Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified powertrains in hybrid vehicles face challenges in managing operating regions, leading to unwanted conditions such as noise, vibration, harshness, power loss, and lack of responsiveness during transitions between different operating modes, due to the existence of avoidance regions that require operation through undesirable states.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented using a controller to identify and manage available operating regions within an operating state by determining optimal operating conditions based on parameters like output torque and engine torque, minimizing time spent in avoidance regions through arbitration of preferability and stabilization factors, thereby optimizing transitions and reducing unwanted conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the powertrain operates through avoidance regions during transitions between operating modes, then the transition between operating regions is achieved, but unwanted conditions such as noise, vibration, harshness, power loss, and lack of responsiveness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller identifies avoidance regions in advance by determining operating regions based on first and second parameters before transitions occur. By pre-mapping the operating state space and identifying problematic avoidance regions, the system can plan transition paths that minimize or avoid these regions, thereby reducing noise, vibration, harshness, and power loss during mode changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters in real-time during transitions. The controller continuously monitors the current operating condition and modifies the transition path dynamically to minimize time spent in avoidance regions. This dynamic control allows the powertrain to adapt transition strategies based on current state, reducing unwanted conditions while maintaining transition capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the controller manages operating regions to avoid unwanted conditions, then noise, vibration, and harshness are reduced, but the transition time between operating regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller identifies and minimizes time spent in avoidance regions by calculating optimal transition paths that rapidly traverse problematic areas. Instead of lingering in avoidance regions or taking excessively long detours, the system determines the most efficient path through the operating state space, reducing both the duration of unwanted conditions and the overall transition time between operating regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (first parameter and second parameter) strategically during transitions. By adjusting these parameters along optimized paths, the controller minimizes the duration of exposure to avoidance regions while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. Parameter changes enable the system to balance comfort requirements with transition speed requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the powertrain operates in allowable regions only, then unwanted conditions are avoided, but the ability to respond quickly to changing operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-identifies avoidance regions and plans transition paths that minimize exposure to unwanted conditions. By having this information available in advance, the system can execute transitions more quickly without needing to reactively avoid problems during the transition, thereby maintaining responsiveness while still avoiding unwanted operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly traverses avoidance regions when necessary to maintain responsiveness. Instead of lingering in allowable regions or taking slow paths, the controller determines when quick traversal through problematic areas is acceptable, balancing the need to avoid unwanted conditions with the need to respond quickly to changing operating requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing an operating state of an electrified powertrain includes a controller identifying a plurality of available operating regions defined by at least one available operating state of the powertrain, each operating region representing a distinct range of operating conditions. The available operating regions include an avoidance region defining a plurality of unwanted operating conditions and separating a first allowable operating region from a second allowable operating region such that the first and second allowable operating regions are noncontiguous. The method identifies at least one ideal operating condition in each of the available operating regions, determines a preferability factor and stabilization factor for each of a current and each of the ideal operating conditions, and arbitrates the factors to identify one of the current and ideal operating conditions as an optimized operating condition to produce a required parameter value.