Method and system for controlling a vehicle powertrain

• US 10,023,194 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2014
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Bevan, Neil, Maugham, Robin, Lilley, Andrew, Jarvis, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Young, Edwin
• Application Number:
  US14/903,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20160144862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0014 Adaptive controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0093 of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/022 Actuator failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0292 Fail-safe or redundant systems, e.g. limp-home or backup systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0205 Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/029 Adapting to failures or work around with other constraints, e.g. circumvention by avoiding use of failed parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/472 Catalyst reactivation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/476 Regeneration of particle filters
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/432 Diesel Engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/442 Exhaust gas recirculation [EGR]
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/227 Limping Home, i.e. taking specific engine control measures at abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0055 Special engine operating conditions, e.g. for regeneration of exhaust gas treatment apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/146 the characteristics being an NOx content or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3836 : Controlling the fuel pressure

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle powertrain including determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range. A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the performance feature. An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range. Preferably, the relationship comprises a mathematical model that corresponds to how the operation parameters influence whether the performance feature is within the desired performance range, the method further comprising identifying an actuator failure associated with the powertrain; determining at least one of the operation parameters corresponding to the actuator failure; determining a value of the corresponding operation parameter that is indicative of the actuator failure; and using the determined value as a fixed value for the corresponding operation parameter in the mathematical model.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain, the method comprising:

performing the following steps within a controller of the vehicle powertrain;

determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range;

identifying a plurality of operation parameters associated with the powertrain having a relationship to the performance feature;

determining an influence that each identified operation parameter has on the performance feature;

prioritizing adjusting one of the identified operation parameters having a first influence over another identified operation parameter with a second, lower influence; and

automatically adjusting at least one of the identified operation parameters by adjusting the operation of an actuator or component of the vehicle powertrain that is associated with the at least one identified operation parameter to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising

automatically adjusting at least the operation parameter with the highest influence.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising

determining whether a first adjustment to the operation parameter with the highest influence results in the performance feature returning to the desired performance range;

and

automatically making a second adjustment to the operation parameter with the highest influence if the performance feature is still outside the desired performance range;

or

automatically adjusting at least one other of the identified operation parameters that is selected according to the prioritizing if the performance feature is still outside the desired performance range.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically adjusting comprises

implementing an adjustment to at least one of the operation parameters;

and

determining whether the adjustment causes the performance feature to be within the desired performance range.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising

repeatedly implementing another, different adjustment to at least one of the operation parameters if a most recent adjustment does not cause the performance feature to be within the desired performance range.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationship comprises a mathematical model that corresponds to how the operation parameters influence whether the performance feature is within the desired performance range.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising

identifying an actuator failure associated with the powertrain;

determining at least one of the operation parameters corresponding to the actuator failure;

determining a value of the corresponding operation parameter that is indicative of the actuator failure; and

using the determined value as a fixed value for the corresponding operation parameter in the mathematical model.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the automatically adjusting at least one of the identified operation parameters comprises changing a value of the at least one of the operation parameters in the mathematical model until the performance feature value of the mathematical model is within the desired performance range.

9. A system, comprising:

a controller configured to;

determine that a performance feature associated with a vehicle powertrain is outside of a desired performance range;

identify a plurality of operation parameters associated with the powertrain having a relationship to the performance feature;

determine an influence that each identified operation parameter has on the performance feature;

prioritize adjusting one of the identified operation parameters having a first influence over another identified operation parameter with a second, lower influence; and

automatically adjust at least one of the identified operation parameters by adjusting the operation of an actuator or component of the vehicle powertrain associated with the at least one identified operation parameter to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to

transmit a signal to cause at least the operation parameter with the highest influence to be automatically adjusted.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to

determine whether a first adjustment to the operation parameter with the highest influence results in the performance feature returning to the desired performance range;

and

transmit a second signal to cause a second adjustment to the operation parameter with the highest influence to be made automatically if the performance feature is still outside the desired performance range;

or

transmit a third signal to cause at least one other of the identified operation parameters that is selected according to the prioritizing to be made automatically if the performance feature is still outside the desired performance range.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust the at least one of the identified operation parameters by

causing an adjustment to at least one of the operation parameters to be made;

and

determining whether the adjustment causes the performance feature to be within the desired performance range.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to

repeatedly cause another, different adjustment to at least one of the operation parameters, to be made until the performance feature is within the desired performance range.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the relationship comprises a mathematical model that corresponds to how the operation parameters influence whether the performance feature is within the desired performance range.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to

identify an actuator failure associated with the powertrain;

determine at least one of the operation parameters corresponding to the actuator failure;

determine a value of the corresponding operation parameter that is indicative of the actuator failure; and

use the determined value as a fixed value for the corresponding operation parameter in the mathematical model.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust at least one of the identified operation parameters by changing a value of the at least one of the operation parameters in the mathematical model until the performance feature value of the mathematical model is within the desired performance range.

17. A vehicle comprising the system of claim 9.