Systems and methods for implementing dynamic operating modes and control policies for hybrid electric vehicles

• US 10,384,667 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Frank, Andrew, Lin, Chan-Chiao, Kumar, Krishna, Serra, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatib, Rami
• Application Number:
  US15/853,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20180118187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 604 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/20 Control strategies involving selection of hybrid configuration, e.g. selection between series or parallel configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• 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: B60Y 2400/214 by power from domestic supply, e.g. plug in supplies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 Conjoint control of different elements

Abstract

Systems and/or methods for controlling dual motor-dual clutch powertrains for HEV and PHEV vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising: determining the state of charge (SOC) of said batteries; determining the speed of the vehicle; if the SOC is greater than a given first threshold, selecting a charge-depleting operational mode of said vehicle; during operation of said vehicle, if the SOC is less than a given second threshold, selecting a charge-sustaining operating mode of said vehicle. In another embodiment, a system having a controller that operates the powertrain according to various embodiments is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a powertrain for an HEV vehicle, the powertrain for the HEV vehicle comprising a prime mover;

a first electric motor-generator, said first electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said prime mover via a first clutch;

a second electric motor-generator, said second electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said first electric motor-generator via a second clutch;

a battery, said battery electrically coupled to said first electric motor-generator and said second electric motor-generator, said battery configured to supply electrical energy to said first electric motor-generator and said second electric motor-generator; and

a controller, said controller configured to receive signals from one or more sensors and supplying control signals to said prime mover, said first clutch, said first electric motor-generator, said second clutch and said second electric motor-generator;

said method comprising;

determining energy usage patterns of a driver over time, the energy usage patterns comprising;

accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity of the driver;

selecting a first State of Charge (SOC) threshold curve among a set of SOC threshold curves, the first SOC threshold curve depending upon the energy usage pattern of the driver;

selecting the mode of operating the HEV according to the SOC and the vehicle speed;

if the energy usage pattern of the driver over time exhibits a first variance in at least one of accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity over time, selecting a second SOC threshold curve that is higher than the first SOC threshold curve to operate the vehicle; and

if the energy usage pattern of the driver over time exhibits a second variance in at least one of accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity over time, the second variance being less than the first variance, selecting a second SOC threshold curve that is lower than the first SOC threshold curve to operate the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining energy usage patterns of the driver over time further comprises:

measuring an average accelerator pedal motion and an average brake pedal motion; and

measuring a second moment of the accelerator pedal motion and the brake pedal motion.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

displaying driver demand information to give the driver suggestions to improve the energy efficiency.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

predicting a future energy demand of the driver and selecting a SOC threshold curve in accordance with the prediction.

5. A system for controlling the operation of a powertrain for an HEV vehicle, the powertrain for the HEV vehicle comprising a prime mover;

a first electric motor-generator, said first electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said prime mover via a first clutch;

a second electric motor-generator, said second electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said first electric motor-generator via a second clutch;

a battery, said battery electrically coupled to said first electric motor-generator and said second electric motor-generator, said battery configured to supply electrical energy to said first electric motor-generator and said second electric motor-generator; and

a controller, said controller configured to receive signals from one or more sensors and supplying control signals to said prime mover, said first clutch, said first electric motor-generator, said second clutch and said second electric motor-generator;

the controller performing the following computer implemented instructions comprising;

determining energy usage patterns of a driver over time, the energy usage patterns comprising;

accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity of the driver;

selecting a first State of Charge (SOC) threshold curve among a set of SOC threshold curves, the first SOC threshold curve depending upon the energy usage pattern of the driver;

selecting the mode of operating the HEV according to the SOC and the vehicle speed;

if the energy usage pattern of the driver over time exhibits a first variance in at least one of accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity over time, selecting a second SOC threshold curve that is higher than the first SOC threshold curve to operate the vehicle; and

if the energy usage pattern of the driver over time exhibits a second variance in at least one of accelerator pedal activity and brake pedal activity over time, the second variance being less than the first variance, selecting a second SOC threshold curve that is lower than the first SOC threshold curve to operate the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein determining energy usage patterns of the driver over time further comprises:

measuring an average accelerator pedal motion and an average brake pedal motion; and

measuring a second moment of the accelerator pedal motion and the brake pedal motion.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

displaying driver demand information to give the driver suggestions to improve the energy efficiency.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

predicting a future energy demand of the driver and selecting a SOC threshold curve in accordance with the prediction.