Method for ascertaining a torque accuracy of a torque transmitted from a belt-driven starter-generator of an internal combustion engine to the internal combustion engine

• US 10,557,449 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2016
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seg Automotive Germany GMBH
• Original Assignee: Seg Automotive Germany GMBH
• Inventors: Klein, Benjamin, Trzebiatowski, Tobias, Greis, Andreas, Schroeder, Bernd, Deak, Istvan, Kaepple, Mario, Henger, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Dallo, Joseph J
• Application Number:
  US15/746,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20180283342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 67/06 driven by means of chains, belts, or like endless members
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/101 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/24 by using an external load, e.g. a generator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• 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: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/108 for diagnosis of the starter or its components
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/08 the gearing being of friction type
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/022 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/042 Starter torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/14 said parameter being related to wear of starter or other components, e.g. based on total number of starts or age
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method for ascertaining a torque accuracy of a torque transmitted from a belt-driven starter-generator of an internal combustion engine to the internal combustion engine, which is similar to a learning process or a calibration of the actual torque of the starter-generator with respect to a setpoint torque, includes controlling the belt-driven starter-generator to transmit a specified test torque to the internal combustion engine during a predefined test time interval during coasting down of the internal combustion engine, determining a speed variable that is dependent on a speed of the internal combustion during the test time interval, comparing the speed variable to a reference variable, and deducing the torque accuracy from this comparison.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a belt-driven starter generator of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

during a predefined test time interval during coasting down of the internal combustion engine;

controlling, by a processor, the belt-driven starter generator to provide to the internal combustion engine a specified test torque; and

determining, by a processor, a speed variable that is a function of a speed of the internal combustion engine;

comparing, by the processor, the determined speed variable to a reference variable;

deducing, by the processor and based on a result of the comparison, a torque accuracy at which the belt-driven starter generator provides torque to the internal combustion engine relative to setpoints specified by the processor; and

based on the deduced torque accuracy, the processor controlling the belt-driven starter generator, wherein a check is carried out as part of the comparison between the determined speed variable and the reference variable to determine whether the speed of the internal combustion engine decreases according to a predefined reference curve during the test time interval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the deduced torque accuracy is insufficient, and the controlling based on the deduced torque accuracy includes correcting the torque transmitted from the belt-driven starter-generator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, the comparison indicates that the speed of the internal combustion engine is not decreasing according to the predefined reference curve during the test time interval, and the deducing therefore is that the torque accuracy is insufficient.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a statistical evaluation of a plurality of determined speed variables is carried out.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a time series analysis of the plurality of determined speed variables is carried out.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluated speed variable is checked for plausibility with the aid of statistical functions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the speed of the internal combustion engine is determined as the speed variable.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by a processor and that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method for controlling a belt-driven starter generator of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

during a predefined test time interval during coasting down of the internal combustion engine;

controlling the belt-driven starter generator to provide to the internal combustion engine a specified test torque; and

determining a speed variable that is a function of a speed of the internal combustion engine;

comparing the determined speed variable to a reference variable;

deducing, based on a result of the comparison, a torque accuracy at which the belt-driven starter generator provides torque to the internal combustion engine relative to setpoints specified by the processor; and

based on the deduced torque accuracy, the processor controlling the belt-driven starter generator, wherein a check is carried out as part of the comparison between the determined speed variable and the reference variable to determine whether the speed of the internal combustion engine decreases according to a predefined reference curve during the test time interval.

9. A device for controlling a belt-driven starter generator of an internal combustion engine, the device comprising:

processing circuitry interfacing with the belt-driven starter generator, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to;

during a predefined test time interval during coasting down of the internal combustion engine;

control the belt-driven starter generator to provide to the internal combustion engine a specified test torque; and

determine a speed variable that is a function of a speed of the internal combustion engine;

compare the determined speed variable to a reference variable;

deduce, based on a result of the comparison, a torque accuracy at which the belt-driven starter generator provides torque to the internal combustion engine relative to setpoints specified by the processor; and

based on the deduced torque accuracy, control the belt-driven starter generator, wherein a check is carried out as part of the comparison between the determined speed variable and the reference variable to determine whether the speed of the internal combustion engine decreases according to a predefined reference curve during the test time interval.