Method for hybrid vehicle powertrain control
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, said powertrain including an engine, a transmission, and an electric motor/generator, said method comprising:
- monitoring vehicle speed;
monitoring vehicle deceleration rate;
initiating a first routine configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate; and
initiating a second routine if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range, said second routine including running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method of the present invention provides a variety of vehicle performance characteristics depending on the mode of operation. A first routine is initiated to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate. The first routine may, according to a preferred embodiment, include a plurality of routines that are each configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy within a predefined range of vehicle speeds and deceleration rates. A second routine is initiated if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range. The second routine includes running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control the driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, said powertrain including an engine, a transmission, and an electric motor/generator, said method comprising:
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monitoring vehicle speed;
monitoring vehicle deceleration rate;
initiating a first routine configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate; and
initiating a second routine if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range, said second routine including running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, said powertrain including an engine, a transmission, and an electric motor/generator, said method comprising:
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providing a torque converter disposed between the engine and the transmission, said torque converter including a torque converter clutch that is actuatable to lock-up the torque converter such that energy is transferable therethrough with minimal loss;
monitoring vehicle speed;
monitoring vehicle deceleration rate;
initiating a first routine configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate;
initiating a second routine if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range, said second routine including running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start; and
shutting off the engine after the completion of one of the first routine and the second routine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, said powertrain including an engine, a transmission, and an electric motor/generator, said method comprising:
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monitoring vehicle speed;
monitoring vehicle deceleration rate; and
initiating a routine if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range, said routine including;
determining whether the vehicle speed is below a predefined threshold speed; and
running the electric motor/generator in a manner adapted to control the driveline lash if the vehicle speed is below the predefined threshold speed such that disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start are minimized. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification