Adaptive E-Drive Operation for Electrified Vehicle

• US 20140111126A1
• Filed: 12/30/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sankaran, Venkateswa
• Granted Patent: US 9,479,095 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/400.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/02 characterised by the form of the current used in the control circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/12 Induction machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/26 Vehicle weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/12 by confirmation, e.g. of the input
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/14 of noise
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/142 acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/10 Arrangements for controlling torque ripple, e.g. providing reduced torque ripple
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/34 Modelling or simulation for control purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A system is configured to receive vehicle state input, and in response to the vehicle state input, select an operational mode for PWM switching of electronics in a power conversion circuit of a hybrid electric vehicle electric drive system (EDS). Vehicle state input can pertain to EDS state, engine state, and the presence of alternative noise sources, such as audio equipment, climate control equipment, and lowered windows. Various operational modes can include a noise reduction mode in which EDS noise is reduced, a loss reduction mode in which EDS losses are reduced, and a default mode, which can be designed to maximize fuel efficiency. A system can be configured to provide a PWM implementation strategy based on operational mode selection. By way of example, a PWM implementation strategy can comprise random PWM, continuous PWM, discontinuous PWM and fixed frequency PWM.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency adaptation mechanism (PFAM) configured to receive vehicle state input, and in response to said vehicle state input, select a PWM operational mode to be implemented at said vehicle; and

an apparatus coupled to said PFAM and configured to implement said PWM operational mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said operational mode comprises a noise reduction mode, a loss reduction mode or a default mode.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a circuit in which elements are switched on and off by pulse width modulation in accordance with said operational mode parameters.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said PFAM is configured to provide a PWM implementation strategy based on said selected operational mode.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said implementation strategy comprises a type of PWM.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said type of PWM comprises continuous PWM, discontinuous PWM, random PWM or fixed frequency PWM.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said PFAM is configured to receive user preference input regarding said PWM operational mode.

8. A system, comprising:

at least one digital processor; and

a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to said at least one digital processor;

having stored thereon logic for sequences of instructions for said digital processor, the sequences of instructions, when executed by said digital processor, cause the processor to select a pulse width modulation (PWM) operational mode based on vehicle state input.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said operational mode comprises a loss reduction mode, a noise reduction mode, or a default mode.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said sequences of instructions cause said processor to provide a PWM implementation strategy based on said selected PWM operational mode.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said PWM implementation strategy comprises a type of PWM.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said operational mode comprises a noise reduction mode, a loss reduction mode, or a default mode.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving user input regarding said operational mode preference for a default PWM operational mode.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting PWM operational mode comprises selecting a default mode in response to said vehicle state input indicating presence of alternative noise source at said vehicle.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting PWM operational mode comprises selecting a noise reduction mode in response to said vehicle state input indicating said vehicle speed is changing and absence of alternative noise source at said vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting PWM operational mode comprises selecting a loss reduction mode in response to said vehicle state input indicating said vehicle is traveling at a low speed, an electric drive system at said vehicle is heavily loaded, and absence of alternative noise source at said vehicle.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting a PWM operational mode comprises selecting a noise reduction mode in response to vehicle state input indicating that said vehicle is traveling at low speed, an electric drive system at said vehicle is not heavily loaded, and absence of alternative noise source at said vehicle.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a PWM implementation strategy based on said selected operational mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said PWM implementation strategy for a loss reduction mode comprises low frequency random PWM.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said PWM implementation strategy for a noise reduction mode comprises a random strategy performed at a high frequency.

12. A method comprising:

receiving at a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency adaptation mechanism (PFAM), vehicle state input related to a current status of a vehicle component;

in response to said vehicle state input, said PFAM selecting a PWM operational mode for PWM switching in a circuit configured to provide a voltage to an electric motor at said vehicle.

22. A method for designating a pulse width modulation (PWM) parameter, comprising:

a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency adaptation mechanism (PFAM) determining whether a vehicle window is open, and in response to an open window, selecting a default mode and concluding said method, otherwise continuing with said method;

said PFAM determining whether a vehicle air conditioner is operating, and in response to an operating air conditioner, selecting said default mode and concluding said method, otherwise continuing with said method;

said PFAM determining whether a vehicle radio is turned on, and in response to an on state for said radio, selecting said default mode and concluding said method, otherwise continuing with said method;

said PFAM determining whether a vehicle is in a drive mode, and in response to a vehicle not being in a drive mode, selecting said default mode and concluding said method, otherwise continuing with said method;

said PFAM determining whether said vehicle is accelerating or decelerating, and in response to said vehicle accelerating or decelerating, selecting a noise reduction mode and concluding said method, otherwise continuing with said method;

said PFAM determining whether said vehicle is moving at a low speed, and in response to said vehicle not moving at a low speed, designating said default mode and concluding said method, otherwise proceeding with said method; and

said PFAM determining whether an electric drive system (EDS) of said vehicle is heavily loaded, and in response to said EDS being heavily loaded, selecting a loss reduction mode, and in response to said EDS not being heavily loaded selecting a noise reduction mode.