Method and device for controlling a prime mover

• US 6,373,144 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Fröhlich, Johann, Zhang, Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin
• Application Number:
  US09/725,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20010002090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 290/17, 290/40-A-, 123/325
• US Class Current: 290/40.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• 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 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0042 Transfer function lag; delays
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0052 Filtering, filters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0628 Inlet air flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1006 Engine torque losses, e.g. friction or pumping losses or losses caused by external loads of accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/28 Interface circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A prime mover has an internal combustion engine and a motor generator. A setpoint of a torque depends on a variable representing the wish of an operator of the prime mover and on operating variables of the internal combustion engine. Actuating signals for actuators of the internal combustion engine depend on the setpoint of the indicated torque. An actuating signal for the motor generator which is arranged on the output shaft of the internal combustion engine depends on the setpoint of the torque.

Claims

1. A method of controling a prime mover having an internal combustion engine with an output shaft for connecting to a transmission, which comprises:

determining a set point of a torque in dependence on a variable representing a driver'"'"'s wish and operating variables of an internal combustion engine;

defining actuating signals for actuators of the internal combustion engine in dependence on the setpoint of the torque;

determining an estimated value of a maximum or minimum torque that can be set via the actuators of the internal combustion engine within a predefined time period; and

defining an actuating signal for a motor generator connected to the output shaft of the interal combustion engine in dependence on the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the maximum or minimum torque.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is one of a spark plug and an injection valve, and the method further comprises determining an estimated value of the actual motor generator torque, and setting an actuating signal for the actuator in dependence on the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the actual motor generator torque.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuating signal for the motor generator depends on the difference between the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the maximum or minimum torque.

4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises operating the motor generator as a motor if the estimated value of the maximum torque is less than the setpoint of the torque.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises operating the motor generator as a generator if the estimated value of the minimum torque is greater than the setpoint of the torque.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises operating the motor generator as a motor if a difference between the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the maximum torque is greater than a predefined threshold value.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises defining the predefined time period by a time period of one crank shaft segment.

8. A device for controlling a prime mover having an internal combustion engine with an output shaft for connecting to a transmission, comprising:

a device for determining a setpoint of a torque in dependence on a variable representing a wish of a driver and operating variables of the internal combustion engine;

a device for generating actuating signals for actuators of the internal combustion engine in dependence on the setpoint of the torque;

a device for determining an estimated value of a maximum or minimum torque that can be set via the actuators of the internal combustion engine within a predefined time period; and

a device for generating an actuating signal for a motor generator, arranged on the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, in dependence on the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the maximum or minimum torque, the output shaft being for connecting to a transmission.

9. A device for controlling a prime mover having an internal combustion engine and a motor generator arranged on an output shaft of the internal combustion engine, the output shaft to be connected to a transmission, the device comprising:

a torque setpoint controller programmed to determine a setpoint of a torque in dependence on a variable representing a driver'"'"'s wish and operating variables of the internal combustion engine;

an actuator controller programmed to generate actuating signals for actuators of the internal combustion engine in dependence on the setpoint of the torque;

an estimator programmed to determine an estimated value of a maximum or minimum torque that can be set via the actuators of the internal combustion engine within a predetermined time period; and

a motor generator signal generator programmed to generate an actuating signal for a motor generator on an output shaft of the internal combustion engine in dependence on the setpoint of the torque and the estimated value of the maximum or minimum torque.