Torque sensor-based engine and powertrain control system

• US 7,111,611 B1
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Lyon, Kim M
• Primary Examiner(s): Solis, Erick R
• Application Number:
  US11/231,477
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 123 9015- 9018, 123/350, 123/399, 123/406.23, 123/436, 180/65.2, 180/65.4
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• 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 20/11 using model predictive control [MPC] strategies, i.e. control methods based on models predicting performance utilising navigation and traffic information in the control strategy B60W20/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1002 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2474 Characteristics of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A system for controlling a vehicle that includes an engine comprises a controller having an input for receiving an engine torque input command indicative of a desired amount of torque to be generated by the engine, and an output for providing an engine torque output command to the engine. A torque sensor is operatively connected to the engine and the controller. The torque sensor is adapted to measure torque output of the engine and to transmit a signal indicative of the measured torque to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the engine torque output command provided to the engine using torque feedback control based on the signal received from the torque sensor.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a vehicle that includes an engine, comprising:

a controller having an input for receiving an engine torque input command indicative of a desired amount of torque to be generated by the engine, and an output for providing an engine torque output command to the engine; and

a torque sensor operatively connected to the engine and the controller, the torque sensor adapted to measure torque output of the engine and to transmit a signal indicative of the measured torque to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to adjust the engine torque output command provided to the engine using torque feedback control based on the signal received from the torque sensor; and

wherein the controller stores measured engine torque measurements in a matrix for correlation with at least one vehicle operating parameter and updates the stored engine torque measurements.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine torque output command is configured to control at least one of the delivery of fuel to the engine, engine ignition, engine valve timing, electronic throttle control set-point, and intake manifold tuning configuration.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is operatively connected to an engine flywheel, drive-plate, or shaft.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle operating parameter includes at least one of engine speed, engine load, charge air temperature, barometric pressure, engine coolant temperature, and engine accessory load.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the matrix is an adaptive matrix, storing engine torque measurements to maintain an accurate map of engine torque potential.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to selectively review the adaptive matrix of stored engine torque measurements and to predict future engine torque based on one or more vehicle operating parameters.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the adaptive matrix is initially populated with values of engine torque for one or more vehicle operating parameters.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to update the adaptive matrix with engine torque measurements during initial operation of the engine.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect engine misfiring by monitoring alterations in the torque output of the engine.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to compare the measured torque output of the engine during a given engine cylinder firing with a predetermined torque output and to modify operation of the engine when the measured torque output deviates from the predetermined torque output by a predetermined amount.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes an electric motor and a second torque sensor operatively connected to the electric motor and the controller, the second torque sensor adapted to measure torque output of the electric motor and to transmit a signal indicative of the measured torque to the controller;

and wherein the controller is configured to adjust an electric motor torque output command provided to the electric motor using torque feedback control based on the signal received from the second torque sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a transmission and the controller or the torque sensor is configured to provide the transmission with a signal indicative of the measured torque.

13. A system for controlling a vehicle that includes an engine, comprising:

a controller having an input for receiving an engine torque input command indicative of a desired amount of torque to be generated by the engine, and an output for providing an engine torque output command to the engine; and

a torque sensor operatively connected to the engine and the controller, the torque sensor adapted to measure torque output of the engine and to transmit a signal indicative of the measured torque to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to store engine torque measurements in a matrix and update the matrix with engine torque measurements to maintain a map of engine torque potential.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the matrix correlates an engine torque measurement with at least one vehicle operating parameter.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle operating parameter includes at least one of engine speed, engine load, charge air temperature, barometric pressure, engine coolant temperature, and engine accessory load.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to selectively review the matrix of stored engine torque measurements and to predict future engine torque based on one or more vehicle operating parameters.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the matrix is initially populated with values of engine torque for one or more vehicle operating parameters.