System and method to control a switchable powertrain mount

• US 7,194,344 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Gee, Thomas Scott, Bisaro, Darren, Mahadevan, Krish
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner; Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/905,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 267/140.15, 267/140.13, 267/140.14, 180/312, 701/22
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/1283 Adjustable supports, e.g. the mounting or the characteristics being adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/06 Ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A strategy controls alternate anti-vibration modes in a switchable powertrain mount using vehicle operational status sensors and pre-selected thresholds. The switchable mount modes can include engine off-idle and an idle mode. Vehicle sensors and pre-selected thresholds can determine whether the engine is off-idle, or running in idle mode, whether the engine will likely remain in idle mode. From these determinations, the controller can command the switchable mount to engine idle mode when the controller determines the engine is in idle mode and will likely remain in idle mode. The switching means for the switchable mount can use a three-way vacuum solenoid valve (VSV), or a mechanical or electrical switch. In the case of the VSV configuration, the VSV is communicatively attached to the controller, a vacuum line connects the VSV to the switchable mount, and a second vacuum line connects the VSV to an engine intake manifold.

Claims

1. A mount assembly for coupling a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain assembly and a vehicle chassis, the mount assembly comprising:

at least one switchable mount operable in at least an engine off-idle mode;

a plurality of vehicle sensors operatively connected to the powertrain assembly, with said sensors comprising at least an accelerator position sensor, a gear selector position sensor, and a battery state of charge sensor; and

a controller for receiving and processing inputs from said plurality of sensors, with said controller commanding said mount assembly to remain in the engine off-idle mode in the event that the sensed rate of change of accelerator position, the sensed gear selector position, and the sensed battery state of charge indicate an operator demand which can be satisfied without use of the vehicle'"'"'s engine.

2. A system for controlling a powertrain mount incorporated in a hybrid electric vehicle, the system having a digital processor with a memory containing an algorithm that responds to a plurality of vehicle operating parameters to achieve a powertrain mount control that comprises the steps of:

sensing accelerator position and determining the rate of change of accelerator position;

determining gear selector position;

determining the state of charge of the vehicle'"'"'s traction battery;

using the previously determined rate of change of accelerator position, as well as the gear selector position and battery state of charge to determine whether the vehicle'"'"'s engine should be started to satisfy driver demand; and

commanding a powertrain mount to remain in an off-idle position in the event that driver demand may be satisfied without starting the engine.

3. A method for controlling a powertrain mount incorporated in a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine, using a system having a digital processor with a memory containing an algorithm that responds to a plurality of vehicle operating parameters to achieve a powertrain mount control, with said method comprising the steps of:

sensing accelerator position and determining the rate of change of accelerator position;

determining gear selector position;

determining the state of charge of the vehicle'"'"'s traction battery;

using the previously determined rate of change of accelerator position, as well as the gear selector position and battery state of charge to determine whether the vehicle'"'"'s engine should be started to satisfy driver demand; and

commanding a powertrain mount to remain in an off-idle mode in the event that driver demand may be satisfied without starting the engine.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said powertrain mount is commanded to remain in an off-idle mode upon startup of the engine, in the event that a controller determines that the engine will quickly be transitioning into an off-idle mode.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said powertrain mount is commanded to switch to an idle mode upon startup of the engine, in the event that a controller determines that the engine will remain in an idle mode for at least a predetermined period of time.