System and method for engine start detection for hybrid vehicles

• US 7,350,602 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Colvin, Dan, Kraska, Marvin, Bailey, Kathleen, Masterson, Brandon, Yamazaki, Mark, Ortmann, Walt
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/710,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 701/99, 701/110, 123/436, 123/179.3
• US Class Current: 180/65.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• 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 20/11 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 2050/0052 Filtering, filters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0225 Clutch actuator position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1012 Engine speed gradient
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/905 Combustion engine

Abstract

A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power generating system and a secondary power generating system coupled via a power transmission assembly for delivery of tractive force for the vehicle. The method includes determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly when the primary power generating system is deactivated, and inferring activation of the primary power generating system based at least in part on the acceleration of the power transmission assembly.

Claims

1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power generating system and a secondary power generating system coupled via a power transmission assembly for delivery of tractive force for the vehicle, the method comprising:

determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly when the primary power generating system is deactivated; and

inferring activation of the primary power generating system based at least in part on the acceleration of the power transmission assembly,

wherein the primary power generating system comprises an internal combustion engine, the secondary power generating system comprises an electric machine that performs as a motor in one mode of operation, and performs as a generator in another mode of operation;

operating the hybrid vehicle comprises engine start detection and activation of the primary power generating system comprises engine start;

determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly comprises determining a transmission input speed, filtering the transmission input speed, determining a derivative of the filtered transmission input speed, and filtering the derivative of the filtered transmission input speed; and

inferring activation of the primary power generating system comprises determining an engine speed and a transmission input torque;

generating a first trigger signal when the filtered derivative of the filtered transmission input speed is greater than a first predetermined acceleration for a first predetermined time;

generating a second trigger signal when the engine speed is greater than a second predetermined speed;

generating a third trigger signal when the transmission input torque is greater than a predetermined torque level; and

asserting an engine start signal when the first, second, and third trigger signals are substantially simultaneously generated.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission input speed is filtered using a first second order low pass filter and the derivative of the filtered transmission input speed is filtered using a second second order low pass filter.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of:

determining an actual throttle position;

generating a fourth trigger signal when the derivative of the filtered transmission input speed is greater than a fourth predetermined speed;

generating a fifth trigger signal when the actual throttle position is greater than a predetermined position; and

asserting the engine start signal when the fourth and fifth trigger signals are substantially simultaneously generated.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of:

filtering the engine speed;

determining a difference between the filtered engine speed and the filtered transmission input speed;

filtering the difference between the filtered engine speed and the filtered transmission input speed; and

asserting the engine start signal when the filtered difference between the filtered engine speed and the filtered transmission input speed is greater than a fourth predetermined speed.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein the engine speed is filtered using a third second order low pass filter and the difference between the filtered engine speed and the filtered transmission input speed is filtered using a first order low pass filter.

6. The method set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of:

determining an engine clutch engagement; and

asserting the engine start signal when the engine clutch is engaged for a duration greater than a second predetermined time.

7. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power generating system and a secondary power generating system coupled via a power transmission assembly for delivery of tractive force for the vehicle, the method comprising:

determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly when the primary power generating system is deactivated; and

inferring activation of the primary power generating system based at least in part on the acceleration of the power transmission assembly,

wherein the primary power generating system comprises an internal combustion engine, the secondary power generating system comprises an electric machine that performs as a motor in one mode of operation, and performs as a generator in another mode of operation;

operating the hybrid vehicle comprises engine start detection and activation of the primary power generating system comprises engine start;

determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly comprises determining a first signal indicative of transmission input speed and determining a derivative of the first signal; and

inferring activation of the primary power generating system comprises

determining another signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal;

generating a first trigger signal when the other signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal is greater than a first predetermined acceleration for a first predetermined time; and

asserting an engine start signal when at least the first trigger signal is generated.

8. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein the other signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal is the derivative of the first signal.

9. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein determining the other signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal comprises filtering the derivative of the first signal.

10. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein determining the first signal comprises determining a transmission input speed and filtering the transmission input speed.

11. The method set forth in claim 10 wherein the other signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal is the derivative of the first signal.

12. The method set forth in claim 10 wherein determining the other signal indicative of the derivative of the first signal comprises filtering the derivative of the first signal.