Control architecture for selection of optimal mode or gear and input speed for a hybrid powertrain system

• US 7,568,994 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Heap, Anthony H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright; Dirk
• Application Number:
  US11/561,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20080120001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 477/3, 701/54, 701/58, 701/59
• US Class Current: 477/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• 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: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 10/115 with planetary gears
• 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 20/30 Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0031 Mathematical model of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/106 : with switching means to provide two variator modes or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/201 : with three sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2041 : with four engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 : with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

There is provided a method and control system for a powertrain system comprising an internal combustion engine and first and second electrical machines and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative to transmit torque therebetween and operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes. The method comprises monitoring an output of the transmission, an operator torque request, and, available battery power. At least one permissible operating range state is identified, and a torque range for each permissible operating range state is determined. Preferred operating conditions and a preferred cost are determined for each permissible operating range state. A preferred operating range state is selected based upon the preferred costs for the permissible operating range states.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a powertrain, comprising:

monitoring an output of an electro-mechanical transmission, an operator torque request, and, available battery power;

identifying at least one permissible operating range state;

determining a torque range for each permissible operating range state;

determining preferred operating conditions and a preferred cost for each permissible operating range state; and

,

selecting a preferred operating range state based upon the preferred costs for the permissible operating range states.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively actuating a plurality of torque-transfer clutches based upon the preferred operating range state.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising selectively operating a first and a second electrical machine as one of an electrical motor and an electrical generator based upon the preferred operating range state.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising selectively operating an internal combustion engine based upon the preferred operating range state.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising selectively operating the internal combustion engine the first and second electrical machines the electro-mechanical transmission and the plurality of torque-transfer clutches to transmit torque therebetween based upon the preferred operating range state.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one permissible operating range state based upon constraints on an output speed of the electro-mechanical transmission.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the operating range states comprise two continuously variable modes and four fixed gear modes.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of operating range states further comprises the internal combustion engine one of on and off during operation of the powertrain in each of the two continuously variable modes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the internal combustion engine being off comprises rotation of a crankshaft of the engine being substantially stopped.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying the permissible operating range states comprises identifying which of the two continuously variable modes and the four fixed gear modes with the internal combustion engine on and off are operative to achieve the operator torque request.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a torque range for each permissible operating range state comprises determining minimum and maximum input torques and minimum and maximum output torques for the electro-mechanical transmission over a range of input speeds when the operating range state consists of a continuously variable mode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a torque range for each permissible operating range state comprises determining minimum and maximum input torques and minimum and maximum output torques when the operating range state consists of a fixed gear mode.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the preferred cost for each permissible torque range comprises determining an optimum operating cost based upon fuel economy, emissions, and battery life.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a preferred operating range state based upon the preferred costs for each operating range state further comprising selecting one of the permissible operating range states based upon a minimum cost.

15. Control system for a hybrid powertrain, comprising:

a distributed control module architecture comprising a plurality of signally connected control modules operatively connected to an internal combustion engine and an electro-mechanical transmission and each of first and second electrical machines the powertrain selectively operative in one of a plurality of operating range states;

the control system adapted to execute a plurality of algorithms contained therein to effect the following steps in the sequence set forth, the algorithms comprising;

code to monitor an output of the transmission, an operator torque request, and, available battery power;

code to identify at least one permissible operating range state;

code to determine a torque range for each permissible operating range state;

code to determine preferred operating conditions and a preferred cost for each permissible operating range state; and

,

code to select a preferred operating range state based upon the preferred costs for the permissible operating range states.

16. The control system of claim 15, wherein the code to select the preferred operating range state comprises code to select one of two continuously variable modes and four fixed gear modes based upon the output of the transmission and the operator torque request.

17. The control system of claim 16, wherein selected ones of the torque-transfer clutches are activated and selected ones of the torque-transfer clutches are deactivated based upon the preferred operating range state and a desired input speed from the engine.

18. Method for operating a powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine and first and second electrical machines and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative to transmit torque therebetween, the method comprising:

monitoring an output speed of the transmission, an operator torque request, and, available battery power;

identifying at least one permissible operating range state;

determining a torque range for each permissible operating range state;

determining preferred operating conditions and a preferred cost for each permissible operating range state;

selecting a preferred operating range state based upon the preferred costs for the permissible operating range states; and

,

selectively actuating a plurality of torque-transfer clutches of the electro-mechanical transmission and controlling the internal combustion engine and the first and second electrical machines to achieve the preferred operating range state.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the operating range states comprise two continuously variable modes and four fixed gear modes.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the operating range states further comprise the internal combustion engine one of on and off during operation of the powertrain in each of the two continuously variable modes.