Control of engine torque for traction and stability control events for a hybrid powertrain system

• US 8,214,114 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company), Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Heap, Anthony H., Brunssen, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Luke
• Application Number:
  US12/249,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/51, 701/54, 701/84, 701 86- 87, 180/197, 180/233, 180/248, 477/3, 477/5, 477/107, 477/110, 477/114
• US Class Current: 701/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• 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 2240/486 Operating parameters
• 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 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/027 Clutch torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/086 Power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1022 : Input torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 : Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 : Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 : Monitoring the functioning of the control system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 : characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/26 : by applying a torque limit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 : Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 : in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 : with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 11/04 : Preventing unauthorised use of engines of vehicles B60R25/04; ignition locks H01H27/00
• 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 3/728 : with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

An internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes determining an accelerator output torque request based upon an operator input to the accelerator pedal, and determining an axle torque response type. A preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request. An allowable range of input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type. The engine is controlled to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torque from the engine. The engine is controlled within the allowable range of input torque from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.

Claims

1. Method for controlling an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transfer power to a driveline, comprising:

monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal;

determining immediate and predicted accelerator output torque requests based upon the operator input to the accelerator pedal;

determining an axle torque response type comprising one of active and inactive response;

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon the predicted accelerator output torque request;

determining an allowable range of input torques from the engine to react with the hybrid transmission based upon the immediate accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type;

operating the engine to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torques from the engine; and

operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising setting the axle torque response type to the active response when one of a fraction control event and a vehicle stability event is commanded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the immediate accelerator output torque request based upon the operator input to the accelerator pedal comprises determining a presently occurring operator input to the accelerator pedal to generate an immediate output torque.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the predicted accelerator torque request comprises a preferred output torque at the driveline.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing the allowable range of input torques from the engine by increasing electric power regeneration through the hybrid transmission and operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the hybrid transmission based upon power limits of a second power generator operative to transfer mechanical power to the hybrid transmission and a torque transfer capacity of the hybrid transmission.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques by decreasing the power output from the engine.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising decreasing the power output from the engine by retarding spark advance of the engine.

9. The method of claim 7, comprising decreasing the power output from the engine by advancing timing of fuel injection of the engine.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the engine within the allowable range of engine torque by increasing the power output from the engine.

11. Method for controlling an engine coupled to a transmission device, the transmission device operative to transfer mechanical power from the engine and a second power generating device to an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal to determine an immediate accelerator torque request and a predicted accelerator output torque request;

determining an axle torque response type comprising one of active and inactive;

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the transmission device based upon the predicted accelerator output torque request;

determining an allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type;

operating the engine at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device; and

operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device is determined based upon the predicted accelerator output torque request when the axle torque response type is inactive.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device is determined based upon the immediate accelerator output torque request when the axle torque response type is active.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining the allowable range of input torques from the engine which can be reacted by the transmission device based upon power limits of the second power generating device and a torque transfer capacity of the transmission.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising including a selectively applied torque transfer clutch in the transmission, and determining the torque transfer capacity of the transmission based upon a maximum reactive torque of the selectively applied clutch of the transmission.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine comprises controlling spark advance of the engine to limit the torque output from the engine.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine comprises controlling timing of fuel injection of the engine to limit the torque output from the engine.

18. Method for controlling an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a transmission device, the transmission device operative to transfer mechanical power between the engine and a second power generating device and an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal;

determining an accelerator output torque request based upon the operator input to the accelerator pedal;

determining an axle torque response type;

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the transmission device based upon the accelerator output torque request;

determining a maximum input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the transmission device based upon the accelerator output torque request, the brake torque request and the axle torque response type;

operating the engine at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is less than the maximum input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the transmission device; and

limiting the engine to operate at the maximum input torque when the preferred input torque is greater than the maximum input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the transmission device.