Method for altitude-compensated transmission shift scheduling

• US 8,224,539 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cuong H
• Application Number:
  US12/251,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 701/51, 701/55, 701/65, 701/54, 701/99, 477/110, 477/3, 477/97, 477/115, 477107-108, 180/28, 180/65.28, 180/65.29, 180/65.285, 180/65.275
• 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 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• 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 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 Monitoring the functioning of the control system
• 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 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to a transmission operative in one of a plurality of operating range states to transfer power between the engine and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the transmission, determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed, and determining a preferred operating range state for the transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a vehicular powertrain system including an engine coupled to a transmission operative in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states to transfer power between the engine and an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the transmission;

determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed; and

selecting a preferred one of the operating range states for the transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a preferred engine input speed and a preferred engine state at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining a preferred engine state comprises selecting one of all-cylinder operating state and a cylinder deactivation operating state.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining a preferred engine state comprises selecting one of a fueled state and a fuel cutoff state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the preferred one of the operating range states for the transmission and the preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power comprises:

executing searches of candidate engine operating points that are within the achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission for each of the operating range states and are responsive to the operator torque request;

determining power costs for each of the candidate engine operating points for each of the operating range states; and

selecting a preferred engine operating point and a preferred operating range state, wherein the preferred engine operating point and the preferred operating range state comprise the candidate engine operating point and the corresponding operating range state corresponding to a minimum of said power costs.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the transmission at the preferred operating range state.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling executing a shift to the preferred operating range state based upon the range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission determined based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed.

6. Method for controlling a powertrain system including a hybrid transmission operative in one of a plurality of operating range states to transfer power between an engine and a torque machine and an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the hybrid transmission;

determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed; and

determining a preferred operating range state for the hybrid transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising controlling executing a shift to the preferred operating range state based upon the range of input power transferable from the engine to the hybrid transmission determined based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising selecting a preferred operating range state comprising one of a fixed gear and a continuously variable operating range state.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a preferred engine input speed and a preferred engine state at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining a preferred engine state comprises selecting one of an all-cylinder operating state and a cylinder deactivation operating state.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining a preferred engine state comprises selecting one of a including one of a fueled state and a fuel cutoff state.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein determining a preferred operating range state for the hybrid transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power comprises:

executing searches of candidate engine operating points that are within the achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the hybrid transmission for candidate operating range states;

determining power costs for operating the transmission for each candidate engine operating point for each candidate operating range state;

selecting a preferred engine operating point for each of the candidate operating range states comprising the candidate engine operating point having a minimum power cost; and

selecting a preferred operating range state comprising the candidate operating range state corresponding to the preferred engine operating point having a minimum power cost.

15. Method for controlling a powertrain system including a hybrid transmission operative in one of a plurality of operating range states to transfer power between an engine and a torque machine and an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the hybrid transmission;

determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed;

determining a preferred operating range state for the hybrid transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power; and

executing a shift to the preferred operating range state based upon the range of input power transferable from the engine to the hybrid transmission determined based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed.