Method for operating an automotive drive

• US 8,280,576 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Baeuerle, Michael, Sieber, Udo, Ries-Mueller, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US12/069,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/31, 701/29.1, 701/31.1
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1015 Engines misfires
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3017 characterised by the mode(s) being used
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/307 to avoid torque shocks

Abstract

In an automotive drive, at least one dynamic characteristic of a bearing by which the automotive drive is supported on a beam is selectively influenced during operation of the automotive drive (active bearing). It is provided that a change in an instantaneous operating variable of the automotive drive is determined from a change in a state variable of the active bearing that influences its dynamic characteristic.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for operating an automotive drive supported on a beam via an active engine bearing, the method comprising:

determining, by a computer processor, a change in an instantaneous operating variable of the automotive drive from a change in a state variable of the active engine bearing that influences a dynamic characteristic of the active engine bearing; and

selectively influencing, by the processor, the dynamic characteristic based on the determined change in the instantaneous operating variable, wherein the selective influencing is performed responsive to a detection of a change in an actuating variable of the automotive drive that affects the instantaneous variable;

wherein the state variable includes a pressure in a hydraulic or pneumatic volume of the active engine bearing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the instantaneous operating variable is an instantaneous torque.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining of the change in the instantaneous operating variable is performed conditional upon the detection of the change in the actuating variable of the automotive drive that affects the instantaneous operating variable.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the actuating variable is a driver-desired torque, a driving pedal position, a gear ratio, a number of active cylinders, a combustion method, or a fuel type.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one interference variable is taken into account when determining the change in the instantaneous operating variable.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the interference variable includes a change in the state variable of the active bearing imposed via a drive train.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising determining the interference variable from a change in a rotational speed of a wheel of the automotive drive.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising utilizing the determined change in the instantaneous operating variable to optimize an actuating variable of the automotive drive.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the actuating variable acts on a starter of the automotive drive.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the determined change in the state variable of the active bearing to detect at least one of (a) engine damage, including damage to a bearing of a crankshaft, and (b) combustion misses.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining of the change in the instantaneous operating variable is performed responsive to the detection of the change in the actuating variable of the automotive drive that affects the instantaneous operating variable.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the determined change in the instantaneous operating variable to a change in the instantaneous operating variable that is expected based on the detected change in the actuating variable, wherein the selective influencing is based on a result of the comparison.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the state variable is a pressure of a volume between (a) a piston that is connected to an internal combustion engine and (b) cylinder housing the piston.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuating variable is at least one of a driving pedal position, indicated driver-desired torque, gear ratio, number of active cylinders, combustion method, and fuel type.

16. The method according claim 1, wherein the selective influencing is performed by modifying at least one of a fuel quantity to be injected, an injection instant, and a throttle valve position.

11. A control/regulating device for an automotive drive having stored thereon instructions executable by a processor, the instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method for operating an automotive drive supported on a beam via an active engine bearing, the method comprising:

determining a change in an instantaneous operating variable of the automotive drive from a change in a state variable of the active engine bearing that influences a dynamic characteristic of the active engine bearing; and

selectively influencing, by the processor, the dynamic characteristic based on the determined change in the instantaneous operating variable, wherein the selective influencing is performed responsive to a detection of a change in an actuating variable of the automotive drive that affects the instantaneous variable;

wherein the state variable includes a pressure in a hydraulic or pneumatic volume of the active engine bearing.