Control system for engine torque management for a hybrid powertrain system

• US 8,585,540 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• 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): KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS
• Application Number:
  US12/252,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,861 Days
• Field of Search: 477/3, 701/54
• US Class Current: 477/3
• 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 2240/443 Torque
• 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 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1025 Input torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• 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 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• 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

An engine is 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. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring an operator demand for power, selecting a preferred engine state, determining a preferred engine torque input to the transmission device when operating in the preferred engine state based upon the operator demand for power, determining constraints on the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon a capacity of the transmission device to react the engine torque input, and commanding operation of the engine to the preferred engine state and commanding the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon the preferred engine torque input and the constraints on the engine torque input.

Claims

1. Method for controlling an 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 an operator demand for power;

selecting a preferred engine state, wherein selecting the preferred engine state comprises selecting one of a full fuel state and a fuel cutoff state and selecting one of an all-cylinder state and a cylinder deactivation state;

determining a preferred engine torque input to the transmission device when operating in the preferred engine state based upon the operator demand for power;

determining constraints on the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon a capacity of the transmission device to react the engine torque input; and

commanding operation of the engine to the preferred engine state and commanding the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon the preferred engine torque input and the constraints on the engine torque input.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the capacity of the transmission device to react the engine torque input based upon power limits of the second power generating device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising limiting the capacity of the transmission device to react the engine torque input based upon limitations of reactive torques across applied clutches of the transmission device.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising

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

determining an immediate accelerator output torque and a net immediate output torque based upon the operator inputs to the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising

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

and

determining a predicted accelerator output torque and a net predicted output torque based upon the operator inputs to the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising determining maximum and minimum power limits for the second power generating device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transitioning to the preferred engine state and controlling the engine torque based upon the preferred engine torque during the transition to the preferred engine state.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising commanding operation of the engine to the preferred engine state and commanding the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon the preferred engine torque input and the constraints on the engine torque input.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an engine response type based upon the commanded engine torque input to the transmission device and the constraints on the engine torque input to the transmission device.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising setting the engine response type to an active response when the preferred engine torque input to the transmission device is outside the constraints on the engine torque input to the transmission device.