Method for managing lash in a driveline

• US 8,818,660 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2008
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• 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., McConnell, Jason J, McGrath, Seamus T, Morris, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIPALA, EDWARD J
• Application Number:
  US12/255,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,134 Days
• Field of Search: 701/51, 701/53, 701/54, 701/55, 701/58, 701/65, 701/70, 180/65.21, 180/65.225, 180/65.23, 180/65.235, 180/65.245, 180/65.25, 180/65.265, 180/65.275, 180/65.285, 477/51, 477/53, 477/54, 477/55, 477/58, 477/65, 477/70, 743/35, 743/36, 744/09, 731/150.1, 731/150.2, 475/198, 475/204
• 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 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• 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 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0661 Torque change rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0666 Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 : Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1038 : Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 : Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1055 : Output torque change rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/28 : Wheel speed
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A hybrid powertrain system includes a transmission device operative to transfer power between an input member, a torque machine and an output member, the output member coupled to a driveline coupled to a wheel to transfer tractive torque therebetween. A method for controlling the hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, determining an operating range state of the transmission device, determining a net output torque to the output member based upon the operator torque request, determining a lash state of the driveline, and determining a command for transferring output torque to the output member based upon the operating range state of the transmission device, the net output torque, and the lash state of the driveline.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system including a transmission device operative to transfer power between an input member, a torque machine and an output member, the output member coupled to a driveline coupled to a wheel to transfer tractive torque there between, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

determining, in a control module, a net output torque command to the output member based upon the operator torque request;

determining a change in a lash state comprising;

comparing the net output torque command to a rate limit threshold torque comprising one of a positive rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a negative torque value and a negative rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a positive torque value, wherein the rate limit threshold torque is selected proximate to zero torque indicating potential lash in the transmission; and

indicating the change in the lash state when the net output torque is one of less than the positive rate limit threshold and greater than the negative rate limit threshold;

determining an output torque command comprising limiting the net output torque command by a threshold rate of change based upon the change in the lash state comprising one of;

when the net output torque command is less than the positive rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque decrease rate, and

when the net output torque command is greater than the negative rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque increase rate; and

controlling the hybrid powertrain system based upon the output torque command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the change in lash state comprises a transition from a first of a positive lash state, a negative lash state, and a neutral lash state to a second of the positive lash state, the negative lash state, and the neutral lash state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the hybrid powertrain system comprises commanding motor torques for a first electric machine and a second electric machine of the hybrid powertrain system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring operation of the powertrain system;

determining the lash state based upon the operation; and

ceasing limiting the net output torque by the threshold rate of change based upon the lash state indicating the change in the lash state to be complete.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein monitoring operation comprises:

monitoring a first motor torque;

monitoring a second motor torque;

monitoring a torque of the input member;

a transmission clutch torque;

a brake friction torque; and

an estimated road load torque.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the last state comprises:

determining an estimated wheel speed based upon the monitored operation;

determining an estimated output speed based upon the monitored operation;

determining an estimated axle torque based upon the monitored operation; and

determining an estimated conversion factor based upon the monitored operation.

7. Method for managing lash in a driveline operably coupled to a hybrid powertrain system, the hybrid powertrain system including an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission, the hybrid transmission operative to transmit torque between the input member and first and second torque machines and an output member coupled to the driveline to transmit torque to a wheel, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

determining, in a control module, a net output torque command to the output member based upon the operator torque request;

determining a change in a lash state comprising;

comparing the net output torque command to a rate limit threshold torque comprising one of a positive rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a negative torque value and a negative rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a positive torque value, wherein the rate limit threshold torque is selected proximate to zero torque indicating potential lash in the transmission; and

indicating the change in the lash state when the net output torque is one of less than the positive rate limit threshold and greater than the negative rate limit threshold;

determining an output torque command comprising limiting the net output torque command by a threshold rate of change based upon the change in the lash state comprising one of;

when the net output torque command is less than the positive rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque decrease rate, and

when the net output torque command is greater than the negative rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque increase rate; and

commanding motor torques to the first and second torque machines based upon the output torque command.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

monitoring operation of the powertrain system;

determining the lash state based upon the operation; and

ceasing limiting the net output torque by the threshold rate of change based upon the lash state indicating the change in the lash state to be complete.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation comprises:

monitoring a first motor torque;

monitoring a second motor torque;

monitoring a torque of the input member;

a transmission clutch torque;

a brake friction torque; and

an estimated road load torque.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the last state comprises:

determining an estimated wheel speed based upon the monitored operation;

determining an estimated output speed based upon the monitored operation;

determining an estimated axle torque based upon the monitored operation; and

determining an estimated conversion factor based upon the monitored operation.

11. Method for managing lash in a driveline operably coupled to a hybrid powertrain system, the hybrid powertrain system including an engine, a second torque generating machine, a transmission device and an energy storage device connected to the second torque generating machine, the transmission device operative to transfer power between an output member, the engine and the second torque generating machine, the output member providing torque to the driveline providing torque to a wheel, the method comprising:

monitoring an operator torque request;

determining, in a control module, a net output torque command to the output member based upon the operator torque request;

determining a change in a lash state comprising;

comparing the net output torque command to a rate limit threshold torque comprising one of a positive rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a negative torque value and a negative rate limit threshold torque corresponding to a positive torque value, wherein the rate limit threshold torque is selected proximate to zero torque indicating potential lash in the transmission; and

indicating the change in the lash state when the net output torque is one of less than the positive rate limit threshold and greater than the negative rate limit threshold;

determining an output torque command comprising limiting the net output torque command by a threshold rate of change based upon the change in the lash state comprising one of;

when the net output torque command is less than the positive rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque decrease rate, and

when the net output torque command is greater than the negative rate limit threshold torque, limiting the output torque command based upon a maximum output torque increase rate; and

controlling the engine and the second torque generating machine based upon the output torque command.