Control architecture and method for two-dimensional optimization of input speed and input power including search windowing

• US 8,868,252 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), FCA US 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., Kim, Kee Yong, Wu, Bin
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Darby, Kelly E
• Application Number:
  US12/239,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,213 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701 51- 53, 701/56, 701/84, 477/15, 477/17, 477/34, 477/37
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• 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 10/184 with wheel brakes
• 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 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• 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 microprocessor driven two dimensional search engine examines transmission operating points within a plurality of search range spaces and assists in determining properties associated with the driveline at various operating points within the space. The size of the space is reduced by rearrangement of data.

Claims

1. Method for decreasing the size of a space from within which a two-dimensional search engine selects points defined by numerical pairs for evaluation in a powertrain system, said space comprising at least one two-dimensional first region, said first region having minimum and maximum abscissa and ordinate values associated with it, wherein a control module performs the following steps comprising:

generating a plurality of contour plots, said contour plots having abscissa and ordinate axes, and comprising contours which are representative of a property associated with points within the first region bounded by said abscissa and ordinate axes;

selecting a second region from each of said contour plots, said second regions each comprising minimum and maximum engine input speed abscissa values and minimum and maximum engine input power ordinate values;

providing a two-dimensional input request within each of the selected second regions, the two-dimensional input request comprising a power input request having values of output speed and output torque;

providing four tables of data, comprising

a first table only containing values of said minimum engine input speed abscissa values,

a second table only containing values of said maximum engine input speed abscissa values,

a third table only containing values of said minimum engine input power ordinate values,

a fourth table only containing values of said maximum engine input power ordinate values;

providing extracted values from said four tables based on said two-dimensional input request using the control module comprising

extracting a value for said minimum engine input speed abscissa value from said first table based on said two-dimensional input request,

extracting a value for said maximum engine input speed abscissa value from said second table based on said two-dimensional input request,

extracting a value for said minimum engine input power ordinate value from said third table based on said two-dimensional input request,

extracting a value for said maximum engine input power ordinate value from said fourth table based on said two-dimensional input request;

determining a search space having a smaller area than the second region for input to the two-dimensional search engine that excludes engine input speed and engine input power values that violate powertrain system constraints of transmission output torque, at least one electric machine torque, engine input torque and battery power, the determined search space defined by said extracted values for said minimum engine input speed abscissa value, said maximum engine input speed abscissa value, said minimum engine input power ordinate value, and said maximum engine input power ordinate value;

for each of a plurality of engine input speed and engine input power pairs within said determined search space having the smaller area than the second region, selecting a respective maximum transmission output torque and a respective minimum transmission output torque; and

one of

selecting the engine input speed and engine input power pair associated with the maximum transmission output torque having a highest magnitude when an output torque request is greater than said maximum transmission output torque, and

selecting the engine input speed and engine input power pair associated with the minimum transmission output torque having a lowest magnitude when said output torque request is less than said minimum transmission output torque.

2. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

searching said search space to determine a desirable point, based on any pre-selected criteria.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein said searching is conducted using an algorithm.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein said property is power loss associated with a drivetrain for points located within said first region, said first region having coordinates of transmission input speed and transmission input power.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein said numerical pairs selected for evaluation are each associated with a value obtained by summing at least two power losses associated with a driveline of a motorized vehicle when operating in a continuously-variable mode at points represented by said numerical pairs within said space.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein said second region comprises less area on a two-dimensional plane than said first region.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein said first region undergoes a change of position within said two-dimensional plane as a function of time.