Hybrid electric vehicle control strategy to provide vehicle creep and hill holding
First Claim
1. A control system for a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain powered by at least one of an engine, a traction motor, and a generator motor, comprising:
- an accelerator position sensor;
a traction motor temperature sensor;
a vehicle speed sensor;
a PRNDL position sensor;
a battery for powering the traction motor and generator motor and receiving power from the generator motor; and
a vehicle system control (VSC) to control the vehicle powertrain, the VSC receiving input from the accelerator position sensor, vehicle speed sensor, traction motor temperature sensor, and PRNDL position sensor, making a determination of whether zero accelerator demand from the driver is requested, making a determination of whether the PRNDL is in a forward drive mode, making a determination of whether the engine is running, making a determination of whether the vehicle is rolling backward, making a determination of whether the traction motor exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, and starting the engine if the engine is off and traction motor temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, starting the engine if the engine is off and the vehicle is rolling backward, commanding a traction motor torque request when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is not rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, commanding the engine to start and providing engine torque when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, and commanding an engine torque request when the engine is running, accelerator demand is zero, and the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to meet driver expectation for hill holding or creep capability found in conventional automobiles with an automatic transmission. The strategy is activated when the PRNDL is in drive or low-drive position and no accelerator applied. Alternatively, the strategy can also require no brake being applied as well. The strategy can use the traction motor, generator motor or engine to achieve creep or hill holding. The engine is used when the traction motor temperature exceeds a predefined value or the engine is already running. If the engine is not running, the strategy can determine when to start it and regulate the amount of engine torque needed to hold the vehicle on the hill using the generator motor. The strategy maintains efficient engine usage and minimizes battery usage and loss.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A control system for a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain powered by at least one of an engine, a traction motor, and a generator motor, comprising:
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an accelerator position sensor;
a traction motor temperature sensor;
a vehicle speed sensor;
a PRNDL position sensor;
a battery for powering the traction motor and generator motor and receiving power from the generator motor; and
a vehicle system control (VSC) to control the vehicle powertrain, the VSC receiving input from the accelerator position sensor, vehicle speed sensor, traction motor temperature sensor, and PRNDL position sensor, making a determination of whether zero accelerator demand from the driver is requested, making a determination of whether the PRNDL is in a forward drive mode, making a determination of whether the engine is running, making a determination of whether the vehicle is rolling backward, making a determination of whether the traction motor exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, and starting the engine if the engine is off and traction motor temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, starting the engine if the engine is off and the vehicle is rolling backward, commanding a traction motor torque request when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is not rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, commanding the engine to start and providing engine torque when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, and commanding an engine torque request when the engine is running, accelerator demand is zero, and the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method to control a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain powered by at least one of an engine, a traction motor, and a generator motor, comprising the steps of:
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sensing accelerator position;
sensing traction motor temperature;
sensing vehicle speed;
sensing PRNDL position;
powering the traction motor and generator motor and receiving power from the generator motor with a battery; and
controlling the vehicle powertrain with a vehicle system control (VSC), the VSC receiving input from the accelerator position sensor, vehicle speed sensor, traction motor temperature sensor, and PRNDL position sensor, making a determination of whether zero accelerator demand from the driver is requested, making a determination of whether the PRNDL is in a forward dive mode, making a determination of whether the engine is running, making a determination of whether the vehicle is rolling backward, making a determination of whether the traction motor exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, and starting the engine if the engine is off and traction motor temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, starting the engine if the engine is off and the vehicle is rolling backward, commanding a traction motor torque request when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is not rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, commanding the engine to start and providing engine torque when the engine is off, accelerator demand is zero, the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode, and the vehicle is rolling backward based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements, and commanding an engine torque request when the engine is running, accelerator demand is zero, and the PRNDL is in the forward drive mode based on creep torque or hill holding function requirements. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A control system for a vehicle having an electric motor, and an engine, the motor and engine each being operable to provide torque to propel the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the electric motor; and
a controller configured to receive signals from the temperature sensor and to determine when a creep or holding torque is desired, the controller being further configured to effect starting of the engine when the engine is off, it is determined that a creep or holding torque is desired, and the sensed temperature of the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A control system for a vehicle having brakes, a transmission, an electric motor, and an engine, the motor and engine each being operable to provide torque to propel the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a gear sensor for sensing a current gear of the transmission;
a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the motor;
a brake position sensor for sensing a position of the brakes; and
a controller configured to receive signals from the gear sensor, the temperature sensor, and the brake position sensor, and to determine when the vehicle is moving backward, the controller being further configured to effect starting of the engine when the engine is off, the vehicle is moving backward, the brake position is zero, and the current gear is a forward gear, the controller is further configured to determine when a creep or holding torque is desired, and to effect starting of the engine when the engine is off, it is determined that a creep or holding torque is desired, and the sensed temperature of the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling a vehicle having an electric motor, and an engine, the motor and engine each being operable to provide torque to propel the vehicle, the method comprising:
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sensing a temperature of the electric motor;
determining when a creep or holding torque is desired; and
effecting a starting of the engine when the engine is off, it is determined that a creep or holding torque is desired, and the sensed temperature of the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification