Method and apparatus for determination of fast actuating engine torque for a hybrid powertrain system

• US 8,448,731 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• 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): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coolman, Travis
• Application Number:
  US12/254,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.275, 180/65.28, 123/406.11, 123/406.12, 123/406.23, 701/22
• US Class Current: 180/65.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• 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 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• 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 10/105 of electric type
• 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 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0004 In digital systems, e.g. discrete-time systems involving sampling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0671 Engine manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1015 Input shaft speed, e.g. turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/246 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 : Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/06 : Combustion engines, Gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 : Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 : Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 : Monitoring the functioning of the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 : Interpretation of driver requests or demands
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 : Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/26 : by applying a torque limit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 : peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 : one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 : in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/022 : in relation with the clutch status
• 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

An engine is coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission and the hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the engine includes determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, determining maximum and minimum allowable input torques from the engine to the hybrid transmission, controlling the engine at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the maximum and minimum allowable input torques, and controlling the engine based upon the maximum and minimum allowable input torques when the preferred input torque is outside one of the maximum and minimum allowable input torques.

Claims

1. Method for controlling an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission, the hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request, and the torque machine connected to an energy storage device, the method comprising:

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal;

determining maximum and minimum allowable input torques from the engine to the hybrid transmission;

controlling the engine at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the maximum and minimum allowable input torques;

controlling the engine based upon the maximum and minimum allowable input torques when the preferred input torque is outside one of the maximum and minimum allowable input torques;

determining a decrease in the maximum allowable input torque;

selectively controlling combustion timing to decrease the input torque based upon the determined decrease in the maximum allowable input torque;

determining a rate of decrease in the maximum allowable input torque;

controlling combustion timing based upon the determined rate of decrease when the maximum allowable input torque exceeds the preferred input torque; and

adjusting a position of an engine throttle when the determined rate of decrease in the maximum allowable input torque is less than a threshold rate.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the maximum allowable input torque based upon a net immediate output torque, an immediate accelerator output torque, a present operating range state of the transmission device, an immediate lead input acceleration profile, a lead immediate clutch reactive torque range, and an available battery power.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the combustion timing only until the preferred input torque is less than the maximum allowable input torque.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling combustion timing comprises one of retarding spark timing and adjusting fuel injection timing.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the combustion timing only until the maximum allowable input torque decreases to the preferred input torque.

6. Method for controlling an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission, the hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request, the method comprising:

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission;

determining an input torque constraint based upon a capacity of the hybrid transmission to react input torque from the engine;

determining a rate of change in the input torque constraint; and

controlling engine operation to adjust the preferred input torque when the determined rate of change in the input torque constraint is greater than a threshold, comprising adjusting combustion timing based upon the rate of change in the input torque constraint when a maximum allowable input torque exceeds the preferred input torque, and adjusting a position of an engine throttle when the determined rate of change in the input torque constraint is less than a threshold rate.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting combustion timing comprises adjusting spark timing.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting combustion timing comprises adjusting fuel injection timing.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the input torque constraint comprises one of a minimum and a maximum allowable input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission.

10. Method for controlling an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission, the hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request, and the torque machine connected to an energy storage device, the method comprising:

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal;

determining maximum and minimum allowable input torques from the engine to the hybrid transmission;

controlling the engine at the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the maximum and minimum allowable input torques;

controlling the engine based upon the maximum and minimum allowable input torques when the preferred input torque is outside one of the maximum and minimum allowable input torques;

determining a first rate of decrease in the maximum allowable input torque;

adjusting a position of an engine throttle to decrease the input torque based upon the first rate of decrease;

determining a second rate of decrease in the maximum allowable input torque when adjusting the position of the engine throttle; and

retarding spark to decrease input torque based upon the second rate of decrease.

11. Method for controlling an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission, the hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request, the method comprising:

determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission;

determining an input torque constraint based upon a capacity of the hybrid transmission to react input torque from the engine and the output torque responsive to the operator torque request;

determining a rate of change in the input torque constraint; and

controlling engine operation to adjust the preferred input torque when the determined rate of change in the input torque constraint is greater than a threshold, comprising adjusting combustion timing based upon the rate of change in the input torque constraint when a maximum allowable input torque exceeds the preferred input torque, and adjusting a position of an engine throttle when the determined rate of change in the input torque constraint is less than a threshold rate.