# US 10,501,068 B2 · Method and apparatus for controlling a multi-mode powertrain system

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- Number: US 10,501,068 B2
- Document ID: US10501068B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/132,591
- Filed: 2016-04-19
- Published: 2017-10-19
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-19
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Krunal P. Patel; Samantha Victoria Lado; Jy-Jen F. Sah; Anthony H. Heap
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501068B2

## CPC

- B60W 20/10: Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
- B60K 6/365: with the gears having orbital motion
- B60K 6/445: Differential gearing distribution type
- B60K 6/547: the transmission being a stepped gearing
- B60W 10/06: including control of combustion engines
- B60W 10/08: including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
- B60W 20/30: Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio {(control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H)}
- B60W 30/19: Improvement of gear change, e.g. by synchronisation or smoothing gear shift
- B60W 2540/10: Accelerator pedal position
- B60W 2710/0672: Torque change rate
- B60W 2710/085: Torque change rate
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A method for controlling a powertrain system in response to a command to execute a multi-state shift event for the transmission includes determining an initial output torque limit and determining an initial commanded output torque based upon the initial output torque limit. The powertrain system is controlled to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque prior to completion of a first state transition of the multi-state shift event that includes a commanded torque reduction. After completion of the first state transition of the multi-state shift event that includes the commanded torque reduction, a torque ramp rate is determined, and the initial commanded output torque is adjusted based upon the torque ramp rate. The powertrain system is controlled to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque and the adjusted initial commanded output torque during a remainder of the multi-state shift event.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for controlling a multi-mode powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and non-combustion torque machines configured to transfer torque to a transmission that is operative in a plurality of transmission states, the method comprising:
in response to a command to execute a multi-state shift event in the transmission in response to a command to accelerate, wherein the multi-state shift event includes sequentially executed transmission shifts to multiple transmission states, including an initial transmission state, an intermediate transmission state, and a final transmission state, wherein the intermediate transmission state is selected to avoid transmission operation in a prohibited state during the shift event:
prior to completion of a first state transition of the multi-state shift event that includes a commanded torque reduction during a transition from the initial transmission state to the intermediate transmission state:
determining an initial maximum output torque limit,
determining an initial commanded output torque based upon the initial maximum output torque limit, and
controlling the non-combustion torque machines to generate reactive torque in response to the initial commanded output torque; and
after completion of the first state transition of the multi-state shift event, initiating operation in the intermediate transmission state to effect the commanded torque reduction, including:
determining a torque ramp rate based upon the initial maximum output torque limit,
adjusting the initial commanded output torque based upon the torque ramp rate, and
controlling the powertrain system to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque and the adjusted initial commanded output torque during a remainder of the multi-state shift event from the intermediate transmission state to the final transmission state.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the initial maximum output torque limit is determined in response to an accelerator pedal tip-in maneuver.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the powertrain system to generate torque comprises controlling the internal combustion engine to generate torque.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the powertrain system to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque comprises controlling the non-combustion torque machines to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein controlling the non-combustion torque machines to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque comprises controlling the non-combustion torque machines to generate a reactive torque.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the initial commanded output torque based upon the initial maximum output torque limit and a plurality of system-based torque constraints.

### Claim 7

A method for controlling a powertrain system including an internal combustion engine coupled to a step-gear transmission that is operative in a plurality of transmission states, wherein the transmission may be commanded to execute a multi-state shift event, the method comprising:
in response to a command to execute a multi-state shift event in the transmission in response to a command to accelerate, wherein the multi-state shift event includes sequentially executed transmission shifts to a plurality of transmission states, including an initial transmission state, a first intermediate transmission state, a second intermediate transmission state, and a final transmission state, wherein the first and second intermediate transmission states are selected to avoid transmission operation in a prohibited state during the shift event:
prior to completion of a first state transition of the multi-state shift event that includes a commanded torque reduction during a transition from the initial transmission state to the intermediate transmission state:
determining an initial maximum output torque limit,
determining an initial commanded output torque based upon the initial maximum output torque limit, and
controlling the internal combustion engine to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque; and
after completion of the first state transition of the multi-state shift event, initiating operation in the first and second intermediate transmission states to effect the commanded torque reduction, including:
determining a torque ramp rate based upon the initial maximum output torque limit,
adjusting the initial commanded output torque based upon the torque ramp rate, and
controlling the internal combustion engine to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque and the adjusted initial commanded output torque during a remainder of the multi-state shift event from the first intermediate transmission state to the second intermediate transmission state to the final transmission state.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the initial maximum output torque limit is determined in response to an accelerator pedal tip-in maneuver.

### Claim 9

A multi-mode powertrain system, comprising:
an internal combustion engine and non-combustion torque machines configured to transfer torque to a transmission, wherein the transmission is operative in a plurality of transmission states;
a controller operatively connected to the internal combustion engine, the non-combustion torque machines and the transmission, the controller including an instruction set, the instruction set executable to:
command a multi-state transmission shift, wherein the multi-state shift event includes sequentially executed transmission shifts to multiple transmission states, including an initial transmission state, an intermediate transmission state, and a final transmission state, wherein the intermediate transmission state is selected to avoid transmission operation in a prohibited state during the shift event:
prior to completion of a first state transition of the multi-state shift event that includes a commanded torque reduction during a transition from the initial transmission state to the intermediate transmission state:
determine an initial maximum output torque limit,
determine an initial commanded output torque based upon the initial maximum output torque limit and a plurality of torque constraints, and
control the non-combustion torque machines to generate reactive torque in response to the initial commanded output torque; and
after completion of the first state transition of the multi-state shift event, initiating operation in the intermediate transmission state to effect the commanded torque reduction, including:
determine a torque ramp rate based upon the initial maximum output torque limit,
adjust the initial commanded output torque based upon the torque ramp rate, and
control the powertrain system to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque and the adjusted initial commanded output torque during a remainder of the multi-state shift event from the intermediate transmission state to the final transmission state.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The multi-mode powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the initial maximum output torque limit is determined in response to an accelerator pedal tip-in maneuver.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The multi-mode powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the instruction set is executable to control the internal combustion engine to generate torque.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The multi-mode powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the instruction set is executable to control the non-combustion torque machines to generate torque in response to the initial commanded output torque.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The multi-mode powertrain system of claim 12, wherein the instruction set is executable to control the non-combustion torque machines to generate a reactive torque.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The multi-mode powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the initial commanded output torque is determined based upon the initial maximum output torque limit and a plurality of system-based torque constraints.