US 11,391,331 B2Granted

Engine start/stop control for a hybrid electric powertrain

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsNorman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Neeraj S. Shidore, Dongxu Li, Suresh Gopalakrishnan

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A controller executes a method to manage an engine connect/disconnect decision in a powertrain having an engine, transmission, electric machine, and a battery pack and power inverter module (“TPIM”). In response to vehicle ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level, the controller calculates a delta APS (“ΔAPS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level. The scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the latter populated based on inverter temperature, state of charge of the battery pack, and ground speed. When the ΔAPS value exceeds a threshold, the controller connects the engine to the transmission via an engine disconnect clutch. The engine is disconnected based on acceleration of the vehicle and the above-noted factors.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain of a motor vehicle, the hybrid electric powertrain including an internal combustion engine selectively connectable to an input shaft of a transmission via an engine disconnect clutch, a rotary electric machine directly connected to transmission, a high-voltage battery pack, a traction power inverter module (“TPIM”) connected to the battery pack and the electric machine, and a controller, the method comprising:

determining, via the controller, a ground speed of the vehicle, a state of charge (“SOC”) of the battery pack, an inverter temperature of the TPIM, and an actual accelerator position signal (“APS”) level indicative of a percentage accelerator pedal request;
in response to the ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level above which torque from the engine is required:
calculating a delta APS (“ΔAPS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level, wherein the scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the maximum EVSAPS table being populated based on the inverter temperature, the state of charge, and the ground speed;
and
in response to the ΔAPS value exceeding a calibrated ΔAPS threshold, connecting the engine to the input shaft of the transmission by commanding the engine disconnect clutch to close.

2 more elements

A hybrid electric powertrain for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;
a transmission having an input shaft;
an engine disconnect clutch configured to selectively connect the engine to the input shaft when closed and disconnect the engine from the input shaft when opened;
a rotary electric machine directly connected to the input shaft of the transmission;
a high-voltage battery pack;
a traction power inverter module (“TPIM”) connected to the battery pack and to the electric machine, and configured to invert a DC voltage from the battery pack into an AC voltage for powering the electric machine;
and
a controller configured to execute instructions to thereby cause the controller to:
determine a ground speed of the vehicle, a state of charge (“SOC”) of the battery pack, an inverter temperature of the TPIM, and an actual accelerator position signal (“APS”) level indicative of a percentage accelerator pedal request;
and
in response to the ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level above which torque from the engine is required:
calculate a delta APS (“ΔAPS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level, wherein the scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the maximum EVSAPS table being populated based on the inverter temperature, the state of charge, and the ground speed;
and
in response to the ΔAPS value exceeding a calibrated ΔAPS threshold, connect the engine to the input shaft of the transmission by commanding the engine disconnect clutch to close.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/734,971Filed 6 Jan 2020
Published: US 2021/0207666 A18 Jul 2021
Granted: 19 Jul 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification28 codes

B60W 10/026
Including control of torque converters: of lock-up clutches
F16D 48/06
External control of clutches: control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure
B60W 10/02
Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function: including control of driveline clutches
B60W 10/06
Including control of propulsion units: including control of combustion engines