Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257619 | System and method of inhibiting the affects of driveline backlash in a hybrid propulsion system - A hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a mechanical torque transmission device for transmitting engine torque to at least one wheel, the mechanical torque transmission device having a lash region, an electric energy conversion device connected downstream of the mechanical torque transmission device, and a control system. The control system, adjusts the electric energy conversion device to meet a desired vehicle response, adjusts the internal combustion engine torque to transition through the lash region, and then adjusts the electric energy conversion device torque and the internal combustion engine torque to meet the desired vehicle response. | 10-23-2008 |
20080314663 | System and Method of Extending Regenerative Braking in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle - A method of generating brake force to decelerate a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to an input of a first electric energy device, the first electric energy device having an output coupled to a transmission device, and a second electric energy conversion device coupled downstream of the transmission device, the first and second electric energy conversion devices being powered at least by a battery. The method includes during a deceleration condition, generating brake torque via the second electric energy conversion device to generate electric energy storable in the battery; and rotating the internal combustion engine via torque output from the first electric energy device to deplete electric energy from the battery. | 12-25-2008 |
20120265382 | Torque Modulation in a Hybrid Vehicle Downshift During Regenerative Braking - A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque. | 10-18-2012 |
20130158756 | Hybrid Vehicle Drive Control System and Method for Providing Motor Torque Boost Compensating for Engine Delay and Torque Exceeding Maximum Engine Torque - A vehicle control system including a combustion engine and an electric motor selectively provided torque to a transmission separately or in combination to meet driver torque demand. The engine has a maximum torque output value and a torque increase delay response function spanning a predetermined time period. A motor torque boost signal requests an increase in torque provided from an electric motor if the engine torque request signal exceeds the maximum torque output of the engine or the torque increase delay response function of the engine. The motor torque boost signal is time limited and a second level of motor torque boost may be provided for a second limited time period. | 06-20-2013 |
20130179014 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling energy distribution within a HEV powertrain are provided. A feedforward battery power value is generated in response to input indicative of a driver torque request. A feedback battery power modification value is generated in response to input indicative of actual battery power and the driver torque request. A battery power request is calculated based a sum of the feedforward battery power value and the feedback battery power modification value. | 07-11-2013 |
20130244829 | Transmission Control During Regenerative Braking - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 09-19-2013 |
20130274969 | Feed Forward and Feedback Adjustment of Motor Torque During Clutch Engagement - A hybrid electric vehicle having a motor and an engine that are selectively connected on a driveline and controlled by a controller. The controller is configured to schedule additional motor torque to compensate for engine inertia drag based upon a clutch pressure value and a clutch slip speed value during a period of clutch engagement. The controller is also configured to maintain vehicle acceleration using a proportional integral controller to adjust the motor torque during a period of clutch engagement. | 10-17-2013 |
20130296100 | Controlled Regenerative Braking Torque Incrementing in Hybrid Vehicle Downshift - A controller and control strategies minimize shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift during regenerative braking by maintaining the transmission input speed substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing. The controller and the control strategies control the regenerative braking torque during a downshift occurring during regenerative braking in such a way that the transmission input speed is maintained substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing during a torque phase of the downshift. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296112 | CONTROLLING POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS FOR HILL-HOLDING IN A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and a traction motor coupled to the engine by a coupling device or a clutch for providing torque to wheels of the vehicle. An inverter is electrically connected to the traction motor. A second coupling device or at least one clutch at least indirectly selectively couples the motor to the drive wheels. A controller controls the second coupling device based upon a temperature of at least one of the fraction motor and the inverter. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297105 | ENGINE START FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to start the engine using one of a plurality of start sequences that control the electric machine, the upstream and downstream clutches. The engine start sequence is selected based on transmission gearbox input speed and a driver demand input. A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle is provided. An engine is selectively coupled to an electric machine by an upstream clutch with the electric machine selectively coupled to a transmission gearbox by a downstream clutch. The engine is started using a control sequence to control the electric machine, upstream clutch, and downstream clutch. The control sequence is determined by a vehicle state based on transmission gearbox input speed and a driver demand input. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297106 | HYBRID VEHICLE CONTROL UTILIZING GRADE DATA - A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a step ratio transmission is disclosed. The method utilizes terrain data to reduce the number of shift events. The method comprises receiving data indicative of a grade profile of an anticipated route, identifying a forecast shift sequence comprising a forecast downshift event and an adjacent forecast upshift event, and adjusting the shift criteria based on the time between the forecast shift events, the road grade between the forecast shift events, and the state of a storage battery. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297108 | CONTROLLING A POWERTRAIN AND A CLUTCH OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine and is at least partially propelled by a fraction battery and a traction motor. A clutch is configured to be coupled to the traction motor. An electrical and/or mechanical pump provides pressure to control the clutch. At least one controller determines if the clutch is slipping. In response to the clutch slipping, the at least one controller commands an increase in speed of an input of the clutch such that the available line pressure to control the slipping of the clutch is increased. The line pressure is then applied to the clutch in order to control the slipping of the clutch. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297111 | DRIVELINE LASH CONTROL METHOD DURING DRIVER TIP-IN/OUT - A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller is configured to control motor torque through a region surrounding vehicle wheel torque reversal, control driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of driveline output torque, and control motor torque during a torque reversal of at least one driveline component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the driveline component. A method for controlling a vehicle having a traction motor includes controlling the traction motor torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal, controlling driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of output torque, and controlling traction motor torque during a torque reversal of a powertrain component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the component. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297112 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297113 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297125 | TORQUE FILLING AND TORQUE COORDINATION DURING TRANSIENTS IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain is provided. The system and method sets a required transmission input torque during a transient event. A required traction motor torque and a required engine torque, in combination, are set to fulfill the required transmission input torque. The system and method includes estimates an actual engine torque during a delay in providing the required engine torque during the transient event. A transient traction motor torque is commanded based on a difference between the actual engine torque and the required transmission input torque. The commanded transient motor torque compensates for the delay in providing the required engine torque in order to prevent torque disturbances during the transient event. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297126 | OPPORTUNISTIC CHARGING OF HYBRID VEHICLE BATTERY - A control system for a modular hybrid electric vehicle operates an internal combustion engine at a torque level above the driver demanded torque improving the engine's efficiency. A traction motor driveably connected to the engine is operated at a torque level such that the combined torque satisfies the driver demand. The traction motor torque is limited to avoid inefficient combinations of speed and torque at which the motor is inefficient. During idle operation, the traction motor is operated at a torque determined from a battery state of charge and the engine is operated to maintain a predetermined speed. If the engine speed drops below a threshold, motor torque is adjusted to reduce the load on the engine to avoid stalling. | 11-07-2013 |
20130331230 | TRANSMISSION CONTROL DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 12-12-2013 |
20140004997 | Active Damping During Clutch Engagement for Engine Start | 01-02-2014 |
20140148305 | Method and Apparatus for Limiting Engine Torque to Protect Disconnect Clutch in a Hybrid Vehicle - A powertrain comprising an engine, a motor, a disconnect clutch connected between the engine and the motor, and a transmission. The transmission is connected to the motor by a launch clutch and selectively and indirectly connected to the engine by the disconnect clutch. A controller receives an engine torque output signal and reduces the torque output of the engine to the clutch capacity limit value. A system and a method are also provided for controlling a powertrain for a hybrid vehicle. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148309 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Torque During a Transmission Upshift for a Hybrid Vehicle - A hybrid vehicle powertrain that has an engine and an electric machine that may separately or jointly provide torque to a multi-speed transmission. A drivetrain including the engine and the motor is controlled to reduce the requested level of torque provided to the transmission during an upshift. The method is initiated by a request for a reduction of the level of torque and checking the operating state of the engine. If the engine is not on, the torque from the motor is reduced. If the engine is on, the torque from the motor is reduced first and then the torque from the engine is reduced to the requested level of torque. | 05-29-2014 |
20140200794 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance. | 07-17-2014 |
20140222273 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance. | 08-07-2014 |
20140343756 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVELINE SOFTENING UTILIZING A VEHICLE TO CLOUD TO VEHICLE SYSTEM - A vehicle includes a power source, such as an engine, an electric machine, or combination thereof. A torque converter is selectively coupled to the power source such that torque is altered before being distributed into a transmission of the vehicle. A torque converter bypass clutch enables torque from the power source to selectively transmit torque directly to the transmission with little or no torque altering provided by the torque converter. At least one controller in the vehicle is in communication with a remote facility in a vehicle-to-cloud (V2C) system. The controller sends road condition data to the remote facility regarding a road segment. During a subsequent drive to or over the road segment, the controller receives the road condition data and enables the torque converter bypass clutch to slip to dampen driveline disturbances when the vehicle passes over the road segment. | 11-20-2014 |
20150025724 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RESTARTING AN ENGINE - Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque output of a motor is controlled to include a reserve torque for starting an engine that may be selectively coupled to the motor. Additionally, the motor torque compensates for disconnect clutch closing. | 01-22-2015 |