阅读说明：本技术 混合动力车辆 (Hybrid vehicle ) 是由 乔斯·委拉斯凯兹·阿尔坎塔尔 乔·杰伊·托雷斯 彼得·詹姆斯·巴雷特 理查德·大卫·布伦斯 于 2019-08-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“混合动力车辆”。一种混合动力车辆的一个车桥由电动马达提供动力,而所述车辆的第二车桥由包括内燃发动机的动力传动系统提供动力。可基于驾驶员需要的扭矩在速度控制模式或扭矩控制模式中控制所述电驱动车桥。当在所述电驱动车桥处检测到打滑时,使用所述速度控制模式。当所述电驱动车桥具有牵引力时,使用所述扭矩控制模式。在这些模式之间转换期间,控制扭矩的变化速率至预定水平以减轻噪声、振动和粗糙性。(The present disclosure provides a "hybrid vehicle". One axle of a hybrid vehicle is powered by an electric motor, while a second axle of the vehicle is powered by a drivetrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically driven axle may be controlled in a speed control mode or a torque control mode based on a driver demand torque. The speed control mode is used when a slip is detected at the electrically driven axle. The torque control mode is used when the electrically driven axle has tractive force. During the transition between these modes, the rate of change of torque is controlled to a predetermined level to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness.)

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a first axle powered by a first driveline;

a second axle powered by the first electric motor; and

a controller programmed to:

adjusting a torque of the first electric motor to a torque level based on a driver demand in response to the tractive effort at the second axle,

adjusting the torque of the first electric motor to a speed control torque level in response to slippage of the second axle, an

Setting a rate of change of torque of the first electric motor to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness associated with rapid torque changes during transitions between the driver demand based torque level and the speed control torque level.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first driveline comprises:

an internal combustion engine; and

a second electric motor.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first driveline further comprises:

a planetary gear set having a sun gear fixedly coupled to the second electric motor, a carrier fixedly coupled to the internal combustion engine, and a ring gear driveably connected to the first axle; and

a third electric motor drivably connected to the first axle.

4. A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:

setting the first motor torque to a first driver demand based torque level in response to the tractive effort at the first axle;

setting the first motor torque to a torque level based on speed control in response to a slip of the first axle; and

transitioning from the first driver demand based torque level to the speed control based torque level at a first controlled rate.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising transitioning from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level at a second controlled rate.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the first motor torque exceeding an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level being less than a threshold.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising setting the driveline torque to the second axle to a second driver demand based torque level.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein setting the driveline torque comprises setting a second motor torque.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein setting the driveline torque comprises setting an internal combustion engine torque.

11. A method of controlling an electrically driven axle, comprising:

setting a motor torque to a torque level based on a driver demand in response to a tractive force at the axle;

setting the motor torque to a speed control based torque level in response to slippage of the axle; and

transitioning from the driver demand based torque level to the speed control based torque level at a first controlled rate.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transitioning from the speed control based torque level to the driver demand based torque level at a second controlled rate.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the motor torque exceeding an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level being less than a threshold.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of hybrid electric vehicle control. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling rear wheel torque of a four wheel drive hybrid electric vehicle.

Background

Many vehicles are used over a wide range of vehicle speeds, including both forward and reverse movements. However, some types of engines can only operate efficiently within a narrow speed range. Therefore, transmissions capable of efficiently transmitting power at various gear ratios are often employed. When the vehicle is at low speeds, the transmission is typically operated at a high gear ratio such that the transmission multiplies the engine torque to increase acceleration. Operating the transmission at low gear ratios at high vehicle speeds allows engine speeds associated with quiet, fuel efficient cruising.

Hybrid vehicle transmissions improve fuel economy by providing energy storage. For example, in a hybrid electric vehicle, energy may be stored in a battery. The battery may be charged by operating the engine to produce more power than is required for the moment of propulsion. Additionally, energy that would otherwise be dissipated during braking may be captured and stored in the battery. The stored energy may be used later, allowing the engine to produce less power than is required for the moment of propulsion, and thus consuming less fuel.

In two-wheel drive vehicles, propulsion is provided by only the front wheels or only the rear wheels. Conversely, in a four wheel drive vehicle, all four wheels provide propulsion. Four-wheel drive vehicles may improve mobility on surfaces with variable and marginal coefficients of friction because some wheels remain in traction when others slip.

Disclosure of Invention

A vehicle includes first and second axles, and a controller. The first axle is powered by a first driveline. The second axle is powered by a first electric motor. The first driveline may include an internal combustion engine and a second electric motor. The planetary gear set may include a sun gear fixedly coupled to the second motor, a carrier fixedly coupled to the internal combustion engine, and a ring gear driveably connected to the first axle. A third electric motor may be drivably connected to the first axle. The controller is programmed to adjust the torque of the first electric motor in response to the state of the second axle. Specifically, in response to the tractive effort at the second axle, the controller adjusts the torque of the first electric motor to a torque level based on a driver demand. The controller adjusts the torque of the first electric motor to a speed control torque level in response to slippage of the second axle. During the transition between the driver demand based torque level and the speed control torque level, the controller sets a rate of change of torque of the first electric motor to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness associated with rapid torque changes.

A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle sets a first motor torque based on a state of a first axle. The first motor torque is set to a first driver demand based torque level in response to the tractive effort at the first axle. The first motor torque is set to a torque level based on speed control in response to the slipping of the first axle. The method transitions from the first driver demand based torque level to the speed control based torque level at a first controlled rate. The method may also transition from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level at a second controlled rate. The transition from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level may be made in response to an absolute value of the first motor torque exceeding an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level or in response to an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level being less than a threshold. The driveline torque of the second axle may be set to a second driver demand based torque level.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a powertrain of a four wheel drive hybrid electric vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a top level flow chart of a method of operating one of the motors of the powertrain of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a sub-method of selecting between a torque control mode and a speed control mode in the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a sub-method of transitioning from a speed control mode to a torque control mode in the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a sub-method of setting a torque request in a speed control mode in the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a sub-method of transitioning from a torque control mode to a speed control mode in the method of FIG. 2.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, various features shown and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features shown in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described. The combination of features shown provides a representative embodiment of a typical application. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a power train of a four-wheel drive power distribution type hybrid electric vehicle. The main power is provided by an engine 10, the engine 10 being fixedly coupled to a carrier 12 via a transmission input shaft 14. A set of planet gears 16 are supported for rotation relative to the carrier 12. The sun gear 18 and the ring gear 20 are each supported for rotation about the same axis as the carrier 12 and are each meshed with the planet gears 16. An electric machine 22, labeled MG1, is fixedly coupled to sun gear 18. Countershaft gear 24 is fixedly coupled to ring gear 20 and meshes with countershaft gear 26. Countershaft gear 26 is fixedly coupled to countershaft gears 28 and 30 via shaft 32. The counter gear 34 meshes with the counter gear 30 and is fixedly coupled to an electric machine 36, labeled MG 2. Countershaft gear 28 meshes with countershaft gear 38, countershaft gear 38 being the input of differential 40. Differential 40 drives front wheels 42 and 44, which allow for slight speed differences as the vehicle turns. Differential 40 and axle shafts 46 and 48 are collectively referred to as a front axle.

An electric motor 50, labeled MG3, drives the rear axle. The MG3 is fixedly coupled to the counter gear 52, the counter gear 52 meshing with the counter gear 54. The counter gear 54 is fixedly coupled to a counter gear 56, the counter gear 56 meshing with a counter gear 58. Countershaft gear 58 is the input of differential 60. Differential 60 drives rear wheels 62 and 64, which allow for slight speed differences as the vehicle turns.

The motors 22, 36 and 50 are reversible motors. Each of these motors is capable of converting electrical power to mechanical power or converting mechanical power to electrical power. For example, each machine may be a synchronous motor combined with an inverter.

In some cases, engine 10 may produce more power than is delivered to the wheels of the vehicle, with the excess power being stored in a battery (not shown). In other cases, power may flow from the battery, which allows engine 10 to produce less power than the instantaneous demand of the vehicle. For example, when the power for propelling the vehicle is from a battery, the engine 10 may be turned off. Power to the front axle may come from a combination of engine power and battery power. The power to the rear axle comes entirely from the battery.

The powertrain of fig. 1 may be operated in a continuously variable mode, in which the battery neither provides nor absorbs power. Both the torque applied to the generator 22 and the torque applied to the counter gear 24 are related to the torque produced by the engine 10 based on the number of teeth on the sun gear 18 and the number of teeth on the ring gear 20. In particular, the amount of the solvent to be used,

wherein T is_EngineIs the torque, T, produced by the engine 10_MG1Is the torque absorbed by the motor 22, T_{Gear 24}Is the torque absorbed by gear 24, N_{Central gear}Is the number of teeth on the sun gear 18, and N_{Ring gear}Is the number of teeth on ring gear 20. The engine speed is a weighted average of the generator speed and the speed of gear 24.

When the vehicle is moving slowly, the gear 24 rotates slowly, and the generator 22 rotates faster than the engine 10. The power generated by the engine is distributed by the planetary gear set. A portion of the power is mechanically transmitted from carrier 14 to shaft 32 and then to ring gear 20, gear 24, and gear 26. The remainder of the power is transmitted from the sun gear 18 to the generator 22, and the generator 22 converts the power into electricity. Motor 36 converts the electrical power to mechanical power, which is transmitted to shaft 32 through gears 34 and 30.

The torques of the engine 10 and the electric machines 22, 36, and 50 are set by a controller 66. The controller receives input from various sensors, including driver-operated sensors, including an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel. From these sensors, the controller determines the torque required by the driver and then calculates how much torque each machine should be directed to produce, as discussed below. Alternatively, the vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle, in which case the controller directly calculates the desired wheel torque in response to sensed traffic and road conditions. In the case of an autonomous vehicle, the term driver demanded torque refers to the total desired wheel torque calculated by the controller. Additional sensors indicate vehicle speed, axle speed (defined as the average of the respective wheel speeds), yaw rate and lateral acceleration, among other parameters. The controller 66 may be a single microprocessor or multiple communicating microprocessors.

The vehicle may be operated in an all-wheel drive (AWD) mode. In the AWD mode, a portion of the driver's required torque is directed to the front axle and the remainder of the driver's required torque is directed to the rear axle. In the AWD mode, the tires are less likely to lose traction because each tire transmits less torque than in the two-wheel drive mode. Furthermore, if one of the wheels does lose traction, the vehicle is still propelled by the wheel that is maintaining traction. Also, the vehicle drivability can be improved. During braking, the MG2 and MG3 may be commanded to generate negative torque such that vehicle kinetic energy is captured as electrical energy and stored in the battery.

Fig. 2 is a top level flow chart for determining the MG3 torque request. This routine is executed periodically when the vehicle is in drive, reverse, or low speed. For example, the process may be performed in response to a controller interrupt. The controller is programmed to determine the MG3 torque request in a torque control mode when the rear axle has traction and the MG3 torque request in a speed control mode when rear wheel traction is limited. At 70, control calculates a request for a torque control mode based on driver demand. Specifically, the total wheel torque request may be based on accelerator and brake inputs from the driver and vehicle speed. The total wheel torque demand is then split between the front and rear axles. The rear axle wheel torque request is then adjusted based on the gear ratio between MG3 and the differential. The selection between the torque control mode and the speed control mode is recorded in the shift control trigger. At 72, the controller stores the selection from the previous time step for later reference.

At 74, control determines whether to use the speed control mode or the torque control mode in the current time step. Fig. 3 is a flow chart for making this determination. At 76, the controller branches based on the previous mode. If the speed control trigger is not true, the controller continues to check if the speed control mode should be activated. At 78, control calculates a rear axle slip. The rear axle slip is calculated by comparing the average speed of the rear wheels with some other source of vehicle speed information, such as the average speed of the front wheels. At 80, the controller compares the rear axle slip to a threshold. If the slip is less than the threshold, the method terminates and remains in the torque control mode. At 82, control calculates a function of vehicle speed and slip rate and exits if the function is less than 1. This has the effect of remaining in the torque control mode when the vehicle speed is high. At 84, the controller calculates a function of vehicle speed and yaw error rate, and exits if the function is less than 1. At 86, the controller calculates a function of vehicle speed and lateral acceleration, and exits if the function is less than 1. These steps have the effect of alternately remaining in the torque control mode. If these tests are satisfied, the controller sets the speed control trigger to true at 88.

If the speed control mode is true, whether from a previous step or due to step 88, the controller checks a series of conditions to remain in the speed control mode. At 90, the controller compares the current measured MG3 torque to the torque control torque command. If the absolute value of the measured torque is large, the speed control trigger is set to false at 92. At 94, the controller compares the driver request to a threshold. If the absolute value of the driver request is small, the speed control trigger is set to false at 92. Finally, at 96, if the gear is other than drive, reverse, or low, the controller sets the speed control trigger to false.

Returning now to fig. 2, the controller checks at 98 which mode has been selected and branches accordingly. If torque control mode is selected, the controller checks at 100 if the system was also in torque control mode at the previous time step. If so, the controller checks at 102 whether the transition flag is set to true, meaning that the controller is in the process of transitioning from the speed control mode to the torque control mode. If not, the controller sets only the MG3 torque request as the torque control torque request at 104 and terminates. If at 100 the controller finds that the system was in speed control at a previous time step, at 106 the controller sets the transition flag to true.

At 108, control sets the MG2 torque request according to the process of transitioning from speed control to torque control. This conversion process is illustrated by the flow chart of fig. 4. This route adjusts the MG3 torque request at a predetermined rate, referred to as the drop-out rate, until it reaches the torque request of the torque control mode. At 110, control compares the torque control torque request to the torque request from the previous time step. If the absolute value of the difference is less than the drop-out rate, control sets the transition flag to false at 112 and sets the MG3 torque request to the torque control torque request at 114. If the absolute value of the difference is greater than the drop-out rate, the controller checks at 116 which direction is used to adjust the torque request. If the torque control torque request is less than the previous torque request at 116, control increases the MG3 torque request at 118. On the other hand, if the torque control torque request is greater than the previous torque request at 116, control decreases the MG3 torque request at 120.

Returning now to FIG. 2, if the speed control flag is set to true at 98, the controller calculates a speed control torque request at 122. This calculation is illustrated by the flow chart of fig. 5. At 124, the controller calculates a target axle speed. This goal is based primarily on vehicle speed, with appropriate compensation for tire radius. Vehicle speed is measured in some manner independent of rear axle speed, such as by using front axle speed or a global positioning system. Adjustments are made based on steering wheel angle and yaw rate errors. At 126, a speed error is calculated by subtracting the target axle speed from the measured rear axle speed. For example, rear axle speed may be measured by averaging the rear wheel speeds. At 128, a speed control torque request is calculated from the speed error using a proportional term, a differential term, and an integral term.

Returning to fig. 2, at 130, the controller checks whether the speed control was valid in the previous iteration. If so, the controller checks at 132 whether the transition flag is true. If not, the MG3 torque request is set to the speed control torque request at 134. If speed control was not active at the previous time step, as determined at 130, control sets the transition flag to true at 136. At 138, control manages the transition from torque control to speed control. The transition to speed control is illustrated by the flow chart of fig. 6. This transition ensures that the torque request changes at a predetermined rate, i.e., the rate of entry per time step, until the current value of the speed control torque request is reached. At 140, control checks whether the difference between the previous torque request and the speed control torque request is less than the entry rate. If so, the transition is completed by setting the transition flag to false at 142 and the MG3 torque request to the speed control torque request at 144. Otherwise, the controller checks at 146 whether the speed control torque request is greater or less than the previous MG3 torque request and increases or decreases the torque request at 148 or 150, respectively.

Operating MG3 in the manner described above has several advantages. When the rear wheels have good traction, MG3 torque is determined based on driver demand. As a result, the total driver demanded torque is divided between the front and rear wheels. With distributed torque, the wheels are less likely to lose traction when encountering road surfaces with marginal coefficients of friction. When the rear wheels have lost traction, MG3 torque is controlled in a speed control mode, where the speed target is based primarily on vehicle speed. In the speed control mode, the rear wheel torque is controlled to regain traction and keep the vehicle moving through a smooth patch. The transition between these two modes of operation is not abrupt. Instead, the torque changes at a steady predetermined rate. This predetermined rate is calibrated to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness issues that may occur when the rear wheel torque changes too abruptly.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously mentioned, features of the various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention, which may not be explicitly described or shown. Although various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be sacrificed to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. Accordingly, embodiments described as less desirable with respect to one or more characteristics than other embodiments or prior art implementations are not outside the scope of the present disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having: a first axle powered by a first driveline; a second axle powered by the first electric motor; and a controller programmed to adjust a torque of the first electric motor to a driver demand based torque level in response to traction at the second axle, to adjust the torque of the first electric motor to a speed control torque level in response to slippage of the second axle, and to set a rate of change of torque of the first electric motor to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness associated with rapid torque changes during a transition between the driver demand based torque level and the speed control torque level.

According to one embodiment, the first power transmission system is provided with: an internal combustion engine; and a second electric motor.

According to one embodiment, the first driveline further comprises: a planetary gear set having a sun gear fixedly coupled to the second electric motor, a carrier fixedly coupled to the internal combustion engine, and a ring gear driveably connected to the first axle; and a third electric motor drivably connected to the first axle.

According to the present invention, a method of controlling a hybrid vehicle includes: setting the first motor torque to a first driver demand based torque level in response to the tractive effort at the first axle; setting the first motor torque to a torque level based on speed control in response to a slip of the first axle; and transitioning from the first driver demand based torque level to the speed control based torque level at a first controlled rate.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by switching from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level at a second controlled rate.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by initiating said transition from said speed control based torque level to said first driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of said first motor torque exceeding an absolute value of said driver demand based torque level.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the first driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level being less than a threshold.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by setting the driveline torque of the second axle to a second driver demand based torque level.

According to one embodiment, setting the driveline torque includes setting a second motor torque.

According to one embodiment, setting the driveline torque comprises setting an internal combustion engine torque.

According to the present invention, a method of controlling an electrically driven axle comprises: setting a motor torque to a torque level based on a driver demand in response to a tractive force at the axle; setting the motor torque to a speed control based torque level in response to slippage of the axle; and transitioning from the driver demand based torque level to the speed control based torque level at a first controlled rate.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by transitioning from the speed control based torque level to the driver demand based torque level at a second controlled rate.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by initiating said transition from said speed control based torque level to said driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of said motor torque exceeding an absolute value of said driver demand based torque level.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by initiating the transition from the speed control based torque level to the driver demand based torque level in response to an absolute value of the driver demand based torque level being less than a threshold.