IP Library Granted Patent US 8,323,145
Granted Patent B2
US 8,323,145 · App. 11/391,795 · Granted Dec 4, 2012

Hybrid powertrain optimum ratio selection

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,323,145
App. No.
11/391,795
Granted
Dec 4, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission control system for a hybrid electric vehicle including an electric machine includes an energy storage device that is selectively charged by the electric machine and that selectively powers the electric machine. A driver input device generates a driver input signal. A control module receives the driver input signal, determines a torque load of the electric machine based on a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device and determines a transmission ratio based on the torque load and the driver input signal.

Claims (58)

1. A transmission control system for a hybrid electric vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

an energy storage device that is selectively charged by said electric machine and that selectively powers said electric machine;

a driver input device that generates a driver input signal; and

a control module that receives said driver input signal, that determines a torque load of said electric machine based on a state of charge (SOC) of said energy storage device and that determines a transmission ratio based on said torque load and said driver input signal.

2. The transmission control system of claim 1 wherein said control module determines said torque load based on an electrical load grade.

3. The transmission control system of claim 2 wherein said electrical load grade is determined based on a vehicle speed and a charge power.

4. The transmission control system of claim 3 wherein said charge power is determined based on said SOC.

5. The transmission control system of claim 1 wherein said control module determines an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio and commands an up-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than an up-shift acceleration threshold.

6. The transmission control system of claim 1 wherein said control module determines an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio and commands a down-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than a down-shift acceleration threshold.

7. A transmission control system for a hybrid electric vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

an energy storage device that is selectively charged by said electric machine and that selectively powers said electric machine;

a driver input device that generates a driver input signal; and

a control module that receives said driver input signal, determines a torque load of said electric machine based on a state of charge (SOC) of said energy storage device, determines a transmission ratio based on said torque load and said driver input signal, determines an engine capable acceleration, commands an up-shift when said engine capable acceleration is greater than an up-shift threshold and commands a down-shift when said engine capable acceleration is less than a down-shift threshold.

8. A method of selecting a transmission ratio in an electric hybrid vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

generating a desired torque command;

calculating a state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device;

determining a torque load of said electric machine based on said SOC; and

selecting said transmission ratio based on said torque load and said desired torque command.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining said torque load based on an electrical load grade.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining said electrical load grade based on a vehicle speed and a charge power.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining said charge power based on said SOC.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

calculating an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio; and

commanding an up-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than an up-shift acceleration threshold.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

calculating an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio; and

commanding a down-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than a down-shift acceleration threshold.

14. A method of selecting a transmission ratio in an electric hybrid vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

generating a desired torque command;

calculating a state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device;

determining a torque load of said electric machine based on said SOC;

selecting said transmission ratio based on said torque load and said desired torque command;

calculating an engine capable acceleration;

commanding an up-shift when said engine capable acceleration is greater than an up-shift threshold; and

commanding a down-shift when said engine capable acceleration is less than a down-shift threshold.

15. A method of selecting a transmission ratio in an electric hybrid vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

generating a desired torque command;

calculating a state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device;

determining a charge power based on said SOC and a transfer function that correlates said charge power to said SOC;

determining a torque load of said electric machine based on said charge power; and

selecting said transmission ratio based on said torque load and said desired torque command.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining said torque load based on an electrical load grade.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining said electrical load grade based on a vehicle speed and the charge power.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

calculating an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio; and

commanding an up-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than an up-shift acceleration threshold.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

calculating an acceleration reserve for said transmission ratio; and

commanding a down-shift in said transmission ratio when said acceleration reserve is greater than a down-shift acceleration threshold.

20. A method of selecting a transmission ratio in an electric hybrid vehicle including an electric machine, comprising:

generating a desired torque command;

calculating a state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device;

determining a charge power based on said SOC and a transfer function that correlates said charge power to said SOC;

determining a torque load of said electric machine based on said charge power;

selecting said transmission ratio based on said torque load and said desired torque command

calculating an engine capable acceleration;

commanding an up-shift when said engine capable acceleration is greater than an up-shift threshold; and

commanding a down-shift when said engine capable acceleration is less than a down-shift threshold.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034184/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0041 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0402 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0519 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0493 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CHANGE ASSIGNEE TO: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS INC. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017745 FRAME 0798. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE ASSIGNEE TO: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS INC.. Recorded Jun 13, 2006
From: HAN, ED E.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
Reel/Frame 017771/0442 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2006
From: HAN, ED E.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017745/0798 →