Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine

1. A device for operating a drivetrain which includes an electrical machine configured to be selectively operated as at least one of a generator and a motor, the electrical machine being electrically coupled to a power battery, the device comprising:

an energy management unit connected to the power battery;

an electrical machine management unit; and

a powertrain management unit configured for transmitting a desired mechanical torque to the electrical machine management unit, wherein the powertrain management unit is distinct from the energy management unit;

wherein the energy management unit is configured for transmitting at least one of a desired electric power, a lower electrical limit, and an upper electrical limit to the electrical machine management unit, and wherein the electrical machine management unit is configured for controlling the electrical machine to generate the desired mechanical torque, and wherein the electrical machine management unit is configured for transmitting at least one of a desired mechanical torque, a lower mechanical limit, and an upper mechanical limit to the powertrain management unit, and wherein the mechanical setpoint torque is determined on the basis of at least one of the desired mechanical torque, the upper mechanical limit, and the lower mechanical limit, and wherein the desired mechanical torque is determined from the desired electric power.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to control the electric machine such that a power generated by the electrical machine is (i) not greater than the power corresponding to the upper electrical limit, and (ii) not less than the power corresponding to the lower electrical limit.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical machine management unit includes a conversion block configured for at least one of (i) converting the desired electric power into the desired mechanical torque, (ii) converting the lower electrical limit into the lower mechanical limit, and (iii) converting the upper electrical limit into the upper mechanical limit.

4. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the energy management unit is configured for receiving at least one of a state of charge of the power battery electrically coupled to the electrical machine, a battery current of the power battery, and a battery voltage of the power battery.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical machine management unit is configured for determining a current flow of the electrical machine and for transmitting the determined current flow of the electrical machine to the energy management unit.

6. The device as recited in claim 5 , wherein the electrical machine management unit is integrated in a control unit for controlling the electrical machine.

7. The device as recited in claim 5 , wherein at least two of the energy management unit, the electrical machine management unit, and the powertrain management are integrated in a common control unit for controlling the electrical machine.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the energy management unit is integrated in the control unit for controlling the electrical machine.

9. The device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the power train management unit is not integrated in the control unit for controlling the electrical machine.

10. The device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the control unit includes the energy management unit and the powertrain management unit.

11. The device as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control unit does not include the electrical machine management unit.