IP Library Granted Patent US 8,195,370
Granted Patent B2
US 8,195,370 · App. 11/934,234 · Granted Jun 5, 2012

Association of torque requesting modules in a coordinated torque architecture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,195,370
App. No.
11/934,234
Granted
Jun 5, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.

Claims (39)

1. A powertrain control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle;

an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests;

an axle-to-propulsion torque conversion module that converts the net axle torque request into a first propulsion torque request based on an axle gear ratio, a tire diameter, a transmission gear ratio, and a torque converter gain;

a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle;

a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the first propulsion torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests; and

a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.

2. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of axle torque request modules includes a cruise control torque request module that generates one of the axle torque requests based on a cruise control set speed of the vehicle.

3. The powertrain control system of claim 2 further comprising an adaptive cruise control torque request module that communicates an axle torque correction to the cruise control request module based on an environment of the vehicle.

4. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of axle torque request modules includes a traction/drag control module that generates one of the axle torque requests based on slip between a tire of the vehicle and a road surface.

5. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of axle torque request modules includes a vehicle over-speed protection module that generates one of the axle torque requests based on a predetermined speed limit of the vehicle.

6. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of axle torque request modules includes at least one of a brake torque management module that generates one of the axle torque requests based on brake torque that is provided by brakes of the vehicle and a stability control module that generates one of the axle torque requests based on a yaw rate of the vehicle.

7. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes a stall prevention module that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on a minimum torque that is needed to keep the engine running.

8. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes an engine crank and stop module that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on whether the engine is newly assembled.

9. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes an engine capacity protection module that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on a predetermined catalyst temperature limit.

10. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes a transmission torque request module that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on transmission gear shifts.

11. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes a engine over-speed protection module that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on a predetermined maximum engine RPM.

12. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules includes an engine idle speed control that generates one of the propulsion torque requests based on a desired idle speed for the engine.

13. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of propulsion torque request modules include reserve torque request modules that generate respective ones of the propulsion torque requests based on torque that will be needed from the engine to compensate for an impending load change on the engine.

14. The powertrain control system of claim 13 wherein the reserve torque request modules include an air conditioning compressor torque compensation module that generates a respective one of the propulsion torque requests based on torque that will be needed from the engine to compensate for an impending load change due to an air conditioning compressor clutch engaging and disengaging.

15. The powertrain control system of claim 13 wherein the reserve torque request modules include a catalyst light off module that generates a respective one of the propulsion torque requests to change an exhaust gas temperature of the engine.

16. The powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle and the powertrain control system further comprises a hybrid control module that that determines how much torque of the net axle torque request is to be provided by an electric motor.

17. A method of operating a powertrain control system for a vehicle, comprising:

generating a plurality of axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle;

generating a net axle torque request based on the axle torque requests;

converting the net axle torque request into a first propulsion torque request based on an axle gear ratio, a tire diameter, a transmission gear ratio, and a torque converter gain;

generating a plurality of propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle;

determining a net engine torque request based on the first propulsion torque request and the propulsion torque requests; and

controlling a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that an engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the propulsion torque requests is based on a predetermined catalyst temperature limit.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the propulsion torque requests is based on transmission gear shifts.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the propulsion torque requests is based on a predetermined maximum engine RPM.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the propulsion torque requests is based on torque that will be needed from the engine to compensate for an impending load change on the engine.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining how much torque of the net axle torque request is to be provided by an electric motor.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the axle torque requests is generated based on a cruise control set speed of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 17 further comprising generating an axle torque correction based on an environment of the vehicle,

wherein the one of the axle torque requests generated further based on the axle torque correction.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one of the propulsion torque requests is generated based on torque that will be needed from the engine to compensate for an impending load change due to an air conditioning compressor clutch engaging and disengaging.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one of the propulsion torque requests is generated to change an exhaust gas temperature of the engine.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0587 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0035 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0780 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0215 →
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 023155/0880 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0670 →
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 022554/0479 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2008
From: SIMON, ROBERT C., JR.; WOZNIAK, LEONARD G.; WHITNEY, CHRISTOPHER E.; CHYNOWETH, SCOTT J.; LIVSHIZ, MICHAEL; FOLKERTS, CHARLES H.; STROH, DAVID J.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020526/0434 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2008
From: GWIDT, JESSE M.; LUCIDO, MICHAEL J.; RAMAPPAN, VIJAY; SANTOSO, HALIM G; DIBBLE, DONOVAN L; CLEARY, DAVID J
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020402/0424 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60959697 · Jul 16, 2007
Related Publication 20090024263A1 · Jan 22, 2009