GB2581778A - Vehicle control system - Google Patents

Vehicle control system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2581778A
GB2581778A GB1902346.4A GB201902346A GB2581778A GB 2581778 A GB2581778 A GB 2581778A GB 201902346 A GB201902346 A GB 201902346A GB 2581778 A GB2581778 A GB 2581778A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electric supercharger
threshold value
met
supercharger
automatic transmission
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1902346.4A
Other versions
GB2581778B (en
GB201902346D0 (en
Inventor
James Green Christopher
Marsden Paul
Mourre Thomas
Balder Scott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Original Assignee
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jaguar Land Rover Ltd filed Critical Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority to GB1902346.4A priority Critical patent/GB2581778B/en
Publication of GB201902346D0 publication Critical patent/GB201902346D0/en
Priority to DE102020100019.7A priority patent/DE102020100019A1/en
Publication of GB2581778A publication Critical patent/GB2581778A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2581778B publication Critical patent/GB2581778B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W10/00—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
    • B60W10/04—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units
    • B60W10/06—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/0002—Controlling intake air
    • F02D41/0007—Controlling intake air for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W10/00—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
    • B60W10/10—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of change-speed gearings
    • B60W10/11—Stepped gearings
    • B60W10/115—Stepped gearings with planetary gears
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B39/00—Component parts, details, or accessories relating to, driven charging or scavenging pumps, not provided for in groups F02B33/00 - F02B37/00
    • F02B39/02—Drives of pumps; Varying pump drive gear ratio
    • F02B39/08—Non-mechanical drives, e.g. fluid drives having variable gear ratio
    • F02B39/10—Non-mechanical drives, e.g. fluid drives having variable gear ratio electric
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H61/00—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing
    • F16H61/02—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing characterised by the signals used
    • F16H61/0202—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing characterised by the signals used the signals being electric
    • F16H61/0204—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing characterised by the signals used the signals being electric for gearshift control, e.g. control functions for performing shifting or generation of shift signal
    • F16H61/0213—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing characterised by the signals used the signals being electric for gearshift control, e.g. control functions for performing shifting or generation of shift signal characterised by the method for generating shift signals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
    • F02D41/021—Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine
    • F02D41/0215—Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine in relation with elements of the transmission
    • F02D41/023—Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine in relation with elements of the transmission in relation with the gear ratio shifting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H59/00—Control inputs to control units of change-speed-, or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion
    • F16H59/74—Inputs being a function of engine parameters
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Control Of Transmission Device (AREA)
  • Supercharger (AREA)
  • Control Of Driving Devices And Active Controlling Of Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

A control system for controlling a vehicle with an automatic transmission and an electric supercharger, the system configured to receive signals indicative of an operational parameter of the supercharger 21, determine whether a threshold value has been met based on the received signal, and downshift the automatic transmission if the threshold value has been met 23. Preferably, the operational parameters include the temperature, power output, or operational time of the supercharger, or the state of charge of a battery supplying power to the supercharger. The system may downshift the transmission only when a predetermined demand for engine power has been exceeded 24. The threshold value could be based on a predetermined value at which the supercharger de-rates of shuts-off. An electronic processor and memory device may be used to execute the system. A related method is also provided.

Description

VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control system, to a system for a vehicle comprising the control system, to a vehicle, to a method, to a computer program and to a non-transitory computer readable medium.
BACKGROUND
It is known to provide a vehicle equipped with an electric supercharger that is driven by an electric motor to supply pressurised air to the engine air intake of the vehicle. The supercharger provides an additional engine power boost during periods of increased demand. An electric supercharger has various operational parameters and it is typical for an electric supercharger to be designed so that when a predetermined value of a particular operational parameter has been met, it de-rates, i.e. it operates at below its maximum output irrespective of the demand placed on it, or it shuts-off altogether.
It can be problematic if the supercharger de-rates or shuts-off before the demand for additional engine power has been satisfied, as the driver may notice a drop in engine power.
It is known to use an electrical supercharger in conjunction with a mechanical turbocharger. In this instance, the electrical supercharger is operational whilst the turbocharger spools-up to meet the demand for additional power. The effect of turbo lag is thereby prevented or reduced. However, the predetermined value of a particular operational parameter of the electric supercharger at which it de-rates or shuts-off may still be met prior to the turbocharger spooling up sufficiently in order for the turbocharger to satisfy the demand for engine power. Therefore, a drop in engine power may still be noticed.
It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated
with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for controlling a vehicle, a system for a vehicle comprising the control system, a vehicle, a method a computer program and a non-transitory computer readable medium, as claimed in the appended claims.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electric supercharger, the control system being configured to: receive one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger; determine, based on said one or more electrical signals, whether a threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met: downshift said automatic transmission.
As a result of a downshift in the automatic transmission when a threshold parameter value relating to an operational parameter of the supercharger has been met, the speed of the engine will increase. If the supercharger subsequently de-rates or shuts-off, any loss in power is compensated by the increase in engine speed. In addition, where the vehicle has a turbocharger used in conjunction with the supercharger, the increase in engine speed will result in an increase in the mass flow rate of exhaust gas across the turbine of the turbocharger, which in turn will increase the boost provided by the turbocharger. This will also increase the power output of the engine, compensating for any loss of power should the supercharger de-rate or shut-off.
Optionally, the control system may comprise one or more controllers individually or collectively comprising: means for receiving said one or more electrical signals indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger; means to determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and means to, in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met, downshift said automatic transmission.
The means for receiving one or more electrical signals indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger may comprise an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving said one or more electrical signals, an electronic memory device being electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein. Said means to determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met and said means to downshift said automatic transmission may comprise the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to: determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met based on a value of the one or more electrical signals; and command said downshifting of said automatic transmission in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met.
Optionally, said one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger are indicative of a temperature of the supercharger, a state of charge of a battery supplying power to the supercharger, a power output of the supercharger or an operational time of the supercharger.
In embodiments, the control system may control the automatic transmission so that it downshifts based on determining that the threshold value has been met only when a predetermined demand for engine power has been exceeded.
By ensuring that a downshift only occurs in circumstances where a predetermined demand for engine power is required, an increase in engine speed is provided only when necessary.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for a vehicle comprising a control system according to the invention, and an electric supercharger.
The threshold value may be based on a predetermined value of the operating parameter of the electric supercharger at which the electric supercharger de-rates or shuts-off.
Optionally, the threshold value is selected so that the threshold value is reached before the predetermined value.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the system for a vehicle of the invention.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electric supercharger, the method comprising; determining, in dependence on one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger, whether a threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and downshifting said automatic transmission in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met.
In an embodiment, the operational parameter comprises a temperature of the supercharger, a state of charge of a battery supplying power to the supercharger, a power output of the supercharger or an operational time of the supercharger.
Optionally, the method comprises controlling the automatic transmission so that it downshifts based on determining that the threshold value has been met only when a predetermined 10 demand for engine power has been exceeded.
The electric supercharger may have a predetermined value of the operating parameter at which the electric supercharger de-rates or shuts-off. In this case, the method may comprise pre-selecting the threshold value based on the predetermined value.
The method may comprise pre-selecting the threshold value so that said threshold value is reached before said predetermined value.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program that, when run on at least one electronic processor, causes the method of the invention to be performed.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of the method of the invention.
Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle control system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a system for a vehicle comprising the control system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a system for a vehicle comprising a control system according to another embodiment; Figure 4 shows a system for a vehicle comprising a control system according to a further embodiment; Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of the control system of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operations of the control system according to the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A schematic representation of a control system 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.
The control system 1 comprises a controller 2 for outputting a signal 11 to control an automatic transmission 3 (see Figure 2) of a vehicle 4 (see Figure 7). The controller 2 receives one or more electrical signals 6 from an electric supercharger 5 (see Figure 2). The electrical signal 6 is indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5.
The controller 2 is configured to determine, based on the one or more electrical signals 6 received from the electric supercharger 5, whether a threshold value relating to the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met. If the controller 2 determines that the threshold value has been met, it is configured to output a control signal 11 to command the automatic transmission 3 of the vehicle 4 to downshift. In some circumstances, the outputted control signal 11 may command the automatic transmission 3 to downshift the next lowest gear. Alternatively, the outputted control signal 11 may command the automatic transmission 3 to downshift to any gear which is lower than the currently selected gear.
The controller 2 has means for receiving the one or more electrical signals 6 indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5, as well as means for determining whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met, and means to downshift the automatic transmission 3 in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met.
The means for receiving one or more electrical signals 6 indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 may comprise an electronic processor 7 having an electrical input 8. An electronic memory 9 is electrically coupled to the electronic processor 7.
The memory 9 stores a computer program containing computer readable instructions executable by the electronic processor 7 upon receipt of the one or more electrical signals 6 from the electric supercharger 5.
The means for determining whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met, and the means to downshift the automatic transmission 3, comprises the electronic processor 7 being configured to access the electronic memory 9 and to execute the computer readable instructions stored therein. As a result of executing the computer readable instructions, the electronic processor 7 is operable to determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met based on the one or more electrical signals 6 received from the electric supercharger 5. The electronic processor 7 is also operable to command a downshift in the automatic transmission 3, by outputting the control signal 11, in dependence on a determination that the threshold value of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 3 has been met.
The electronic processor 7 may have an electrical output 10 to generate an electrical signal 11 indicative of instructions to downshift the automatic transmission 3. The automatic transmission 3 may be operable to downshift upon receipt of the electrical signal 11 from the electronic processor 7.
The threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 may be based on a predetermined value of that operational parameter at which the electric supercharger 5 will automatically de-rate or shut-off, independent of the power demanded from it, to protect the electric supercharger 5 from damage. In particular, the threshold value may be pre-selected so that a downshift in the transmission occurs before the predetermined value at which de-rate or shut-off would automatically occur is reached, and with the objective of reducing the power demanded of the electric supercharger 5 to a level at which the predetermined value at which automatic de-rating or shut-off occurs is never reached, thereby preventing the protective de-rating or shut-off of the electric supercharger 5.
The temperature of an electric supercharger 5 will increase as it draws power. If the electric supercharger 5 gets too hot, it may be damaged. Therefore, an electric supercharger 5 may de-rate or shut-off at a predetermined temperature above which the electrical supercharger 5 will be damaged. In an embodiment of the invention, the operational parameter is a temperature of the electric supercharger 5, the electronic signal 6 received by the electronic processor 7 from the electrical supercharger 5 is indicative of the temperature of the electric supercharger 5, and the threshold value is a temperature of the electric supercharger 5 below the predetermined temperature. The threshold value may be a temperature of the electric supercharger 5 which is close to the predetermined temperature so that the electronic processor 7 outputs a signal 11 to command a downshift in the automatic transmission just prior to the supercharger reaching a temperature at which it will de-rate or shut-off. As a result of the downshift, the demand on the electric supercharger 5 may decrease, and so the electric supercharger 5 may not reach the predetermined temperature at which it will automatically de-rate or shut-off to protect the electric supercharger 5. The electric supercharger 5 may be deactivated before the predetermined temperature is reached because of a lack of demand of power from the electric supercharger 5.
An electric supercharger 5 may be supplied with power from a battery. If the charge of the battery drops below a predetermined charge, or if the power demanded by the engine from the electric supercharger 5 exceeds a predetermined limit which may vary depending on the charge level of the battery, the electric supercharger 5 may de-rate or shut-off. In an embodiment of the invention, the operational parameter is the charge in a battery that supplies power to the supercharger 5, the electronic signal 6 received by the electronic processor 7 from the electrical supercharger 5 is indicative of the charge of the battery that supplies the electric supercharger 5 with power, and the threshold value is a charge of the battery that is higher than the predetermined charge at or below which the electric supercharger 5 will de-rate or shut-off. The threshold value may be a charge of the battery which is close to the predetermined charge so that the electronic processor 7 outputs a signal 11 to command a downshift in the automatic transmission 3 just prior to the charge in the battery reaching a charge at which the supercharger 5 will de-rate or shut-off. In a related embodiment, the operational parameter may be a value representative of the power demanded of the electric supercharger 5 by the engine, and the threshold value is then a value representative of the power demand which is below a predetermined power limit at which the electric supercharger 5 de-rates or shuts-off. As a result of the downshift, the demand on the electric supercharger may decrease. Therefore, the battery may no longer drop below the predetermined charge, or power demanded by the engine from the electric supercharger 5 many not exceed the predetermined limit, and so the electric supercharger 5 will not automatically de-rate or shutoff to protect the electric supercharger 5. The electric supercharger 5 may be deactivated before the predetermined power limit is reached because of a lack of demand of power from the electric supercharger 5.
An electric supercharger 5 may also be configured to de-rate or shut-off when it has been operational for a predetermined length of time. The operational time prior to de-rating or shut-off may depend on the amount of power generated by the electric supercharger 5.
Alternatively, the operational time prior to de-rating or shut-off of the electric supercharger 5 may be independent of the amount of power that is drawn by it. In an embodiment of the invention, the operational parameter is the length of time that the electric supercharger 5 has been operational, the electric signal 6 received by the electronic processor 7 from the electrical supercharger is indicative of the length of time that the electric supercharger 5 has been operational, and the threshold value is an operational time which is shorter than the predetermined length of time. The threshold value may be an operational time which is only just shorter than the predetermined length of time so that the electronic processor 7 outputs a signal 11 to command a downshift in the automatic transmission 3 just prior to an operational time being reached at which the supercharger 5 will de-rate or shut-off. As a result of the downshift a demand for power may no longer be placed on the electric supercharger 5 and so it may switch off before the predetermined length of time has been met and the electric supercharger 5 needs to automatically de-rate or shut-off in order to protect it from damage.
It will be understood that the threshold value can be any value representative of an operating parameter of the electric supercharger 5 and is a value that is selected to anticipate the risk of the electric supercharger 5 de-rating or shutting-off, so that the pro-active measure of downshifting the transmission is taken before automatic de-rating or shut-off of the electric supercharger 5 occurs.
Although reference has been made to the threshold value relating to an operational parameter as being a value which is close to the predetermined value of that operational parameter at which the electric supercharger 5 will de-rate or shut-off, the threshold value can be selected such that a downshift in the automatic transmission 3 will be commanded well before the operating parameter of the electric supercharger 5 would have reached the predetermined value at which it would have de-rated or shut-off, so that the driver may experience the benefit of increased engine power provided by the electric supercharger 5 in addition to an increase in engine speed caused by the downshift in the automatic transmission 3. Continued operation of the electric supercharger 5 after a downshift has occurred may be particularly desirable if a turbocharger 13 is still spooling-up when the threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met. The combined downshift of the automatic transmission 3, and the continued boost provided by the electric supercharger 5, may further prevent or reduce turbo lag. It will be understood that the electric supercharger 5 may continue to operate after a downshift without reaching the predetermined value at which it automatically de-rates or shuts-off, as the power demand may be satisfied by the turbocharger 13. Therefore, the electric supercharger 5 will deactivate due to lack of demand prior to the predetermined value being reached and automatic de-rating or shut-off occurring.
Although reference is made to a downshift in the automatic transmission 3 based on determining that a threshold value relating to an operating parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met, it is also envisaged that the control system 1 may also be configured to upshift the automatic transmission 3 after a downshift has occurred and if the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 is no longer at, or close to, the threshold value.
Values for different operational parameters of the electric supercharger 5 at which the electric supercharger 5 will de-rate or shut-off may be predetermined prior to use of the electric supercharger 5 and included in the machine readable instructions stored in the memory 9 of the control system 1. The values of the various operational parameters at which the electric supercharger 5 de-rates or shuts-off may be provided by the manufacturer of the electric supercharger 5.
After the transmission has downshifted, the demand placed on the electric supercharger 5 is reduced, the objective being that the predetermined value relating to an operational parameter at which automatic de-rating or shut-off of the electric supercharger 5 will occur is not reached. Therefore the electric supercharger 5 will not automatically de-rate or shut-off.
As a consequence of a downshift in the automatic transmission 3, the speed of the engine will increase. If the engine is provided with a turbocharger, the increased engine speed will cause the turbocharger to spool up more quickly, due to the increased mass flow rate of exhaust gas across the turbine of the turbocharger, and enable it to satisfy the engine power demand, thereby reducing reliance on the electric supercharger 5. Once the turbocharger is able to satisfy the engine power demand, the power provided by the electric supercharger 5 is no longer required and it may deactivate without reaching the predetermined value at which automatic de-rating or shut-off will occur.
As automatic de-rating or shut-off of the electric supercharger 5 may not occur as a result of the downshift, the invention includes embodiments in which the electric supercharger 5 is not configured to automatically de-rate or shut-off at all. However, it is envisaged that an electric supercharger 5 that is configured to automatically de-rate or shut-off will still be employed in case the demand placed on the electric supercharger 5 is not reduced sufficiently as a result of the downshift. For example, if the turbocharger 13 has still not reached a point at which it can satisfy the engine power demand, the electric supercharger 5 will continue to provide support until either the turbocharger 13 has spooled-up to satisfy that demand or, a predetermined value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met and the electric supercharger 5 automatically de-rates or shuts off. It may also be beneficial to ensure that the electric supercharger 5 will automatically de-rate or shut-off when a predetermined value is reached in the event that a fault in the control system occurs and a downshift is not commanded when the threshold value is met.
In some embodiments, the control system 1 may determine whether the threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met by comparing an actual value of an operating parameter of the electric supercharger 5 with a predetermined table of values for that operational parameter stored in a lookup table in the memory 9. If the actual value has met or exceeded the threhold value stored in the lookup table, the control system 1 will output a signal 11 to command a downshift in the automatic transmission 3.
In some embodiments, and as illustrated in Figure 3, the memory 9 may also store a predetermined value indicative of a particular engine power demand, particularly a high engine power demand. In such embodiments, the electronic processor 7 may receive a signal 15 indicative of the actual engine power demand from an engine controller 16, and the electronic processor 7 may be configured so that it will only output a signal 11 to command a downshift of the automatic transmission 3, irrespective of whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 3 has been met, if the actual engine power demand exceeds the predetermined value indicative of a particular engine power demand stored in the memory 9. A downshift in the automatic transmission 3 is therefore inhibited if a predetermined demand for engine power has not been met.
A high or above average engine power demand may occur when the vehicle is travelling in an uphill direction. An electric supercharger 5 may not be able to meet such a high demand, and so a downshift in the automatic transmission to prevent or alleviate any loss in power in such circumstances may be particularly advantageous.
With reference to the embodiment of Figure 4, the vehicle 4 may include a mechanical, exhaust-driven, turbocharger 13. In this embodiment, the electric supercharger 5 may be operational only whilst the turbocharger 13 spools-up and until the turbocharger 13 can provide the required engine power boost. In particular, the electronic processor 7 may be configured to receive an electrical signal 17 indicative of an operational parameter of the turbocharger 13, and to shut-off or de-rate the supercharger 5 if a predetermined threshold value of an operational parameter of the turbocharger 13 stored in the memory 9 has been met. Therefore, de-rating or shutting-off of the supercharger 5 may occur irrespective of whether the threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the the electric supercharger 5 has been met.
The predetermined operational parameter of the turbocharger 13 may be a rotational speed of the turbine blades of the turbocharger 13 or, a pressure of air emitted by the turbocharger 13 that is indicative of the turbocharger 13 being fully operational, i.e. indicative of the turbocharger 13 being fully spooled-up. By de-rating or shutting-off the electric supercharger 5 even before the predetermined threshold value relating to the operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met, the temperature of the electric supercharger 5 may be lower, or the charge in the battery that provides power to the supercharger 5 may be maintained at a higher level, prior to subsequent operation of the electric supercharger 5. Therefore, the electric supercharger 5 may be operational for longer prior to a value of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 reaching a predetermined threshold value.
It will be apparent that the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 may be combined so that a downshift in the automatic transmission will only occur if a predetermined threshold value relating to a particular demand for engine power has been met. Furthermore, the electric supercharger may also de-rate or shut-off if a predetermined threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the turbocharger has been met.
The control system 1 may be a part of an overall system 12 for the vehicle 4 that comprises the control system 1 and an electric supercharger 5. If the vehicle 4 is equipped with a turbocharger 13, the turbocharger 13 may also form part of the overall system 12 for the vehicle 4.
A flowchart showing the operations carried out according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 5. Following a demand for increased engine power, the electric supercharger 5 is operational at operation 20 to satisfy that demand. At operation 21 the control system 2 determines whether the predetermined threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met. If the predetermined threshold value has not been met, the electric supercharger 5 continues to provide the required boost, as represented by the line marked "N" in Figure 4. However, if the predetermined threshold value has been met, then the electronic processor 7 will output a signal 11 to command the automatic transmission 3 to downshift in operation 22, as represented by the line marked "Y" in Figure 5.
A flowchart showing the operations carried out according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6. Following a demand for increased engine power, the electric supercharger 5 is operational at operation 20 to satisfy that demand. At operation 21 the control system 2 determines whether the predetermined threshold value relating to an operational parameter of the electric supercharger 5 has been met. If the predetermined threshold value has not been met, the electric supercharger 5 continues to provide the required boost, as represented by the line marked "N1" in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the control system 2 outputs a signal 11 to command the automatic transmission 3 to downshift in operation 23, as represented by the line marked "Y2" in Figure 6, only if another condition is satisfied at operation 24 namely, if the engine power demand is above a predetermined threshold value. If the demand for engine power is not above the predetermined threshold value, as indicated by line marked "N2" in Figure 6, the electric supercharger 5 is allowed to de-rate or shut-off at operation 25.
A vehicle 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 7. The vehicle 4 may incorporate one or more of the embodiments of the invention described above.
It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims (16)

  1. CLAIMS1. A control system for controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electric supercharger, the control system being configured to: receive one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger; determine, based on said one or more electrical signals, whether a threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met: downshift said automatic transmission.
  2. 2. The control system according to claim 1 comprising one or more controllers individually or collectively comprising: means for receiving said one or more electrical signals indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger; means to determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and means to, in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met, downshift said automatic transmission.
  3. 3. The control system of claim 2 wherein: said means for receiving one or more electrical signals indicative of the operational parameter of the electric supercharger comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving said one or more electrical signals, an electronic memory device being electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; and said means to determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met and said means to downshift said automatic transmission comprise the electronic processor being configured to access the electronic memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to: determine whether the threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met based on a value of the one or more electrical signals; and command said downshifting of said automatic transmission in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met.
  4. 4. The control system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein: said one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger are indicative of a temperature of the electric supercharger, a state of charge of a battery supplying power to the electric supercharger, a power output of the electric supercharger or an operational time of the electric supercharger.
  5. 5. The control system according to any preceding claim, comprising controlling the automatic transmission so that it downshifts based on determining that the threshold value has been met only when a predetermined demand for engine power has been exceeded.
  6. 6. A system for a vehicle comprising a control system according to any preceding claim and an electric supercharger.
  7. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the threshold value is based on a predetermined value of the operating parameter of the electric supercharger at which the electric supercharger de-rates or shuts-off.
  8. 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the threshold value is selected so that said threshold value is reached before said predetermined value.
  9. 9. A vehicle comprising the system according to any of claims 6 to 8.
  10. 10. A method of controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electric supercharger, the method comprising; determining, in dependence on one or more electrical signals indicative of an operational parameter of the electric supercharger, whether a threshold value relating to the operational parameter has been met; and downshifting said automatic transmission in dependence on determining that the threshold value has been met.
  11. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the operational parameter comprises a temperature of the electric supercharger, a state of charge of a battery supplying power to the electric supercharger, a power output of the electric supercharger or an operational time of the electric supercharger.
  12. 12. The method according to claim 10 or claim 11, comprising controlling the automatic transmission so that it downshifts based on determining that the threshold value has been met only when a predetermined demand for engine power has been exceeded.
  13. 13. The method according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the electric supercharger has a predetermined value of the operating parameter at which the electric supercharger de-rates or shuts-off, and wherein the threshold value is based on a predetermined value of the operating parameter of the electric supercharger at which the electric supercharger de-rates or shuts-off.
  14. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the threshold value is selected so that said threshold value is reached before said predetermined value.
  15. 15. A computer program that, when run on at least one electronic processor, causes the method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 to be performed.
  16. 16. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of the method of any one of claims 10 to 14.
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JPS62228742A (en) * 1986-03-27 1987-10-07 Mazda Motor Corp Device for controlling automatic transmission
US20120022753A1 (en) * 2009-01-12 2012-01-26 Renault S.A.S. Method for anticipating downshifting and for monitoring an automatic transmission
US20140330492A1 (en) * 2011-12-09 2014-11-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Engine control device for vehicle
WO2017098184A1 (en) * 2015-12-11 2017-06-15 Renault S.A.S. Method for managing the use of an electric compressor in a vehicle provided with an automatic gearbox

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