Virtual lever based optimization for design and component of the voltec 2nd generation

Abstract

Although power-split hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) has higher potential fuel economy and acceleration performance, its design and control problems are very difficult and complicated. In addition, the complexity in power-split HEV has increased according to the trend toward designing the powertrain for multimode by using multiple planetary gear (PG)s and clutches. Design variables such as PG, final drive (FD), and motor power have to be considered and optimized at the same time in order to design the optimal powertrain in fuel economy, acceleration performance, and cost. In this thesis, systematical methodology is developed, which proposes generic configuration of the Voltec powertrain in Volt 2nd generation of General Motors (GM) using virtual lever to reduce the redundancy in design space. Furthermore, the optimal design of the Volt 2nd which has high fuel economy and acceleration performance is found with the efficient evaluation tool developed by using Dynamic Programming (DP) and Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS).