Title: A performance optimisation-based e-CVT design method and analysis of representative HEV/PHEV powertrains

Authors: Leon Zhou; Zuomin Dong

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, BC, V8W3P6, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, BC, V8W3P6, Canada

Abstract: An electronically controlled continuous variable transmission (e-CVT) which consists of planetary gears and electric machines plays a key role in advanced hybrid powertrains of HEV/PHEV/EREVs. Design of these e-CVTs for best performance is a challenging task due to the complexity of these e-CVTs and hybrid powertrain system derived from them. In this work, a performance modelling and optimisation-based design method is introduced to automatically identify the best performance of an e-CVT or other complex hybrid vehicle powertrain system. The complex design optimisation problem for peak powertrain performance is solved using a unique two-stage search method to significantly reduce needed computation and assure the accuracy of the optimisation. Four representative e-CVT powertrain designs of representative HEV/PHEV/EREVs were used as case studies. Test results are calibrated using verified data to reveal the performance characteristics and potential of each powertrain designs. Application of this method to produce new e-CVT and gear-train designs with enhanced performance is demonstrated.

Keywords: peak powertrain performance; powertrain design; model-based design; electronic CVT; continuous variable transmission; e-CVT; optimisation; hybrid electric vehicles; plug-in HEVs; PHEVs; extended range electric vehicles; EREVs; hybrid powertrains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2011.044372

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.318 - 339

Received: 27 Jul 2011
Accepted: 07 Nov 2011
Published online: 22 Dec 2011 *

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