Effect of coordinated control on real-time optimal mode selection for multi-mode hybrid electric powertrain

An online simulation framework is developed in this article to evaluate the performance of a multi-mode electrified powertrain equipped with more than one power source. An electrically variable transmission with two planetary gear-set has been chosen as the centerpiece of the powertrain considering the versatility and prospects of such transmissions. A novel architecture topology of the aforementioned class of transmission is selected through rigorous screening process whose workflow is presented here with brevity. The article systematically delineates the steps for deriving dynamics associated with all the feasible operating modes facilitated by the selected topology. The dynamics associated with all the feasible mode-shift events are also heeded judiciously. One of the legitimate concern of multi-mode transmission is its proclivity to contribute discontinuity of power-flow downstream of the powertrain. Mode-shift events can be predominantly held responsible for engendering such discontinuity. Many scholars in literature have substantiated the advent of dynamic coordinated control as a technique for ameliorating such discontinuity. Hence, a system-level coordinated control is employed within the energy management system (equivalent consumption minimization strategy), which governs the mode schedule of the multi-mode powertrain in real-time simulation. Simulation results corroborate the effect of coordinated control on the equivalent consumption minimization strategy in generating optimal mode schedule.