Title: Automated topology optimisation of hybrid electric vehicle powertrains

Authors: Adam H. Ing; John McPhee

Addresses: Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada ' Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: Gasoline and electric powertrain components can be connected in numerous configurations to create hybrid powertrains. Owing to the exponential increase of permutations as the number of components increases, a framework to determine the best possible powertrain configuration that minimises fuel consumption was developed. This framework uses enumeration to discover all powertrains, the Graph-Theoretic Method to generate system equations, dynamic programming to evaluate fuel consumption and generate an objective score, and Pattern Search to optimise the sizing of each component. A multi-stage screening process was used to reduce computation time. Parallel and powersplit-like topologies with additional discrete gearboxes were found to be the most efficient. The best performing topology is a powersplit hybrid type: a discrete gearbox connected to the final drive, with the output gear of the planetary carrier and electric motor in parallel.

Keywords: HEVs; hybrid electric vehicles; hybrid vehicles; vehicle powertrains; topology optimisation; linear graph theory; design automation; fuel consumption; powertrain configuration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2015.074671

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2015 Vol.7 No.4, pp.342 - 361

Received: 29 Sep 2014
Accepted: 18 Apr 2015
Published online: 12 Feb 2016 *

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