The Interaction and Interdependence of Component Design, Modeling of Physical Systems and Control System Capability

Rodney J. Tabaczynski Director, Powertrain and Vehicle Research Abstract Significant advances have been made in new components that can be integrated into powertrain systems. These include integrated starter alternators, direct injected gasoline engine systems, variable cam timing devices, lean NOx traps, advanced battery systems, elctronic throttles and continuously variable transmissions. In parallel, on board computers are becoming faster and more capable, detailed physical modeling of complex systems is progressing toward real time capability, and control system tools and theories are becoming more applicable to these complex systems. The challenge for the systems engineering community is to determine how all these complex devices can be used to redesign the total system to provide increased function at reduced cost and increased reliability and robustness. In this presentation, examples of engineering systems will be given that show how hardware needs to change and be integrated in order to optimize the system and how modern control is required in order to provide the needed functionality of the final system design. In addition, the need to integrate detailed physical models into the analysis and design of the control system will be demonstrated via examples of cold start and lean NOx trap location optimization. The goal of the presentation is to show, via examples, the synergy between control, physical modeling and design in order to develop unique, robust, low cost solutions to engineering problems.