Synthesis tool for conventional and hybrid powertrains

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Eilts; Dr.-Ing. Axel Sturm, since 9/2023
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development ; Traffic and Transport Systems, Intelligent and Automated Traffic
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433517773

In this research project, a synthesis tool for conventional and hybrid powertrain concepts will be developed. A computer-assisted synthesis enables to investigate all theoretically conceivable combinations of the aggregate-specific design parameters. Therefore, promising concepts can be identified depending on the defined requirements and evaluation criteria. By generating all theoretically conceivable parameter combinations, new variants of topologies, aggregates or components can be identified by means of synthesis. The synthesis programs available at the institutes of the two applicants will be further developed and coupled in the framework of this project in order to build a tool for powertrain synthesis. Since the number of degrees of freedom of a powertrain is very high, new approaches are needed to be able to realize an optimization in the sense of the defined criteria. For this reason, an identifier is developed which enables optimization of the overall system based on physical expertise. For this purpose, potential parameters are developed which the identifier uses to choose suitable measures in order to optimize the properties of the powertrain based on the defined evaluation criteria. The decisions that the identifier makes during a synthesis process are supported by a data-based, self-learning system. As a result, existing expert knowledge in the form of physical connections as well as development experience is transferred into algorithms as well as program structures and used for the optimization of complex systems. The two applicants cover the internal combustion engine and transmission. As a consequence, the consideration of electric machines, power electronics and batteries is simplified in this project. However, if the project has been successfully completed, a further research project with additional partners will be pursued in order to be able to consider the electrical aggregates of a powertrain more accurately.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr.-Ing. Ferit Küçükay, until 9/2023