A Comparison of the Mississippi State University EcoCAR 3 Team Vehicle Architecture Motor Control Strategies

This paper describes the bench testing procedures for a series-parallel, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architecture used in its charge depleting mode. This architecture will be integrated into a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro by the Mississippi State University EcoCAR 3 Team. Our bench testing goals are to determine the accuracy of our current vehicle model components, if our current controller algorithms are efficient, and if our powertrain is properly integrated. Three torque control strategies using two UQM motors will be evaluated. Initial findings in this paper will be used to prepare the MSU EcoCAR 3 team for vehicle optimization and further integration work during the year three portion of the EcoCAR 3 competition. Three charge depleting motor control strategies are evaluated for drivetrain torque loss and energy consumption. The control strategies were tested using a Nissan Frontier chassis as the bench testing frame (or mule) on a chassis dynamometer. Each control strategy was tested using a custom drive cycle that varied the mule speed in increments of five miles per hour over time. The main components involved in testing include: a seven-module A123 18.9kWh energy storage system, a UQM PowerPhase^® 125 electric motor, a UQM PowerPhase^® 145 electric motor, a custom made seven helical gear gearbox, and a two-speed transmission made by Gear Vendors. A New Eagle’s Parker CM3626 controller will be used to operate the powertrain. Using the program Vector CANoe, CAN signals were recorded and used for data analysis.