# Modified computational design synthesis using simulation-based evaluation and constraint consistency for vehicle powertrain systems

Jan Wijkniet, Theo Hofman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

### Abstract

The combinatorial nature of powertrain system design problems challenges system engineers as powertrain components can be interconnected, sized and controlled in numerous ways. Hence, finding promising candidates considering, e.g., fuel economy, drivability and complexity requires a systematic approach. A dedicated and novel framework for computational design synthesis is, therefore, presented in this article. The underlying aim of this framework is to enable full-automated powertrain system optimization over multiple system layers, including topology selection, component sizing and optimal control, and follows the principles of platform-based design. Based on a library of components, system topologies are automatically generated by solving a constraint satisfaction problem. Meanwhile, constraints originating from customers requirements, application specific design rules and physical laws are respected. Furthermore, the topology generation can be applied to hierarchical decomposed systems on multiple system levels in order to reach the full potential of system design. Using a relevant automotive use-case, it is demonstrated that possible topologies for powertrains equipped with a complex continuously variable transmission are automatically synthesized. Next, simulation-based evaluation (automated physical modeling and filtering) of these candidates by this framework results in a set of feasible topologies, satisfying the required functionality and physical constructability. Along with this topology evaluation phase, a control-actuation scheme and a initial set of feasible component parameters are obtained that are required for full automated multi-layer optimization, which is seen as the next novel future step. The presented framework leads to novel and innovative powertrain and transmission designs with a total amount of 635 feasible transmission topologies based on maximum 13 components, whereas the overall time required to generate and evaluate all initial possible candidates (2.5 <formula><tex>${\cdot }$</tex></formula>10<formula><tex>$^{27}$</tex></formula>) is relative short, i.e., 5.5 and 20 hours, respectively.

Original language English 8065-8076 12 IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology 67 9 https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2018.2844024 Published - 1 Sep 2018

### Fingerprint

Powertrains
Topology
Synthesis
Evaluation
Simulation
System Design
Systems analysis
Hierarchical systems
Constraint satisfaction problems
Physical Modeling
Hierarchical Systems
Design Rules
Optimization
Constraint Satisfaction Problem
Fuel economy
Use Case
Design
Multilayer
Optimal Control
Filtering

### Keywords

• Computational design synthesis
• constraint consistency
• constraint satisfaction programming
• nested graph
• powertrain
• topology

### Cite this

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title = "Modified computational design synthesis using simulation-based evaluation and constraint consistency for vehicle powertrain systems",
abstract = "The combinatorial nature of powertrain system design problems challenges system engineers as powertrain components can be interconnected, sized and controlled in numerous ways. Hence, finding promising candidates considering, e.g., fuel economy, drivability and complexity requires a systematic approach. A dedicated and novel framework for computational design synthesis is, therefore, presented in this article. The underlying aim of this framework is to enable full-automated powertrain system optimization over multiple system layers, including topology selection, component sizing and optimal control, and follows the principles of platform-based design. Based on a library of components, system topologies are automatically generated by solving a constraint satisfaction problem. Meanwhile, constraints originating from customers requirements, application specific design rules and physical laws are respected. Furthermore, the topology generation can be applied to hierarchical decomposed systems on multiple system levels in order to reach the full potential of system design. Using a relevant automotive use-case, it is demonstrated that possible topologies for powertrains equipped with a complex continuously variable transmission are automatically synthesized. Next, simulation-based evaluation (automated physical modeling and filtering) of these candidates by this framework results in a set of feasible topologies, satisfying the required functionality and physical constructability. Along with this topology evaluation phase, a control-actuation scheme and a initial set of feasible component parameters are obtained that are required for full automated multi-layer optimization, which is seen as the next novel future step. The presented framework leads to novel and innovative powertrain and transmission designs with a total amount of 635 feasible transmission topologies based on maximum 13 components, whereas the overall time required to generate and evaluate all initial possible candidates (2.5 ${\cdot }$10$^{27}$) is relative short, i.e., 5.5 and 20 hours, respectively.",
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language = "English",
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In: IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 67, No. 9, 01.09.2018, p. 8065-8076.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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T1 - Modified computational design synthesis using simulation-based evaluation and constraint consistency for vehicle powertrain systems

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AU - Hofman, Theo

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N2 - The combinatorial nature of powertrain system design problems challenges system engineers as powertrain components can be interconnected, sized and controlled in numerous ways. Hence, finding promising candidates considering, e.g., fuel economy, drivability and complexity requires a systematic approach. A dedicated and novel framework for computational design synthesis is, therefore, presented in this article. The underlying aim of this framework is to enable full-automated powertrain system optimization over multiple system layers, including topology selection, component sizing and optimal control, and follows the principles of platform-based design. Based on a library of components, system topologies are automatically generated by solving a constraint satisfaction problem. Meanwhile, constraints originating from customers requirements, application specific design rules and physical laws are respected. Furthermore, the topology generation can be applied to hierarchical decomposed systems on multiple system levels in order to reach the full potential of system design. Using a relevant automotive use-case, it is demonstrated that possible topologies for powertrains equipped with a complex continuously variable transmission are automatically synthesized. Next, simulation-based evaluation (automated physical modeling and filtering) of these candidates by this framework results in a set of feasible topologies, satisfying the required functionality and physical constructability. Along with this topology evaluation phase, a control-actuation scheme and a initial set of feasible component parameters are obtained that are required for full automated multi-layer optimization, which is seen as the next novel future step. The presented framework leads to novel and innovative powertrain and transmission designs with a total amount of 635 feasible transmission topologies based on maximum 13 components, whereas the overall time required to generate and evaluate all initial possible candidates (2.5 ${\cdot }$10$^{27}$) is relative short, i.e., 5.5 and 20 hours, respectively.

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