Simulation and Control of Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This research develops a typical model for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle. Model predictive controllers and simulations for this model have been built to verify the ability of the system to control the speeds and to handle the transitional period for the clutch engagement from the pure electrical driving to the hybrid driving. If the output constraints are the measured speeds and the unmeasured torques which are not strictly imposed and can be violated somewhat during the clutch engagements, a modified model predictive controller with soften output constraints has been developed. Simulations show that the new model predictive controller can control the speeds very well for rapid clutch engagements, which enhance the driving comfort and reduce the jerk on the parallel hybrid electric vehicles.