A comprehensive review of optimization methodologies for power-split hybrid electric vehicle powertrain configuration and structural integrity with ecodesign and reliability considerations

This review paper fills an evincing gap related to ecodesign of HEV discussing optimization methods for the power-split device (PSD) powertrain configuration. There is previous literature about control strategies for energy management and powertrain topology, but the important aspects on the integration of PSD durability and reliability into the eco-design process have not been fully addressed. The unique aspect of this paper is the introduction of the use of Computer-aided Engineering utilized in combination with vehicle model-based design for holistic PSD condition evaluation. The main result shows that geometric design features, as the Ring to Sun gear ratio of the PSD, play a significant role in the determination of mass, natural frequency and, most importantly, ecodesign-related metrics of the assembly (i.e., fuel consumption and emissions). The combination of CAE driven structural feasibility with classical configuration screening and selection is demonstrated in this work, and the optimal gear ratio determination features an extremely powerful tool in the field of design support for HEV ecodesign. This adaptive methodology to interpret various PSD configuration modifications is a promising tool for engineering clean systems. This review provides an insightful basis for future HEV powertrain developments, for better performance meanwhile lower emission.