Analysis of Design Tradeoffs for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles 161

2. METHODS FOR STUDYING PHEV DESIGN

The design of any complicated system including PHEVs is complex, multiobjec-
tive, and iterative. Further complicating the analysis of design of these commercial
products is that the details of commercial design processes are generally not published.
Research into design methods is therefore necessarily reductionist; we cannot describe
the entire complexity of the design process, instead we must understand and describe the
inputs and outputs of the design process and its primary elements.

2.1 Model of PHEV design process

This chapter proposes a model which can be analyzed to build an understanding of the
PHEV design process. This model is shown conceptually in Fig. 6.1.
The PHEV design process is broken down into three steps which proceed from left
to right. Design objectives provide input to the design tradeoff space. The results of the
design tradeoffs are the attributes of the design. Example design objectives and example
attributes are shown in Fig. 6.1. A hierarchy of design objectives, contributing analyses,
and design attributes is also represented in the PHEV design model.
At the lowest level are the objectives, analyses, and attributes of subsystem-level
design. Subsystem-level design objectives are concerned with the performance, specifi-
cation, and sizing of individual components or subsystems of a PHEV. These design
objectives might include minimizing engine size, using advanced battery chemistry, or
achieving a specific engine turn-on speed. Subsystem-level analyses might include
models of engine performance, motor dynamics, or battery lifetime. The subsystem-
level design attributes are component specifications and sizes.
At the next higher level are the objectives, analyses, and attributes of vehicle-level
design. Vehicle-level design objectives guide the design process to achieve vehicle
attributes. These may include objectives for vehicle cost, tested fuel economy, and

Example design
objectives Design tradeoff space Example attributes

Conceptual design - GHG emissins

System - Petroleum displacement
GHG emissions - CAFE rating
analyses Requirements
reduction
-AND-
-OR- - Fuel economy -AER
Vehicle - Vehicle cost -Acceleration
analyses Requirements - Gradeability -Top speed
Maximum AER
1 -AND-
-OR- 3 2 - Engine power
Subsystem - Advanced battery chemistry
Constraints - Drivetrain gearing
Minimize engine analyses
size

Figure 6.1 PHEV design process methodology diagram.