- MAHLE Powertrain’s holistic end-to-end approach accelerates vehicle manufacturers’ development programmes
- Aids powertrain configuration optimisation
- Development broken down into five key stages linked via vehicle simulation; increasing simplicity and precision, reducing time and costs
- Steady state and transient powertrain testing, four-wheel drive chassis dyno testing, and on-road RDE testing
MAHLE Powertrain has introduced a new end-to-end test and development process that helps vehicle manufacturers achieve the optimal powertrain configuration for any given application. The development process, which has been designed to help meet the challenges posed by new real-world emissions testing targets, is broken down into five key stages; steady state powertrain testing; transient powertrain testing; four-wheel drive dyno testing; and on-road RDE testing all linked via vehicle simulation.
“A sophisticated vehicle simulation solution has been developed over many years, utilising several novel technologies and techniques, to provide automotive engineers with RDE-ready powertrains in shorter timeframes than have been traditionally possible,” says Simon Williams, MAHLE Powertrain’s principal calibration engineer. “MAHLE’s fresh approach demonstrates that accurate simulation of RDE drive cycles early in the development process is fundamental to ensuring time- and cost-effective emissions compliance across all specified RDE conditions.”
The initial simulation phase allows early understanding of powertrain operation requirements over RDE cycles and enables optimisation of transmission and hybrid control strategies before physical hardware is available. This phase involves an early assessment of RDE boundary conditions based on three key factors: vehicle performance, driving style and test route characteristics. MAHLE applies advanced analysis techniques to generate a test programme for implementation throughout the complete development process. Hundreds of digitised RDE routes are used to simulate the varying traffic conditions, road layouts and topographies that are experienced in real-world driving scenarios.
Steady state powertrain testing represents the initial testing of prototype powertrain hardware and is conducted on a steady state dyno where loads and speeds are held at constant values. Utilising advanced DoE tools and automated testbed running, MAHLE can efficiently develop optimised base engine mapping that achieves performance and emissions targets. These models can be fed back into the RDE vehicle simulation to increase model accuracy and to assess powertrain RDE performance without the need for physical hardware, reducing the reliance on prototype hardware and reducing project cost.
As the powertrain hardware reaches a higher level of maturity, the development advances to the transient testing phase. At this point, complete drive cycles are simulated according to specific territory regulations and precise recording of emissions. Further correlation of the analysis model is conducted at this stage to achieve a robust representation of the powertrain system performance during real-world driving conditions, and validate powertrain performance before vehicle hardware is available.
The RDE development process moves into a crucial phase once installed within a vehicle. “Earlier tests have already established a high degree of confidence in the system’s ability to achieve compliance with all aspects of RDE legislation,” explains Williams.” Once inside MAHLE Powertrain’s Real Driving Emissions (RDE) Centre in Northampton, UK the vehicle is subjected to a wide range of atmospheric and temperature conditions in a precisely controlled, repeatable environment. This allows a robust assessment of the powertrain’s capabilities and the whole vehicle performance in the harshest of real-world operating conditions. confirming that the powertrain is compliant to all emissions legislation requirements”
As the final stage, certified real-world drives are carried out on certified RDE routes. The test vehicle is fitted with MAHLE Powertrain’s Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS), which measures tailpipe emissions. Previous tests in the RDE Centre’s climatic chamber have already shown that the vehicle and powertrain systems have the capability to achieve emissions compliance. Thanks to MAHLE Powertrain, the on-road testing simply provides the final proof that the powertrain meets all legislation requirements.
About MAHLE Powertrain
MAHLE Powertrain is a wholly owned subsidiary of the MAHLE Group – a leading international development partner in the areas of engine systems, filtration, mechatronics and thermal management. The group employs around 79,000 people and is represented in more than 30 countries with 160 production locations and 16 major R&D centres.
MAHLE Powertrain specialises in the design, development and integration of advanced internal combustion engines and electrified powertrain systems. As recognised experts in these fields, MAHLE Powertrain is engaged in the extensive research, development and application of new traditional and advanced drivelines into cost-effective, production feasible solutions for enhanced efficiency, improved fuel economy and lower emissions.
With eight technical centres strategically located in the UK, Germany, USA, China and Brazil, MAHLE Powertrain is well positioned to deliver innovative solutions around the globe. MAHLE Powertrain has around 450 employees worldwide.