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Product platforms or product families are collections of artifacts related by shared components. Use of product platforms allows rapid deployment of product variants in the marketplace, resulting in reduced design cycle time and cost, and better-timed product launches. A method has been proposed that uses a multiobjective Pareto problem formulation to capture performance trade-offs realized when sharing components. The present study explores the use of the method for designing an automotive powertrain family. Initial results are presented along with a discussion of techniques that may lead to better solutions, such as the use of hierarchical decomposition and derivative-free global optimization methods to aid in accurate Pareto set generation. In addition, response surface models can be used to decrease numerical cost.

Four concepts of strong hybridization powertrains on all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles are presented. These concepts enable conversion of conventional powertrains into strong hybrid powertrains with minimal tear-up to the existing architecture. The first concept incorporates an electric machine attached to the output side of a conventional transmission. The second concept is a strong input power-assist system, where the motor is packaged between the torque converter and the transmission. The third concept is similar to the second one, but the torque converter is replaced by a starting clutch. The fourth concept is a compound-input, power-split, electric-variable transmission (EVT ). These concepts provide extensive hybrid functionality, such as motor-only drive, launch assist, and energy recuperation. Simulation results indicate that proposed strong hybrid concepts can result in fuel economy gains of 19-26 per cent over conventional powertrains.

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