Vehicle Clutch Control for Transmission Play Collision Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle transmission systems with play mechanisms experience collision forces between power transmitting members, affecting the riding experience by influencing the traveling feeling of the rider.

Innovation Solution

A controller for a vehicle that includes a clutch actuator and processing circuitry to determine changes in the relative position of transmitting structures and adjust the power transmission rate to reduce collision forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a play mechanism is used in the transmission system, then the transmission can accommodate relative movement between power transmitting members, but collision forces occur when the transmitting members contact each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of relative movementVSAvoidcollision force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The control device detects changes in relative position between power transmitting members before collision occurs and preemptively adjusts clutch engagement to reduce the speed difference, preventing the harmful collision effect before it happens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the relative position of power transmitting members and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust clutch engagement, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual transmission conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the relative position of power transmitting members changes frequently, then the transmission can adapt to acceleration and deceleration, but the collision force increases and affects traveling feeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to acceleration and decelerationVSAvoidcollision force affecting traveling feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch acts as an intermediary element between the power source and the transmission system, allowing the control device to modulate power transmission and reduce collision forces without directly modifying the relative position changes of the power transmitting members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12344344B2Controller of vehicle and method of controlling vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A controller of a vehicle is a controller of a vehicle including: a driving source; a driving wheel; a first transmitting structure; a second transmitting structure which is connected to the first transmitting structure so as to be movable relative to the first transmitting structure in a power transmitting direction within a range of a play; a clutch located on the power transmitting path and between the driving source and the first transmitting structure; and a clutch actuator. The controller determines whether or not a relative position of the first transmitting structure relative to the second transmitting structure changes. When it is determined that the relative position changes, the controller controls the clutch actuator to change a power transmission rate such that collision force of one of the first transmitting structure and the second transmitting structure with respect to the other by the change in the relative position is reduced.