Vehicle Standing Start Clutch Torque Modulation via Slip Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling a road vehicle's standing start with a dual-clutch, servo-assisted transmission fail to consistently maximize longitudinal acceleration due to unpredictable tire and road surface conditions, leading to excessive or insufficient torque transmission and wheel slip.

Innovation Solution

A control method that uses a control unit to modulate the torque transmitted by the clutch during the standing start by continuously adjusting it based on the difference between target and real slip of the drive wheels, utilizing a PID controller and feedback control to maintain optimal slip and adjust to varying conditions, while also considering the road surface grip and previous start data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the clutch is closed quickly to maximize acceleration, then the standing start performance is improved, but the drive wheels slip excessively which worsens performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal accelerationVSAvoidwheel slip
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the actual slip of the drive wheels during clutch closing and dynamically adjusts the torque transmission in real-time based on feedback from slip sensors, ensuring optimal acceleration while preventing excessive wheel slip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, pre-established torque value approach to a dynamic control method where the torque transmitted by the clutch is continuously modulated during the closing phase based on real-time slip conditions, allowing adaptation to varying tire and road surface states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed torque value is established beforehand for clutch closing, then the control method is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying tire and road surface conditions leading to suboptimal performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to tire and road conditionsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the actual slip of the drive wheels during clutch closing and dynamically adjusts the torque transmission in real-time based on feedback from slip sensors, ensuring optimal acceleration while preventing excessive wheel slip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational data (actual slip measurement) to automatically adjust and optimize its performance without external intervention, learning from real-time conditions to maintain ideal slip levels across varying environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3798475B1Method to control a road vehicle for the execution of a standing start
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 FERRARI SPA
  • EP3798475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3798475B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3798475B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method to control a road vehicle (1) for the execution of a standing start; the control method comprises the steps of: engaging a gear in a transmission (7) while a corresponding clutch (16A) is open; progressively closing the clutch (16A) causing the clutch (16A) to transmit a torque that causes the rotation of at least a pair of drive wheels (3); determining a target slip (ST) of the drive wheels (3); cyclically determining a real slip of the (SR) of the drive wheels (3); and continuously modulating the torque transmitted by the clutch (16A) during the closing of the clutch (16A) based of a difference between the target slip (ST) of the drive wheels (3) and the real slip of the (SR) of the drive wheels (3).