Drive Train Control Unit Torque Deviation Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drive train control systems face challenges in quickly and reliably preventing unwanted movement of stationary, unbraked electric vehicles due to faults in the drive network, particularly on sloping roads, with existing error response times being too long and affecting system availability.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that detect deviations from target torque functionality, activate a braking function to ensure safe operation, and dynamically adjust based on torque deviations, allowing for immediate error response and operator override, using signals to manage the braking function and restore normal operation when safe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error response time is reduced to prevent unwanted movement, then safety is improved, but system availability deteriorates due to more frequent shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements different error tolerance criteria for different operating states: a first, more lenient criterion for moving vehicles and a second, stricter criterion for stationary vehicles. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high safety standards when stationary without unnecessarily reducing availability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The error tolerance criterion dynamically changes based on the vehicle's operating state. The control unit automatically switches between the first error tolerance criterion (for moving vehicles) and the second error tolerance criterion (for stationary vehicles), allowing adaptive response to current operational conditions rather than using a fixed threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If error tolerance time is extended to reduce shutdowns, then system availability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of unwanted movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different error tolerance criteria specifically tailored to each operating state. For stationary vehicles, a stricter second criterion is applied that tolerates fewer and shorter deviations, preventing unwanted movement while maintaining availability during normal operation through the more lenient first criterion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The error tolerance parameters (time duration and magnitude of deviation) are changed based on the vehicle's operating state. The control unit adjusts these parameters dynamically, using more stringent thresholds when stationary and more permissive thresholds when moving, thereby optimizing both safety and availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If monitoring sensitivity is increased to detect minor deviations, then safety is improved, but false errors increase leading to more shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring sensitivity is adjusted locally based on the vehicle's operating state. When stationary, the system uses the second error tolerance criterion with higher sensitivity to detect potential safety issues. When moving, the first error tolerance criterion applies with lower sensitivity to avoid false alarms during normal operational variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring sensitivity dynamically adapts to the current operating state. The control unit automatically adjusts the threshold for detecting errors based on whether the vehicle is stationary or moving, thereby maintaining high safety monitoring when needed while reducing false positives during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If error response time is reduced, then unwanted movement is prevented, but technical limits are reached and availability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The error tolerance parameters (time and magnitude) are changed based on operating state rather than using a fixed response time. This allows the system to effectively reduce response time when stationary without being constrained by technical limits during normal operation, thereby optimizing both safety and availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2376307B1Method and device for controlling a drive train
Publication Date: 2014.01.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2376307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2376307B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2376307B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a drive train with at least one drive unit (102), in particular for a vehicle (101). A setpoint value for a torque of the at least one drive unit (102) can be predefined. The actual value of this torque is detected and a first signal is generated which ensures reliable operation of the drive train if the deviation of the actual value from the setpoint value is greater than a predefinable absolute value of the deviation value and/or the deviation of the actual value from the setpoint value lasts for longer than a predefinable absolute value of the deviation time period.