Integrated Drive Unit Control for Torque Vectoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles with torque vectoring devices require complex control systems to manage both driving and braking forces, especially when regenerative braking is combined with mechanical brakes, leading to increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control system that integrates the control of driving and braking forces using a drive motor, differential unit, differential motor, sensors for vehicle condition detection, an electrically controlled brake device, and multiple controllers to calculate and apply target torques and braking forces, with independent power sources for each controller to ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical brakes are arranged individually for each wheel and controlled by specific programs, then braking force control is achieved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of drive motor, differential motor, and mechanical brakes into a single integrated control system. The control unit coordinates all three components to provide unified braking force control, eliminating the need for separate control programs for each component and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the drive motor for propulsion, controlling the differential motor for torque distribution, and controlling the mechanical brakes for braking. This multi-functional control unit replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate control systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is combined with mechanical brakes, then energy recovery is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates regenerative braking control with mechanical brake control under a single control unit. The control unit manages the coordination between the drive motor's regenerative braking function and the mechanical brakes, providing unified energy recovery and braking force control without requiring separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from vehicle operating conditions to intelligently coordinate regenerative braking and mechanical braking. Based on detected vehicle state, the control unit determines the optimal combination of regenerative and mechanical braking forces, simplifying the control of this energy recovery system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If torque vectoring device is added to distribute torque to right and left wheels, then driving performance is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit merges the control of the differential motor (for torque vectoring) with the control of the drive motor and mechanical brakes. By integrating all torque distribution and braking control functions into one control unit, the system achieves improved driving performance without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the control of driving and braking forces, reducing complexity and ensuring vehicle stopping functionality even in case of brake device failure by using electrically controlled parking lock devices.
Implementation Method 1
a brake device that is frictionally contacted to an input element of the differential unit or a rotary member attached to the drive motor connected to the differential unit to establish a braking force
Implementation Method 2
a differential motor that is connected to any one of rotary elements of the differential unit, and that controls a distribution ratio of the torque distributed to the right wheel and the left wheel through the differential unit by generating torque
Implementation Method 3
a drive motor; a differential unit that distributes torque delivered from the drive motor to a right wheel and a left wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a drive unit configured to control driving force and braking force integrally is provided. The control system comprises: a sensor that detects vehicle conditions and an operation amount of an accelerator pedal etc.; a brake device that is contacted to an input element of a differential unit or a rotary member attached to the drive motor connected to the differential unit; and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate: a target travelling condition based on the vehicle condition and the operation amount detected by the sensor; target drive torques or target braking torques to be applied to the right wheel and left wheel based on the target travelling condition; output torques of a drive motor and a differential motor based on the target driving torques; and a braking force to be established by the brake device and an output torque of the differential motor based on the target braking torques.