Leisure Vehicle Drive Wheel Slip Control via Dynamic Torque Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leisure vehicles, such as ATVs and motorcycles, face difficulties in starting and accelerating on surfaces with low grip, like sandy or snowy terrain, due to significant slip caused by insufficient friction between wheels and the ground, leading to inefficient power transmission and control.
Innovation Solution
A leisure vehicle equipped with a power unit, speed control device, and controller that maintains drive wheel rotational speed to prevent slip, using sensors to detect rotational speeds and adjust engine power accordingly, ensuring smooth start and acceleration by controlling the throttle valve or clutch device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large drive force (rotational torque) is applied to a drive wheel during start or acceleration, then the vehicle can overcome low grip conditions, but the drive wheel slips substantially making it difficult to achieve smooth start or acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive force variable rather than constant. The controller dynamically adjusts the drive force based on real-time slip detection, increasing it when grip is available and reducing it when slip occurs. This dynamic adjustment enables smooth start and acceleration on low-grip surfaces by continuously optimizing the balance between overcoming resistance and maintaining traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through slip detection mechanisms that monitor wheel rotation and ground interaction. When slip is detected, the system feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts the drive force accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures smooth operation by preventing excessive slip while maintaining sufficient drive force to overcome low grip conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the driver manipulates the accelerator to cause the power unit to drive the wheel with a small drive force during start, then slip is inhibited, but it becomes difficult to accelerate efficiently on low grip surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts drive force based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining a fixed small force. During start, it uses small drive force to inhibit slip, then progressively increases drive force as grip is established, enabling efficient acceleration. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing slip inhibition initially while achieving productivity later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using small drive force at the start to establish traction before increasing power. This preliminary low-force phase prepares the system for subsequent efficient acceleration by ensuring grip is established first, then allowing progressive power increase without excessive slip.
3Speed
If the controller increases rotational speed of the drive wheel, then acceleration is achieved, but slip occurs on surfaces with small grip force between wheel and ground
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from slip detection to regulate rotational speed increases. When slip is detected, the system reduces the rate of rotational speed increase or temporarily holds speed constant until grip is re-established. This feedback-controlled speed adjustment maintains traction stability while still achieving acceleration on low-grip surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls rotational speed based on real-time grip conditions rather than following a fixed acceleration profile. The controller adjusts speed increase rate adaptively, slowing down speed increases when slip risk is high and allowing faster increases when grip is sufficient, thereby maintaining traction stability throughout the acceleration process.
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
Enables smooth starting and accelerating without substantial slip on low-grip surfaces by dynamically adjusting engine power based on real-time wheel speed data, enhancing traction and reducing wheel slip.
Implementation Method 1
a leisure vehicle configured to be propelled by friction between a drive wheel thereof and a ground surface with which the drive wheel is in contact
Data Source
AI summary
A leisure vehicle configured to be propelled by a friction between a drive wheel thereof and a ground surface with which the drive wheel is in contact, including a power unit configured to drive the drive wheel, a speed control device configured to control drive of the drive wheel, and a controller configured to control the speed control device to increase a rotational speed of the drive wheel while maintaining a state in which the drive wheel does not slip on the ground surface in a predetermined amount or more.