Vehicle Driveline Clutch Control for Backlash Collision Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles experience collision forces due to play between power transmission members during acceleration and deceleration, affecting the riding experience.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system with a clutch actuator and controller that adjusts the power transmission rate by determining relative position changes between movable power transmission structures, reducing collision forces through controlled clutch operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If power transmission members are engaged with a play to allow relative movement during acceleration and deceleration, then the transmission can accommodate speed variations, but collision forces occur when the play is taken up, affecting riding experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed variation accommodationVSAvoidcollision force
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device detects the relative rotational position between input shaft and output shaft in advance, and adjusts the clutch engagement state before the play is completely taken up. This preliminary action prevents the collision by gradually reducing the speed difference between power transmission members as they approach contact, rather than allowing sudden impact when the play is eliminated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the clutch engagement state based on real-time detection of relative rotational position and speed. By continuously modifying the power transmission rate through clutch control, the system adapts the transmission characteristics to prevent collision while maintaining smooth power transmission during acceleration and deceleration cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the clutch engagement state is adjusted to reduce collision forces, then riding experience is improved, but the power transmission rate becomes variable requiring complex control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision force reductionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device incorporates a detection mechanism that continuously monitors the relative rotational position between the input shaft and output shaft. This feedback information is used by the control unit to adjust the clutch engagement state, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically maintains optimal engagement without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4421356B1Vehicle and method of controlling vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD
  • EP4421356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421356B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A controller (40) of a vehicle (1) is a controller (40) of a vehicle (1) including: a driving source; a driving wheel (3); a first transmitting structure (24) located on a power transmitting path through which power is transmitted between the driving source and the driving wheel (3); a second transmitting structure (23b, S) which is located on the power transmitting path and between the first transmitting structure (24) and the driving wheel (3) and is connected to the first transmitting structure (24) so as to be movable relative to the first transmitting structure (24) in a power transmitting direction within a range of a play; a clutch (18) located on the power transmitting path and between the driving source and the first transmitting structure (24); and a clutch actuator (19). The controller (40) determines whether or not a relative position of the first transmitting structure (24) relative to the second transmitting structure (23b, S) changes. When it is determined that the relative position changes, the controller (40) controls the clutch actuator (19) to change a power transmission rate such that collision force of one of the first transmitting structure (24) and the second transmitting structure (23b, S) with respect to the other by the change in the relative position is reduced.