Drivetrain Lash Angle Learning for Torque Disturbance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle drivability is degraded due to torque disturbances caused by an incorrectly configured lash angle in the vehicle's drivetrain, leading to issues like clunking, vibration, and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle management system that measures the lash angle between the drive unit and the wheel, using a measuring device and torque control to output torque shaping logic, which adjusts the torque output to compensate for backlash and maintain optimal drivetrain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed lash angle value is used for all vehicles, then manufacturing and setup are simplified, but torque disturbances occur due to individual variations in drivetrain clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic lash angle learning by itself during vehicle operation. The controller autonomously measures transferred displacement between the drive unit and wheel, calculates the actual lash angle, and adjusts torque output accordingly without requiring manual calibration or external intervention for each vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the torque output parameter based on the measured lash angle. By continuously adapting the torque command to compensate for the specific drivetrain clearance of each vehicle, the system eliminates torque disturbances while maintaining ease of manufacture
2Ease of operation
If the lash angle is not compensated, then the system is simpler to operate, but torque disturbances cause clunking, vibration, and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the controller continuously monitors transferred displacement during vehicle operation, calculates the lash angle based on measured data, and adjusts torque output in real-time. This automatic feedback mechanism eliminates torque disturbances without requiring manual operation or complex user intervention
3Reliability
If torque shaping logic is applied to compensate for lash angle, then drivability is improved, but additional control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The torque control system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring transferred displacement, calculating lash angle, and generating appropriate torque shaping logic without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual procedures. The system adapts to each vehicle's specific characteristics autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary lash angle measurement and torque compensation setup during initial vehicle operation or idle states, before actual driving conditions begin. This preliminary calibration ensures optimal torque control is ready when the vehicle enters service, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle management system includes a torque control generates torque shaping logic for managing torque output of a drive unit and limiting displacement between a drive unit of a vehicle and a wheel coupled to the drive unit. A measuring device monitors a transferred displacement between the drive unit and the wheel coupled to the drive unit when the drive unit is operating to measure a lash angle corresponding to the transferred displacement between the drive unit and the wheel. The measuring device can provide data (e.g., displacement data), indicating the lash angle information, to the vehicle management system. Based on the lash angle information, the torque output generates the torque shaping logic used to manage the torque output of the drive unit.