Adjustable Drivetrain Torque Vector Blending for Variable Vehicle Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drivetrain systems, such as eDrives, torque converter systems, and hydrostatic systems, produce different output vectors based on operating states, limiting the ability to achieve an infinitely variable torque output that can seamlessly blend different drivetrain styles.

Innovation Solution

An infinitely variable drivetrain system that includes an electric motor with a controller capable of combining multiple output maps to produce a target torque vector, allowing users to adjust and blend torque outputs from various drivetrain styles through a graphical user interface, enabling customization of vehicle handling based on current operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single fixed drivetrain style is used, then the system is simple to control, but the adaptability to different operating conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different operating conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drivetrain system dynamically adjusts the blending ratio between different drivetrain styles (e.g., eDrive, torque converter, hydrostatic) based on real-time operating conditions such as vehicle speed, direction, and terrain. This allows the system to transition smoothly between fixed-style configurations, achieving adaptability without requiring multiple separate control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to handle multiple drivetrain styles within a single unified controller. By incorporating multiple output maps that correspond to different drivetrain styles, the system can perform the functions of various specialized systems through one multi-functional controller, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed drivetrain styles are provided, then the versatility of the system increases, but the ability to achieve infinitely variable torque output is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of drivetrain stylesVSAvoidinfinitely variable torque output capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the blending parameter (utilization percentage) of each drivetrain style continuously rather than in fixed steps. By adjusting the weight given to each output map dynamically, the system can produce any torque vector within the range spanned by the combined styles, achieving infinitely variable torque output while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple drivetrain styles by calculating a weighted average of their respective torque vectors. This combination approach allows the system to leverage the strengths of each style (e.g., efficiency of eDrive, torque multiplication of torque converter) while producing a customized torque output that neither style could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the torque output is fixed for each operating state, then the control system is simple, but the customization of vehicle handling is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of control systemVSAvoidcustomization of vehicle handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts torque vector blending based on real-time inputs from sensors and user preferences. Rather than using fixed torque outputs, the system continuously optimizes the combination of drivetrain styles to match current operating conditions and user-defined handling characteristics, maintaining simplicity through automated control while enabling extensive customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If different drivetrain styles are used, then the output torque vectors vary, but the ability to seamlessly blend styles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of output torque vectorsVSAvoidsmoothness of style blending

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses continuous parameter adjustment of the blending ratio between different drivetrain styles, avoiding abrupt transitions. By changing the utilization percentage smoothly based on operating conditions, the system maintains stable and seamless blending while still achieving a wide variety of output torque vectors through the combination of different styles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11987133B2Infinitely adjustable drivetrain

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A variable setting drivetrain for use with a vehicle including a controller in operable communication with an electric motor and configured to provide signals to the motor representative of a target output torque vector, where the controller is configured to calculate the target output torque vector by taking the weighted average of a first torque vector determined using a first output map, a second torque vector determined using a second output map, and a third torque vector determined using a third output map.