Vehicle Electric Machine Coupling Retry for Torque Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Management of multiple traction power sources in vehicles, such as internal combustion engines and electric machines, is problematic due to issues with torque transmission and failure detection.
Innovation Solution
A control system for vehicles with electric machines that includes controllers to determine and control the coupling state of electric machines to vehicle wheels, retrying changes in coupling based on vehicle speed and status signals, and using clutches to manage torque paths between engines and wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clutch is used to manage torque transmission between the engine and electric machine, then torque distribution is improved, but the complexity of the powertrain system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch acts as an intermediary device between the engine and electric machine, enabling selective engagement and disengagement to manage torque transmission. This mediator allows the system to adapt torque distribution based on operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture by using a single engagement point rather than multiple complex transmission paths.
2Reliability
If the control system continuously monitors coupling status to detect failures, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback monitoring of the clutch coupling status by reading signals from sensors that detect whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged. This feedback mechanism enables automatic failure detection when the coupling status does not match the expected state, improving reliability without requiring complex diagnostic algorithms or multiple redundant sensors.
3Reliability
If the control system retries coupling after failure detection, then reliability is improved, but the time required for recovery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by immediately attempting to re-engage the clutch upon detecting a failure, rather than waiting for extended diagnostic procedures. The system quickly issues a re-engagement command and monitors the coupling status, enabling rapid recovery if the failure was transient. This preliminary retry approach minimizes recovery time while maintaining reliability through systematic failure management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means arranged to receive a speed signal (410) indicative of a speed of the vehicle and a status signal (470) indicative of a status of a coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, output means (340) arranged to output a coupling signal to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, and processing means arranged to determine (1210) a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle and to control the output means to output (1220) a coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state, wherein the processing means is arranged, in dependence on the status signal being indicative of a failure (1230) to change the coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on a change in the determined coupling state, to control the output means to output the coupling signal (345) indicative of a retry (1250) of the change in the coupling state in dependence on the speed signal.