Vehicle Electric Machine Coupling Retry Control by Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple traction power sources in vehicles, such as internal combustion engines and electric machines, is problematic due to challenges in coordinating their torque delivery effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control system for electric machines that includes controllers to determine and control the coupling state with vehicle wheels, using input signals for status and speed to adjust coupling, retry changes in coupling state based on vehicle speed, and limit retries within predetermined speed and count parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric machine coupling state is changed based on vehicle operation conditions, then torque delivery efficiency is improved, but coupling failures may occur due to inappropriate timing or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary assessment of coupling conditions before attempting to change the coupling state. It evaluates vehicle speed, acceleration, and load conditions in advance to determine whether coupling or decoupling should be executed, preventing failures caused by inappropriate timing
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors coupling status and provides feedback to the control unit. When coupling failures are detected, the system adjusts subsequent coupling decisions based on this feedback, learning from previous failures to improve reliability while maintaining torque delivery efficiency
2Speed
If coupling state changes are attempted frequently to optimize torque delivery, then responsiveness is improved, but wear on coupling mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts coupling decisions based on real-time vehicle conditions. It implements variable response thresholds that prevent unnecessary coupling changes during steady-state operation while maintaining rapid response during transient conditions, reducing wear without sacrificing necessary responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of coupling conditions with variable intervals. During stable operating conditions, coupling attempts are spaced out to reduce wear, while during rapidly changing conditions, the monitoring frequency increases to maintain optimal torque delivery
3Power
If multiple traction power sources are coordinated to provide torque, then power output is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the control of multiple traction power sources into a unified control architecture. It integrates electric machine coupling control with overall vehicle power management, coordinating engine and electric motor torque delivery through a single control unit that makes centralized decisions based on total vehicle power requirements
Data Source
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.