Engine Clutch Control for Hybrid Vehicle Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmentally-friendly vehicles face issues with accurate operation and sudden unintended acceleration when an engine clutch failure occurs, leading to control time delays and potential battery discharging.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for controlling the engine clutch that includes a controller capable of detecting failures, changing transmission gears, engaging the engine clutch, and charging the battery using both the engine and driving motor, thereby preventing sudden acceleration and battery discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the engine clutch is used to transmit power between engine and drive motor, then the vehicle can operate in both EV mode and HEV mode, but when clutch failure occurs the operating state cannot be accurately determined leading to control time delay and sudden unintended acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors clutch engagement status by detecting whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged, and uses this feedback to accurately determine the operating state (EV mode or HEV mode) even when clutch failure occurs. This real-time feedback mechanism prevents control time delays and unintended acceleration by ensuring the controller always has accurate information about the actual clutch state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical clutch position sensing with an electrical detection system that monitors clutch engagement status through electrical signals. This substitution allows for more reliable and accurate detection of clutch failure conditions, enabling the controller to respond appropriately even when mechanical sensing would fail.
2Productivity
If the engine clutch fails resulting in control by speed difference between engine and drive motor, then the vehicle can continue operating, but control time delay occurs and sudden unintended acceleration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses continuous feedback on clutch engagement status to detect failure conditions and immediately adjust control strategies. By monitoring whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged, the controller can identify speed differences between engine and drive motor and respond without delay, preventing sudden unintended acceleration while maintaining vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is prepared with predetermined control strategies for clutch failure conditions. When failure is detected through engagement status monitoring, the controller immediately switches to the appropriate preliminary action plan, eliminating control time delays and ensuring smooth, controlled operation continues without sudden acceleration events.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine clutch is released to charge the battery, then the battery can be charged using the engine, but the clutch temperature increases which may cause additional failures
Solution Approach 1:
Before charging the battery using the engine, the controller checks the clutch temperature to ensure it is within safe operating limits. This preliminary temperature verification prevents excessive heating and potential additional failures while still enabling battery charging when conditions are appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine itself to charge the battery when clutch temperature is acceptable, creating a self-service energy management system. The controller automatically manages the charging process by monitoring temperature conditions and engaging/disengaging the clutch as needed, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure.
4Reliability
If the gear is changed to neutral when clutch failure is detected, then the vehicle can be controlled safely, but the driving performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts gear selection based on clutch failure detection and operating conditions. Rather than permanently fixing the gear to neutral, the system dynamically determines the most appropriate gear state for safe operation while maintaining acceptable driving performance. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to continue operating effectively even in failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters including gear selection and clutch engagement status based on detected failure conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains safe vehicle control while optimizing driving performance within the constraints of the failure condition, rather than simply defaulting to neutral gear in all cases.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling an engine clutch in an environmentally-friendly vehicle, wherein the engine clutch is disposed between an engine and a driving motor and is configured to selectively connect the engine to the driving motor, includes: a transmission configured to receive a driving force that is transmitted from at least one of the engine and the driving motor by release or engagement of the engine clutch; and a controller configured to control the engine clutch based on a gear of the transmission when the failure of the engine clutch is detected and configured to charge a battery using the engine.