Internal Combustion Engine Torque Control for Clutch Engagement Shock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine control methods for internal combustion engines fail to adequately address the torque step difference at clutch engagement, leading to shock and unnatural feelings for the driver during restart, particularly when transitioning from inertia travel to connected driving.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a torque down control method that sets a target torque to a predetermined lower limit value based on the driving state, including vehicle speed and accelerator position, to manage clutch engagement and reduce shock during restart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the clutch is engaged to restart the internal combustion engine after automatic stop, then the driving force transmission is restored, but torque step shock is generated causing unnatural feeling to the driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving force transmission restorationVSAvoidtorque step shock
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary torque down control before clutch engagement by reducing the target torque to a predetermined lower limit value. This preliminary action prepares the engine torque in advance to match the lower torque level that will be transmitted through the clutch, preventing torque step shock when the clutch engages and restores driving force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the target torque is reduced to minimize torque step shock, then engagement shock is suppressed, but the acceleration characteristic of the vehicle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement shockVSAvoidacceleration characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the target torque parameter to a predetermined lower limit value that is higher than the minimum possible torque. This parameter change balances two requirements: reducing torque step shock by limiting the torque reduction magnitude, while maintaining adequate acceleration characteristic by ensuring the lower limit value still provides sufficient driving force for vehicle acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the torque lower limit value is set high to ensure acceleration characteristic, then the response characteristic is improved, but torque step shock increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse characteristicVSAvoidtorque step shock
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device sets the target torque to a predetermined lower limit value that represents an optimized balance point. This parameter setting ensures the torque reduction is sufficient to prevent excessive shock while maintaining high enough torque to preserve acceleration and response characteristics, resolving the contradiction between these two performance aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3715609B1Internal combustion engine control method and internal combustion engine control device
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3715609B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715609B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3715609B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, torque-down control is begun when the rotational speed difference between the engine rotational speed (Re) of an internal combustion engine that has started and the rotational speed (Rp) of a primary pulley has reached a second prescribed value (B) (step S5). A target torque (Tt) for the torque-down control is set to a torque minimum value Tmin that is calculated using vehicle speed and accelerator position (step S6). Thus, a minimum value for torque control during clutch engagement is set in accordance with operating conditions, which ensures the response performance of a vehicle during restarting of an internal combustion engine that has automatically stopped and makes it possible to suppress engagement shock during clutch engagement.