Engine Torque Control for Steering Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine control devices struggle to accurately achieve the intended vehicle behavior during cornering, especially when competing with other driving force controls, leading to insufficient cornering force and response to steering operations.
Innovation Solution
An engine control device that includes a basic target torque determinator, torque reduction demand determinator, torque reduction amount determinator, and final target torque determinator, which calculates and adjusts engine torque to reflect changes in vehicle operating states beyond accelerator pedal operations, ensuring high response and accurate load application to front wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the following travel control device controls driving force to maintain constant distance between vehicles, then the distance maintenance function is improved, but the cornering force of front wheels cannot be quickly increased during steering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control layers: the basic target torque determinator handles accelerator pedal-based driving force control, while the torque reduction amount determinator independently handles steering operation-based torque reduction. This segmentation allows each control function to operate autonomously without interference, enabling the following travel control to maintain distance while the steering control quickly reduces torque to increase front wheel cornering force.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque reduction amount determinator acts as an intermediary that receives steering operation signals and translates them into appropriate torque reduction commands. This intermediary layer ensures that steering operations can quickly influence engine torque independent of the following travel control, thereby improving cornering response while maintaining distance control functionality.
2Force
If the vehicle behavior control device reduces driving force according to steering operation to quickly apply load to front wheels, then the cornering force and turnability are improved, but the cooperation with other driving force controls becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both basic driving force control and steering-based behavior control. The basic target torque determinator establishes the primary torque based on accelerator pedal position, while the torque reduction amount determinator overlays steering-based torque adjustments. This universal design allows the system to cooperate with various driving force controls (including following travel control) while maintaining the capability to quickly increase cornering force during steering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts torque based on the type and intensity of steering operation. The torque reduction amount is calculated according to steering angle and steering speed, allowing the system to provide aggressive torque reduction for sharp turns while maintaining smooth operation for gentle steering. This dynamic adjustment enables effective cooperation with different driving scenarios and control systems.
3Speed
If the engine torque is quickly reduced in response to steering operation, then the response to steering-in operation is improved, but the accuracy of achieving intended vehicle behavior decreases when competing controls are present
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the torque reduction amount determinator continuously monitors steering angle and steering speed to dynamically adjust the torque reduction. This feedback ensures that the torque reduction is precisely matched to the driver's intended steering input, maintaining accuracy even when other controls are active. The system also provides feedback to the driver through the vehicle's actual response, allowing for intuitive correction.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine control device for controlling an engine based on a vehicle operating state is provided, that includes a basic target torque determinator for setting a vehicle target acceleration based on an accelerator pedal operation and determining a basic target engine torque based on the vehicle target acceleration, a torque reduction demand determinator for determining whether an engine torque reduction is demanded based on the vehicle operating state other than the accelerator pedal operation, a torque reduction amount determinator for determining an engine torque reduction amount according to the operating state when the torque reduction is demanded, a final target torque determinator for determining as a final target torque an engine torque calculated by subtracting the torque reduction amount from the basic target torque when the torque reduction is demanded, and an engine controller for controlling the engine so as to output the final target torque.