EV Boost Torque Control With Configurable Energy Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric kart speed boosting systems lack flexibility and customization options, limiting driver strategy and audience engagement in electric kart racing.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle system with a manual boost controller, boost mode manager, and human-machine interface that allows for customizable boost energy, time, and cooldown settings, enabling drivers to dynamically adjust torque profiles based on remaining battery energy and boost conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-defined boost mode is used with fixed power increase and time limit, then the system is simple to implement, but the driver has no flexibility in configuring boost parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability of boost parameters (power increase percentage, time limit, number of boosts) that can be adjusted during races or practice sessions. The control unit allows drivers to customize boost characteristics based on track conditions, vehicle performance, and racing strategy, transforming a static boost system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying racing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables modification of key boost parameters including power increase level, duration, and availability count. These parameters can be changed through the control unit interface, allowing teams to optimize boost settings for different racing conditions without hardware modifications, thereby achieving versatility through parameter adjustment rather than structural complexity.
2Loss of energy
If boost power is available for a predetermined limited period regardless of usage, then the system is easy to operate, but energy is wasted when additional power is not actually used
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors boost usage and provides feedback to the driver through the display interface. The system tracks remaining boost energy, time remaining in current boost, and number of boosts left, enabling drivers to make informed decisions about when and how to use boost. This feedback mechanism prevents energy waste by allowing drivers to activate boost only when strategically beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full boost power for a fixed duration regardless of need, the system allows partial or intermittent activation based on driver input. The boost can be activated and deactivated dynamically, enabling drivers to apply power in measured amounts that match actual racing needs, thereby reducing wasted energy while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of available boosts is limited and additional boosts are awarded for specific actions, then the system adds strategic elements, but the system complexity increases with multiple boost conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages standard boost activation, tracks boost usage, displays remaining energy and time, and monitors various sensor inputs for potential bonus boost conditions. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control system rather than requiring separate systems for each function, achieving strategic versatility without proportional increases in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple boost management functions into a unified control system. The control unit integrates boost activation, energy tracking, timing, and condition monitoring into one centralized system that communicates through a single display interface. This merging of functions reduces the complexity that would arise from separate systems while maintaining the strategic depth of multiple boost conditions.
4Reliability
If boost torque is added to operating torque without continuous monitoring of remaining boost energy, then the system responds quickly to driver input, but the system cannot prevent energy depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously calculates and updates remaining boost energy in advance before depletion occurs. The system monitors energy consumption rates and projects remaining duration, providing advance warning to drivers through the display. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to maintain quick response times while preventing unexpected energy depletion, as drivers can see remaining energy levels and adjust their strategy accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors boost energy levels, torque application, and system state without interruption during boost activation. This continuous monitoring ensures reliable energy management while maintaining the dynamic response characteristics needed for racing. The uninterrupted monitoring and updating of boost status allows the system to balance reliability of energy tracking with the speed of response to driver inputs.
Data Source
AI summary
A boost system for an electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery pack and a control unit (CU) is provided. The CU controls an operating torque of the electric motor. The boost system has a manual boost controller and a boost mode manager. In response to the manual boost controller being activated, the boost mode manager is configured to determine a remaining boost energy. The remaining boost energy is a difference between a predetermined maximum boost energy and a total boost energy used. The predetermined maximum boost energy corresponds to a percentage of energy of the battery pack. In response to a boost enable condition, the boost mode manager is configured to send a command to the CU to add a boost torque to the operating torque. The boost enable condition includes the remaining boost energy being greater than zero.