Electric Vehicle Control Device Pre-Limp Home Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle control systems fail to effectively manage the traveling state of a vehicle before an abnormality occurs in the electrically driven system, often causing uncomfortable transitions when torque or velocity limitations are enforced, and lack flexibility in responding to different types of abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

A control device for electric vehicles that includes a suppression mode function with a pre-limp home mode and a limp home mode, allowing for gradual or immediate torque and velocity limitations based on the type and severity of abnormalities, enabling smoother transitions and reduced driver discomfort by adjusting vehicle velocity and torque gain according to the traveling situation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If torque limitation is reinforced stepwise to avoid uncomfortable feeling, then driver comfort is improved, but response time to stop the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver comfortVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the torque limitation strategy based on real-time vehicle conditions. When abnormality occurs, the system determines current vehicle velocity and torque state, then selects appropriate limitation levels (first level for gradual reduction, second level for immediate reduction) to balance comfort and response time requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes torque limitation parameters adaptively based on vehicle state. Instead of fixed stepwise reduction, the control device adjusts torque gain and velocity limits according to current operating conditions, allowing faster response when needed while maintaining comfort when possible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If torque limitation is applied immediately when abnormality occurs, then vehicle safety is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates due to uncomfortable feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle safetyVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements dynamic torque limitation that adapts to vehicle state. When abnormality occurs, the system evaluates current velocity and torque conditions, then applies appropriate limitation levels - using first level limitation for gradual reduction in many cases, or second level for immediate reduction when safety requires, optimizing both safety and comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different limitation strategies to different aspects of vehicle control based on local conditions. Torque gain limitation and velocity limitation are adjusted independently according to current vehicle state, allowing selective application of comfort-oriented or safety-oriented strategies in different control dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If torque limitation is applied in all traveling situations, then vehicle safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to need to manage different traveling conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle safetyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device applies partial action by selecting from two limitation levels based on need. Instead of always applying maximum limitation or complex multi-level strategies, the system uses first level limitation (moderate reduction) or second level limitation (strong reduction) selectively, simplifying control logic while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system simplifies complexity by changing control parameters adaptively between two defined states. Torque gain and velocity limits are adjusted according to predetermined maps based on vehicle state, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while ensuring appropriate response to different abnormality scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3103669B1Control device for electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP3103669B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3103669B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3103669B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A control device for an electric vehicle including a traveling motor which is configured to transmit a driving force to driving wheels, includes: a control unit having a suppression mode function for suppressing a traveling state amount of the vehicle when an abnormality occurs in an electrically driven system of the vehicle. The suppression mode function includes a first suppression state and a second suppression state, and a suppression degree in the second suppression state is smaller than a suppression degree in the first suppression state. In accordance with a kind of the abnormality in the electrically driven system, the control unit is configured to cause the vehicle to be in the first suppression state or is configured to cause the vehicle to be in the first suppression state after causing the vehicle to be in the second suppression state.