EV Disconnector Control for Predictive Engagement Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disconnector in electric vehicles takes time to switch between engaged and disengaged states, affecting vehicle control performance and fuel efficiency, especially during urgent vehicle control and frequent mode changes during constant-speed driving.

Innovation Solution

A disconnector control device and method that detect driving conditions such as downhill, turning, and constant-speed driving using navigation and sensing devices to determine engagement or disengagement based on scores calculated from factors like road slope, regenerative braking torque, wheel speed differences, steering angle, and required torque, adjusting reference vehicle speeds and torques to optimize disconnector operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the disconnector is disengaged to reduce drag, then fuel efficiency is improved, but vehicle control performance deteriorates during urgent control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle control performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system predicts future driving conditions using navigation data and sensor information, and proactively engages the disconnector before the actual need arises. This preliminary action ensures the disconnector is already in the correct state when urgent control is needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fuel efficiency through disengagement and ensuring vehicle control performance through timely engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the disconnector switches quickly to engaged state for urgent control, then vehicle control performance improves, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to frequent mode changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle control performanceVSAvoidfuel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By predicting driving conditions in advance using navigation and sensor data, the system engages the disconnector proactively before urgent control is actually needed. This eliminates the delay between detection and engagement, ensuring control performance without requiring frequent reactive mode changes that would reduce fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wheel speed differences, steering angles, yaw rates, and regenerative braking torque to dynamically adjust disconnector engagement timing. This feedback mechanism optimizes the balance between control responsiveness and fuel efficiency by making engagement decisions based on real-time vehicle state and predicted future conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the disconnector remains engaged for urgent control, then vehicle control performance improves, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to increased drag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle control performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system engages the disconnector in advance based on predicted driving conditions rather than waiting for urgent control situations to arise. This preliminary engagement ensures control performance is available when needed while minimizing the duration of engaged state, thereby reducing energy loss from drag during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The disconnector engagement strategy is dynamically adjusted based on real-time vehicle conditions including wheel speed differences, steering angles, yaw rates, and regenerative braking torque. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain engagement only when necessary for control performance while disengaging during normal operation to minimize energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3929010B1Apparatus and method for controlling disconnector of electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3929010B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3929010B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3929010B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A disconnector control device and method for an electric vehicle are provided. The disconnector control device includes a disconnector that switches wheel driving manners and a processor that recognizes a driving condition of the vehicle. The processor also acquires at least one factor related to operation of the disconnector and operates the disconnector based on the acquired at least one factor.