EV Gear Shift Control Without Pseudo Clutch Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles with electric motors as a drive source require multiple operations for gear changes, including a pseudo clutch operation, which can make gear changes slow and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that includes a pseudo clutch operation device and a shift operation device, controlled by processors to simulate a virtual vehicle drive characteristic, allowing gear stage alteration without the need for pseudo clutch operation, and adjusting motor torque and virtual engine speed to enhance drivability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pseudo clutch operation device is operated for gear change, then the drive characteristic of a virtual vehicle is simulated, but the gear change process becomes slow requiring multiple operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive characteristic simulationVSAvoidgear change time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of clutch operation from the gear change process. By allowing gear stage alteration without requiring pseudo clutch operation, the system removes the time-consuming clutch depression and release steps while maintaining the core gear shifting function through direct processor control of the electric motor torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the gear change process into two distinct modes: a full simulation mode using the pseudo clutch operation device for complete virtual vehicle characteristic reproduction, and a simplified mode allowing direct gear stage alteration. This segmentation enables users to choose between accuracy and speed based on driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple operations are required for gear change, then the virtual vehicle drive characteristic is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual vehicle simulationVSAvoidgear change operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability in the gear change operation by allowing the system to switch between two operational modes. The shift operation device can alter gear stage directly without pseudo clutch operation under certain conditions, making the system flexible and adaptive to different driving scenarios while maintaining the option for complete simulation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the gear shift system by modifying the relationship between the shift operation device and the gear stage alteration. Instead of requiring a fixed sequence of operations (clutch depression → gear shift → clutch release), the system allows direct gear stage change by changing the control parameters, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the gear stage is altered without pseudo clutch operation, then the gear change speed is improved, but the drive characteristic simulation may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear change speedVSAvoiddrive characteristic simulation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pseudo clutch operation with electronic control of the electric motor torque. The processor directly controls the motor torque in response to shift operation device input, substituting the mechanical clutch engagement/disengagement sequence with electronic torque management, thereby achieving fast gear changes while maintaining drive characteristic simulation through software control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric motor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the drive source and the clutch mechanism. By controlling the motor torque, the system can simulate clutch engagement and disengagement effects without requiring a separate pseudo clutch operation device, enabling both fast gear changes and accurate drive characteristic simulation through a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260021710A1vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle including an electric motor, a pseudo clutch operation device, a shift operation device, and a single or plurality of processors is provided. The electric motor is a drive source of the vehicle. The shift operation device is configured to be operated for selecting a gear stage. The single or plurality of processors is configured to simulate a drive characteristic of a virtual vehicle by changing a motor torque of the electric motor in response to at least operation of the pseudo clutch operation device and operation of the shift operation device. The single or plurality of processors is configured to permit alteration of the gear stage to a specific gear stage regardless of whether the pseudo clutch operation device is operated, the specific gear stage depending on a motor rotation speed of the electric motor.