EV Restricted-Mode Power Boost for Challenging Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road electric vehicles often get impeded or stuck in challenging conditions due to limited power output in restricted operating modes, necessitating a temporary increase in power without switching to less restrictive modes.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a temporary power boost within the restricted operating mode by adjusting powertrain output based on operator commands and vehicle conditions, ensuring seamless operation through challenging terrain without exiting the restricted mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the powertrain operates in restricted mode with limited power output, then battery consumption is reduced and range is extended, but the vehicle cannot overcome challenging terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power output limit based on real-time vehicle speed and operator input. When the vehicle speed falls below a threshold for a sustained period (indicating terrain challenge) and the operator requests maximum power, the system temporarily increases the power output limit above the restricted mode limit, then gradually reduces it back as speed recovers. This dynamic adjustment allows the vehicle to overcome challenging terrain while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the powertrain generates maximum power output continuously, then the vehicle can traverse challenging terrain, but battery consumption increases and range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of vehicle speed and operator propulsion commands, with temporary power boosts activated only during specific periods when terrain challenges are detected. The power output limit is adjusted in cycles: monitored at normal restricted levels, temporarily increased when challenges are detected (speed below threshold for prescribed duration with maximum throttle input), then gradually reduced back to restricted levels as the vehicle overcomes the challenge. This periodic adjustment pattern enables terrain traversal while minimizing overall battery consumption.
3Speed
If the restricted power output limit is increased, then the vehicle can maintain speed in challenging conditions, but the restricted operating mode becomes less restrictive and loses its energy-saving benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power output parameter dynamically based on operating conditions rather than using a fixed restricted limit. The power output limit is adjusted as a function of vehicle speed and operator input: when speed drops below a threshold for a prescribed duration and the operator requests maximum power, the limit temporarily increases above the restricted mode value; when speed recovers, the limit gradually decreases back to the restricted value. This parameter change strategy allows the vehicle to maintain speed during challenges while preserving the energy-saving benefit of restricted mode during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to allow a temporary power boost beyond a restricted power output associated with a restricted operating mode of an electric vehicle to be provided to accommodate challenging operating conditions. A method includes, when the electric vehicle is in the restricted operating mode, receiving an operator propulsion command equal to or exceeding a propulsion command threshold. The powertrain of the electric vehicle is commanded to generate a first power output corresponding to the operator propulsion command where the first power output is lower than or equal to the restricted power output. When the operator propulsion command is equal to or exceeding the propulsion command threshold and the actual speed of the electric vehicle is below a speed threshold, the powertrain of the electric vehicle is commanded to generate a second power output exceeding the restricted power output in response to the operator propulsion command.