EV Powertrain Virtual Vibration Control for ICE-Like Driving Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack the ability to simulate the driving sensations, such as vibrations and sounds, typically experienced in internal combustion engine vehicles, which can make drivers feel bored or disconnected from the driving experience.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented in electric vehicles to generate virtual vibrations and sounds linked to the tooth surface pressures of powertrain gears, simulating the characteristics of an internal combustion engine vehicle, using a controller to determine input torque and gear pressures to create realistic virtual effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a motor replaces an internal combustion engine in an electric vehicle, then ride comfort is improved due to the absence of engine vibrations, but driving excitement and engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by intentionally generating controlled vibrations through the motor and powertrain system to simulate the driving sensations of internal combustion engine vehicles. The controller activates the motor to produce vibrations at specific frequencies and intensities that mimic engine operation, gear shifts, and other mechanical sensations, thereby restoring driving excitement while maintaining the fundamental benefits of electric propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by creating rhythmic vibration patterns that correspond to the periodic nature of engine operation. The controller generates vibrations with specific temporal patterns including frequency modulations, amplitude variations, and periodic interruptions that replicate the cyclical characteristics of combustion engine operation, providing drivers with familiar and engaging driving feedback.
2Device complexity
If a fixed gear ratio reducer is used instead of a multi-speed transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but driving sensation and engagement are diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating virtual replicas of the driving sensations associated with multi-speed transmissions. The controller generates vibration patterns that mimic the tactile feedback of gear shifts, torque changes, and power delivery characteristics of complex transmission systems. This allows drivers to experience the sensation of multiple gears without actually installing a multi-speed transmission, maintaining simplicity while restoring engaging driving feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical complexity with electronic control and vibration generation. Instead of using a physically complex multi-speed transmission system, the patent uses the motor and controller to generate equivalent driving sensations through controlled vibrations and torque modulation. This replaces the need for complex mechanical gear systems with a simpler electrically-controlled solution that achieves the same driver engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of virtualizing characteristics of an internal combustion engine vehicle in an electric vehicle, the method includes: determining, by a controller, a current input torque applied to a powertrain from a motor that makes a vehicle move, determining, by the controller, tooth surface pressures of gears in the powertrain between the motor and driving wheels from the determined current input torque, generating, by the controller, a virtual effect signal for generating a virtual effect that simulates powertrain characteristics of an internal combustion engine vehicle based on the determined tooth surface pressures of the gears in the powertrain, and generating, by the controller, the virtual effect that simulates the powertrain characteristics of the internal combustion engine vehicle by controlling operation of a virtual effect generation device that generates the virtual effect according to the generated virtual effect signal.