EV Pseudo-Clutch Torque Control for Manual Shift Feel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles (EVs) lack the driving sensation of manual transmission (MT) vehicles due to the absence of a clutch pedal and gear shifting, causing discomfort for drivers accustomed to MT vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pseudo-clutch pedal and pseudo-shifter in EVs, along with a controller that simulates MT vehicle torque characteristics and pedal reaction forces, allowing drivers to experience the feel of operating a clutch pedal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If EVs use electric motor directly without transmission, then simplicity and efficiency are improved, but driving feeling similar to MT vehicles is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a pseudo-clutch pedal that copies the operational characteristics and feedback of a real clutch pedal. The system simulates the mechanical sensation and torque characteristics of MT vehicles through software control of the electric motor, allowing drivers to experience familiar driving feelings without actual mechanical transmission components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical clutch and transmission system with an electronic control system. The controller adjusts motor torque based on pseudo-clutch pedal position and pseudo-shifter selections to simulate MT vehicle behavior, substituting mechanical operations with electronic torque management.
2Ease of operation
If pseudo-clutch pedal is added to EV, then driving sensation of MT vehicle is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudo-clutch pedal and pseudo-shifter serve multiple functions: they provide familiar operational interfaces for MT drivers, generate input signals for torque control, and enable selection of different driving modes. The same components contribute to both user experience and vehicle control without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the pseudo-clutch/pseudo-shifter inputs and the electric motor. It processes the simulated clutch and shift signals, calculates appropriate torque adjustments, and commands the motor accordingly, bridging the gap between simplified inputs and complex motor control requirements.
3Ease of operation
If torque fluctuation control is performed automatically, then comfort for drivers accustomed to MT is improved, but driver's voluntary shifting operation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts torque based on the position of the pseudo-clutch pedal and pseudo-shifter, rather than following fixed automatic shifting schedules. This allows the torque characteristics to change in real-time according to driver inputs, providing both comfort for MT-acclimated drivers and the ability to perform voluntary shifting operations when desired.
Data Source
AI summary
The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. The electric vehicle also includes a pedal reaction force generator that generates a pedal reaction force in response to the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal using by the operating of the reaction force actuator. The controller is configured to store the pedal reaction force characteristic simulating the characteristic of the pedal reaction force according to the operation of the clutch pedal. Then, the controller is configured to control the pedal reaction force output by the pedal reaction force generator in response to the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal using the stored pedal reaction force characteristic.