EV User Stimulus Control for Range-Aware Torque and Speed Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for electric vehicles do not effectively enhance the driving experience or autonomy by failing to influence the user's actions, which are crucial for closing the control loop and optimizing vehicle performance.

Innovation Solution

A stimulus generator calculates optimal velocity and torque to maximize vehicle range and communicates these to the user through stimuli, allowing the user to decide whether to follow them, thereby improving autonomy and driving experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control system provides autonomous control without user stimuli, then the system complexity is reduced, but the driving experience and autonomy improvement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoiddriving experience optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements feedback by detecting user stimuli (accelerator pedal position, brake pedal position) and using this information to adjust motor torque and vehicle control. The system continuously monitors user inputs and adjusts its behavior accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that adapts to user preferences while maintaining reasonable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically interpreting user stimuli and generating appropriate control actions without requiring complex autonomous decision-making algorithms. The control unit uses straightforward mappings from user inputs to control commands, allowing the system to serve itself in translating user intent into vehicle responses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the control system actively influences user actions to optimize performance, then the autonomy and energy efficiency are improved, but the user freedom and ease of operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduser freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively influencing only certain aspects of user behavior through stimuli (visual, acoustic, or haptic feedback) rather than fully controlling the vehicle. The user retains freedom to ignore or override the stimuli, while the system provides guidance for energy-efficient operation in a non-intrusive manner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle dynamics. Instead of directly controlling the vehicle or completely restricting user input, the system mediates by providing feedback stimuli that guide user behavior toward energy-efficient operations while preserving user autonomy and control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple sensors and estimators to calculate optimal velocity and torque, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevelocity and torque estimation accuracyVSAvoidsensor and estimator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions using the same sensor inputs - it processes accelerator and brake pedal positions to simultaneously determine torque requests, velocity estimates, and optimal control commands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors and estimators for each parameter, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3674130B1Electric vehicle provided with control system based on stimuli to the user
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 ZUMA INNOVATION SL
  • EP3674130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3674130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3674130B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Vehicle comprising a stimulus generator (SG) whose inputs are at least the mechanical torque (Tm) of the electric motor (M) measured by an estimator (TmE) of the mechanical torque (Tm) of the motor (M), and the velocity (V) measured by an estimator (VE) of the velocity (V) and whose outputs are a velocity control stimulus (VS) and a torque control stimulus (TS) towards the user (U). The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a stimulus generator (SG) whose inputs are the power (Pu) measured by the estimator (PuE), and the velocity (V) measured by the estimator (VE) of the velocity (V) and whose output is a forced velocity control stimulus (VFS) that results in the velocity setpoint (V*) of the electric motor (M). Control procedures for these vehicles are also described.