EV Transmission Preloading for Smooth Motor Direction Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric-propulsion cars experience metallic noises, vibrations, and jolts during reverse gear changes due to mechanical backlash in the transmission, which is caused by the high driving torque reversing the electric motor's rotation direction, leading to uncomfortable driving experiences.

Innovation Solution

Implement a transmission preloading procedure using an electronic motor-control equipment that regulates the electric motor's rotation speed and torque to minimize mechanical backlash by ensuring gentle contact of transmission gears, including a mechanical backlash compensation transient step and a stabilised preloading step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the electric motor reverses rotation direction with high driving torque, then the vehicle can quickly change gear direction, but mechanical backlash causes metallic noises, vibrations and jolts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear direction change speedVSAvoidmetallic noises, vibrations and jolts
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control method applies a preliminary action by first reducing the electric motor's rotation speed before reversing direction. This preliminary speed reduction allows the transmission gears to engage smoothly without violent impacts, eliminating metallic noises and vibrations while maintaining efficient direction changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the electric motor's rotation speed during the gear reversal process. By continuously modulating the speed according to transmission state, the system optimizes the balance between quick response and smooth engagement, preventing harmful vibrations while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the electric motor generates high driving torque during reversal, then the vehicle responds quickly to driver requests, but the gear teeth violently strike and rebound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving torqueVSAvoidgear tooth impact and rebound
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control method applies preliminary anti-action by reducing the electric motor's rotation speed before the reversal occurs. This pre-conditioning prevents the violent impact between gear teeth that would otherwise occur with high torque reversal, eliminating the harmful striking and rebound effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the electric motor during reversal by dynamically adjusting rotation speed. This parameter modulation ensures that torque is applied smoothly without causing gear tooth impacts, while still maintaining the power needed for effective vehicle movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4685004A1Method of controlling the electric motor of a road motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FERRARI SPA
  • EP4685004A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685004A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685004A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

Method of controlling the electric motor of a road motor vehicle (1) comprising: a plurality of ground-resting wheels (8, 9); and an electric motor (4) which is mechanically connected to at least one drive wheel (9) of the vehicle by means of a transmission (11), and is adapted to drive into rotation said at least one drive wheel (9); the method of controlling the electric motor comprising a transmission preloading phase, in which the electric motor (4) delivers a driving torque capable of bringing the teeth of the various gears of the transmission (11) stably into abutment to one another, substantially without causing rotation of said at least one drive wheel (9); said transmission preloading phase comprising a mechanical backlash compensation transient step, wherein the rotation speed of the electric motor (4) is controlled such that the teeth of the various gears of the transmission (11) come into contact to one another with an approaching speed lower than a predetermined maximum threshold.