EV Torque Control With Virtual Clutch and Gear Shift Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles fail to replicate the operational feeling of a transmission vehicle while maintaining ease of operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a control device that manages the electric motor based on inputs from indicators simulating a clutch pedal, sequential shifter, and shift lever, allowing for gear shift operations similar to a manual transmission vehicle, along with virtual engine sound and suspension control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric vehicle uses a simple accelerator pedal control system, then ease of operation is improved, but the operational feeling similar to a transmission vehicle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent indicators: a first indicator for continuous torque control, a second indicator for discrete gear selection, and a third indicator for clutch simulation. This segmentation allows each indicator to handle specific aspects of transmission vehicle operation, collectively providing an authentic transmission vehicle feeling while maintaining overall system simplicity and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed to handle multiple functions through a unified multi-indicator system. The same control device processes inputs from all three indicators, manages torque adjustments, controls gear shifts, and simulates clutch behavior, making it a universal control system that replaces multiple separate systems while maintaining transmission vehicle operational characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electric vehicle implements a multi-indicator control system to simulate transmission vehicle operation, then operational feeling similar to transmission vehicle is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate physical systems are merged into a unified control device that receives inputs from multiple indicators. The control device integrates accelerator pedal input, gear selection input, and clutch simulation input into a single torque control mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission vehicle operational characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with an electric motor controlled by multiple indicators. Instead of using actual gears, clutches, and shafts, the system uses electronic control to simulate transmission vehicle behavior, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control simplicity while maintaining the desired operational feeling.
3Ease of operation
If the electric vehicle uses only continuous torque control, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to reproduce transmission vehicle behavior is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between continuous torque control mode and discrete gear selection mode based on which indicator is being operated. When the first indicator is used, the system provides continuous torque adjustment; when the second indicator is used, it provides discrete gear shifts. This dynamic adaptability ensures accurate transmission vehicle behavior reproduction while maintaining ease of operation through the most suitable control mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that translates inputs from different types of indicators into appropriate torque control actions. It mediates between the continuous input from the first indicator and the discrete inputs from the second and third indicators, converting all inputs into precise torque adjustments that accurately reproduce transmission vehicle behavior while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric vehicle (100) has an electric motor (4F, 4R) as a driving source and includes a control device (101), a first indicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator. The control device (101) switches a relationship among base torque, an operation amount of the first indicator, and a vehicle speed of the electric vehicle (100), in a plurality of predetermined relationships in accordance with operation of the second indicator, decreases the torque of the electric motor (4F, 4R) from the base torque in response to a direction from the third indicator, and accepts input from the second indicator only when an operation amount of the third indicator is larger than a predetermined amount.