EV Virtual Gear Control for Driver-Selectable Torque Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrically driven vehicles, the lack of a gear-shifting system reduces driver engagement and pleasure, especially in high-performance sports vehicles, as the driver's involvement in gear selection is minimized, leading to a less engaging driving experience.
Innovation Solution
A control method for electrically driven vehicles that allows the driver to select from a plurality of virtual gears for acceleration and deceleration configurations using an interface system, enabling independent control of torque delivery through an electronic control unit, simulating a gearbox experience without mechanical constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical gearbox system is used to allow driver engagement and gear selection, then driver involvement and driving pleasure are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gearbox system with an electronic control system that uses software algorithms to simulate gear-shifting behavior. The electronic control unit receives driver inputs through an interface system and adjusts torque delivery to replicate the sensation and engagement of mechanical gear changes, thereby maintaining driver involvement while eliminating complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the gear-shifting experience through software simulation. Instead of physical gears, the system uses virtual gear ratios calculated and applied through electronic control, reproducing the characteristic torque changes and engagement patterns of mechanical gearboxes without requiring actual mechanical gear components.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical gearbox system is used to provide gear selection capability, then driving experience is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive mechanical gearbox components with cost-effective electronic hardware and software. The electronic control unit, interface system, and software algorithms together provide gear-selection functionality at a fraction of the cost of mechanical gearboxes, while maintaining or even enhancing driving experience through customizable virtual gear modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive electronic components and software that can be easily manufactured and updated. Unlike costly mechanical gearboxes that require precision manufacturing and assembly, the electronic system uses standard components and programmable logic that are cheaper to produce and can be modified through software updates rather than physical redesign.
3Productivity
If electric powertrain system is used to eliminate gear-shifting need, then performance is improved, but driver engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic virtual gear modes that allow the electric powertrain to simulate different gear-ratio behaviors. The system dynamically adjusts torque delivery characteristics to match the feel of various mechanical gear configurations, enabling drivers to select from multiple virtual gear modes (e.g., sport mode, economy mode, track mode) that replicate different driving scenarios and engagement levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters of the electric motor to simulate gear-shifting effects. By dynamically modifying torque curves, acceleration profiles, and power delivery characteristics through software control, the system recreates the sensation of gear changes without actual mechanical shifting, thereby maintaining driver engagement while leveraging the performance advantages of electric powertrains.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for an electrically driven road vehicle comprising the steps of: providing an electric powertrain system; determining a plurality of first virtual gears for a boost configuration and/or a plurality of second virtual gears for a release configuration; detecting, following actuation of an interface system by the driver, while driving, a first selection for one of the first virtual gears and/or a second selection for one of the second virtual gears; and delivering, in the boost configuration, a drive torque to the at least two wheels as a function of the first selection; or delivering, in the release configuration, an anti-motive torque to the at least two wheels according to the second selection.