EV Virtual Gear Shifting With Displayed Engine Speed Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack the sensory cues of engine noise and vibration, making it difficult for drivers to perform smooth manual gear changes, leading to a less satisfying driving experience compared to manual transmission vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle system that simulates manual gear change operations by incorporating a pseudo-shifter, pseudo-clutch, and a controller to calculate and display virtual engine speed, allowing drivers to perform gear shifts with enhanced convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual gear change operation is simulated in electric vehicles, then drivers can experience manual transmission feel, but it is difficult for drivers to grasp vehicle condition due to lack of engine noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual engine speed as an intermediary information element that mediates between the electric motor system and the driver. Since electric vehicles lack engine noise and vibration, the controller calculates virtual engine speed based on vehicle speed and simulated gear stage, then displays it to the driver. This intermediary visual feedback compensates for the missing sensory cues, allowing drivers to grasp vehicle condition and perform smooth manual gear changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pseudo-shifter and pseudo-clutch are added to simulate manual transmission operation, then driving experience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-transmission-clutch system with an electric motor system controlled by software. Instead of using actual engine components, the controller calculates virtual engine speed and uses torque variation control to simulate manual gear change operations. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the desired driving experience through software-based simulation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle includes a shift lever and a clutch pedal for simulating manual gear changes of a traditional vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and manual transmission, and includes a controller for controlling the operation of the electric vehicle. The driver operates the shift lever in a similar fashion to that of a traditional manual transmission shift lever, however the associated gear positions do not correspond to physical gears in a transmission but rather virtual gear stage modes that correspond to mapped torque characteristics with respect to the rotational speed of the electric motor. The clutch pedal is operated by the driver when the shift lever is operated. The controller calculates the virtual engine speed of the virtual engine based on the virtual gear stage mode selected by the shift lever and the operation amount of the clutch pedal, and displays the virtual engine speed on a display.