EV Virtual Shifter Control for Automatic Cornering Downshifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of a pseudo sequential shifter on a steering wheel in battery electric vehicles makes it difficult for drivers to smoothly operate the shifter when the steering angle becomes large, as the positional relationship between the driver's hands and the shifter changes, hindering smooth shifting operations.
Innovation Solution
The battery electric vehicle includes a processor that automatically shifts down the virtual shift position based on vehicle speed when the steering angle exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring smooth operation of the pseudo sequential shifter even during large steering angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pseudo sequential shifter is installed on a steering wheel to simulate manual shifting operations, then the driver can experience shifting operations of a manual transmission vehicle, but the driver cannot smoothly operate the shifter when the steering angle becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs downshift operations based on detected steering angle and vehicle speed, eliminating the need for manual shifter operation during large steering angles. The vehicle's control system serves itself by autonomously managing gear transitions when the driver cannot easily access the shifter.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors steering angle and vehicle speed, using this feedback to determine when automatic downshift should occur. This closed-loop control ensures the shifter operates appropriately based on real-time driving conditions without requiring manual input from the driver.
2Productivity
If automatic downshift is implemented when steering angle is large, then smooth acceleration after curves is enabled, but the manual control experience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic downshift functionality only under specific conditions (large steering angle combined with appropriate vehicle speed), rather than always overriding manual control. This partial automation maintains manual control experience for normal driving while providing assistance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes its behavior based on parameter thresholds - when steering angle exceeds a predetermined angle and vehicle speed is within a specific range, automatic downshift is activated. This parameter-based control allows the system to adapt between manual and automatic modes based on driving conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery electric vehicle (100) includes an electric motor (4F, 4R). The battery electric vehicle (100) includes: an accelerator pedal (22); a pseudo sequential shifter (25); and a processor (102). The pseudo sequential shifter (25) is installed on a steering (24), and simulates a sequential shifter that is used to perform a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. The processor (102) executes, according to selection by a driver, a control mode in which an operation of the pseudo sequential shifter (25) is associated with a virtual shift position that is a virtually implemented shift position, and an operation amount of the accelerator pedal (22), the virtual shift position, and a vehicle speed are associated with torque of the electric motor (4F, 4R). The processor (102) automatically shifts down the virtual shift position according to the vehicle speed when a steering angle of a steering wheel (41) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined angle during execution of the control mode.