Flat-Tow Assistance for Electrified Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flat-towing of electrified vehicles can cause significant damage to the motor due to excessive forces when all wheels rotate during towing, exceeding design constraints, and there is a risk of impairing the towed vehicle if not managed properly.
Innovation Solution
A flat-tow assistance system that communicates between the towing and towed vehicles to identify the neutral tow mode and limit the towing vehicle's operation based on the constraints of the electrified vehicle, using a processor to output control signals and alert the driver to prevent damage, even when the towed vehicle is inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flat-towing is performed with all wheels on the ground, then the towed vehicle can be transported easily, but the motor of the electrified towed vehicle can be damaged due to excessive forces exceeding design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the flat-tow mode before towing begins and automatically limiting the motor's operational parameters (torque, power, speed) to prevent excessive forces from damaging the motor. The control system proactively restricts motor output based on detected towing conditions, counteracting potential harmful effects before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring wheel rotation speeds and comparing them to detect when the vehicle is being flat-towed. The communication system exchanges towing status information between vehicles, and the control system adjusts motor operation in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring the motor remains within safe operational limits during towing.
2Productivity
If the towing vehicle operates without speed limitations, then the towing operation is more efficient, but the towed vehicle's motor can be damaged due to excessive speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the motor's speed and power limits variable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time detection of towing conditions, communication with the towed vehicle, and current operating state, allowing efficient towing at reduced speeds while preventing damage from excessive speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by modifying the motor's torque, power, and speed limits when towing is detected. The control system alters these parameters based on communication data from the towed vehicle and wheel rotation analysis, ensuring the motor operates within safe limits while maintaining reasonable towing efficiency.
3Reliability
If the flat-tow assistance system continuously monitors and controls the towing operation, then the safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using existing vehicle components (wheel speed sensors, communication systems, motor control units) for multiple purposes. The same sensors used for normal vehicle operation detect towing conditions, and the existing communication infrastructure exchanges towing status information, reducing the need for dedicated monitoring hardware while maintaining comprehensive safety oversight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by enabling the vehicles to automatically detect towing conditions and exchange status information without requiring external monitoring equipment. The communication system between vehicles autonomously identifies towing mode, and the control systems automatically adjust operational parameters, reducing the need for complex external control infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes a processor programmed to establish communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, identify one of the vehicles as a towing vehicle and the other as a towed vehicle, and limit operation of the towing vehicle according to constraints associated with the towed vehicle. In some implementations, the vehicle system detects that the towing vehicle is flat-towing the towed vehicle and that the towed vehicle is not operating in a neutral tow mode.