Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Control Apparatus Zero-Point Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing four-wheel drive vehicle control systems face accuracy issues in controlling the friction clutch due to sensor unit and amplifier circuit offsets, leading to errors in current output and reduced control precision.
Innovation Solution
A four-wheel drive vehicle system with a dog clutch and friction clutch arrangement, featuring a control apparatus that includes a current output circuit, detector, target current calculator, and controller, which performs zero-point adjustment to enhance the accuracy of current output for precise control of the friction clutch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If feedback control is performed using sensor unit and amplifier circuit to detect current output, then control capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to offset errors in sensor unit and amplifier circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary zero-point adjustment by outputting zero current to the friction clutch, detecting the offset value from the sensor unit and amplifier circuit, and storing this offset value before normal operation. This preliminary action eliminates measurement errors in subsequent current detection and control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus uses the detector to continuously monitor the actual current output to the friction clutch and compares it with the target current value. The feedback control mechanism adjusts the current output based on the detected actual value, compensating for offset errors and maintaining accurate control despite sensor unit and amplifier circuit variations.
2Loss of energy
If friction clutch control accuracy is improved to reduce traveling resistance, then fuel efficiency is improved, but control precision deteriorates due to offset errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary zero-point adjustment by outputting zero current to the friction clutch, detecting the offset value from the sensor unit and amplifier circuit, and storing this offset value before normal operation. This preliminary action eliminates measurement errors in subsequent current detection and control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus uses the detector to continuously monitor the actual current output to the friction clutch and compares it with the target current value. The feedback control mechanism adjusts the current output based on the detected actual value, compensating for offset errors and maintaining accurate control despite sensor unit and amplifier circuit variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a current detector configured to output a detection signal in accordance with the magnitude of an actual control current, a target current value calculator configured to calculate a target current value that is a target value of the control current, and a current controller configured to control a current output circuit to output the control current having the target current value calculated by the target current value calculator based on a result of detection performed by the current detector. When the four-wheel drive vehicle is in a two-wheel drive mode in which first and second friction clutches are released, the current controller performs zero-point adjustment for adjusting a zero point of the control current to be output from the current output circuit.