Vehicle Gear Change Control Device Torque Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gear change control systems in vehicles often result in poor riding comfort due to unexpected deceleration and acceleration during successive gear changes, as they engage the clutch before the rider can sense the changes in torque transmission.

Innovation Solution

A gear change control device that includes a clutch actuator, a current torque obtaining section, and a post-completion torque obtaining section, which disengages the clutch and changes gears based on the difference between current and post-completion torques, allowing the rider to sense deceleration and acceleration before complete engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the clutch is engaged before the rider can sense torque changes, then gear change speed is improved, but riding comfort deteriorates due to unexpected deceleration and acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear change speedVSAvoidriding comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary action by allowing the rider to sense deceleration and acceleration through partial clutch engagement before complete gear change. This enables the rider to anticipate the upcoming gear change, and the clutch is then fully engaged after the rider has been alerted, preventing unexpected torque changes while maintaining quick response capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback by monitoring rider response to torque changes during the gear change process. The control device adjusts clutch engagement timing based on whether the rider has sensed the deceleration/acceleration, creating a feedback loop that balances speed and comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the clutch is kept disengaged during successive gear changes, then gear change responsiveness is improved, but torque transmission stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear change responsivenessVSAvoidtorque transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by transitioning the clutch from a static disengaged state to a dynamic partial engagement state during successive gear changes. This allows the clutch to smoothly transmit torque while gear changes occur, maintaining stability without sacrificing responsiveness, and enables seamless transition between different engagement states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1975441B1Vehicle having gear change control device, and method of controlling gearbox
Publication Date: 2012.01.11 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1975441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1975441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1975441B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a clutch and a gear box as part of a torque transmission path, and comprising: a clutch actuator for changing a degree of engagement of the clutch; a current torque obtaining section for obtaining torque being currently transmitted from a drive-side member of the clutch to a downstream mechanism in the torque transmission path as current torque, the downstream mechanism including a driven-side member of the clutch; a post-completion torque obtaining section for obtaining torque estimated to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the downstream mechanism after completion of engagement of the clutch as post-completion torque; and a control unit functioning as a gear change control device for disengaging the clutch by actuating the clutch actuator and changing shift gears in response to a gear change command, and then controlling the degree of engagement of the clutch according to a difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque, wherein the control unit receives a next gear change command according to the difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque.