Hybrid Drive Device Torque Control for Shift Delays

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hybrid drive devices, when the rotating electrical machine cannot absorb inertial torque due to battery level or other factors, engine torque cannot be changed in time, leading to delays and poor shift feel during transmission shifts.

Innovation Solution

The hybrid drive device outputs an engine instruction signal earlier than the drive power change time of the rotating electrical machine, allowing the engine to adjust its power at a computed change time, thereby reducing shift delays and improving shift feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the rotating electrical machine is used to absorb inertial torque during shift control, then the motor can provide rapid torque response, but the engine torque cannot be changed in time when the motor cannot be used, causing delay in shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque response speedVSAvoidshift execution reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines in advance whether the rotating electrical machine can change drive power by the required amount before shift control begins. Based on this preliminary determination, the system prepares the appropriate torque control strategy (motor-only, engine-only, or combined control) to ensure reliable shift execution without delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the actual drive power change of the rotating electrical machine during shift control and compares it with the required change amount. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the engine torque control to compensate for any shortfall in motor torque response, ensuring the total torque change meets the shift requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the engine torque is adjusted after the motor becomes unable to perform torque control, then the engine can compensate for motor limitations, but the torque change is delayed and planned torque change cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque control flexibilityVSAvoidtorque change delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines in advance whether the rotating electrical machine can change drive power by the required amount before shift control begins. Based on this preliminary determination, the system prepares the appropriate torque control strategy (motor-only, engine-only, or combined control) to ensure timely torque response without delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically switches between different torque control modes (motor-only control, engine-only control, or combined control) based on the real-time capability of the rotating electrical machine. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize torque response time by selecting the most appropriate control strategy for the current operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3950405B1Hybrid drive device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 AISIN CORP
  • EP3950405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3950405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3950405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

During shift control of a transmission mechanism, a hybrid drive device computes the amount of change in input torque (deTr) acting on the transmission mechanism and an input torque change time (t15), and controls a motor so that motor torque is changed by the amount of change in input torque (deTr), when the motor can change the amount of change in input torque (deTr), and outputs, when the motor cannot change the amount of change in input torque (deTr), an engine torque signal (Tesigl) at an engine torque change time (t14) earlier than the input torque change time (t15) at which drive power of the motor is changed when the motor can change the amount of change in input torque (deTr).