Hybrid Vehicle Shift Feedback Using Virtual Engine Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle control systems fail to prompt drivers to perform shift operations similar to those in HEV mode solely based on sound or vibration in EV mode, as they do not consider engine oscillating forces.
Innovation Solution
A control device for hybrid vehicles that includes a manual transmission unit, an engine, an electric motor, and a control unit capable of switching between EV and HEV modes, generating virtual driving and engine vibrations to simulate the vibrations experienced in HEV mode, thereby prompting drivers to perform shift operations through sound or vibration in EV mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the electric motor generates driving power corresponding to driver request torque in EV mode, then the vehicle can operate silently with electric motor power, but the driver cannot perceive engine vibrations to perform shift operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit generates virtual engine vibrations by controlling the electric motor to rotate at a speed corresponding to the virtual engine rotation speed, creating vibrations that mimic actual engine oscillating forces. This allows the driver to perceive shift timing through vibration feedback while the vehicle operates in silent EV mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of engine behavior by calculating virtual engine rotation speed based on manual transmission gear ratios and controlling the electric motor to replicate engine vibrations. This virtual copying enables shift operation guidance without actual engine operation.
2Ease of operation
If the control unit generates virtual engine vibrations to prompt shift operations, then the driver can perform shift operations similar to HEV mode, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the electric motor for driving power generation, calculates virtual engine rotation speed, generates virtual engine vibrations, and provides shift operation guidance. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the virtual engine vibration generation function with the existing electric motor control system. The control unit integrates calculations for virtual engine rotation speed and vibration generation into the existing motor control architecture, merging multiple functions into a single control system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables drivers to perform shift operations similar to those in HEV mode by generating virtual driving and engine vibrations in EV mode, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of shift operations.
Implementation Method 1
the electric motor generates a virtual driving vibration corresponding to a driving vibration when the engine drives the drive wheel in the HEV mode and a virtual engine vibration corresponding to a vibration generated by an inertial force of the engine in the HEV mode
Implementation Method 2
even when the engine is driven with the clutch disengaged, the vibration caused by the inertial force of the piston, the crankshaft, and the like causes a vehicle body to vibrate through an engine mount. This is called the oscillating force of the engine.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To provide a control device for a hybrid vehicle capable of prompting a driver to perform a shift operation similar to that in an HEV mode by sound or vibration even in an EV mode. [Solution] A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes: a manual transmission 4 allowing a driver to manually select an arbitrary shift stage; an engine 2 driving a drive wheel 6 through the manual transmission 4; a clutch 7 enabling or disabling the transmission of power between the engine 2 and the manual transmission 4; a motor generator 3; and an ECU 10 switching an EV mode allowing the vehicle to run only using the motor generator 3 as a drive source and an HEV mode allowing the vehicle to run using the engine 2 and the motor generator 3 as a drive source and allowing the motor generator 3 to generate, in an EV mode, a virtual driving vibration corresponding to a driving vibration when the engine 2 drives the drive wheel 6 in the HEV mode and a virtual engine vibration corresponding to a vibration generated by an inertial force of the engine 2 in the HEV mode.