Hybrid Powertrain Torque Control Without Slip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling a hybridized drive train during a race start are inefficient in terms of energy usage and shorten the service life of components, as they either waste energy or subject the separating clutch to high thermal loads, failing to achieve maximum torque transmission without slipping.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a hybridized powertrain with an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, where the electric machine provides dynamic additional torque to match the drive torque from the internal combustion engine, ensuring maximum traction without slipping, and allows for efficient energy recovery by converting excess energy into electrical energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power of the internal combustion engine is reduced to prevent wheel slip, then wheel slip is avoided, but the torque transmission efficiency and acceleration performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel slip preventionVSAvoidtorque transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the internal combustion engine and electric machine into a hybrid powertrain system where both power sources work together. The electric machine compensates for torque reduction of the internal combustion engine, maintaining total torque output while allowing the engine to operate in a controlled range that prevents wheel slip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric machine acts as an intermediary between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheels. It provides additional torque or acts as a generator to regulate the total torque transmitted to the wheels, enabling precise control of wheel slip while maintaining high torque transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the separating clutch is used to adjust transmitted torque, then torque control is achieved, but the clutch is subjected to high thermal loads and its service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque adjustment capabilityVSAvoidclutch service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical torque adjustment method using the separating clutch with an electrical/electronic control system. The electric machine controller regulates torque electronically by controlling the electric machine's output, eliminating the need for frequent clutch engagement/disengagement and reducing thermal loads on the clutch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting wheel speed and torque to continuously regulate the electric machine's output. This closed-loop control enables precise torque adjustment without mechanical wear, as the electric machine can respond dynamically to changing conditions without the degradation associated with mechanical clutch operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the braking system is activated to prevent excessive torque transmission, then wheel slip is controlled, but energy is converted to thermal energy and wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel slip controlVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of excess energy into a beneficial one by using the electric machine as a generator. Instead of dissipating excess energy as heat through brakes, the system recovers the energy by generating electricity, which can be stored in the battery or used to power other vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted during torque regulation. The electric machine operates in generator mode to capture kinetic energy from the drivetrain during deceleration or torque reduction events, converting it to electrical energy for storage or reuse, thereby eliminating the energy loss associated with friction braking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This approach enables efficient energy utilization, minimizes component wear, and achieves maximum torque transmission to the drive wheels without slipping, enhancing control quality and dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

an electric machine for generating an additional torque that can be coupled to the drive wheels in addition to the drive torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a separating clutch which detachably couples the internal combustion engine to the multi-stage transmission in order to transmit the drive torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

at least one sensor for detecting a variable from which an output torque actually transmitted from the output shaft to the drive wheels can be determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2752345B1Device and method for transferring a maximum drive torque without slip
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 MAGNA PT BV & CO KG
  • EP2752345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2752345B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2752345B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The method involves determining target parameter for an internal combustion engine (14) for adjusting engine to the target characteristic quantity. The size of output torque (50) is detected for determining the actually transmitted output torque from output shaft (22) to determine control variable for an electric motor (34), such that moment sum of additional torque and detected output torque is equal to target torque at any time of a control process, so that electric motor on controlled variable (46) is regulated, and electric motor is coupled to output shaft of gearbox (16).