Inclination-Adaptive Electric Vehicle Control for Slope Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small electric vehicles face challenges in controlling speed and turning on inclined surfaces due to insufficient torque on flat ground and increased weight when motors are enlarged for climbing, leading to degraded operability and difficulty in intuitive operation.
Innovation Solution
A small electric vehicle equipped with left and right driving wheels, free wheels, motors, rotation speed sensors, an inclination sensor, and a control unit that calculates target rotation speeds based on inclination angles and operation positions, allowing for intuitive control of speed and turning characteristics on various road inclinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If motors are increased in size to provide sufficient torque for climbing inclined slopes, then the torque is sufficient for climbing, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic motor selection based on detected road inclination. The control unit adjusts motor operation modes according to the inclination angle, switching between a first motor suitable for flat ground and a second motor suitable for inclined slopes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide sufficient torque only when needed, avoiding the constant weight penalty of oversized motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes operational parameters by selecting different motor configurations based on road inclination detection. When the inclination exceeds a threshold, the system switches to a motor configuration optimized for climbing; otherwise, it uses a motor optimized for flat ground travel. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by adapting motor characteristics to actual operating conditions.
2Weight of moving object
If motors are selected for flat ground travel, then the vehicle weight is reduced, but the torque is insufficient for climbing inclined slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different motor configurations based on real-time inclination detection. For flat ground travel, a lighter motor is used to minimize weight; when climbing is detected, the system switches to a higher-torque motor configuration. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by providing light weight during normal operation while ensuring sufficient torque when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is equipped with multiple motors that can serve different functions based on operating conditions. The control unit selects appropriate motors from the plurality available, allowing the same vehicle to efficiently handle both flat ground travel and inclined slope climbing with appropriate motor selection, rather than requiring a single heavy motor for all conditions.
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
The solution enhances travel control on inclined surfaces by reducing vehicle load and manufacturing costs, improving operational simplicity and usability by adjusting speed and turning characteristics based on inclination angles and actual speed.
Implementation Method 1
an inclination sensor for detecting an inclination of the vehicle body as a pitch angle corresponding to a component in the forward and backward direction, and a roll angle corresponding to a component in the width direction
Implementation Method 2
left and right rotation speed sensors for detecting rotation speeds of the left and right motors
Implementation Method 3
left and right motors connected so as to respectively transmit power to the left and right driving wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A small electric vehicle includes: left and right motors connected so as to respectively transmit power to left and right driving wheels; left and right rotation speed sensors; an inclination sensor; a joystick-type operation element; and a control unit, wherein it is configured to calculate target rotation speeds of the left and right motors, based on a target vehicle speed provided by an inclination angle in consideration of the pitch angle and the roll angle detected through the inclination sensor and by an operation position of the operation element, and on a target vehicle angular velocity provided by the inclination angle, by the operation position of the operation element and by the actual speed of the vehicle, and control the left and right motors such that actual rotation speeds of the left and right motors follow the respective target rotation speeds.