Launch Control Interface for Torque Curve Guided Vehicle Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle launch control systems are difficult for drivers to effectively utilize, particularly in high-pressure situations like drag racing, leading to poor vehicle launch performance due to the complexity of tasks required during the initial launch.
Innovation Solution
A launch control system with a driver interface that displays and inputs information to determine the maximum available torque curve, allows drivers to set a desired launch speed and torque curve, and generates a final desired torque curve for the powertrain, enabling automated launch control without the need for accelerator pedal modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional launch control requires the driver to perform multiple tasks (initiating launch mode, modulating brake/accelerator pedals), then the system can achieve powertrain control, but the driver interface complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the maximum available torque curve based on current conditions and generating the final desired torque curve without requiring driver intervention for pedal modulation. The controller autonomously manages the complex control tasks while the driver simply provides desired launch speed input.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex task of accelerator pedal modulation is extracted from the driver's responsibilities and transferred to the automated controller. The system separates the strategic decision (desired launch speed) from the tactical execution (torque curve generation and powertrain control), allowing the driver to focus on positioning and timing while the controller handles the complex powertrain management.
2Reliability
If the driver must modulate accelerator pedal during launch, then some level of control is maintained, but the difficulty of operation increases particularly under high adrenaline conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical control of accelerator pedal modulation is replaced with an electronic control system that automatically generates and executes the desired torque curve. The controller substitutes the driver's manual pedal modulation with automated electronic control signals to the powertrain, eliminating the need for precise manual manipulation during the launch.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the driver's simple input (desired launch speed) and the complex powertrain control requirements. It translates the driver's high-level intent into detailed torque curve execution, mediating between the driver's limited capacity under stress and the complex demands of optimal launch control.
3Ease of operation
If automated torque curve generation is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but the extent of automation increases requiring more sophisticated controller algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring current conditions (such as transmission state, engine parameters, and vehicle status) to dynamically determine the maximum available torque curve. This real-time feedback enables the controller to adapt the torque curve generation to actual operating conditions, achieving sophisticated automation through responsive condition-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque curve generation is made dynamic by allowing the desired torque curve to change in response to changes in desired launch speed and current vehicle conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the final desired torque curve based on real-time parameters rather than using a fixed predetermined curve, enabling adaptive automation that responds to varying operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle launch control technique includes providing a driver interface configured to display information to and input from a driver of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the driver interface, determining a maximum available torque curve for the powertrain based on current conditions, displaying, at the driver interface, the maximum available torque curve, receiving, from the driver via the driver interface, a desired launch speed for the powertrain, receiving, from the driver via the driver interface, a desired torque curve for the powertrain, wherein the desired torque curve changes in response to changes to the desired launch speed, generating, in response to a command via the driver interface, a final desired torque curve for the powertrain, and performing launch control of the vehicle by controlling the powertrain of the vehicle according to the final desired torque curve.