Driver-Selectable Launch Torque Curves for Open-Loop Vehicle Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional feedback-based vehicle launch control systems are not ideal for drag racing or similar track scenarios due to potential delays caused by repeated engine torque alterations based on feedback parameters, which can be critical in short-duration racing events.

Innovation Solution

A driver-selectable launch control system that performs open-loop control of engine torque according to a driver-selected launch torque curve, irrespective of wheel slip and without any feedback from the driveline or driver modulation of the accelerator pedal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feedback-based vehicle launch control is used, then wheel slip can be controlled, but delays occur due to repeated torque alterations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel slip controlVSAvoidresponse delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores multiple launch torque curves before vehicle launch. When launch conditions are detected, the controller selects and executes the appropriate pre-computed curve without real-time feedback adjustments, eliminating the delays inherent in feedback-based systems while maintaining effective wheel slip control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects from multiple pre-computed torque curves based on detected launch conditions (vehicle speed, brake pedal position, transmission state). This dynamic selection allows the system to adapt to different launch scenarios while maintaining the speed advantage of open-loop control by avoiding real-time feedback iterations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If open-loop torque control is used, then response time is improved, but adaptability to wheel slip conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidadaptability to wheel slip

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple launch torque curves are pre-computed for different wheel slip conditions and launch scenarios before vehicle operation. The controller selects the appropriate pre-computed curve based on detected launch conditions, achieving both fast response (open-loop execution) and adaptability (selection from multiple pre-prepared options).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter set (torque curve selection) based on detected launch conditions such as vehicle speed, brake pedal position, and transmission state. This allows the open-loop system to adapt to different wheel slip conditions by selecting from multiple pre-computed torque profiles with different characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12252125B2Driver-selectable vehicle launch torque curves and open-loop engine torque control

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A launch control technique for a vehicle having a torque generating system comprises displaying, via a user interface, information relating to a set of launch torque curves, each launch torque curve defining how the torque generating system is to generate drive torque during a period, receiving, via the user interface, a driver-selection of one of the set of launch torque curves to obtain a driver-selected launch torque curve, detecting a set of launch conditions comprising one or more vehicle operating conditions indicative of a launch of the vehicle, detecting a launch request in response to an accelerator pedal of the vehicle being depressed, and controlling the launch of the vehicle by performing open-loop control of the drive torque generated by the torque generating system according to the driver-selected launch torque curve and irrespective of wheel slip of the vehicle.