Vehicle Motor Controller Sweep Vibration for Abnormal Sound Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reproducing abnormal vehicle sounds during inspections either require driving the vehicle on public roads, increasing accident risks, or use expensive vibration exciters.

Innovation Solution

A controller for a vehicle equipped with a motor, which includes a sweep driving process that sweeps the excitation frequency of vibration applied to the vehicle body while driving the motor during inspection, allowing for the reproduction of abnormal sounds without driving the vehicle and without using a vibration exciter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a vibration exciter is used to reproduce abnormal sounds during inspection, then the ability to diagnose abnormal sounds is improved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormal sound diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidinspection cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The motor itself is utilized to generate vibration for diagnosing abnormal sounds, eliminating the need for external vibration exciters. The motor's natural vibration during operation serves the dual purpose of propulsion and diagnostic excitation, making the system self-sufficient and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The motor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the propulsion device for vehicle operation and the vibration source for abnormal sound diagnosis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diagnostic equipment, reducing inspection costs while maintaining diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the vehicle is driven on public roads to reproduce abnormal sounds during inspection, then the ability to diagnose abnormal sounds is improved, but the safety risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormal sound diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidaccident risk during inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic function is extracted from the operational context by using the motor's vibration during stationary inspection to reproduce abnormal sounds. This separates the diagnostic process from actual vehicle operation on public roads, eliminating safety risks while maintaining diagnostic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor's mechanical vibration during operation is utilized to reproduce abnormal sounds during stationary inspection. By controlling the motor to vibrate at specific frequencies, the system can diagnose abnormal sounds without requiring the vehicle to be driven on public roads, thus eliminating safety risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Ease of manufacture

If a jig is fixed near the engine mount to transmit engine vibration to the vehicle body, then the cost is reduced, but the applicability to motor-driven vehicles without engines is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection costVSAvoidapplicability to different vehicle types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The motor serves as the universal vibration source for all vehicle types, replacing the engine-specific approach. Since motors are the power source in all modern vehicles including EVs and hybrids, this approach is universally applicable across different vehicle types while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different vehicle types by changing the vibration source from engine to motor. The motor's operational parameters (rotation speed, torque, frequency) can be controlled to generate the necessary vibration for diagnosis, making the system versatile across different vehicle platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method improves the reproducibility of abnormal sounds, reduces costs by eliminating the need for a vibration exciter, and enhances safety by avoiding the risks associated with driving the vehicle on public roads during inspections.

Implementation Method 1

sweeping an excitation frequency of vibration applied to a vehicle body by the motor while driving the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250095419A1controller

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

A controller for a vehicle equipped with a motor for running includes one or more processors and one or more recording media storing a program to be executed by the one or more processors. The program includes one or more instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform a sweep driving process including sweeping an excitation frequency of vibration applied to a vehicle body of the vehicle by the motor while driving the motor during an inspection of the vehicle.