Multi-Clutch Transmission Control for Slippery Road Wheel Spin Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling drivetrains in vehicles, particularly heavy-duty vehicles, fail to predictably prevent wheel spin on slippery roads, leading to unpredictable vehicle behavior and reduced safety and comfort during acceleration or uphill driving.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects slippery road conditions and sets a slip risk factor to determine if an upcoming gear shift should be performed as a power shift, thereby reducing the risk of wheel spin by controlling torque levels and shifting strategies based on vehicle load, road inclination, and other parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power cut shift is used to change gear, then fuel consumption is reduced and clutch wear is minimized, but torque interruption causes wheel spin on slippery roads
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between power cut shift and power shift based on real-time assessment of road conditions, vehicle state, and transmission parameters. When slippery road conditions are detected, the system switches to power shift to maintain continuous torque delivery and prevent wheel spin, otherwise using power cut shift for fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors multiple parameters including road friction coefficient, vehicle speed, acceleration, gear position, and clutch state to determine the optimal shifting strategy. By changing the shifting mode parameter based on these inputs, the system resolves the contradiction between fuel efficiency and wheel spin prevention.
2Reliability
If power shift is used to change gear, then wheel spin is prevented by continuous torque delivery, but clutch wear increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts clutch engagement strategy based on road conditions. On slippery surfaces, both clutches are engaged simultaneously during gear transition to maintain torque flow. On dry surfaces, the system returns to conventional sequential clutch operation to minimize wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system modifies clutch control parameters including engagement timing, slip ratio, and torque distribution based on detected road friction. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to use power shift only when necessary, balancing wheel spin prevention with clutch life extension.
3Reliability
If torque is reduced to prevent wheel spin, then wheel slip is controlled, but vehicle acceleration response becomes unexpected and driving comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of wheel slip risk by monitoring road conditions, vehicle dynamics, and transmission state before wheel spin occurs. When risk is detected, it proactively adjusts shifting strategy to prevent spin rather than reacting after spin begins, maintaining more predictable vehicle behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between driver torque request and actual torque delivery to the wheels. By intelligently managing clutch engagement and gear transitions, it delivers torque in a way that prevents wheel spin while maintaining acceleration characteristics that match driver expectations.
4Reliability
If automatic torque lowering is performed to prevent wheel spin, then wheel slip is reduced, but gear change is triggered repeatedly causing vehicle to stop
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively detects slippery road conditions and adjusts shifting strategy before wheel spin occurs. By pre-planning gear transitions using power shift mode when risk is high, it prevents the cycle of wheel spin-triggered torque reduction-repeated gear changes that leads to vehicle stopping.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle, wherein the drivetrain comprises a multi-clutch transmission. The gear shift of the multi-clutch transmission is adapted to be performed either by power cut shift or by power shift dependent on predetermined vehicle shift conditions. The method includes detecting at least one of a plurality of indications of slippery road conditions and setting a slip risk factor, wherein the slip risk factor is dependent on the indication of slippery road conditions. If the slip risk factor is above a first predetermined threshold value the method further comprises controlling the multi-clutch transmission such that an upcoming gear shift is performed as a power-shift independently of if upcoming shift was determined to be performed as a power-cut shift or as a power shift.