Electric Powertrain Release Control for Slope Oscillation Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods to prevent powertrain oscillation in parked electric or hybrid vehicles on slopes, such as blocking the powertrain preventively, pose safety risks due to potential erroneous slope detection, leading to unexpected vehicle movement.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically corrects engine speed by detecting rapid variations and applying an opposing torque to dampen oscillations, using a correction method that is strictly positive for negative slopes and strictly negative for positive slopes, modulated in amplitude based on slope and engine capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the powertrain is blocked preventively when a slope is detected, then powertrain oscillations are prevented, but the risk of unexpected vehicle movement increases due to potential erroneous slope detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowertrain stabilityVSAvoidsafety reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preemptively blocking the powertrain when a slope is detected, preventing oscillations before they can occur. The control device blocks the electric motor upon detecting slope information, thereby preventing the powertrain from oscillating on its suspensions when the parking brake is deactivated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring slope information and vehicle movement, and adjusting the powertrain blocking state accordingly. The control device receives slope information, determines whether to block the powertrain based on this information, and can release the block when the vehicle is determined to be on flat ground, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the powertrain is blocked to prevent oscillations on slopes, then mechanical shocks are eliminated, but vehicle mobility is reduced on flat ground due to erroneous slope detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical shocksVSAvoidvehicle mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the powertrain blocking state conditional and changeable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the blocking state based on real-time slope detection and vehicle status, allowing the system to transition between blocked and unblocked states as conditions change, thereby optimizing both comfort and mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the blocking control parameter based on slope information. When slope angle exceeds a threshold, the blocking parameter is activated; when the vehicle is determined to be on flat ground, the blocking parameter is deactivated. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions.

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

Effectively reduces powertrain oscillations and eliminates mechanical shocks without risking unexpected vehicle movement, ensuring safety and responsiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising such a powertrain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the powertrain can start to oscillate on its suspensions, generating mechanical shocks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

when the parking brake is deactivated on a slope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3337703B1Method for controlling an electric or hybrid power train, control device, power train and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 AMPERE SAS
  • EP3337703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337703B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3337703B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (4) for controlling the power train of a vehicle (1), the power train being installed in the vehicle by means of suspensions (18) and comprising an electric motor (10) able to transmit a torque to the wheels (16) of the vehicle. The motor comprises a blocking finger (101) able to switch from an engaged configuration in which the rotor (102) of the motor is rigidly attached to the stator of the motor in order to ensure immobilisation of the vehicle, to a disengaged configuration where the rotor (102) is released from the stator in order to allow driving of the vehicle. The method includes a dynamic correction step of the speed of the motor, such that, on switching from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration of the locking finger when the vehicle is immobilised on a slope, the oscillations of the power train on the suspensions around the axles of the wheels are damped. Application: motor vehicle.