Powertrain Torque Request Categorization for Urgency-Based Output Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powertrain systems face limitations in output when a human driver requests power, leading to potential component degradation, especially in warm conditions, and there is a need to balance performance with component longevity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an autonomous driver system that assesses torque requests based on urgency levels, allowing for adjustable powertrain output thresholds to prioritize performance while monitoring control parameters to determine when to return the vehicle to a service center for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If powertrain output is increased to meet driver power requests, then vehicle performance is improved, but powertrain component temperature increases leading to component degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts powertrain control thresholds based on urgency levels. When urgency is high, thresholds are relaxed to allow higher powertrain output and temperature. When urgency is low, thresholds are tightened to protect components. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making component protection conditional rather than absolute.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes control parameters (thresholds) based on operating conditions and urgency assessments. By modifying threshold values dynamically, the system allows higher powertrain output when necessary while maintaining component protection under normal conditions, thus resolving the power-output versus reliability contradiction.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If powertrain control thresholds are tightened to protect components, then component life is extended, but powertrain output power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes threshold settings dynamic rather than static. Thresholds are tightened only when urgency is low, preserving component life during normal operation. When urgency increases, thresholds are relaxed to restore full powertrain output capability, thus resolving the contradiction between component life extension and power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of urgency levels before enforcing threshold limits. By evaluating whether high power output is genuinely needed, the system avoids unnecessary power reduction while still protecting components during low-urgency periods, resolving the contradiction between component protection and power availability.
3Reliability
If mitigating actions are performed immediately when thresholds are approached, then component degradation is reduced, but desirable vehicle outcomes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of urgency before enforcing mitigating actions. By evaluating whether the vehicle needs high performance for desirable outcomes, the system delays or avoids mitigating actions when appropriate, thus resolving the contradiction between component protection and achieving vehicle goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines whether to enforce mitigating actions based on real-time urgency assessment. When urgency is high, mitigating actions are delayed or waived to achieve desirable vehicle outcomes. When urgency is low, mitigating actions are enforced to protect components, thus resolving the contradiction between component protection and vehicle productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a powertrain of an autonomous vehicle is described. In one example, the autonomous driver may supply a torque request and a torque or power urgency assessment to a powertrain controller. The powertrain controller may monitor vehicle control system parameters based on the driver demand torque and the torque or power urgency assessment.