Sequential Shifter Torque Control for Clutchless MT EV Feel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicles that simulate the driving feel of a manual transmission (MT) vehicles with a clutch pedal fail to replicate the experience of clutch pedal-less MT vehicles, leading to a mismatch in driving feel for users who desire the latter.

Innovation Solution

An electric vehicle equipped with a pseudo sequential shifter and a controller that changes motor torque output in response to shifter operations, mimicking the torque characteristics of a clutch pedal-less MT vehicle, including features like a pseudo engine speed meter to enhance the driving experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pseudo clutch pedal is installed to simulate normal MT vehicle driving feel, then the driving experience for users wanting MT feel is improved, but the operation becomes troublesome and difficult for drivers accustomed to automatic transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving experience adaptabilityVSAvoidclutch pedal operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the clutch pedal component from the simulation system, keeping only the sequential shifter. This eliminates the troublesome clutch operation while maintaining the essential MT-like sequential shifting experience that users desire, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a simplified copy of the MT vehicle experience by implementing only the sequential shifter function without the clutch pedal. This partial copying achieves the core driving feel difference users want while avoiding the operational complexity of the clutch, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If torque control is designed to simulate normal MT vehicle with clutch pedal, then the simulation accuracy for normal MT vehicles is improved, but it fails to satisfy users who desire clutch pedal-less MT vehicle driving feel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque characteristic simulation accuracyVSAvoiddriving feel variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic torque control that adapts to different driving scenarios and user preferences. The controller adjusts torque characteristics in real-time to simulate clutch pedal-less MT vehicle behavior, allowing the system to provide accurate simulation for the specific vehicle type users desire rather than a fixed normal MT simulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the torque control parameters to match clutch pedal-less MT vehicle characteristics rather than normal MT vehicle parameters. By adjusting torque magnitude, timing, and change rates to reflect the absence of clutch intervention, the system achieves accurate simulation for the specific driving feel users want, resolving the contradiction between simulation accuracy and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If sequential shifter operation is simplified to act only on motor torque without clutch simulation, then the operation becomes quicker and easier, but the realism of MT vehicle driving feel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear stage switching speedVSAvoiddriving feel authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical clutch-torque transmission system with an electronic torque control system. The sequential shifter directly commands torque changes through the motor controller, eliminating the need for mechanical clutch engagement/disengagement. This substitution achieves faster gear switching while maintaining authentic MT-like driving feel through precise electronic torque management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements periodic torque adjustment patterns that mimic the rhythmic nature of sequential shifting in MT vehicles. By applying torque changes in controlled pulses or steps that correspond to shift events, the system creates authentic MT-like driving feedback while maintaining quick electronic response times, resolving the contradiction between speed and authenticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4371802B1Electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4371802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4371802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4371802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The electric vehicle (10) of the present disclosure is configured to use an electric motor (2) as a power unit for traveling. The electric vehicle (10) includes an accelerator pedal (22), a sequential shifter (26), and a controller (50). The controller (50) is configured to change a motor torque output by the electric motor (2) in response to operation of the accelerator pedal (22) and operation of the sequential shifter (26). The controller (50) is configured to change a change rate of the motor torque at least twice during a preset shift time in response to the operation of the sequential shifter (26).