Drivetrain Shaft Windup Sensing for Wheel Torque Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with electrical drivelines, oscillations and poor powertrain torque performance due to reduced friction and lack of mechanical components lead to unnecessary stress on powertrain parts, especially in extreme applications like construction or mining vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and sensor arrangement that estimates wheel torque by measuring angular positions of shafts in the drivetrain, using angular position sensors to determine windup and stiffness constants, allowing direct calculation of wheel torque for improved vehicle efficiency, comfort, and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional torque control based on engine output shaft estimation is used, then the control system is simpler, but oscillations occur due to increased stiffness and reduced damping in electrical drivelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring angular positions of shafts at different points in the drivetrain and using this information to calculate windup and estimate wheel torque in real-time. This feedback loop allows the torque controller to detect and compensate for oscillations, improving drivetrain stability while maintaining electrical driveline efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical damping components with an electronic control system that uses angular position measurements and mathematical calculations to simulate damping effects. The torque controller uses measured windup and stiffness constants to calculate compensating torques, substituting mechanical damping with electronic control to reduce oscillations in the electrical drivetrain.
2Measurement precision
If angular position sensors are added to measure shaft positions for windup determination, then wheel torque estimation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using angular position sensors that serve multiple purposes: measuring shaft angular positions for windup calculation, determining shaft speed, and providing feedback for torque control. This universal approach allows a single sensor system to support multiple measurement needs, improving wheel torque estimation accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes angular position measurements from sensors to calculate windup and estimate wheel torque. This intermediary processing stage transforms raw sensor data into meaningful torque information, allowing accurate wheel torque estimation while using standard angular position sensors rather than requiring specialized torque sensors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If real-time angular position measurements are performed continually, then oscillations can be better canceled and performance optimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by performing angular position measurements and torque calculations at specific intervals rather than continuously. The torque controller updates windup and torque estimates at rates sufficient to control oscillations but not maximally high, optimizing the balance between oscillation control effectiveness and energy consumption for sensing and computation.
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
The method and sensor arrangement enable accurate estimation of wheel torque, optimizing vehicle performance and comfort by canceling out non-linearities and oscillations, diagnosing drivetrain components, and enhancing powertrain efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
measuring angular positions of shafts in the drivetrain, using angular position sensors to determine windup
Implementation Method 2
determining, based on angular positions of one or more shafts of the drivetrain at different points along the drivetrain, a windup of the one or more shafts
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a vehicle based on wheel torque. According to a first aspect, this disclosure proposes a method for operating a vehicle comprising a drivetrain. The method comprises determining, based on angular positions of one or more shafts of the drivetrain at different points along the drivetrain, a windup of the one or more shafts. The method further comprises estimating a wheel torque of one or more wheels arranged on a driven wheel axle of the vehicle based on the determined windup and a stiffness constant representing characteristics of the one or more shafts in-between the different points and using the estimated wheel torque while operating the vehicle. The disclosure also relates to corresponding sensor arrangement and computer program, and to a vehicle comprising the sensor arrangement.