Torque Down Control Apparatus for Automotive Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque down control systems for automotive vehicles experience abrupt engine drive force recovery, leading to an unpleasant driving experience and worsened driveability, especially when the accelerator pedal is repeatedly depressed and released.
Innovation Solution
A torque down control apparatus and method that limit the engine drive force recovery to a predetermined value when certain conditions are met, such as an accelerator opening angle threshold and vehicle speed, allowing for gradual recovery and relieving limitations when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed, thereby preventing abrupt force recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the recovery of engine drive force is limited to a torque decrease direction when the accelerator pedal is returned to no depression state, then abrupt recovery of drive force is prevented, but driveability is worsened due to repeated delay in recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the torque limitation dynamic rather than static. The control apparatus adjusts the torque limitation value based on the number of times the accelerator pedal has been operated. Initially, a strict torque limitation is applied to prevent abrupt recovery, but as the pedal operation count increases, the limitation is gradually relaxed or canceled, allowing the engine torque to recover smoothly without causing unpleasant sensations to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of torque limitation value based on accelerator pedal operation count. The control apparatus monitors how many times the accelerator pedal has been depressed and released, and adjusts the torque limitation accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a restrictive torque control mode to a more permissive mode, resolving the contradiction between preventing abrupt recovery and maintaining driveability.
2Reliability
If torque down control is applied to prevent abrupt recovery, then drive force recovery is suppressed, but unpleasant feeling is given to vehicle driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the torque limitation parameter based on accelerator pedal operation count. When the pedal operation count is low, a strict torque limitation is applied to ensure smooth recovery. As the operation count increases, the torque limitation is gradually increased (relaxed), allowing the engine to produce more torque without causing abrupt recovery sensations. This dynamic parameter adjustment eliminates the unpleasant feeling while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from a static torque limitation approach to a dynamic one that adapts to driver behavior. By monitoring accelerator pedal operations and adjusting torque limits in real-time, the system provides smooth and natural drive force recovery that does not create unpleasant sensations for the driver.
Data Source
AI summary
In torque down control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, an upper limit value of a drive force of a prime mover is reduced to a predetermined value when a predetermined condition is established, the upper limit value of the drive force is increased at a predetermined speed to recover the upper limit value of the drive force from the predetermined value, the recovery is limited when an accelerator opening angle is smaller than a predetermined opening angle than a case where the accelerator opening angle is equal to or larger than the predetermined opening angle during the recovery of the upper limit value of the drive force, and the limitation is relieved when a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed than a case where the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed.