Electric Machine Torque Ripple for Virtual Rumble Strip Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrified vehicles lack effective tactile and auditory feedback mechanisms to alert drivers of unintentional lane departures without modifying road surfaces or vehicle hardware.
Innovation Solution
An electrified vehicle system that includes an electric machine and a controller to produce a torque ripple, simulating a virtual rumble strip through intermittent tactile vibrations and audible rumbling by adjusting the torque output in response to triggering events, such as lane departures, using a combination of traction torque and ripple commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional audio, visual, and haptic feedback devices are used to alert drivers of lane departures, then driver feedback is provided, but the feedback lacks intuitive tactile sensation similar to traditional rumble strips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical rumble strip systems (road surface modifications) with an electrical torque ripple system. The controller generates torque ripple signals that create tactile vibrations through the vehicle's existing powertrain components, eliminating the need for physical road modifications while providing intuitive tactile feedback to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes existing vehicle components (electric motor, powertrain system) to serve multiple functions: both propulsion and feedback generation. By controlling the electric motor to produce torque ripple, the same component that drives the vehicle also provides intuitive tactile feedback, eliminating the need for separate dedicated feedback hardware.
2Ease of operation
If road surfaces are modified with physical rumble strips to provide tactile feedback, then tactile and auditory feedback is achieved, but the road infrastructure must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical road surface modification approach with an electrical control approach. Instead of physically altering road surfaces to create vibration-inducing patterns, the system uses the vehicle's electric motor to generate torque ripple that produces identical tactile and auditory effects, eliminating infrastructure modification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the traditional rumble strip effect through torque ripple control. By generating specific frequency and amplitude torque variations, the system reproduces the tactile and auditory sensations of physical rumble strips without requiring actual road surface patterns, effectively copying the sensory experience through a different mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the electric machine torque output is adjusted to produce torque ripple, then intuitive tactile and auditory feedback is generated, but the torque output control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the controller monitors vehicle operating conditions and adjusts the torque ripple signal accordingly. The system continuously adapts the feedback characteristics based on real-time sensor data, ensuring optimal feedback quality while managing control complexity through closed-loop control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the torque ripple parameters, adjusting frequency, amplitude, and timing based on vehicle speed, acceleration, and detected lane departure conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide context-appropriate feedback while managing control complexity through conditional logic and parameter scaling.
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
Provides drivers with intuitive feedback similar to traditional rumble strips without altering road surfaces or vehicle hardware, enhancing safety by alerting drivers to potential hazards like lane departures.
Implementation Method 1
an electric machine configured to generate a torque output
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to selectively adjust the torque output to produce a torque ripple in response to a triggering event
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle and a method for providing driver feedback by producing a torque ripple. An exemplary electrified vehicle includes, among other things, an electric machine configured to generate a torque output, and a controller configured to selectively adjust the torque output to produce a torque ripple in response to a triggering event.