Towed Vehicle Torque Assistance for Ecofriendly Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
When ecofriendly vehicles are towed, they act as only a driving load, increasing the fuel consumption of the towing vehicle due to the combined driving resistance, as they do not provide torque assistance.
Innovation Solution
A power assisted towing mode control method and system where the towed vehicle receives feedback on the driver's torque request from the towing vehicle, calculates and outputs assistant power through its motor, determining motor dischargeable torque based on allowable torque and energy storage system limits, and adjusts engine output torque to assist the towing vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the towed vehicle acts as only driving load without torque assistance, then the towing vehicle experiences increased driving resistance and fuel consumption, but the towed vehicle's energy storage system maintains full charge
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the towing vehicle's torque request is transmitted to the towed vehicle, which then provides torque assistance based on the received feedback. The towed vehicle's motor controller adjusts motor torque output according to the driver's torque request from the towing vehicle, creating a closed-loop feedback system that optimizes fuel consumption while managing energy storage discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The towed vehicle's motor and energy storage system, originally designed for self-propulsion, are made multi-functional by enabling them to provide torque assistance to the towing vehicle. This allows the same components to serve dual purposes: propelling the towed vehicle independently and assisting the towing vehicle during towing operations, thereby improving overall system efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the towed vehicle provides motor torque assistance, then the towing vehicle's fuel consumption decreases, but the energy storage system's state of charge decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the motor torque output based on real-time conditions including the driver's torque request, vehicle speed, and energy storage system state of charge. The motor controller continuously modulates the torque assistance level, increasing it when fuel savings are prioritized and decreasing it when energy storage preservation is needed, creating a dynamic balance between these competing objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting motor torque output levels according to the energy storage system's state of charge. When state of charge is high, the system allows greater torque discharge to maximize fuel savings. When state of charge drops below thresholds, the system reduces torque assistance or stops discharge, thereby adapting the torque assistance level to current energy availability.
3Productivity
If the towed vehicle calculates and outputs motor torque based on driver request torque, then torque assistance is optimized for towing performance, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary communication interface between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle to transmit torque request information. Rather than implementing complex direct control algorithms in both vehicles, the towed vehicle's controller simply receives the driver's torque request from the towing vehicle and translates it into appropriate motor torque output, using the towing vehicle's control system as an intermediary to simplify overall system complexity.
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
This method reduces the towing vehicle's fuel consumption by providing torque assistance, maintaining the state of charge of the towed vehicle's energy storage system and improving fuel efficiency during towing.
Implementation Method 1
a motor, an inverter and an energy storage system (ESS) as main power parts
Implementation Method 2
the ESS may be a main source of electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a power assisted towing mode control method and system for ecofriendly vehicles. The power assisted towing mode control method is executed to control a power assisted towing mode between a first vehicle as a towing vehicle and a second vehicle as a towed vehicle, and includes determining, by the first vehicle, whether or not an accelerator pedal amount exceeds a threshold value, calculating, by the first vehicle, driver request torque based on the accelerator pedal amount, calculating, by the first vehicle, motor allowable torque based on the driver request torque, receiving, by the second vehicle, the motor allowable torque and calculating motor dischargeable torque based on the motor allowable torque, and performing, by the second vehicle, motor torque output based on the motor dischargeable torque.