Vehicle Control Torque Optimization for Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems for self-driving vehicles do not efficiently manage fuel consumption and noise levels during gradual acceleration in situations where a distinct driving force is not required, leading to potential fuel inefficiency and passenger discomfort due to higher engine speeds and noise.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus that generates a low fuel consumption acceleration plan by controlling the engine and transmission to accelerate the vehicle at a torque between maximum torque and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) bottom torque, minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining lower engine speeds, and includes a surrounding circumstances detector and an electric control unit to adjust the action plan based on detected conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle accelerates to target speed using conventional control methods, then the acceleration response is fast, but fuel consumption increases and engine noise becomes louder
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the torque parameter from maximum torque to a reduced torque value that still achieves acceptable acceleration while significantly lowering fuel consumption. The control unit adjusts the torque instruction value based on vehicle speed and acceleration requirements, selecting optimal torque values that balance acceleration performance with fuel efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the engine operates at maximum torque for rapid acceleration, then the acceleration performance is improved, but engine speed increases leading to higher noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the torque parameter from maximum to an optimized value that reduces engine speed and noise while preserving sufficient acceleration capability. The control unit calculates appropriate torque values based on vehicle conditions, ensuring noise reduction without completely sacrificing acceleration performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle uses standard acceleration control, then the system complexity is low, but fuel economy cannot be optimized in situations without surrounding vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit autonomously determines whether to apply maximum torque or reduced torque based on detected surrounding circumstances. When no vehicles are detected in surrounding lanes, the system automatically selects the fuel-efficient reduced torque mode without requiring manual intervention or complex additional hardware.
4Productivity
If the system always uses maximum torque for acceleration, then the acceleration performance is consistent, but fuel consumption increases unnecessarily in gradual acceleration scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the torque parameter based on real-time vehicle conditions and surrounding circumstances. Rather than using a fixed maximum torque value, the control unit varies the torque instruction to match actual acceleration needs, providing consistent acceleration performance when required while reducing fuel consumption during gradual acceleration scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus including a surrounding circumstances detector detecting surrounding circumstances of a self-driving vehicle and an electric control unit including a microprocessor configured to perform generating an action plan of the self-driving vehicle based on the surrounding circumstances and controlling the engine and the transmission so that the self-driving vehicle travels by self-driving in accordance with the action plan. The generating includes generating a first action plan and a second action plan, the first action plan including target position data of the self-driving vehicle, the second action plan including an acceleration instruction to a target vehicle speed not including the target position data, and the controlling includes controlling the engine and the transmission, so that the self-driving vehicle accelerates to the target vehicle speed at a target torque minimizing a fuel consumption quantity per unit travel distance when the second action plan is generated.