Vehicle Drag Detection for Adaptive Slip Target Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face inefficiencies in energy management due to incorrect user-selected driving modes that fail to adapt to changing terrain conditions, leading to increased energy draw, tire wear, and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines rolling drag based on energy input and surface friction levels, adjusting the slip target for motor torque control to optimize vehicle performance across different surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user-selected driving mode is used without adaptation, then ease of operation is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects rolling drag conditions and adjusts motor torque without requiring continuous user input. The vehicle self-adjusts by monitoring energy consumption patterns and terrain characteristics, replacing manual mode selection with autonomous adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors energy input to motors and vehicle speed to detect rolling drag conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to identify terrain changes and adjust driving mode accordingly, optimizing energy efficiency based on real-time conditions.
2Device complexity
If manual mode selection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle automatically detects and adapts to terrain conditions through monitoring energy consumption and vehicle dynamics, eliminating the need for complex manual mode selection interfaces while maintaining simplicity in user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts motor torque and driving mode based on real-time detection of rolling drag conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to respond to changing terrain conditions without requiring pre-programmed mode selections.
3Ease of operation
If incorrect driving mode is selected, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors energy input and vehicle speed to detect when the current driving mode is mismatched with actual terrain conditions. When rolling drag indicates suboptimal performance, the system automatically adjusts the mode to reduce energy waste while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle self-corrects energy inefficiency by automatically detecting rolling drag conditions and adjusting motor torque accordingly, eliminating the need for user intervention while preventing energy waste from incorrect mode selection.
4Productivity
If high slip target is used for terrain traversal, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the slip target based on detected rolling drag conditions. On high-drag surfaces, the system permits higher slip targets to improve terrain traversal, while on low-drag surfaces, it reduces the slip target to minimize energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the slip target parameter in response to detected terrain conditions. By adjusting this key parameter based on rolling drag detection, the system optimizes the balance between terrain traversal capability and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Drag Detection is provided. A system includes one or more processors of a vehicle, coupled with memory. The one or more processors can determine, for a vehicle, rolling drag based on energy input to one or more motors of the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle. The one or more processors can select, based on the rolling drag and a friction level associated with a surface on which the vehicle traverses, a slip target for the vehicle. The one or more processors can provide the slip target to a traction control system of the vehicle to control the one or more motors.