Vehicle Torque Constraint Control for Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems lack an efficient mechanism to dynamically adjust torque constraints based on terrain conditions, potentially leading to unexpected vehicle behavior when automatic mode changes occur, affecting user experience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a subsystem controller capable of initiating control in various modes, automatically selecting the most appropriate torque constraints for different driving conditions, including manual and automatic modes, to prevent wheel slip and adjust powertrain response based on terrain type and driver input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automatic mode selection is implemented to adapt to different driving conditions, then vehicle adaptability is improved, but unexpected behavior changes occur affecting user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple predefined torque constraint sets corresponding to different terrain types (snow, sand, grass, mud, rock, ice). When automatic mode selection is activated, the system proactively selects and applies the appropriate torque constraint set based on detected terrain conditions before the driver encounters performance issues, ensuring smooth adaptation without unexpected behavior changes.
2Reliability
If torque constraints are imposed in manual mode to prevent wheel slip, then vehicle reliability is improved, but powertrain performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts torque constraints based on both manual driver input and automatic terrain detection. In manual mode, the driver can select from multiple torque constraint sets (first set for slippery terrain, second set for normal conditions) that correspond to different terrain types. The system applies the selected torque constraint set while allowing full driver control, ensuring reliability without unnecessarily limiting powertrain performance when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the torque constraint parameters based on detected terrain conditions and driver selection. Different torque constraint sets define different maximum torque values and rate-of-change limits appropriate for specific terrain types (snow, sand, grass, mud, rock, ice). This allows the system to optimize the balance between wheel slip prevention and powertrain performance by selecting appropriate parameter sets rather than applying fixed constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple torque constraint sets are maintained for different terrain types, then vehicle adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subsystem controller serves multiple functions: it processes driver input for manual mode selection, automatically detects terrain conditions, selects appropriate torque constraint sets, and applies the selected constraints to the powertrain. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single controller, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability across different terrain types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising: a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each of the vehicle subsystems in a selected one of a plurality of subsystem control modes, each of which corresponds to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle, automatic control means configured to select automatically the most appropriate one of the subsystem control modes, the system being operable in a manual mode in which a user may select a required subsystem control mode or an automatic response mode in which the automatic control means selects the most appropriate control mode, wherein when the system is operating in the manual mode and not when the system is operating in the automatic response mode, the subsystem controller is configured automatically to impose a first set of one or more prescribed constraints on an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels of a vehicle when commanded to operate in a prescribed one or more of the control modes.