Vehicle Torque Vectoring for Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems fail to optimize the use of electric motors and regenerative braking during cornering, leading to reduced energy recuperation and affected fuel economy due to inadequate torque vectoring.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes front wheel motors and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) at the rear wheels, with a controller that adjusts motor power and torque distribution to increase the difference in power between front wheels during turning, and biases torque towards one rear wheel when motor power is at maximum, enhancing regenerative braking and cornering stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional vehicle control systems are used during cornering, then the vehicle can maintain basic stability, but regenerative energy recuperation is reduced and fuel economy is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts motor power and torque distribution based on real-time vehicle state (cornering detection) to optimize energy recuperation. The system transitions from static torque distribution to dynamic adjustment, modifying motor operation modes during cornering to maximize regenerative braking energy capture while maintaining vehicle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the electric motors during cornering, specifically adjusting power levels and torque distribution ratios. By modifying these parameters dynamically based on cornering conditions, the system optimizes the balance between energy recuperation and vehicle handling, thereby improving fuel economy through enhanced regenerative braking efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If motor power is increased during cornering, then regenerative braking energy capture is improved, but vehicle stability may be compromised without proper torque vectoring
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies different torque characteristics to different wheels during cornering. By creating asymmetric torque distribution (torque vectoring) where inner and outer wheels receive different torque levels, the system enables enhanced energy capture while maintaining vehicle stability. Each wheel receives locally optimized torque based on its specific role during the cornering maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors vehicle state parameters and adjusts motor power and torque distribution in real-time based on feedback from sensors. This closed-loop control ensures that regenerative braking energy capture is optimized while maintaining vehicle stability through dynamic adjustment of torque vectoring based on actual vehicle response during cornering.
3Ease of operation
If torque distribution is altered during cornering, then handling and stability are enhanced, but complex control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses the existing electric motors and eLSD components to perform multiple functions: propulsion, regenerative braking, torque vectoring during cornering, and stability control. By making these existing components multi-functional through intelligent control algorithms, the system achieves enhanced handling without adding significant mechanical complexity to the vehicle architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes motors each configured to drive a front wheel of the vehicle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) between rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller to, responsive to vehicle turning and a power of each of the motors being less than a maximum value, alter operation of the motors to increase a difference between the powers. Otherwise, the controller operates the eLSD to bias torque toward one of the rear wheels.