Independent Wheel Torque Control Under Motor Communication Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with independently driven wheels, torque asymmetry can cause hazardous yaw conditions, and existing monitoring systems may disable the drive system if communication with one wheel is lost, leading to unnecessary vehicle shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A control system estimates power differentials between transversely mounted wheels using one controller when communication is lost with another, adjusting torque to prevent yaw safety limits from being exceeded, allowing single-motor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the monitoring system disables the whole drive system upon loss of torque information from one wheel, then vehicle safety is improved, but vehicle functionality and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into independent wheel modules, each with its own motor and controller. When one wheel loses communication, only that specific wheel is disabled while the other wheels continue to operate, rather than disabling the entire drive system. This segmentation allows partial functionality to be maintained while preserving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely disabling the drive system (excessive action), the system applies partial action by maintaining operation of wheels with functional communication. The monitoring system selectively disables only the affected wheel while allowing the vehicle to continue operating on remaining functional wheels, thus preserving productivity while ensuring safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If torque delivery to each wheel is independently controlled, then vehicle stability and adaptability are improved, but the risk of hazard-induced yaw due to torque asymmetry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system continuously receives torque information from each wheel's controller and provides feedback to detect asymmetry conditions. When torque asymmetry exceeds safe thresholds or communication is lost, the system generates corrective feedback signals to adjust or disable affected motors, thereby preventing hazard-induced yaw while maintaining the adaptability benefits of independent torque control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively detecting torque asymmetry and communication losses before they can cause hazardous yaw conditions. The monitoring system continuously checks torque information from all wheels and takes preventive corrective action by adjusting or disabling affected motors before the asymmetry can develop into a dangerous situation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a vehicle having a first wheel arranged to be driven by a first electric motor and a second wheel arranged to be driven by a second electric motor, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are transversely located on the vehicle relative to each other, the control system comprising a first controller associated with the first electric motor and a second controller associated with the second electric motor, wherein the first controller includes means for estimating a first power value for the power applied to the second wheel by the second electric motor when the second electric motor is placed in a first motor configuration and means for estimating a second power value for the power applied to the second wheel by the second electric motor when the second electric motor is placed in a second motor configuration, wherein upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition the first controller is arranged to determine a first power differential between the power being applied to the first wheel by the first electric motor and the first power value and a second power differential between the power being applied to the first wheel by the first electric motor and the second power value, wherein if the first controller determines that if either the first power differential or the second power differential is greater than a predetermined value the first controller is arranged to adjust the torque generated by the first electric motor or if both the first power differential and the second power differential are less than a predetermined value the first controller is arranged to maintain the torque generated by the first electric motor.