US 12,221,091 B2
EV disconnect control
Christopher James Boudreau, Estacada, OR (US); Adrian Simula, Livonia, MI (US); and Craig Feusse, Fenton, MI (US)
Assigned to WARN Automotive, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (US)
Filed by WARN Automotive, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (US)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/401,562.
Prior Publication US 2023/0046751 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B60W 20/30 (2016.01); B60L 15/20 (2006.01); B60W 20/20 (2016.01)
CPC B60W 20/30 (2013.01) [B60L 15/2036 (2013.01); B60W 20/20 (2013.01); B60W 2520/28 (2013.01); B60W 2520/30 (2013.01); B60W 2520/40 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for actuating one or more drive line actuators (DLAs) to control application of torque to wheels of an electric vehicle (EV), the method comprising:
receiving, at a DLA controller:
first speed information representing a first speed associated with a first end of a drive-line shaft, wherein the drive-line shaft rotationally coupled to an electric motor; and
second speed information representing a second speed of a second end of a wheel end shaft, wherein the wheel end shaft is rotationally coupled to a wheel of the EV;
calculating a speed differential between the first speed and the second speed;
controlling a rotational speed of the electric motor to alter the speed differential to within a predetermined range;
in response to the speed differential being within the predetermined range, sending an actuating signal to a DLA to actuate the DLA to couple the wheel to the electric motor, the actuating signal causing the DLA to mechanically couple the first end of the drive-line shaft with the second end of the wheel end shaft;
receiving a request to disconnect the DLA and in response to the request performing operations comprising:
determining a torque differential measured across the DLA;
sending a control signal to the electric motor to reduce the torque differential;
sending a disconnect signal to the DLA causing the DLA to attempt to decouple the first end of the drive-line shaft from the second end of the wheel end shaft;
detecting that the DLA has failed to decouple the first end of the drive-line shaft from the second end of the wheel end shaft in response to the disconnect signal; and
in response to detecting that the DLA has failed to decouple performing failure to disconnect operations comprising:
controlling the electric motor of the EV to vary the torque applied to the first end of the drive-line shaft according to a torque profile wherein the torque profile causes the electric motor to rock the drive-line shaft such that a rotational direction of the drive-line shaft is reversed at least once during application of the torque profile; and
resending the disconnect signal to the DLA while the torque profile is applied to the drive-line shaft.