Motor vehicle with simulator of performance of a mechanical gearbox
A vehicle having a motor with a transmission, provided with a fixed gear ratio, to a propelling unit includes a virtual gearbox including a microprocessor, operatively interfaced with the motor and programmed to manage and check the generation of motor driving torque, limiting, at the motor output, a maximum angular velocity and a maximum torque which are variable with a predetermined law.
1. A method comprising:
programming a microprocessor to emulate a virtual gearbox of a vehicle, wherein the programming comprises setting limits of a maximum angular velocity and a maximum torque according to a predetermined rule, wherein the predetermined rule is set according to a speed of the vehicle;
providing, by an electric motor, an angular velocity and a torque to a transmission with a fixed gear ratio; and
limiting, using the microprocessor, the angular velocity and the torque of the electric motor according to the maximum angular velocity, the maximum torque, and the speed of the vehicle, wherein the virtual gearbox simulates a plurality of gear ratios of a mechanical gearbox.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum torque and the maximum angular velocity are variable while keeping a power from the electric motor constant.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to manage operating parameters of the electric motor relating to generating a counter-driving power.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the counter-driving power has a variable intensity that varies according to a current state of the virtual gearbox.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the counter-driving power is used for vehicle braking.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the counter-driving power simulates downshifting.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the counter-driving power simulates engine braking caused by intrinsic friction of an internal combustion engine.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein parameters associated with the torque of the electric motor are managed by the microprocessor according to preset virtual operating conditions so as to simulate a law of progression during acceleration of a real vehicle having the mechanical gearbox with multiple gear ratios.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor manages operating parameters of the electric motor relating to simulating an engagement and a disengagement of a mechanical clutch.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reproducing a harmonized sound, the harmonized sound depending on instantaneous conditions of the electric motor that correspond to a sound spectrum of a real internal combustion engine in a same condition.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum torque and the maximum angular velocity are variable according to separate gear ratios.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum torque and the maximum angular velocity are variable according to a continuously variable transmission.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting a virtual gearbox ratio of the maximum torque and the maximum angular velocity as an input of the transmission.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the selecting is activated automatically.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the selecting is activated by a command from a vehicle operator.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising inputting the command by the vehicle operator to the microprocessor via a user interface.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the user interface is disposed in a steering wheel of the vehicle.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is independent of a propelling unit of the vehicle.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein, upon starting the electric motor, no load from the propelling unit is applied to the electric motor.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein, upon starting the electric motor, a load from the propelling unit is gradually applied to the electric motor.