System and method for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a transmission (2) with at least one switchable clutch (3), the method comprising the steps: (100) Providing an external processor unit (6) configured to communicate with a control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), (200) Recording current transmission parameters using the control unit (5) during operation of the motor vehicle (1), (300) Transmitting the recorded current transmission parameters from the control unit (5) to the processor unit (6), (400) Optimizing the recorded current transmission parameters based on an objective function stored on the processor unit (6), whereby this optimization determines transmission control variables that optimize the operation of the motor vehicle (1), (500) Transmitting the transmission control parameters from the processor unit (6) to the control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) is operated on the basis of the transmission control parameters, (600) Repeating steps (200) to (500) until, based on the recorded current transmission parameters of the motor vehicle (1), no transmission control variables optimizing the operation of the motor vehicle (1) are generated, characterized in that in step (400) a maximum amplitude of a recorded vibration profile of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a shifting operation of the clutch (3) is calculated, wherein In step (400) an area under a curve of a recorded vibration profile of the output speed of the gearbox (2) during a shifting operation of the clutch (3) is calculated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for optimizing the transmission parameters of a motor vehicle. In this context, a processor unit, a motor vehicle, and a computer program product are claimed in particular.

[0002] Currently, transmission parameters on vehicles with transmissions of a particular model series or class are preset to default or standard settings before the vehicle is put into operation. These default settings are often based on experience and tests on test benches. When these vehicles are operated "in the field," transmission parameters are checked and readjusted, if at all, only for individual vehicles to, for example, adapt the driving feel and / or the vehicle's dynamics to the user's specific requirements. However, this requires a significant investment of time and effort, as technicians must adjust each vehicle on-site to the user's specifications, particularly by resetting transmission parameters.

[0003] The German patent application DE 10 2018 101 873 A1 discloses a method for optimizing the driving of a motor vehicle on a route, wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with sensors which record current local state variables of the vehicle, the route and / or a vehicle environment, a transmitting unit is provided in the motor vehicle which transmits the recorded current local state variables to a central computing unit outside the motor vehicle, and the central computing unit evaluates the transmitted local state variables and sends data back to the motor vehicle depending on this.The procedure provides that the returned data includes control data for controlling a drive motor and / or transmission, and that the driving of the motor vehicle is adapted by controlling the drive motor and / or transmission with this control data, and / or that target data for controlling the drive motor and / or transmission is displayed to a driver of the motor vehicle depending on the control data.

[0004] A control unit for a transmission in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle is known from German patent application DE10 2014 225 622 A1. The transmission includes an interface for communication with another control unit on board the motor vehicle. The control unit is configured to receive information from the other control unit indicating the driving state of the motor vehicle, to adapt a control strategy for the transmission based on the received information, and to control the transmission based on this control strategy.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2004 053 042 A1 proposes a method for use when an unknown drive train is present and operating parameters, such as a natural frequency and / or damping, for known drive train types are stored in a memory unit. In this method, the operating parameters of the specific drive train are determined and compared with the stored parameters. Subsequently, the drive train is operated and controlled by a control unit that uses a set of control parameters corresponding to the identified drive train type.

[0006] Document DE 10 2019 008 398 A1 describes a method for controlling and / or regulating switching operations and for carrying out adaptations in a transmission for a motor vehicle drive train.The transmission has an electronic computing device with at least one machine learning function, by which, for the purpose of controlling and / or regulating the shifting operations and for carrying out adaptations, the valves of the transmission are controlled and / or regulated as a function of at least one input speed of the transmission and / or one output speed of the transmission and / or speeds of internal transmission elements of the transmission, wherein the machine learning function has a reinforcement learning function, which, for the purpose of controlling and / or regulating the shifting operations and carrying out adaptations, evaluates each shifting operation of the transmission after completion of the respective shifting operation based on at least one respective longitudinal acceleration value that is determined and characterizes a longitudinal acceleration of the motor vehicle occurring and determined during the respective shifting operation.

[0007] An object of the present invention can therefore be seen as providing a method and system for optimizing the transmission parameters of a motor vehicle, which makes it possible to influence transmission parameters even after the start of operation, in particular during normal operation, of the motor vehicle, without this having to be done by a fitter or technician.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0009] An optimizer will be provided, running on an external PC, laptop, smartphone, or similar device, to continuously optimize the transmission parameters of a vehicle's gearbox, thus relieving the burden on a dedicated application. A vehicle user can be provided with the PC or similar device, comprising a processor unit, and use it independently to automatically make the desired parameter changes to the gearbox during vehicle operation until the optimal settings for the vehicle's use are achieved. These optimizations can then be evaluated to adjust factory presets on vehicles.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method according to the invention for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a transmission with at least one switchable clutch, comprises the steps: (100) Providing an external processing unit configured to communicate with a control unit of the motor vehicle, (200) Recording current transmission parameters using the control unit during operation of the motor vehicle, (300) Transmitting the recorded current transmission parameters from the control unit to the processor unit, (400) Optimizing the recorded current transmission parameters using an objective function stored on the processor unit, whereby this optimization determines the transmission control variable that optimizes the operation of the motor vehicle, (500) Transmitting the transmission control parameters from the processor unit to the control unit of the motor vehicle, whereby the motor vehicle is operated on the basis of the transmission control parameters, (600) Repeat steps (200) to (500) until no motor vehicle operation-optimizing transmission control variables are generated based on the recorded current transmission parameters of the motor vehicle.

[0011] The external processor unit, which may be integrated into a PC, laptop, smartphone, or similar device, is provided and connected to the vehicle's control unit via an interface in step (100). This connection can be wired via a suitable cable or wirelessly (via Bluetooth, WLAN, or similar). The control unit is understood to be the vehicle's CAN (Controller Area Network). The interface serves to transmit information between the individual components of the system, in particular between the external processor unit and the vehicle's internal control unit.

[0012] According to step (200), the control unit is configured to communicate with various vehicle components, in particular with transmission parameter acquisition devices such as sensors or the like, and in particular to receive, evaluate, if necessary summarize and make available for forwarding to the processor unit the signals generated by the acquisition devices during the operation of the motor vehicle and relating to the transmission parameters.

[0013] The processor unit may be provided with appropriate means for retrieving and / or receiving the acquired current transmission parameters. When coupled or connected to the control unit, the processor unit is configured to retrieve or receive the acquired current transmission parameters from the control unit and use them for further processing, in particular for optimizing the transmission parameters (step (300)). The processor unit has read and write access to the CAN bus or the vehicle's control unit.

[0014] The processor unit contains an objective function that optimizes the recorded current transmission parameters in step (400). As a result of this optimization, the processor unit generates transmission control variables that optimize the vehicle's operation. In other words, the recorded current transmission parameters are analyzed to generate commands in the form of transmission control variables, which are then transmitted back to the control unit in step (500). These commands improve or optimize the vehicle's operation, particularly according to the user's individual preferences or requirements. Thus, the commands comprise transmission control variables that modify the vehicle's operation after the optimization process. For example, the efficiency of the drive system is increased and / or the driving experience is improved for the user.In particular, the driving experience during gear changes is improved, preferably by eliminating noticeable, jerky movements of the vehicle during gear changes. The vehicle is then operated further with the modified transmission settings.

[0015] The optimization process for the transmission parameters is performed while the vehicle is in motion, i.e., during normal operation. In other words, the transmission parameters are continuously optimized during normal operation. Normal operation refers to the vehicle operating under typical or frequently occurring driving conditions. Normal operation can be simulated on a test bench. However, more precise optimizations are performed when the vehicle is operated in real-world conditions.

[0016] Steps (200) to (500) can be repeated in the specified order as often as necessary, according to step (600), until the currently measured gearbox parameters no longer require adjustment or only require minor adjustments. In step (600), steps (200) to (500) can, in principle, be repeated any number of times, with each subsequent optimization loop capturing new, current gearbox parameters based on the previously entered gearbox control variables, which are then optimized by the processor unit. Advantageously, steps (200) to (500) are repeated as often as optimizations are performed on the gearbox parameters or until a user-defined optimization level is reached.When no or no significant transmission control variables are generated that further optimize the vehicle's operation, the optimization process is complete and the vehicle is optimized according to the requirements. Transmission control variables that are not significant are those that, for example, fall within the tolerance range. Once the optimization of the transmission parameters is complete, the vehicle operates optimally for its specific application.

[0017] Transmission parameters are internal transmission values ​​that are transmitted to the control unit as signals and evaluated there. Preferably, the current transmission parameters include at least the filling duration of the respective clutch, the filling time of the respective clutch, the oscillation profile of the transmission's output speed during a shift operation of the respective clutch, the transmission's output speed, and / or the transmission's output torque. Optimization thus includes, for example, shifting shift points and modifying shift patterns, in particular changing the filling times and / or the filling duration of the respective clutch in the transmission. According to the steps described above, the clutch filling times, for example, are continuously and automatically optimized online on the processor unit.

[0018] Preferably, in step (200), the current transmission parameters are recorded during and / or after a clutch shift operation while the vehicle is in operation. The start of the shift operation of the respective clutch can, for example, be considered the point in time at which power transmission via said clutch begins. This point in time is to be understood as the optimization point for optimizing the transmission parameters.

[0019] Preferably, in step (400) at least one output speed and / or at least one output torque of the transmission is analyzed to optimize the transmission parameters. Preferably, several output speeds of the transmission with their corresponding output torques are analyzed during a shifting operation of the switchable clutch. These can be combined into a characteristic map and further processed, on the basis of which the optimization can be carried out.

[0020] In step (400), the maximum amplitude of a recorded vibration profile of the transmission's output speed during a clutch shift is calculated. Additionally, in step (400), the area under a curve of a recorded vibration profile of the transmission's output speed during a clutch shift is calculated. These approaches to optimizing the transmission parameters can be performed separately, in parallel, or sequentially. A target variable is then determined, and the optimization essentially consists of minimizing this target variable. Based on the currently recorded transmission parameters, the optimization process generates the aforementioned control variables for the transmission, such as new clutch engagement times and / or durations, and sends these to the control unit to adjust the vehicle's driving behavior.

[0021] The optimization preferably takes place in the background of the vehicle's normal operation, i.e., as a continuous process. After each optimization loop, the optimizer on the processor unit proposes a new (e.g., first) data set, which is transmitted to the control unit and implemented by it. During the subsequent gear shift, a further reaction occurs, which is again evaluated using the objective function. The optimizer then generates a new (correspondingly second) data set with yet another set of new transmission control parameters, and so on.

[0022] In one embodiment, the optimization of the transmission parameters is performed by the processor unit within a defined solution space with limit values ​​for the transmission parameters. Specifying a solution space is particularly advantageous because it prevents critical conditions during vehicle operation that could lead to a technical defect or even an accident. In other words, the search space for optimal transmission control variables is deliberately restricted so that only a local optimum can be found.In the case of considering the maximum amplitude of a recorded vibration profile of the gearbox output speed during a clutch shift and / or the area under a curve of a recorded vibration profile of the gearbox output speed during a clutch shift, only a local minimum of the target variable for the optimization of the gearbox parameters can be found.

[0023] During the preliminary parameterization of the transmission on a test bench, reference points, each comprising an output speed of the transmission and a corresponding output torque, can be predefined for each shift between two gears. These can be based, for example, on empirical data and are to be understood as universal settings. Based on these reference points, adjustments can then be made under real-world conditions in the respective terrain, i.e., during normal operation of the vehicle, using the optimizer.

[0024] The support points preferably define a characteristic map, whereby the optimizer is given solution limits that deviate upwards and / or downwards from the predefined support points, either as a percentage (e.g., 10% of the output speed or engine torque) or as an absolute value (e.g., 50 Nm or 500 revolutions per minute). Within this solution window, the optimizer can now optimize the transmission parameters according to the previous explanations without compromising the vehicle's driving safety during the optimization process.

[0025] In a system for optimizing the transmission parameters of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a transmission with at least one switchable clutch, according to a second aspect of the invention, an external processor unit provided in step (100) is configured to communicate with a control unit of the motor vehicle, wherein in step (200) current transmission parameters can be acquired by means of the control unit during operation of the motor vehicle, wherein in step (300) the acquired current transmission parameters can be transmitted from the control unit to the processor unit, wherein in step (400) the acquired current transmission parameters can be optimized on the basis of an objective function stored on the processor unit, wherein transmission control variables that optimize the operation of the motor vehicle can be determined by this optimization.wherein in step (500) the transmission control variables can be transmitted from the processor unit to the control unit of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle can be operated based on these transmission control variables, and wherein steps (100) to (500) are repeatable until no transmission control variables optimizing the operation of the motor vehicle are generated based on the acquired current transmission parameters of the motor vehicle. In step (400) a maximum amplitude of an acquired vibration profile of the output speed of the transmission during a clutch shift is calculated, wherein in step (400) an area under a curve of an acquired vibration profile of the output speed of the transmission during a clutch shift is calculated.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, a processor unit is proposed, wherein the processor unit is configured to execute the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0027] The method is applicable in a motor vehicle that has a control unit configured to be connected to a processor unit according to the third aspect of the invention. The motor vehicle can be a work machine, e.g., an agricultural machine such as a tractor, or a construction machine such as a wheel loader. The motor vehicle can also be an automobile (e.g., a passenger car weighing less than 3.5 t), a bus, or a truck (e.g., buses and trucks weighing more than 3.5 t).

[0028] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided, containing machine-readable instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or on a processor unit, upgrade the computer and / or the processor unit to an operating logic of the system for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, and / or cause it to execute a method for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0029] The above definitions and explanations regarding technical effects, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the first aspect of the invention also apply mutatis mutandis to the system according to the second aspect of the invention, to the processor unit according to the third aspect of the invention, to the motor vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the invention and to the computer program product according to the fifth aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0030] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawing, wherein identical or similar elements are provided with the same reference numeral. Here, [the following is shown] Fig. 1 a roughly schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention, and Fig. 2 a block diagram to illustrate a method according to the invention for optimizing transmission parameters of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1, for example in the form of a work machine. The motor vehicle 1 could be, for example, a wheel loader or the like. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a drive device 4, for example in the form of an internal combustion engine, wherein the drive power of the drive device 4 is transmitted via a transmission 2 to at least one driven wheel or the like of the motor vehicle 1 (not shown here). In this case, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a first axle 7 and a second axle 8, wherein the first axle 7 can be driven by means of the drive device 4 via the transmission 2. A differential (not shown here) may be provided to distribute the drive power to two output shafts. It is conceivable that the drive device 4 could alternatively or Additionally, the second axle 8, or the wheels or the like arranged on the second axle 8 of the motor vehicle 1, is also driven in a suitable manner. Wheels, chains, or similar items may be attached to the respective axles 7 and 8 for the propulsion of the motor vehicle 1.

[0031] The exact construction of the transmission 2 is not shown here. In any case, the transmission 2 comprises several clutches, although for the sake of simplicity, only a single switchable clutch 3 is shown here as a representative example. Transmission parameters of the transmission 2 can be recorded by means of sensors (not shown here). These transmission parameters, with regard to clutch 3, are in particular the filling time of clutch 3, the filling time of clutch 3, and the oscillation profile of an output speed of the transmission 2 during a shifting operation of the respective clutch 3. With regard to the transmission 2 in general, further transmission parameters, such as the output speed of the transmission 2 and the output torque of the transmission 2, can be recorded.

[0032] The method according to the invention is described using the block diagram shown below. Fig. 2 explained in more detail. The transmission parameters, acquired in a known manner, are provided to a control unit 5 of the motor vehicle 1, which is configured to communicate with an external processor unit 6 according to the invention. In this sense, in a first process step 100, a processor unit 6 is provided which is configured to communicate with a control unit 5 of the motor vehicle 1. The processor unit 6 is specifically configured to retrieve or read data from the control unit 5 and also to modify data stored on the control unit 5, in particular to transmit transmission control variables to the control unit 5 to influence the driving operation of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, the transmission control variables are used to vary the filling duration and the filling time of the clutch 3 in order to adapt the normal operation of the motor vehicle 1 depending on individual user requirements.

[0033] The processor unit 6 can be connected to the control unit 5 as an external device, for example, via an interface. The processor unit 6 can be connected to the control unit 5 either wired or wirelessly. The processor unit 6 could, for example, be a laptop located in the cab of the vehicle 1, with the interface for the communication between the processor unit 6 and the control unit 5 also located in the cab. The detachable connection between the processor unit 6 and the vehicle's internal control unit 5 is represented by the double arrow with a dashed connecting line.

[0034] In a second process step 200, as already mentioned, the transmission parameters are recorded by suitable means and transmitted to the control unit 5. This takes place during normal operation of the vehicle 1. The current transmission parameters are recorded here during and after a shifting operation of the clutch 3.

[0035] In a third process step 300, the recorded current transmission parameters are processed by the control unit 5 so that they can be transmitted to the processor unit 6 or retrieved by the processor unit 6.

[0036] A fourth process step, 400, involves optimizing the recorded current transmission parameters based on a target function stored on processor unit 6. Processor unit 6 thus acts as an optimizer. For this purpose, several output speeds of transmission 2 and their corresponding output torques are analyzed during the clutch 3 shifting process. Here, for example, a jolt perceptible to the user shortly after the shift is evaluated. For instance, a relevant frequency between 2 and 15 Hz is filtered out from the output speed. The remaining vibration is the one that is perceptible or noticeable to a driver of the vehicle 1.

[0037] To optimize the transmission parameters, in process step 400, a maximum amplitude of a recorded vibration profile of the output speed of transmission 2 during a clutch 3 shift operation and / or an area under a curve of a recorded vibration profile of the output speed of transmission 2 during a clutch 3 shift operation are calculated. From these calculations, a target variable of the objective function is generated, which is reduced to a minimum by the optimization process, in particular by generating transmission control variables on the basis of which the further operation of the vehicle is determined. The optimization of the transmission parameters using processor unit 6 is also carried out in a defined solution space with limit values ​​for the transmission parameters.Thus, for each output speed of transmission 2 with its corresponding output torque during the clutch 3 shifting process, a percentage deviation of, for example, 10% above and below is defined, whereby the optimization of the transmission parameters takes place within these defined limits. This prevents extreme transmission situations and / or driving conditions and ultimately damage or failures of transmission 2.

[0038] As a result of the optimization process, transmission control variables that optimize the operation of vehicle 1 are output. In particular, a corrected or improved filling point and a corrected or improved filling duration of the clutch 3 are determined, which are transmitted as control variables to the control unit 5 (process step 500). The further operation of vehicle 1 is then carried out based on the optimized transmission control variables.

[0039] A sixth process step 600 is indicated by an arrow in Fig. Figure 2 shows the process flowing back from the fifth process step 500 to the second process step 200. This is intended to create an optimization loop, whereby steps 200 to 500 can be repeated as often as necessary according to process step 600 until, based on the recorded current transmission parameters of vehicle 1, no transmission control variables are generated to optimize the operation of vehicle 1.

[0040] The method according to the invention can be carried out using a computer program product for optimizing the transmission parameters of the motor vehicle 1, wherein the computer program product can contain corresponding program code. The processor unit 6 can access and execute the computer program product. For example, the computer program product can be stored on a memory unit of the processor unit 6 (not shown here). Reference sign 1 motor vehicle 2 gearboxes 3 Clutch 4 Drive device 5 Control unit 6 processor units 7 First axis 8 Second axis 100 First procedural step 200 Second procedural step 300 Third procedural step 400 Fourth process step 500 Fifth procedural step 600 Sixth procedural step

Claims

[1] Method for optimising transmission parameters of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a transmission (2) with at least one switchable clutch (3), the method comprising the steps: (100) Providing an external processor unit (6) which is designed to communicate with a control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), (200) detecting current transmission parameters by means of the control unit (5) during operation of the motor vehicle (1), (300) transmitting the detected current transmission parameters from the control unit (5) to the processor unit (6), (400) Optimizing the detected current transmission parameters based on a target function stored on the processor unit (6), whereby this optimization determines transmission control variables that optimize the operation of the motor vehicle (1), (500) transmitting the transmission control variables from the processor unit (6) to the control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) is operated on the basis of the transmission control variables, (600) Repeating steps (200) to (500) until, based on the recorded current transmission parameters of the motor vehicle (1), no transmission control variables optimising the operation of the motor vehicle (1) are generated to optimise the operation of the motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that in step (400) a maximum amplitude of a detected oscillation curve of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a switching operation of the clutch (3) is calculated, wherein in step (400) an area under a curve of a detected oscillation curve of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a switching operation of the clutch (3) is calculated. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the current transmission parameters comprise at least a filling duration of the respective clutch (3), a filling time of the respective clutch (3), a vibration curve of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a shifting operation of the respective clutch (3), an output speed of the transmission (2) and / or an output torque of the transmission (2). [3] Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in step (200) the current transmission parameters are detected during and / or after a switching operation of the clutch (3) during operation of the motor vehicle (1). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein in step (400) at least one output speed of the transmission (2) and / or at least one output torque of the transmission (2) is / are analyzed to optimize the transmission parameters. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optimization of the transmission parameters is carried out by means of the processor unit (6) in a defined solution space with limit values for the transmission parameters. [6] System for optimizing transmission parameters of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a transmission (2) with at least one switchable clutch (3), wherein an external processor unit (6) provided in a step (100) is configured to communicate with a control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein in a step (200) current transmission parameters can be detected by means of the control unit (5) during operation of the motor vehicle (1), wherein in a step (300) the detected current transmission parameters can be transmitted from the control unit (5) to the processor unit (6), wherein in a step (400) the detected current transmission parameters can be optimized using a target function stored on the processor unit (6), wherein by means of this optimization, transmission control variables optimizing the operation of the motor vehicle (1) can be determined,wherein in a step (500) the transmission control variables can be transmitted from the processor unit (6) to the control unit (5) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) can be operated on the basis of these transmission control variables, and wherein steps (100) to (500) can be repeated until no transmission control variables optimising the operation of the motor vehicle (1) are generated on the basis of the detected current transmission parameters of the motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that in step (400) a maximum amplitude of a detected oscillation curve of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a switching operation of the clutch (3) is calculated, wherein in step (400) an area under a curve of a detected oscillation curve of the output speed of the transmission (2) during a switching operation of the clutch (3) is calculated. [7] Processor unit (6) adapted to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5. [8] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a control unit (5) which is arranged to communicate with an external processor unit (6) according to claim 7. [9] Computer program product containing machine-readable instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or on a processor unit (6), upgrade the computer and / or the processor unit (6) to an operating logic of the system for optimising transmission parameters of a motor vehicle (1) according to claim 8, and / or cause it to carry out a method for optimising transmission parameters of a motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5.

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