TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A shifting system includes a gearshift mechanism with a first switch, a second switch, and a locking switch, and which can be operated between multiple gear states. A controller is communicatively coupled to the gearshift mechanism to receive signals corresponding to the first switch, the second switch, and the locking switch. The controller includes a diagnostic counter with pass / fail criteria and a predefined diagnostic threshold, and is configured to reset the diagnostic counter based on the fact that at least one of the signals received from the gearshift mechanism is incompatible with the other received signals.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves to generally illustrate the context of the disclosure. Work by the inventors identified herein, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that do not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a switching system for a vehicle.

[0003] In conventional vehicles, a vehicle lever shift is used to transition the vehicle into various operating states. For example, a driver can select one of the levers to place the vehicle in forward drive. Although the vehicle operating states corresponding to movement can be controlled via the lever, conventional shifting systems have a separate button or switch for a park function. To communicate the selection of an operating state, the lever shift uses two channels to transmit a position of one of the vehicle's levers or the park button to a vehicle module. The vehicle module can be functioned to perform the lever selection via various methods.

[0004] For functional reasons, three communication channels between the lever shifter and the vehicle module would provide increased position communication. However, vehicle modules typically only have two available channels for lever shifter communication. The communication channels can be configured using a serial communication bus between the vehicle lever shifter and the vehicle module. The signals sent in both directions between the lever shifter and the vehicle module convey the selected operating state of the vehicle, with each selection using multiple signals to confirm the selection. SUMMARY

[0005] According to one configuration, a vehicle shifting system includes a first gear switch operable between a plurality of gear states, a second gear switch operable between the plurality of gear states, and a lock switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The closed state corresponds to one of the plurality of gear states. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the first gear switch and the second gear switch, and to the lock switch. The controller includes a diagnostic counter and is configured to register a diagnostic in the diagnostic counter when a signal from at least one of the first gear switch, the second gear switch, and the lock switch is different from the other of the first gear switch, the second gear switch, and the lock switch.

[0006] The system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the plurality of gear states may include a reverse gear state, a neutral gear state, and a forward drive state. The closed state of the lock switch may correspond to activation of the reverse gear state, the neutral gear state, or the forward drive state. The controller may include a memory storing a predetermined diagnostic threshold and may be configured to compare a signal from the lock switch with a signal from the first gear switch or the second gear switch, respectively. The controller may be configured to detect, via the respective signals, that at least one of the first gear switch, the second gear switch, and the lock switch are activated.The controller's diagnostic counter may be configured with pass and fail criteria, and may be configured to decrement a diagnostic log based on a predetermined number of pass increments of the pass criteria. The pass increments may include the controller receiving a signal from each of the first gear switch, the second gear switch, and the lock switch.

[0007] According to another configuration, a shifting system includes a gearshift including a first switch, a second switch, and a lock switch, and operable between a plurality of gear states. A controller is communicatively coupled to the gearshift to receive signals corresponding to the first switch, the second switch, and the lock switch. The controller includes a diagnostic counter including pass criteria and a predetermined diagnostic threshold, and is configured to adjust the diagnostic counter based on at least one of the signals received from the gearshift being inconsistent with the other received signals.

[0008] In some examples, the interlock switch may be a resistive ladder circuit operable between an open state and a closed state. The controller may be configured to add a diagnostic to the diagnostic counter when a signal of the interlock switch is different from a signal of the first switch and / or the second switch. The first switch and the second switch may each include a plurality of gear states, including a reverse gear state, a neutral state, and a forward drive state. The closed state of the interlock switch may include one of the plurality of gear states. Optionally, the controller may be configured to add a diagnostic to the diagnostic counter when the interlock switch is in the open state and when the first switch and the second switch are in the same one of the plurality of gear states.In some aspects, the diagnostic counter may include a standard diagnostic protocol and a locking diagnostic protocol. The standard diagnostic protocol may correspond to signals received from the first switch and the second switch, and the locking diagnostic protocol may correspond to a signal received from the locking switch.

[0009] According to yet another configuration, a shifting system for a vehicle includes a gear shifter including a first switch and a second switch, each operable between a reverse gear state, a neutral state, and a forward drive state. A lock switch is communicatively coupled to the gear shifter and operable between an open state and a closed state, selectively corresponding to one of the reverse gear state, the neutral state, and the forward drive state. A controller is communicatively coupled to the gear shifter and the lock switch and is configured to receive signals from the lock switch and the gear shifter. The controller stores a diagnostic counter configured to track a difference between the signal received from the lock switch and the signal received from the gear shifter.The diagnostic counter contains a predefined diagnostic threshold value for both the gear switch and the lock switch.

[0010] In some examples, the interlock switch signal may include the open state and the closed state of the interlock switch, and the gear switch signals may include the reverse gear state, the neutral state, or the forward drive state of both the first switch and the second switch. The controller may be configured with passing criteria and may be configured to decrement a diagnostic counter value based on the passing criteria. The passing criteria may be defined by the interlock switch being in the closed state and both the first switch and the second switch being in the same state of the reverse gear state, the neutral state, or the forward drive state. In some aspects, the controller may be configured to determine an activation time between the signals received from the gear switch and the interlock switch.The controller may be configured to log a pass increment based on the activation time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; they show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective detail view of a gearshift driver interface according to the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of a shifting system providing communication between a gearshift driver interface, a gear switch, a lock switch, and a controller in accordance with the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary resistive ladder for an interlock switch according to the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary diagnostic counter according to the present disclosure; and Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for determining a diagnostic for a gearshift driver interface in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] In all drawings, corresponding reference numerals designate corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. To provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure, specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0014] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular articles "a," "an," and "the," as used herein, may be intended to include the plural forms as well. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "containing," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless an order of performance is specifically stated, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated.Additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0015] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging," "connected," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging, connected, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent to" versus "directly adjacent to," etc.) should be interpreted in the same way.As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not intended to be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Unless clearly indicated by the context, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0017] In this application, including in the following definitions, the term module may be replaced by the term circuit. The term module may refer to, be a part of, or include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field-programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) executing code; memory (shared, dedicated, or group) storing code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0018] The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term shared processor includes a single processor that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term group processor includes a processor that executes some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional processors. The term shared memory includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term group memory includes memory that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional memories. The term memory may be a subset of the term computer-readable medium.The term computer-readable medium does not encompass transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium and can thus be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory storage include tangible computer-readable medium, including non-volatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

[0019] The devices and methods described in this application may be implemented partially or entirely by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. Furthermore, the computer programs may include and / or rely on stored data.

[0020] A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computer software that causes a computing device to perform a task. In some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," an "app," or a "program." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0021] Non-transitory memory may be physical devices used to store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory may be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., which is commonly used for firmware such as boot programs).Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), and phase change memory (PCM), as well as disks or tapes.

[0022] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language and / or assembly / machine language. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, any non-transitory computer-readable medium, any device and / or apparatus (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0023] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuitry, in integrated circuitry, in specially designed ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), in computer hardware, in computer firmware, in computer software, and / or in combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable in a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be a special-purpose or general-purpose processor, coupled to receive data and instructions from and send data and instructions to a memory system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0024] The processes and logic sequences described in this specification may be performed by one or more programmable processors, also referred to as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by manipulating input data and generating output. Additionally, the processes and logic sequences may be performed by special-purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable logic array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, by way of example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors and one or more processors of some type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both.The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes, or is operatively coupled to, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or to receive data from them or send data to them, or both. However, a computer need not include such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.The processor and memory may be supplemented by or integrated with special logic circuitry.

[0025] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor, an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a touch screen, for displaying information to the user, and optionally, a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with a user; e.g., feedback provided to the user may include some form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and may receive input from the user in any form, including auditory input, voice input, or tactile input. Furthermore, a computer may interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.

[0026] In the Fig. 1-4, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 defining a passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle 10 having one or more rows of seats 16 including a driver seat 16a and a front passenger seat 16b. A display console 18 may be positioned between the driver seat 16a and the front passenger seat 16b for displaying information for a driver or passengers of the vehicle 10, including, but not limited to, navigation, entertainment, and vehicle customer service information. The vehicle 10 includes a gearshift driver interface 20 communicatively coupled to a vehicle propulsion or vehicle shifting system 100 of the vehicle 10. As described below, the gearshift driver interface 20 is operable to adjust the gears of the vehicle 10 to transition between various operating states.

[0027] A controller 200 of the vehicle 10 is communicatively coupled to the shift system 100 and the display console 18 to display information from the controller 200 to the driver. For example, the display console 18 may display messages from the controller 200 related to the shift driver interface 20 that, as described below, may communicate potential service recommendations for the vehicle 10 to the driver. According to some configurations, the controller 200 is configured as part of the shift system 100 and is communicatively coupled to individual elements of the shift system 100.

[0028] As in Fig. 2, the gearshift driver interface 20 includes a plurality of actuators 22 electrically coupled to the shifting system 100 and configured to select one of a plurality of gear states 24 of the vehicle 10. The plurality of actuators 22 include, but are not limited to, a forward drive actuator 22a, a reverse gear actuator 22b, and a neutral actuator 22c, each corresponding to one of the plurality of gear states 24. The gear states 24 include, for example, a forward drive state 24a, a reverse gear state 24b, and a neutral state 24c of the vehicle 10. The gear states 24 of the vehicle 10 are defined by a propulsive activity (e.g., forward drive, reverse, neutral) of the vehicle 10. The gearshift driver interface 20 activates the propulsion activity in response to an input to one of the actuators 22a-22c.

[0029] In the Fig. 1-4, the shifting system 100 of the gearshift driver interface 20 further includes a gearshift or gear switch 102 and a lock switch 104, each in communication with the plurality of actuators 22. The gear switch 102 is communicatively coupled to the controller 200 and includes a first switch 102a and a second switch 102b. As used herein, the term gear switch 102 may collectively refer to the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b. The gear switch 102 sends gear signals 106a, 106b, each corresponding to one of the gear states 24, to the controller 200 via both the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b, respectively. For example, the first switch 102a sends a first gear signal 106a to the controller 200 and the second switch 102b sends a second gear signal 106b to the controller 200.

[0030] Both the first gear signal 106a and the second gear signal 106b correspond to one or more of the aforementioned gear states 24 to indicate to the controller 200 the driver's selection of one or more of the actuators 22a-22c. For example, the driver may actuate the forward drive actuator 22a, and both the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b are configured to send to the controller 200 a first gear signal and a second gear signal 106a, 106b, respectively, indicating the selection of the forward drive state 24a. In other words, the gear signals 106a, 106b send to the controller 200, via the corresponding actuator 22a-22c, the driver's selection of the forward drive state 24a, the reverse gear state 24b, or the neutral state 24c. The gear signals 106a, 106b are specific to the gear state 24a-24c, so that upon receiving the gear signals 106a, 106b, the controller 200 identifies the selected gear state 24a-24c.In some examples, each of the gear signals 106a, 106b may output a voltage value received by the controller 200. For example, one or more of the gear signals 106a, 106b may include a voltage sensed by the controller 200 to indicate the depression of the respective actuator 24a-24c. Thus, the controller 200 may identify whether multiple actuators 24a-24c have been simultaneously depressed or otherwise actuated. That is, the shifting system 100 controls or otherwise executes the shifting of the shift driver interface 20 between various transmission states corresponding to the vehicle's propulsion and communicates the shift selection with the controller 200.

[0031] In the Fig. 1-4, the first switch 102a is communicatively coupled to the controller 200 to transmit the first gear signal 106a corresponding to the forward drive state 24a and / or the reverse gear state 24b and / or the neutral state 24c. The first gear signal 106a is received by the controller 200 with one or more respective states 24a-24c and registered by the controller 200 as a depress function. The second switch 102b is communicatively coupled to the controller 200 to transmit the second gear signal 106b corresponding to the same one of the forward drive state 24a and / or the reverse gear state 24b and / or the neutral state 24c as the first gear signal 106a. If the second gear signal 106b is different from the first gear signal 106a, the controller 200 logs a diagnostic 202, which is described in more detail below.Both the first gear signal 106a and the second gear signal 106b are compared with a locking signal 110 received by the controller 200 from the locking switch 104.

[0032] The lock switch 104 is operable between an open state 110a and a closed state 110b, which are collectively communicated to the controller 200 as the lock signal 110. Similar to the gear switch 102, the lock switch 104 is configured to detect the driver's actuation of one of the actuators 22a-22c. Like the gear switch 102, the lock switch 104 detects the forward drive state 24a as well as the reverse gear state 24b and the neutral state 24c. Unlike the gear switch 102, the lock switch 104 sends a binary lock signal 110 to the controller 200. In other words, the lock switch 104 communicates either the open state 110a or the closed state 110b to the controller 200, regardless of the specific selected gear state 24.For example, the lock signal 110 does not convey any information or identify any data regarding which of the gear states 24 has been selected.

[0033] While the lock switch 104 detects the selected gear state 24, the lock switch 104 sends the binary lock signal 110 to the controller 200. As described in more detail below, the lock signal 110 is used by the controller 200 as a cross-check against the gear signals 106a, 106b. The binary configuration of the lock signal 110 advantageously reduces the manufacturing costs associated with the shift system 100 by minimizing the number of communication buses used in the shift system 100. For example, the gear switch 102 utilizes multiple communication paths and communication buses associated with the gear states 24 to translate the detected state 24a-24c to the controller 200.In comparison, the lock switch 104 is configured as a single resistive ladder circuit 112 that detects the selection of one of the gear states 24 as a binary open state 110a or closed state 110b of the lock switch 104. It is advantageous that the shifting system 100 includes both the gear switch 102, which identifies the specific gear state 24 selected by the driver, and the lock switch 104 as a backup confirmation that one of the gear states 24, regardless of which one, has been selected.

[0034] With particular reference to the Fig. 3-5, the controller 200 is configured to receive gear signals 106a, 106b from both the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b, which identify one of the gear states 24. Furthermore, the controller 200 receives the lock signal 110 from the lock switch 104, which indicates the state 110a, 110b of the lock switch 104. As mentioned above, the state 110a, 110b of the lock switch 104 corresponds to the open state 110a or the closed state 110b. As described in more detail below, the closed state 110b corresponds to a depressed condition of one or more actuators 22a-22c, and the open state 110a corresponds to a non-depressed condition of all actuators 22a-22c.

[0035] With particular reference to Fig. 4, the interlock switch 104 serves as a confirmation switch for verifying the information received from the gear switch 102 for the controller 200. In some aspects, the interlock switch 104 can confirm a failure of one of the gear switches 102. The interlock switch 104 is mapped to a single resistive ladder circuit 112 that spans the interlock switch 104 and the controller 200. As shown, the interlock switch 104 includes three input switches 124a, 124b, 124c corresponding to the respective gear states 24 and operable between the open state 110a and the closed state 110b. As further described below, one of the input switches 124a-124c moves from the open state 110a to the closed state 110b in response to an input to a corresponding actuator 22a-22c.In response, the locking switch 104 transmits the locked state signal 110 of the closed state 110b to the controller 200. The locking signal 110 is free of identifying information associated with the respective input switch 124a-124c, so that the controller 200 identifies the state of the locking switch 104 from the locking signal 110, rather than the gear state 24. The controller 200 can then use the state 110a, 110b of the locking switch 104 to verify the gear signals 106a, 106b received from the gear switch 102.

[0036] The state 110a, 110b of the lock switch 104 may be determined by the controller 200 based on a voltage reference 114 of the lock signal 110. For example, the resistor ladder circuit 112 may utilize an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 116 that receives the lock signal 110 to convert the lock signal 110 into the binary signal read by the controller 200. The voltage reference 114 is passed to the A / D converter 116 based on the state 110a, 110b of the lock signal 110 and may be used to convert the binary signal 110 for the controller 200. The use of the analog voltage reference 114 provides cost savings compared to including a third communication path with a similar design to the communication paths used for the gear switches 102.

[0037] With particular reference to the Fig. 3-6, the controller 200 includes a memory 204 that stores a predetermined diagnostic threshold 206. The predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 is a threshold of the diagnostics 202 accumulated during operation of the vehicle 10. The controller 200 is configured to prevent the gearshift driver interface 20 from executing the selected gear state 24 at the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 and may output a message to the gearshift driver interface 20 indicating recommended service. In other words, the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 corresponds to an increment at which the controller 200 is configured to prevent shifting of the gears of the gearshift driver interface 20. In some aspects, the controller 200 may send a message to the driver that service or maintenance is recommended on the vehicle 10 to address the diagnostic 202.

[0038] The predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 includes a default threshold 208 that sets the threshold of the diagnostic 202 for the gear switch 102, where both the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b have the same default threshold 208. Additionally or alternatively, the default threshold 208 may be further segmented so that the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b have different thresholds. Furthermore, the diagnostic threshold 206 includes a lock threshold 210 that corresponds to the lock switch 104. The lock threshold 210 sets the threshold number of diagnostics 202 specifically related to the lock signal 110. For example, the controller 200 may similarly prevent actuation of the gear state if the lock state 104 meets or exceeds the lock threshold 210.As noted above, based on the standard threshold 208 and / or the interlock diagnostic protocol 210 being met, the controller 200 may issue a recommended service notification to the driver at the shift-driver interface 20.

[0039] The controller 200 includes a diagnostic counter 212 configured with the diagnostics 202 to track the signals 106a, 106b, 106c received from the gear switch 102 and the lock switch 104. Whenever there is a discrepancy between any of the signals 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, the diagnostic counter 212, along with functions of the controller 200, may record a discrepancy. Where a discrepancy occurs, the diagnostic counter 212 logs a diagnostic 202 associated with the incompatible switch 102, 104. The diagnostic 202 includes a standard diagnostic protocol 214 and an interlock diagnostic protocol 216. The diagnostic 202 may be classified based on the signal received by the controller 200 with respect to the standard diagnostic protocol 214 and the interlock diagnostic protocol 216.

[0040] The standard diagnostic log 214 tracks the number of diagnostics 202 that accumulate over a lifetime of the vehicle 10. Similarly, the lock diagnostic log 216 tracks the number of diagnostics 202 that accumulate for the lock switch 104 over the lifetime of the vehicle 10. In some examples, the diagnostic counter 212 may be manually cleared using a service tool to reset the diagnostic counter 212. As will be described below with reference to Fig. 5, in addition to logging diagnoses 202, the diagnostic counter 212 may also log cases where the signals 106a, 106b, 110 have all been validated.

[0041] With continued reference to the Fig. 3-6, the controller 200 may further receive the lock signal 110 and determine a discrepancy compared to the gear signals 106a, 106b. Thus, the diagnostic counter 112 may accumulate a diagnosis 202 in the lock diagnostic log 216. Examples of the process of accumulating a diagnosis 202 are described in more detail below. The increments associated with the diagnosis 202 may be referred to as diagnostic increments 220. It is also contemplated that the diagnostic counter 212 may also record pass increments 222 for both the gear switch 102 and the lock switch 104. The pass increments 222 indicate the number of times all switches 102a, 102b, 104 have been registered by the controller 200. In other words, the pass increments 222 may tabulate each time the gear signals 106a, 106b are asserted by the lock signal 110.

[0042] The diagnostic increments 220 and the pass increments 222 may be recorded as pass criteria and fail criteria stored in the memory 204. The controller 200 may use the pass increments 222 in determining whether to activate the gearshift driver interface 20 or to prompt the driver with a recommended service message to the gearshift driver interface 20. The number of pass increments 222 may override or incrementally decrement the diagnostic increments 220. Similarly, the controller 200 may decrement the diagnostic logs 214, 216 based on a predetermined number of pass increments 222 that meet the pass criteria. Each of the pass increments 222 and the diagnostic increments 220 is tabulated for each signaled condition 24a-24c by the first switch 102a and by the second switch 102b.For example, each of the gear states 24 is represented for each of the pass increments 222 and the diagnostic increments 220, so that each gear state 24 may have a different value with respect to each of the pass increments 222 and the diagnostic increments 220. In some examples, the forward drive state 24a may have more pass increments to the standard diagnostic log 214 compared to the idle state 24c, resulting in more diagnostics 202 being logged for the forward drive state 24a.

[0043] As in Fig. 5, the standard diagnostic protocol 214 is shown with a profile 224a of the first switch and with a profile 224b of the second switch, each with a respective counter for the detected gear states 24.

[0044] The controller 200 is configured to receive signals 106a, 106b corresponding to one of the three gear states 24 from both the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b. Depending on what is received by the controller 200, a potential diagnosis 202 may be associated with the selected gear state 24. For example, the controller 200 may receive the first signal 106a corresponding to the forward drive state 24a, but not receive the second signal 106b from the second switch 102b. According to this example, the diagnostic counter 212 would record a diagnosis 202 with the second switch profile 224b of the standard diagnostic protocol 214, which is added to the diagnostic increment 220 of the forward drive state 24a associated with the second switch profile 224b. The lock diagnostic protocol 216 as mentioned above is based on the state 110a, 110b of the lock switch 104 compared to the gear state 102.Thus, the controller 200 can identify that the two switches 102, 104 have logged repeated diagnostics 202, but it can also identify the selected condition that leads to the diagnosis 202.

[0045] The diagnostic increment 220 is incrementally added based on the respective signals 110, 106a, 106b received from the lock switch 104 and the gear switch 102 and evaluated by the controller 200. In some examples, the gear signals 106a, 106b from the gear switch 102 may both identify the reverse gear state 24b, and the lock signal 110 from the lock switch 104 identifies the open state 110a. Thus, a diagnosis 202 would be accumulated for the lock diagnostic protocol 216 because it was determined that the lock signal 110 is inconsistent with both signals 106a, 106b from the gear switch 102.In other words, the pass increment 222 for the locking switch 104 occurs when the two signals 106a, 106b indicate the selection of one of the gear states 24 and correspond to the closed state 110b of the locking switch 104 when all gear signals 106a, 106b correspond to the locking signal 110. In passing criteria, the user can select one of the gear states 24, which is transmitted to the controller 200 via the gear signals 106a, 106b from the first switch 102a or from the second switch 102b, respectively, and it is also transmitted to the controller 200 as the locking signal 110 in the closed state 110b of the locking signal 110 from the locking switch 104.

[0046] As mentioned above, the interlock switch 104 is a binary switch and thus sends communication corresponding to either the open state 110a or the closed state 110b without identifying the selected gear state 24. The open state 110a and the closed state 110b both refer to each of the gear states 24, while being free from identifying any specific one of the gear states 24. In comparison, the gear signals 106a, 106b sent by the gear switch 102 are specific to and identify the selected gear state 24, so that the controller 200 receives at least one of the three signal options from the gear switch 102. Thus, the gear signals 106a, 106b from the gear switch 102 include the forward drive state 24a and / or the reverse gear state 24b and / or the neutral state 24c.

[0047] Further with reference to Fig. 3-6, the controller 200 compares the gear signals 106a, 106b from the gear switch 102 with the lock signal 110 to determine whether the gear switch 102 and the lock switch 104 are cooperatively activated. Upon comparing the gear signals 106a, 106b with the lock signal 110, the controller 200 determines whether to assign a diagnosis 202 to the lock diagnostic protocol 216 and / or the standard diagnostic protocol 214. Each assignment of a diagnosis 202 accumulates in the respective diagnostic protocol 214, 216 until the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 is met.

[0048] As mentioned above, the diagnostic counter 212 is configured with the interlock diagnostic protocol 216 and the standard diagnostic protocol 214 to isolate the respective diagnostics 202 and more easily identify the source of the diagnostics 202. Given that the interlock switch 104 is a binary switch compared to the specified switches 102a, 102b of the gear switch 102, the interlock switch 104 may have a different diagnostic count threshold than the gear switch 102. The standard diagnostic protocol 214 for the first switch 102a and for the second switch 102b tracks the respective gear state 24 of both the first signal 106a and the second signal 106b.As described above, the first signal 106a and the second signal 106b translate the selected gear state 24 so that the controller 200 is able to identify which of the three gear states 24 may have a distinct problem compared to the other gear states 24. In comparison, the lock switch 104 is configured to provide an abbreviated identification of the state of the lock switch 104. Based on the binary configuration of the lock signal 110, a lock diagnostic threshold 206 may be different from the standard diagnostic threshold 206.

[0049] With continued reference to the Fig. 3-6, in operation, the shift system 100 is configured to determine an incompatibility between the first switch 102a and the second switch 102b and the interlock switch 104 during selection of the forward drive state 24a, the reverse gear state 24b, or the neutral state 24c. The incompatibility is logged in the diagnostic counter 212 of the controller 200 as a diagnostic 202. Depending on which of the first switch 102a, the second switch 102b, and the interlock switch 104 the diagnostic 202 is attributed to, the diagnostic 202 may be more specifically attributed to the standard diagnostic protocol 214 or the interlock diagnostic protocol 216. In some cases, more than one diagnostic 202 may be applied, so that both the standard diagnostic protocol 214 and the interlock diagnostic protocol 216 may accumulate a diagnostic 202.It is also contemplated that the controller 200 may evaluate an activation time 230 between the receipt of each of the signals 106a, 106b, 110 to identify a potential delay in activation between the gear switch 102 and the lock switch 104. If the activation time 230 is met, the controller 200 may log a pass increment 222 and activate the selected gear state 24. In comparison, if the activation time 230 exceeds a threshold time, the controller 200 may log a diagnostic 202 in the diagnostic log 214, 216 for the respective delayed switch 102, 104.

[0050] The diagnoses 202 are accumulated in the diagnostic counter 212 until the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 stored in the memory 204 is met. If the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206 is met, the controller 200 can prevent the activation of the gearshift driver interface 20 via the respective switch 102, 104 and can display a message on the display 18 ( Fig. 2) Output a message to be displayed, notifying the driver of the recommended service at the gearshift driver interface 20. As the diagnostic counter 212 accumulates the diagnoses 202 over time, the diagnostic counter 212 may be manually reset to clear the diagnostic counter of accumulated diagnoses 202. Furthermore, the controller 200 may activate the selected gear state 24 even if a diagnosis 202 is logged in the diagnostic counter 212, as long as the diagnostic logs 214, 216 are below the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206.

[0051] If at least two of the three switches 102a, 102b, 104 are registered by the controller 200, the controller 200 can activate the selected gear state 24, even though a diagnosis 202 is logged. According to this example, the driver can use the idle actuator 22c ( Fig. 2) Select the idle state 24c. For example, the controller 200 may receive the first gear signal 106a indicating the selection of the idle state 24c and the lock signal 110 indicating the closed state 110b, but may not receive a signal from the second switch 102b. Additionally or alternatively, the second gear signal 106b may be received by the controller 200 in a delayed manner outside of the activation time 230, which may result in a diagnostic 202. The controller 200 may then log a diagnostic 202 in the second switch profile 224b corresponding to the idle state 24c and determine whether this diagnostic 202 exceeds the predetermined idle state diagnostic threshold 206 of the second switch profile 224b. If the diagnosis 202 does not exceed the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206, the controller 200 may activate the idle state 24c of the gearshift driver interface 20.A similar process may occur with any of the gear switches 102 and with the lock switch 104 with any of the gear states 24, respectively.

[0052] Again referring to the Fig. 1-6, a method 300 of operating the switching system 100 is provided. The method 300 of Fig.6 is provided as an example, although other similar methods may be implemented. At 302, the controller 200 detects an input signal 106a, 106b, 110 from at least one of the gear switches 102 and the lock switch 104, and at 304, the controller 200 determines whether three input signals 106a, 106b, 110 are detected. If signals 106a, 106b, 110 are detected, the diagnostic counter 212 logs a pass increment 222 at 306 and activates the switches 102, 104. If one or more of the signals 106a, 106b, 110 are not detected, the controller 200 identifies at 308 which of the signals 106a, 106b, 110 is not detected and logs a diagnosis 202 to the diagnostic counter 212. The controller 200 may also identify which of the gear states 24 the diagnosis 202 was associated with. At 310, the controller 200 determines whether the diagnostic counter 212 is above the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206.If the diagnostic counter 212 is not above the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206, the controller 200 instructs the vehicle 10 at 312 to activate the switches 102, 104 corresponding to the gear request. In comparison, if the diagnostic counter 212 exceeds the predetermined diagnostic threshold 206, the diagnostic 202 is logged, indicating a fault, and activation of the switch 102, 104 is prevented.

[0053] The shifting system 100 assists the vehicle 10 by determining the relative safety based on the condition of the gearshift driver interface 20 when executing gearshift requests. Although the gearshift driver interface 20 is still operable with two active switches 102a, 102b, 104, the shifting system 100 provides backup monitoring for potential failures by recording diagnostic logs 214, 216. The inclusion of the interlock switch 104 minimizes the overall cost of the shifting system 100 by utilizing a binary switch to identify the open state 110a or the closed state 110b as it relates to a shift request. As noted throughout, the binary switch further minimizes the number of communication paths by utilizing a single resistive ladder circuit for the interlock switch 104.

[0054] Numerous implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0055] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are, where applicable, interchangeable and may be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. Furthermore, the configuration may be modified in many ways. Such changes are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Switching system that includes: a gearshift including a first switch, a second switch, and a lock switch, operable between a plurality of gear states; and a controller communicatively coupled to the transmission to receive signals corresponding to the first switch, the second switch, and the lock switch, the controller including a diagnostic counter including passing criteria and a predetermined diagnostic threshold, and configured to adjust the diagnostic counter based on at least one of the signals received from the transmission being inconsistent with the other of the received signals. [2] The switching system of claim 1, wherein the interlock switch is a resistive ladder circuit operable between an open state and a closed state. [3] The switching system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to add a diagnosis to the diagnostic counter when a signal of the lock switch is different from a signal of the first switch and / or the second switch. [4] The switching system of claim 2, wherein the first switch and the second switch each include a plurality of gear states, the plurality of gear states including at least one of a reverse gear state, a neutral gear state, and a forward drive gear state. [5] The switching system of claim 4, wherein the closed state of the locking switch includes at least one of the plurality of gear states. [6] The switching system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to add a diagnostic to the diagnostic counter when the lock switch is in the open state and when the first switch and the second switch are in the same one of the plurality of gear states. [7] The switching system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured with passing criteria and is configured to decrement a diagnostic counter value of the diagnostic counter based on the passing criteria. [8] A switching system according to claim 7, wherein the passing criteria are defined by the lock switch being in the closed state and both the first switch and the second switch being in the same state of the reverse gear state, the neutral state, or the forward drive state. [9] The switching system of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic counter includes a standard diagnostic protocol and an interlock diagnostic protocol, wherein the standard diagnostic protocol corresponds to signals received from the first switch and the second switch, and wherein the interlock diagnostic protocol corresponds to a signal received from the interlock switch. [10] The shifting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine an activation time between the signals received from the gearshift and the lock switch, and is configured to log a pass increment based on the activation time.

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