SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSORS OF AN ELECTRIC SHIFT LEVER SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A synchronization system and procedure include an absolute position sensor, such as a position sensor, and a relative position sensor, such as a Hall sensor, of an electric shift lever system.The synchronization system comprises a gearshift sensor configured to detect an actuation signal from a gearshift lever when a vehicle driving mode is switched, an electric motor configured to shift a gear according to an actuation of the gearshift lever, a Hall sensor attached to the electric motor and configured to detect a relative angle of rotation, a position sensor configured to detect an absolute position of the electric motor, and a control device configured to receive signals generated by the gearshift sensor, the Hall sensor, and the position sensor, and to control the electric motor so that the gearshift is shifted according to an actuation of the gearshift lever based on the received signals.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATION

[0001] The present application claims, pursuant to 35 USC §119(a), the benefit of Korean patent application No. 10-2024-0150202, filed on October 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND(a) Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a synchronization system and a method for sensors of an electric gearshift lever system for a vehicle, in particular for synchronizing a relative position sensor, such as a Hall sensor, with an absolute position sensor, such as a position sensor, so that a synchronization signal value calculated by the relative position sensor is provided to a gearshift control device when a failure of the absolute position sensor occurs. (b) Description of the related technique

[0003] Unlike a mechanical gearshift system, which uses a mechanical linkage such as a cable, an electric gearshift system performs gear changes using an electrical signal. Specifically, an electric gearshift system receives an electrical signal corresponding to a driver's movement of a gearshift lever, determines the desired vehicle state, and engages the gear by rotating an electric motor. Such a system produces virtually no gearshift jolt or vibration and, unlike a mechanical gearshift system, eliminates the need for a clutch between the lever and the transmission, thus preventing gear changes due to unintentional lever movement. Consequently, the number of vehicles using such a system has increased.

[0004] In such an electric shift lever system, a shift control unit (SCU) or SBW control unit serves as the brain of the system and is a control device that converts a gear shift command given by a driver via a button or electronic shift lever into an electrical signal to control the transmission.

[0005] Furthermore, to ensure consistent gear shifting, it is important to detect and control the motor's position. The electric motor used in the electric shift lever system is operated by a feedback control system, and the sensors used for this feedback control include a position sensor to detect the rotational speed of a motor output shaft and a Hall sensor to detect the rotational speed of a motor rotor.

[0006] Regarding the properties of each sensor, the position sensor has the properties of an absolute position sensor and detects a rotational amount of a motor output shaft and can therefore detect an actual position of the motor more accurately and is used to determine a current position of the motor.

[0007] Furthermore, the Hall sensor has properties of a relative position sensor and measures a rotation angle by counting moments as a Hall element passes by, and transmits a relative position of a motor rotor, thus enabling a control device to operate the motor with three-phase currents (U, V and W) in a direction corresponding to a control command.

[0008] In the electric shift lever system, since the sensors are important, it is necessary to implement a fail-safe function for sensor failure situations.

[0009] In this related technology, however, there is no way to replace a position sensor if it fails. Therefore, if a position sensor in an electric shift lever system fails while driving, the system can only notify the driver of the component failure and instruct them to stop the vehicle. In this case, the failure of this single component can lead to a situation where all vehicle functions are impaired.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for a technology that is able to perform a backup function at the same level as when the position sensor is normal, even if a position sensor failure occurs.

[0011] The foregoing is intended only to assist in understanding the background of the present disclosure and is not intended to imply that the present disclosure falls within the field of related technology already known to the person skilled in the art. BRIEF EXPLANATION

[0012] Accordingly, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a synchronized backup signal in the event of a failure of an absolute position sensor (e.g., a position sensor) by synchronizing a relative position sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor) in an electric shift lever system with the absolute position sensor.

[0013] To achieve the above objective, according to the present disclosure, when the position sensor is in its normal state during the actuation of a control device, the position sensor value at that time is set as an initial value of the Hall sensor, which is a relative position sensor, and a Hall sensor variation is cumulatively applied to the initial value, thereby generating a signal synchronized with the position sensor. Furthermore, a synchronization signal value is a signal that is updated based on the rotational amount of a motor rotor, and a position sensor value is a signal that is updated based on the rotational amount of a motor output shaft, so that a difference between the synchronization signal value and the position sensor value can increase. Therefore, by performing a monitoring function, synchronization is re-executed when the difference becomes large.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a synchronization system of an electric gearshift lever system of a vehicle comprises: a gearshift lever sensor configured to detect an actuation signal of a gearshift lever; an electric motor configured to shift a gear according to an actuation of the gearshift lever; a relative position sensor attached to the electric motor and configured to detect a relative angle of rotation; an absolute position sensor configured to detect an absolute position of the electric motor;and a control device configured to receive signals generated by the gearshift lever sensor, the relative position sensor, and the absolute position sensor, and to control the electric motor so that the gearshift stage is switched according to an actuation of the gearshift lever based on the received signals, wherein the control device is configured to synchronize the absolute position sensor with the relative position sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to monitor a synchronization state and perform gear shift control using a synchronization signal value from the relative position sensor if the absolute position sensor fails. For example, the relative position sensor can be a Hall sensor. The absolute position sensor can be a position sensor.

[0016] In addition, the gearshift sensor can detect the actuation signal when a vehicle driving mode is switched.

[0017] Furthermore, the vehicle's driving mode can be set up to be switched by the driver of the vehicle.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a synchronization system of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system is provided, wherein the synchronization system comprises: a shift lever sensor configured to detect an actuation signal of a shift lever when a vehicle driving mode is switched; an electric motor configured to shift a gear according to an actuation of the shift lever; the Hall sensor attached to the electric motor and configured to detect a relative angle of rotation; the position sensor configured to detect an absolute position of the electric motor;and a control device configured to receive signals generated by the gearshift lever sensor, the Hall sensor, and the position sensor, and to control the electric motor so that the gearshift stage is shifted according to an actuation of the gearshift lever based on the received signals, wherein the control device is configured to synchronize the position sensor with the Hall sensor, to monitor a synchronization state, and to control the gearshift control using a synchronization signal value from the Hall sensor when a failure of the position sensor occurs.

[0019] The control device may include a motor operation detection part, a synchronization sequence control device, and a sensor failure diagnostic part, wherein the synchronization sequence control device may include a synchronization condition detection part, a synchronization execution part, a synchronization state monitoring part, and a synchronization signal value usage permission part, and wherein the sensor failure diagnostic part may include a position sensor failure diagnostic part and a Hall sensor failure diagnostic part.

[0020] Furthermore, the synchronization condition determination section can be configured to receive information about whether the position sensor and the Hall sensor are functioning normally, and about the motor operating state from the sensor failure diagnostic section and the motor operation determination section, and to determine whether a condition for generating the synchronization signal value is met, wherein the synchronization execution section can be configured to set a position sensor value as an initial value at a time when the synchronization signal value can be generated, and to generate the synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a Hall sensor variation to the initial value, wherein the synchronization state monitoring section can be configured to continuously monitor whether the position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized.and wherein the synchronization signal value usage permission part may be configured to allow the use of the synchronization signal value when it is determined that the synchronization state is normal and the position sensor fails.

[0021] Furthermore, the synchronization sequence control device may also include a synchronization failure diagnostic section and a synchronization retry section.

[0022] In addition, the synchronization failure diagnostic section can be set up to detect a synchronization failure when a synchronization monitoring anomaly is detected, and the synchronization retry section can be set up to determine if a synchronization retry is possible and to count the number of retry attempts.

[0023] In addition, the position sensor failure diagnostic section can be configured to diagnose a ground short circuit when a position sensor value is 0%, to diagnose a battery short circuit when the position sensor value is 100%, to diagnose an out-of-range error when a value is shown outside a preset normal range, or to diagnose a jump error when a change in a value within a diagnostic execution period is detected as abnormal.

[0024] Furthermore, the Hall sensor failure diagnostic section can be configured to determine whether a failure has occurred based on a Hall pattern generated by multiple Hall sensors. A Hall pattern is displayed in a predetermined sequence following a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The Hall sensor failure diagnostic section can be configured to detect an invalid pattern error and diagnose a Hall sensor failure if the predetermined sequence is violated or an invalid pattern is detected.

[0025] A vehicle can have the synchronization system described above.

[0026] According to the present disclosure, a synchronization method of an electric shift lever system may comprise: a synchronization condition determination step for determining whether a condition for synchronization is met, based on information about whether the absolute position sensor and the relative position sensor are normal, and a motor operating state; a synchronization execution step for setting, as an initial value, an absolute position sensor value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and for generating a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a relative position sensor variation to the initial value; a synchronization state monitoring step for monitoring whether the absolute position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized;and a synchronization signal value usage permission step to permit the use of the synchronization signal value when a synchronization state in the synchronization state monitoring step is normal and a failure of the absolute position sensor is detected. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a synchronization method of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system is provided, wherein the synchronization method comprises: a synchronization condition determination step to determine whether a condition for synchronization is met, based on information about whether the position sensor and the Hall sensor are normal, and a motor operating state;a synchronization execution step for setting, as an initial value, a position sensor value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and for generating a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a Hall sensor variation to the initial value; a synchronization state monitoring step for monitoring whether the position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized; and a synchronization signal value usage permission step for allowing the use of the synchronization signal value if a synchronization state in the synchronization state monitoring step is normal and a position sensor failure is detected.

[0027] Additionally, in the synchronization state monitoring step, if an absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting a variation of the synchronization signal value from a variation of the position sensor value at a monitoring time is higher than a certain value and is maintained for a predetermined time, it can be determined that the synchronization state is abnormal.

[0028] Additionally, if the synchronization state is abnormal in the synchronization state monitoring step, the synchronization procedure may also include a synchronization failure diagnostic step and a synchronization retry step.

[0029] Furthermore, in the synchronization failure diagnostic step and the synchronization retry step, it can be determined whether the position sensor failure occurs, and if the position sensor failure has not occurred, a synchronization can be retried, and if a synchronization retry is performed a predetermined number of times or more, a synchronization failure can be diagnosed.

[0030] According to the synchronization system and synchronization procedure of the position sensor and the Hall sensor of the electric shift lever system as disclosed herein, the Hall sensor provides a signal that is synchronized with the position sensor by a fail-safe function, even if the position sensor fails. Therefore, the vehicle can be operated in the same way as if the position sensor were functioning normally, and robustness against position sensor failure can be achieved.

[0031] Furthermore, even if a position sensor failure occurs temporarily, the synchronization signal value can be used immediately, thus eliminating the need for excessive vehicle failure signals and vehicle operation restrictions, thereby increasing vehicle user satisfaction.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, a non-volatile, computer-readable medium containing program instructions that are executed by a processor may include: program instructions that determine whether a synchronization condition is met, based on information about whether an absolute position sensor and a relative position sensor are normal, and a motor operating state; program instructions that set an absolute position sensor value as an initial value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and generate a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a relative position sensor variation to the initial value; program instructions that monitor whether the absolute position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized;and program instructions that allow the use of the synchronization signal value when a synchronization state is normal in the synchronization state monitoring step and a failure of the absolute position sensor is detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other objectives, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will become more clearly understandable from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1. A perspective view of an electric gearshift system; Fig. 2 is a diagram that represents a connection relationship between elements in relation to a synchronization system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a flowchart that represents the overall sequence of a synchronization procedure according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a synchronization method according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C diagrams are an example of the implementation of a synchronization procedure according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REVELATION

[0034] It is understood that the term "...vehicle" or "vehicle-like" or any other similar term as used herein includes motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars, including SUVs, buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft, including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As defined herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more energy sources, for example, both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

[0035] The terminology used herein serves only to describe certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "have" and / or "having" when used in this description indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.Throughout this description, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word "include" and variations such as "includes" or "indicating" are understood to imply the inclusion of specified elements, but not the exclusion of other elements. Furthermore, the terms "...unit" and "...module" as described here refer to units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, the control logic of the present disclosure can be implemented as a non-volatile, computer-readable medium on a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions that are executed by a processor, a control device, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed in network-connected computer systems, such that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, e.g., by a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0037] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0038] First, an electric shift lever system in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs, and a synchronization system of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system according to the present disclosure are described with reference to Fig. 1, which is a perspective view of an electric gearshift system, and Fig. 2, which shows a connection between control-related elements, is described.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 1 comprises an electric shift lever system 1, a motor 100 configured to control a gear shift stage, and a detent plate 20 and a detent spring 30 configured to shift the gear shift stage according to an operation of the motor 100.

[0040] When a driver moves a gearshift lever 70 to a specific position, an electrical signal from a gearshift sensor 75, corresponding to the actuated position, can be transmitted to a control device 200, and a gearshift signal from the control device 200 can be transmitted to the motor 100. The motor 100 can rotate in a forward or reverse direction according to the received electrical signal.

[0041] The locking plate 20 can be connected to the motor 100 by a rotating shaft 11. Accordingly, a rotation of the motor 100 can be transmitted to the locking plate 20, and when the motor 100 rotates, the locking plate 20 can also rotate.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the detent plate 20 can have grooves 21 and ribs 22. The grooves 21 can be positions where a roller 31 of the detent spring 30 is arranged, and a specific gear shift stage can correspond to each groove 21. Accordingly, when the roller 31 moves from one groove to another, the gear shift stage can be engaged.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a synchronization system of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system comprises a shift lever sensor 75, an electric motor 100, a Hall sensor 120, a position sensor 110, and a control device 200. The shift lever sensor 75 is configured to detect an actuation signal of a shift lever 70 when a driver changes a vehicle driving mode. The electric motor 100 is configured to shift a gear according to an actuation of the shift lever. The Hall sensor 120 is attached to the electric motor and configured to detect a relative angle of rotation. The position sensor 110 is configured to detect an absolute position of the electric motor.The control device 200 is set up to receive signals generated by the shift lever sensor 75, the Hall sensor 120 and the position sensor 110, and to control the electric motor so that the gear shift stage is switched according to an actuation of the shift lever based on the received signals.

[0044] The control device 200 synchronizes the position sensor 110 with the Hall sensor 120, monitors a synchronization state and performs gear shift control using a synchronization signal value of the Hall sensor 120 if a failure of the position sensor 110 occurs.

[0045] The control device 200 comprises a motor operation detection part 210, a synchronization sequence control device 220, and a sensor failure diagnostic part 230. The synchronization sequence control device 220 comprises a synchronization condition detection part 221, a synchronization execution part 222, a synchronization state monitoring part 223, and a synchronization signal value usage permission part 226. The sensor failure diagnostic part 230 may include a position sensor failure diagnostic part 231 and a Hall sensor failure diagnostic part 232.

[0046] Furthermore, the synchronization condition detection section 221 receives information about whether the position sensor 110 and the Hall sensor 120 are functioning normally, and about the motor operating state from the sensor failure diagnostic section 230 and the motor operation detection section 210, and determines whether a condition for generating a synchronization signal value is met. The synchronization implementation section 222 sets a position sensor value as an initial value at a time when a synchronization signal value can be generated, and generates a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a Hall sensor variation to the initial value. The synchronization state monitoring section 223 continuously monitors whether the position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized.If it is determined that the synchronization state is normal and a failure of the position sensor occurs, the synchronization signal value usage permission part 226 may permit the use of the synchronization signal value.

[0047] Furthermore, the synchronization sequence control device 220 can also include a synchronization failure diagnostic section 224 and a synchronization retry section 225. The synchronization failure diagnostic section 224 can detect a synchronization failure when a synchronization monitoring anomaly is detected, and the synchronization retry section 225 can determine whether a synchronization retry is possible and can count the number of retry attempts.

[0048] In the meantime, the Position Sensor Failure Diagnostic Unit 231 can diagnose a ground short circuit (SG) when a position sensor value is 0%, can diagnose a battery short circuit (SB) when the position sensor value is 100%, can diagnose an out-of-range error when a value is shown outside a preset normal range, or can diagnose a jump error when a change in value within a diagnostic execution period is detected as abnormal.

[0049] Furthermore, the Hall sensor failure diagnostic unit 232 determines whether a failure has occurred based on a Hall pattern generated by multiple Hall sensors. A Hall pattern is displayed in a predetermined sequence following a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. If the predetermined sequence is violated or an invalid pattern is detected, the Hall sensor failure diagnostic unit detects an invalid pattern fault and diagnoses a Hall sensor failure.

[0050] Fig. 3 is a flowchart that represents the overall sequence of a synchronization procedure of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a detailed flowchart that represents a synchronization procedure.

[0051] With reference to Fig. 3 can, as a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a synchronization method of a position sensor and a Hall sensor of an electric shift lever system, generally comprising a synchronization condition determination step S210, a synchronization execution step S220, a synchronization state monitoring step S230 and a synchronization signal value usage permission step S260, and can further comprise a synchronization failure diagnostic step S240 and a synchronization retry step S250.

[0052] In particular, the synchronization method of the position sensor and the Hall sensor of the electric shift lever system according to the present disclosure can comprise: the synchronization condition determination step S210 for determining whether a condition for synchronization is met, based on information about whether the position sensor and the Hall sensor are normal, and a motor operating state; the synchronization execution step S220 for setting, as an initial value, a position sensor value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and for generating a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a Hall sensor variation to the initial value; the synchronization state monitoring step S230 for monitoring whether the position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized;and the synchronization signal value usage permission step S260 to allow the use of the synchronization signal value when the synchronization state in the synchronization state monitoring step is normal and a position sensor failure is detected.

[0053] Furthermore, in the synchronization state monitoring step S230, if an absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting the synchronization signal value from the position sensor value at a monitoring time is lower than a certain value and is maintained for a predetermined time, it can be determined that the synchronization state is normal.

[0054] Furthermore, the synchronization procedure of the position sensor and the Hall sensor of the electric shift lever system according to the present disclosure may also include the synchronization failure diagnostic step S240 and the synchronization retry step S250 if the synchronization state is abnormal in the synchronization state monitoring step S230.

[0055] Furthermore, the synchronization failure diagnostic step and the synchronization retry step determine whether a position sensor failure occurs, and a synchronization retry is performed if the position sensor failure has not occurred, and a synchronization failure can be diagnosed if the retry is performed a predetermined number of times or more.

[0056] Next, the sequence of the synchronization procedure of the position sensor and the Hall sensor of the electric shift lever system according to the embodiment described above in the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4 described sequentially.

[0057] In the synchronization procedure of the present disclosure, a process to determine whether the position sensor 110 and the Hall sensor 120 are normal is first carried out in the synchronization condition determination step S210. If the position sensor 110 and the Hall sensor 120 are not in a normal state, the synchronization procedure is not carried out, and the execution of the synchronization procedure of the present disclosure does not begin until it is determined that the position sensor and the Hall sensor are normal.

[0058] If both the position sensor 110 and the Hall sensor 120 are in their normal state, a process is then carried out to determine whether the motor 100 is stopped. If the motor is running, the synchronization procedure of this disclosure does not begin until the motor has stopped.

[0059] If it is determined that motor 100 is stopped, a synchronization start process of position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120 is then carried out as synchronization execution step S220. The synchronization start process is carried out by setting the position sensor value as an initial value of the synchronization signal value at the time when the synchronization signal value can be generated, that is, a time when it is determined that both position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120 are in the normal state, in the process of determining whether position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120 are normal, and then when it is determined that motor 100 is stopped.

[0060] Furthermore, after the synchronization start process, it is determined whether the motor has started operating. If the motor has started, a synchronization process is then carried out for position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120, followed by a process to monitor the synchronization state, known as synchronization state monitoring step S230. Here, the synchronization process of position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120 is performed as a process to update the synchronization signal value by accumulating a Hall sensor variation for each task relative to the synchronization signal value from the previous task.

[0061] Here, the Hall sensor variation can be a value obtained by subtracting a Hall sensor value from the previous task or sequence from a Hall sensor value from the current task or sequence.

[0062] Furthermore, monitoring of the synchronization status is carried out, as the position sensor value and the synchronization signal value may deviate for unforeseen reasons.

[0063] The process for monitoring the synchronization state, which is performed as the synchronization state monitoring step S230, may include a process for determining that the synchronization state is abnormal if the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the synchronization signal value from the position sensor value at the monitoring time is higher than a specified value and is maintained for the predetermined time. If this condition is not met, it can be determined that the synchronization state is normal.

[0064] Furthermore, if the above process determines that the synchronization state is normal, a position sensor failure is detected. If a position sensor failure occurs, a process is executed to allow the synchronization signal value to be used for gear shift control at that time; this is known as the synchronization usage permission step.

[0065] Furthermore, if a position sensor failure has not occurred, the process returns to the step of synchronizing the position sensor value with the Hall sensor value and executes the next task. Here, the step of synchronizing the position sensor value with the Hall sensor value is performed as a process of accumulating a variation of the Hall sensor value relative to the synchronization signal value, as described above.

[0066] If it is determined that the synchronization state is abnormal—that is, if the absolute value obtained by subtracting the synchronization signal value from the position sensor value at the monitoring time is higher than the specified value—then the synchronization failure diagnostic step and the synchronization retry step are performed. In these steps, a process is first carried out to determine whether a position sensor failure has occurred. If it is determined that a position sensor failure has not occurred, a synchronization retry process is then carried out a predetermined number of times. Each time a retry is performed, a process is carried out to count the number of retry attempts. Next, as the synchronization condition determination step S210, a return to the process of determining whether position sensor 110 and Hall sensor 120 are functioning normally is performed.Accordingly, a synchronization sequence is repeated in accordance with the present disclosure. Here, as shown in the flowchart, a predetermined waiting period may elapse before returning to resynchronization.

[0067] If the synchronization retry is performed a predetermined number of times or more, a synchronization failure is diagnosed and the execution of the synchronization procedure according to the present disclosure is terminated.

[0068] In the execution process of the synchronization procedure, as described above in relation to the position sensor failure diagnostic section, position sensor failure is determined as follows: If a position sensor value is 0%, a ground short circuit (SG) is diagnosed; if the position sensor value is 100%, a battery short circuit (SB) is diagnosed; if a value is shown outside a preset normal range, an out-of-range error is diagnosed; or if a change in the value within a diagnostic execution period is detected as abnormal, which is a jump error, failure is determined. Furthermore, as described above in relation to the Hall sensor failure diagnostic section, a Hall sensor failure is determined based on a Hall pattern generated by multiple Hall sensors.If a Hall pattern is not displayed in a predetermined sequence according to a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, or if an invalid pattern is detected, the pattern is determined to be invalid, and consequently, Hall sensor failure is diagnosed.

[0069] Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C are diagrams that represent a process in which the synchronization procedure of the present disclosure is actually implemented according to the processes described above. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing changes in the Hall sensor value and the synchronization signal value over time. Fig. 5B is a graph that shows changes in the position sensor value, and Fig. 5C is a diagram illustrating each step of the synchronization procedure of the present disclosure, as carried out at each point.

[0070] The diagrams show that the synchronization condition determination step S210 is performed in section 1, the synchronization execution step S220 is performed in section 2 or 2', the synchronization state monitoring step S230 is performed in section 3 or 3', the synchronization failure diagnosis step S240 is performed in section 4, the synchronization retry step S250 is performed in section 5, and the synchronization signal value usage permission step S260 is performed in section 6.

[0071] As shown in the diagrams, when a synchronization condition is met in the synchronization condition determination step S210, the synchronization execution step S220 begins as the next step. By setting a position sensor value as an initial value at a time when synchronization can be performed, a synchronization signal value is generated. As the motor operates, a variation in the Hall sensor value occurs. Therefore, the synchronization signal value is generated by cumulatively applying the Hall sensor variation to the initial value for each operation.

[0072] This means that in the diagrams, the position sensor value at the point in time when synchronization can be performed is 25 (count), so this value is used as the initial value, and the variation of the Hall sensor value is accumulated for each task to generate the synchronization signal value. Here, the unit "count" of the position sensor value can represent a value obtained by converting the variation of the position sensor value into a count value to correspond to the count value of the Hall sensor.

[0073] Along with the generation of the synchronization signal value, the synchronization state monitoring step S230 is performed in Section 3. As shown in the sections marked with circles, if the absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting the variation of the synchronization signal value from the variation of the position sensor value at the monitoring time is higher than a certain value and is maintained for a predetermined time, the synchronization state is abnormal, and thus the synchronization failure diagnostic step and the synchronization retry step are subsequently performed in Sections 4 and 5.

[0074] Furthermore, if synchronization is successfully restarted in the synchronization retry step, the synchronization execution step S220 is performed again as described in Section 2'. By setting the position sensor value at the point when synchronization can be performed to the initial value, a synchronization signal value is regenerated. When the motor is operated, the variation of the Hall sensor value occurs. Therefore, the synchronization signal value is generated by cumulatively applying the Hall sensor variation for each task to the initial value.

[0075] Furthermore, if a position sensor failure occurs, the synchronization signal value usage permission step is performed to allow the use of the synchronization signal value as described in Section 6, and gear shift control is performed using the synchronization signal value calculated from the Hall sensor value, rather than the failure position sensor value.

[0076] Although a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described for illustrative purposes, the person skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without deviating from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the attached claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2024-0150202

[0001]

Claims

[1] A synchronization system of an electric gearshift system of a vehicle, wherein the synchronization system comprises: a gearshift lever sensor that is set up to detect an actuation signal from a gearshift lever; an electric motor designed to shift gears according to an actuation of the gearshift lever; a relative position sensor that is attached to the electric motor and configured to detect a relative angle of rotation; an absolute position sensor configured to detect the absolute position of the electric motor; and a control device which is set up to receive signals generated by the gearshift sensor, the relative position sensor and the absolute position sensor, and to control the electric motor so that the gear shift stage is switched according to an actuation of the gearshift lever based on the received signals, wherein the control device is set up to synchronize the absolute position sensor with the relative position sensor. [2] The synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to monitor a synchronization state and to perform gear shift control using a synchronization signal value from the relative position sensor when a failure of the absolute position sensor occurs. [3] The synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein the relative position sensor is a Hall sensor. [4] The synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein the absolute position sensor is a position sensor. [5] The synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein the shift lever sensor detects the actuation signal when a vehicle driving mode is switched. [6] The synchronization system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle driving mode is configured to be switched by a driver of the vehicle. [7] The synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a motor operation detection part, a synchronization sequence control device and a sensor failure diagnostic part, wherein the synchronization sequence control device comprises a synchronization condition detection part, a synchronization execution part, a synchronization state monitoring part, and a synchronization signal value usage permission part, and wherein the sensor failure diagnostic part comprises an absolute position sensor failure diagnostic part and a relative position sensor failure diagnostic part. [8] The synchronization system according to claim 7, wherein the synchronization condition detection part is configured to receive information about whether the absolute position sensor and the relative position sensor are normal and about a motor operating condition from the sensor failure diagnostic part and the motor operation detection part, and to determine whether a condition for generating the synchronization signal value is met, wherein the synchronization implementation part is set up to set, as an initial value, an absolute position sensor value at a time when the synchronization signal value can be generated, and to generate the synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a relative position sensor variation to the initial value, wherein the synchronization state monitoring section is set up to continuously monitor whether the absolute position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized, and wherein the synchronization signal value usage permission part is set up to allow the use of the synchronization signal value when it is determined that the synchronization state is normal and the absolute position sensor fails. [9] The synchronization system according to claim 7, wherein the synchronization sequence control device further comprises a synchronization failure diagnostic part and a synchronization retry part. [10] The synchronization system according to claim 9, wherein the synchronization failure diagnostic part is configured to detect a synchronization failure when a synchronization monitoring anomaly is detected, and The synchronization retry section is set up to determine if a synchronization retry is possible and to count the number of retry attempts. [11] The synchronization system according to claim 7, wherein the absolute position sensor failure diagnostic part is configured to diagnose a ground short circuit when an absolute position sensor value is 0%, to diagnose a battery short circuit when the absolute position sensor value is 100%, to diagnose an out-of-range error when a value is shown outside a preset normal range, or to diagnose a jump error when a change in a value within a diagnostic execution period is detected as abnormal. [12] The synchronization system according to claim 7, wherein the relative position sensor failure diagnostic part is configured to determine, based on a relative position pattern generated by a plurality of relative position sensors, whether a failure is occurring, and to determine that the relative position pattern is an invalid pattern, and to diagnose a failure of the relative position sensor if the relative position pattern is not shown in a predetermined sequence according to a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation and the predetermined sequence is violated or if the invalid pattern is detected. [13] A vehicle comprising the synchronization system according to claim 1. [14] A synchronization method for an electric gearshift lever system, wherein the synchronization method comprises: a synchronization condition determination step to determine whether a condition for synchronization is met, based on information about whether the absolute position sensor and the relative position sensor are normal, and a motor operating condition; a synchronization execution step for setting, as an initial value, an absolute position sensor value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and for generating a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a relative position sensor variation to the initial value; a synchronization state monitoring step to monitor whether the absolute position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized; and a synchronization signal value usage permission step to allow the use of the synchronization signal value when a synchronization state is normal in the synchronization state monitoring step and a failure of the absolute position sensor is detected. [15] The synchronization method according to claim 14, wherein the relative position sensor is a Hall sensor. [16] The synchronization method according to claim 14, wherein the absolute position sensor is a position sensor. [17] The synchronization method according to claim 14, wherein in the synchronization state monitoring step, if an absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting a variation of the synchronization signal value from a variation of the absolute position sensor value at a monitoring time is higher than a certain value and is maintained for a predetermined time, it is determined that the synchronization state is abnormal. [18] The synchronization method according to claim 14, wherein, if the synchronization state is abnormal in the synchronization state monitoring step, the synchronization method further comprises a synchronization failure diagnostic step and a synchronization retry step. [19] The synchronization method according to claim 18, wherein in the synchronization failure diagnosis step and the synchronization retry step it is determined whether the failure of the absolute position sensor occurs, and if the failure of the absolute position sensor has not occurred, a synchronization is retried, and if a synchronization retry is performed a predetermined number of times or more, a synchronization failure is diagnosed. [20] A non-volatile, computer-readable medium containing program instructions that are executed by a processor, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises: Program instructions that determine whether a condition for synchronization is met, based on information about whether an absolute position sensor and a relative position sensor are normal, and a motor operating state; Program instructions that, as an initial value, set an absolute position sensor value at a time when synchronization can be performed, and generate a synchronization signal value by cumulatively applying a relative position sensor variation to the initial value; Program instructions that monitor whether the absolute position sensor value and the synchronization signal value are synchronized; and Program instructions that allow the use of the synchronization signal value when a synchronization state is normal in the synchronization state monitoring step and a failure of the absolute position sensor is detected.

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