Automatic Braking for Manual Transmissions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual transmission vehicles experience engine stall or engine lugging during sudden speed reductions, which can lead to undesirable performance and potential engine damage, especially when automatic braking is activated in high gear conditions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a clutch-by-wire system with a controller that monitors vehicle and engine speed, generating control signals for automatic braking and clutch disengagement when engine speed falls below a threshold, along with prompting the driver to shift to a lower gear for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If automatic braking is activated in manual transmission vehicles during sudden speed reduction, then vehicle stopping performance is improved, but engine stall or engine lugging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of engine speed and transmission gear position before activating automatic braking. When the engine speed is detected to be below a predetermined threshold in a high gear state, the controller preemptively opens the clutch to disconnect the engine from the transmission, preventing engine stall before it can occur during the braking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch acts as an intermediary element between the engine and transmission system. During automatic braking events, the clutch is opened to mediate the disconnect, allowing the braking force to be applied to the wheels without transmitting the deceleration load back to the engine, thereby preventing engine stall while maintaining braking effectiveness.
2Extent of automation
If clutch-by-wire technology is integrated for automatic braking control, then automatic emergency braking functionality is achieved in manual transmissions, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors engine speed, detects transmission gear position, controls automatic braking activation, and manages clutch operation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves automatic emergency braking capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch-by-wire technology replaces traditional mechanical clutch linkage with an electronically controlled actuation system. This substitution enables precise electronic control of clutch engagement and disengagement, allowing the controller to rapidly open the clutch during automatic braking events without the delays and imprecision of mechanical systems, thereby achieving reliable automatic protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for automatic braking for vehicles having a manual transmission are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a vehicle with at least one vehicle sensor, at least one actuator, and a controller in communication with the at least one vehicle sensor and the at least one actuator, determining a vehicle speed and an engine speed, receiving sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor, calculating if the vehicle speed should be reduced based on the sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor, generating a first control signal if the vehicle speed should be reduced, calculating if the engine speed is below a predetermined idle speed, generating a second control signal if the engine speed is below the predetermined idle speed, and automatically controlling the at least one actuator based on the first and second control signals.