Backup Park Shift Control for Faulted Vehicle Gear Selectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack a simple and efficient solution to shift into and out of park mode when the gear selection module fails, often requiring complex redundancy measures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with a braking system, propulsion system, and a park status backup controller that detects a fault in the gear selector, allowing alternative shifting into and out of park mode by monitoring brake pedal actuations and generating state change instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant components or complex wiring strategies are implemented in the gear selection module, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a backup controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the brake pedal and the gear selection module. This backup controller detects brake pedal actuations and generates appropriate gear state change instructions, serving as a mediator that enables park shifting functionality without requiring complex redundant wiring or components in the original gear selection module.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors the gear selector state, detects brake pedal actuations, determines appropriate gear transitions, and outputs control signals. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate redundant components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a faulted gear selector is left unrepaired, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the backup controller automatically takes over gear selection functions when the primary gear selector is faulted. The backup controller monitors the faulty gear selector's state and autonomously generates appropriate gear state change instructions based on brake pedal actuations, allowing the vehicle to continue operating with park shifting capability without requiring immediate repair of the original gear selector.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes a braking system operably coupled to a wheel assembly to apply braking force when actuated responsive to operation of a brake pedal, a propulsion system to apply positive torque for propulsion responsive to operation of an accelerator pedal, and a gear selector to select an operating state of the vehicle when the gear selector is in an unfaulted state. The operating state is a selected one of park and drive states. The braking system applies a holding force in the park state and the propulsion system enables application of the positive torque in the drive state. The control system further includes a park status backup controller that detects actuation of the brake pedal, and receives information indicative of a fault state of the gear selector. In response to receiving an activation pattern during the fault state, the park status backup controller generates an operating state change instruction.