Automatic Transmission Blind Corner Downshift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic transmission systems require time-consuming manual downshift operations to achieve appropriate engine braking in front of blind corners, and existing control methods do not adequately account for the unique deceleration needs of blind corners, which can lead to inadequate vehicle stabilization and increased risk of obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A transmission control device that detects blind corners, calculates the necessary engine braking amount based on the corner's characteristics, determines the required speed change stage, and automatically performs a downshift to achieve optimal engine braking, using a combination of sensors, road data, and computational modules to determine the blind corner's distance and necessary braking amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual downshift operation is performed through shift lever or paddle switch, then the driver can control speed change stage one by one, but it takes time consuming multiple operations especially from high speed stage to intended stage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of blind corners using GPS position and road data before the driver needs to downshift. By calculating the blind distance and determining the necessary engine braking amount in advance, the system prepares the optimal target speed change stage before the driver initiates manual downshift operations, thereby reducing the time required to achieve the intended downshift.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical manual operation system (shift lever or paddle switch requiring multiple physical operations) with an automatic control system that uses GPS detection, road data, and computational algorithms to automatically determine and execute the optimal downshift to the target speed change stage, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional corner detection is performed, then the system can identify corners ahead, but downshift control that fits characteristics of blind corner is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by distinguishing between different types of corners (blind corner versus visible corner) and applying different downshift control strategies for each. For blind corners, the system calculates the blind distance and determines a larger necessary engine braking amount, resulting in a lower target speed change stage compared to visible corners, thereby providing locally adapted downshift control that fits the specific characteristics of each corner type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of whether a detected corner is a blind corner by comparing the blind distance with the vehicle's stopping distance capabilities. This preliminary assessment allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate downshift strategy and target speed change stage before the vehicle reaches the corner, ensuring reliable and appropriate downshift control specific to blind corner characteristics.
3Reliability
If blind corner is detected with alarm or basic traveling state control, then safety awareness is improved, but appropriate downshift control fitting blind corner characteristics is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces basic alarm systems or simple traveling state control with an automated downshift control system that uses GPS position detection, road data, and computational algorithms to automatically calculate the blind distance, determine the necessary engine braking amount, and select the optimal target speed change stage, thereby achieving both safety and operational ease through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by calculating the blind distance based on GPS position and road data, then using this parameter to determine the necessary engine braking amount and select the appropriate target speed change stage. This parameter-based approach allows the system to automatically adjust downshift control to fit blind corner characteristics, achieving both safety and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A corner determinator detects a corner appearing in a traveling direction of a vehicle and determines whether a detected corner is a blind corner based upon a current position of the vehicle and road data. A blind distance calculator calculates a distance from the determined blind corner to the vehicle based upon the current position of the vehicle and the road data. A necessary engine braking amount calculator calculates, on the basis of a calculated distance, a necessary engine braking amount necessary for decelerating a current vehicle speed to a vehicle speed at which it is possible to stop around the blind corner when a braking operation is performed with a full braking amount. A required speed change stage determinator calculates a required speed change stage based upon the determined necessary engine braking amount. A transmission controller performs a downshift to a determined required speed change stage.