Transmission Clutch Diagnostics Using Independent Fault Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle diagnostic systems are processing intensive, prone to incorrect fault identification, and inflexible, leading to unnecessary servicing and inefficiencies due to complex processing strategies and reliance on single controllers for both control and diagnostic operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a diagnostic controller independent from the driveline controller to determine clutch engagement states and identify unauthorized states based on vehicle speed, allowing for efficient and reliable fault detection and operation in a fault state by comparing actual clutch states against unauthorized states, with thresholds defining engaged, intermediate, and disengaged states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single controller is used for both diagnostic and control operations, then device complexity is reduced, but processing efficiency and diagnostic reliability deteriorate due to complex processing strategies and potential misdiagnoses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the controller into two separate functional units: a diagnostic unit that monitors clutch engagement states and a control unit that executes control commands. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in its function, improving processing efficiency and diagnostic reliability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic function is extracted from the control unit and implemented as a separate diagnostic controller or independent diagnostic module. This extraction enables the diagnostic unit to operate independently with dedicated processing resources, eliminating the processing bottlenecks and potential interference that occur when both functions share a single controller.
2Reliability
If diagnostic strategies compare actual vs. intended gear ratios, then fault detection capability is improved, but processing resources are excessively consumed leading to decreased system processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complex calculations to determine intended gear ratios and comparing them with actual ratios, the patent creates a simplified diagnostic model that directly monitors clutch engagement states. This copying approach uses a lightweight diagnostic logic that mirrors the essential clutch control behavior without requiring intensive processing of gear ratio calculations, thereby maintaining fault detection capability while significantly reducing processing resource consumption.
3Reliability
If complex diagnostic systems with large numbers of inputs are used, then diagnostic coverage is improved, but processing resources are excessively consumed and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential diagnostic function to a separate controller that focuses specifically on monitoring clutch engagement states. This extracted diagnostic unit uses a simplified set of inputs directly related to clutch operation, eliminating the need to process numerous other vehicle system inputs, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective diagnostic coverage for clutch-related faults.
4Device complexity
If a single controller handles both control and diagnostic operations, then system adaptability deteriorates, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the controller architecture into independent diagnostic and control units, allowing each unit to be independently configured, updated, and adapted. This segmentation enables the diagnostic unit to be customized for specific clutch monitoring requirements while the control unit handles control operations, providing greater system adaptability without increasing overall architectural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling and diagnosing one or more clutches in a transmission. In one example, a method for operation of a vehicle system is provided that includes at a diagnostic controller or processing unit independent from a driveline controller or processing unit, respectively, determining an engagement state of a clutch in a transmission of the vehicle system, wherein the engagement state is selected from a group of three or more clutch engagement states. The method further includes identifying an unauthorized clutch state based on the engagement state of the clutch and a speed of the vehicle and responsive to the identification of the unauthorized clutch state, operating the vehicle system in a fault state.