Vehicle Transmission Hydraulic Pressure Control From Driver Intent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems for hybrid vehicles consume excessive electric power due to the continuous activation of the electrical oil pump after vehicle activation, before the driver intends to start traveling.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that estimates the driver's intention to start traveling by analyzing images near the driving seat and controls the electrical oil pump to supply either a lower hydraulic pressure or the standard pressure based on this estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical oil pump is activated immediately upon vehicle activation to supply hydraulic pressure for transmission operation, then the vehicle is always in a travel-capable state, but electric power consumption increases during the period before the driver intends to start traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hydraulic pressure supply mode changeable based on driving situation. The control unit dynamically switches between first hydraulic pressure supply mode (high pressure for immediate travel readiness) and second hydraulic pressure supply mode (low pressure for energy saving) according to whether the vehicle is in a travel-ready state or not, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the hydraulic pressure parameter based on driving conditions. By detecting whether the vehicle is in a travel-ready state through various sensors (steering angle, brake pedal, shift lever), the system adjusts the hydraulic pressure level accordingly - supplying high pressure when travel is imminent and low pressure when travel is not intended, thus balancing reliability and energy consumption
2Speed
If the electrical oil pump supplies high hydraulic pressure continuously after vehicle activation, then the transmission can operate immediately when needed, but the duration of high power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by activating the electrical oil pump only during specific periods when needed. Instead of continuous high pressure supply, the system periodically activates the pump based on detected driving situations, supplying high pressure only when travel is imminent and low pressure otherwise, thus reducing the time of high power consumption while maintaining quick response capability
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device has a processor configured to estimate whether or not a driver is attempting to begin vehicle travel after a vehicle has been activated, based on a photographed image of an area near a driving seat, and to control an electrical oil pump to supply a second hydraulic pressure that is lower than a first hydraulic pressure which allows operation of a transmission having a frictional engagement element that can be engaged and disengaged by hydraulic pressure, when it has been estimated that the driver is not attempting to begin vehicle travel, or to control the electrical oil pump to supply the first hydraulic pressure to the transmission, when it has been estimated that the driver is attempting to begin vehicle travel.