Dynamic Torque and Shift Control for Urban Truck Fuel Economy

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the trucking industry, vehicle operators face conflicting concerns such as fuel economy, trip time, and safety, particularly in urban scenarios where frequent velocity changes reduce fuel economy while increasing trip time, necessitating a system to manage vehicle performance for safe and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A method using sensors and an electronic control module (ECM) to adjust engine output torque limits and transmission shifting schedules based on sensed acceleration, deceleration, and environmental data from radar systems, brake pedals, navigation, and traffic light sensing, optimizing torque limits and shift points to balance fuel economy and trip time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a driver aggressively accelerates and decelerates to minimize trip time, then overall trip time is reduced, but fuel economy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrip timeVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts acceleration limits and transmission shift schedules based on real-time driving conditions, traffic environment, and vehicle state. The ECM continuously modifies torque limits and shift points to optimize the balance between trip time and fuel economy, rather than using fixed aggressive or conservative strategies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (acceleration sensors, radar systems, proximity sensors, traffic light sensing systems) to monitor driving conditions and vehicle performance. This feedback loop enables the ECM to adjust acceleration limits and shift schedules in real-time based on actual traffic conditions, improving fuel economy while maintaining acceptable trip times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If acceleration limits are reduced to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but drivability and trip time may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoiddrivability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Acceleration limits are dynamically adjusted based on traffic conditions, vehicle acceleration state, and driving environment. The system increases acceleration limits when conditions permit (improving drivability) and reduces them when appropriate (improving fuel economy), creating a dynamic balance rather than static restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including engine torque limits, transmission shift points, and acceleration thresholds. These parameter changes are coordinated to maintain drivability while improving fuel economy, rather than simply reducing acceleration limits in isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If transmission shift points are adjusted to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but vehicle responsiveness and drivability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidvehicle responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Transmission shift points are dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions including vehicle acceleration state, traffic environment, and driver behavior patterns. The system modifies shift schedules to optimize fuel economy while maintaining adequate vehicle responsiveness to driver inputs and traffic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10029693B2Active acceleration limit management and gear shift scheduling based on driving environment

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 CUMMINS INC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling performance of a vehicle engine by sensing and/or accessing data regarding the driving environment and adjusting at least one of an engine output torque limit and a shifting schedule for the vehicle based on the sensed data.