Vehicle Engine Control Arbitration for Performance Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

During performance driving, multiple engine command signals from different vehicle subsystems can be incompatible, requiring a method to arbitrate between them when they overlap, to ensure proper engine control.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle engine control system that senses vehicle operating conditions and manages the output of multiple active subsystems by blending engine command signals from shifting, takeoff, and cornering subsystems using an electronic vehicle module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vehicle subsystems provide engine command signals simultaneously during overlapping performance driving maneuvers, then the system can address different driving events, but the command signals become incompatible and require arbitration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to address different performance driving eventsVSAvoidcompatibility of engine command signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary arbitration mechanism that receives engine command signals from multiple vehicle subsystems (shifting subsystem, takeoff subsystem, cornering subsystem) and resolves conflicts between them. This mediator determines which subsystem's command signal takes precedence based on predefined rules, ensuring that only one command signal is executed at a time, thus maintaining signal compatibility while allowing multiple subsystems to operate independently for different driving events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system arbitrates between multiple engine command signals, then signal compatibility is maintained, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility of engine command signalsVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into distinct functional modules: individual vehicle subsystems (shifting, takeoff, cornering) that generate command signals independently, and a separate arbitration mechanism that resolves conflicts. This segmentation allows each subsystem to remain simple and focused on its specific driving event, while the arbitration logic handles the complexity of signal compatibility, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8290666B2Method and system for controlling a vehicle engine during performance driving events

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling a vehicle engine during one or more performance driving events, such as a performance takeoff, shifting or cornering event. The engine control system may be used to maintain stability when the vehicle is being driven in a competitive or aggressive fashion by temporarily controlling the vehicle engine through the manipulation of engine torque, engine speed or some other means. If the engine control system receives competing command signals from different vehicle subsystems, then the system may arbitrate or otherwise manage the competing command signals so that different subsystems can function together properly. In one embodiment, the engine control system blends the commands signals from two or more subsystems.