Vehicle Gear Control with ECU Signal Override and Reset Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, there is a mismatch between the gear displayed on the vehicle's interface and the actual gear selected by the gear selection module, causing confusion and potential distractions for the driver when transitioning from autonomous to manual mode.
Innovation Solution
An electrical control unit modifies gear selection signals based on the vehicle's target trajectory and powers the gear selection module on and off to synchronize the displayed and actual gear, generating dummy signals if necessary to maintain system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gear selection module is powered off to reset its gear state, then gear synchronization is achieved, but gear selection control signals are interrupted causing potential system malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU generates and sends dummy gear selection control signals before the GSM is powered off. This preliminary action ensures that other vehicle systems continue to receive necessary control signals during the power cycling process, preventing system malfunction while the GSM is resetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary by generating dummy gear selection control signals that mimic the GSM's normal output. These dummy signals bridge the gap caused by the GSM being powered off, allowing other systems to continue operating without interruption while the GSM resets its gear state.
2Ease of operation
If the gear selection module continuously sends control signals, then system functionality is maintained, but gear mismatch between display and actual gear persists
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU periodically cycles the power to the GSM to reset its gear state. This periodic action ensures that the GSM's internal gear state is refreshed and synchronized with the actual vehicle gear, preventing persistent mismatches between the displayed gear and the actual gear while maintaining continuous system functionality through dummy signals.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of controlling gears in a vehicle. The method comprising: receiving, by an electrical control unit, ECU, associated with an autonomy stack of the vehicle, a gear selection control signal sent by a gear selection module, GSM, to the gears of the vehicle to select a gear from a plurality of gears; modifying, by the ECU, the gear selection control signal based on a target trajectory of the vehicle generated by the autonomy stack; sending, by the ECU, the modified gear selection control signal to the gears through a controller area network, CAN; then, sending, by the ECU, a power cycling signal to the GSM to turn a power of the GSM off then subsequently turn the power of the GSM back on, after a pre-determining power cycling time.