Gear Select Module Intention Detection for Real-Time Haptic Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Automatic Powertrain Command Systems (APCS) experience delays in gear shift responses due to the Gear Select Module (GSM) acting as a slave node, which prevents real-time reactions to driver intentions, potentially leading to accidental invalid gear shifts.
Innovation Solution
The proposed powertrain architecture empowers the GSM with autonomous control capabilities, including a controller, intention detector, and haptic human machine interface (HMI), allowing it to actuate and provide real-time feedback to the driver before receiving a signal from the Transmission Control Module (TCM), thereby preventing accidental gear shifts and enabling safer, quicker responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the GSM acts as a slave node and waits for TCM commands, then the system architecture is simple and centralized, but the gear shift response time exceeds 100 ms and real-time control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control authority between TCM and GSM. The GSM is divided into autonomous control functions (detecting driver intention, controlling haptic feedback, preventing accidental shifts) and collaborative functions (receiving TCM commands, transmitting status). This segmentation enables the GSM to operate independently for real-time responses while maintaining overall system coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The GSM performs preliminary actions by detecting driver intention and providing haptic feedback before receiving TCM confirmation commands. The system proactively monitors gear shift requests, evaluates their validity based on current gear position and vehicle state, and provides immediate tactile feedback to prevent accidental shifts, all before TCM authorization is received.
2Loss of time
If the GSM provides real-time haptic feedback autonomously, then driver feedback is immediate (less than 30 ms), but the GSM must process and evaluate gear shift intentions independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical direct-c linkage with electronic sensors and controllers for detecting driver intention. Sensors detect mechanical inputs from the driver on the gear shift lever, and this mechanical signal is converted to electronic signals processed by the GSM controller, enabling faster and more precise detection compared to purely mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting driver intentions through sensors and providing immediate haptic feedback through actuators. The GSM controller continuously monitors gear shift lever position and driver inputs, evaluates the validity of shift requests, and provides real-time tactile feedback to guide the driver, creating a closed-loop control system.
3Reliability
If the GSM autonomously controls gear shifting until TCM signal reception, then accidental invalid gear shifts are prevented, but the GSM must continuously monitor and evaluate gear shift intentions
Solution Approach 1:
The GSM controller operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep mode and active monitoring mode. The controller periodically wakes up to evaluate pending gear shift intentions, provide haptic feedback if necessary, and check for TCM commands, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains safety functionality while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Gear Select Modules (GSMs) are proposed. The GSMs comprise a GSM controller, an intention detector to detect a gear shift movement intention of a driver, a haptic human machine interface (HMI), in communication with the GSM controller and a gear shifting mechanism. The GSM controller is configured to autonomously instruct the haptic HMI to control the gear shifting mechanism between detection of the gear shift change intention and until the GSM controller receives an actuation signal from a transmission control module (TCM). Automatic powertrain command systems with the proposed GSMs are also proposed and also vehicles with the proposed automatic powertrain command systems.