EV Gear Selection Control With Constant Gear Hold Override

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic gear selection systems in electric vehicles often lead to unwanted gear changes and driver discomfort, particularly during direction changes and in inclined conditions, resulting in reduced drivability and increased power cut-offs.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a user input element that allows operators to hold a constant gear, overriding automatic gear shift commands based on vehicle inclination, mass, and direction changes, using a gear selection control device to improve drivability and reduce unnecessary shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automatic gear selection is implemented, then gear control is simplified and adaptability to different driving conditions is improved, but unwanted gear changes occur during direction changes and on slopes causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to driving conditionsVSAvoiddriver comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device detects direction changes and slope conditions in advance, and preemptively prevents automatic gear ratio shifts during these critical moments. By applying counter-action before unwanted gear changes occur, the system maintains gear stability during direction changes and on slopes, eliminating driver discomfort while preserving automatic gear control benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If automatic gear ratio shifts are performed based on vehicle inclination and direction changes, then drivability is improved, but frequent gear shifts cause power cut-offs and reduce operational continuity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedrivabilityVSAvoidpower cut-offs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects direction changes and slope conditions in advance, and preemptively prevents automatic gear ratio shifts during these moments. This counter-action eliminates unnecessary gear shifts that would cause power cut-offs, ensuring continuous power delivery and improved operational productivity without sacrificing drivability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If automatic gear control is used, then operator workload is reduced, but operator control over gear shifts is diminished leading to unwanted gear changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidoperator control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors driving conditions including direction changes and slope information, and uses this feedback to intelligently modulate automatic gear control. The system maintains automatic gear management for normal operation but automatically intervenes to prevent gear shifts during detected direction changes or slope conditions, optimizing the balance between automated control and operator needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4656910A1Control device for gear selection in an electrically driven vehicle and a method for gear selection control in an electrically driven vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a control system (100) for gear selection of a transmission (205) for an electrically driven vehicle (1), wherein said control system (100) comprises a gear selection control device (150) and a gear selection input device (101), the gear selection input device (101) comprising a user input element (102) for selectively holding a constant gear, and wherein said control system (100) is adapted to hold a constant gear of the transmission while the user input element (102) is activated. The disclosure also relates to a transmission arrangement, a powertrain (200), a vehicle (1) and a method.