Gear Shift Indicator Restricting Instructions During AI Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gear shift indicators for vehicles with automatic transmissions capable of manual gear shifts do not effectively coordinate AI-controlled gear shift restrictions with manual gear shift operations, leading to potentially laborious driving experiences due to conflicting gear shift instructions.
Innovation Solution
A gear shift indicator system that integrates a restriction unit to manage gear shift stages based on vehicle conditions, such as road inclination and oil temperature, and a presentation unit that delays or omits instructions for restricted gear shifts to reduce driver burden and improve fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the gear shift indicator provides continuous gear shift instructions to the driver, then fuel consumption can be optimized, but driver burden increases and becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor both vehicle operating conditions and driver intentions (via accelerator pedal position and shift lever position). The system continuously adjusts gear shift recommendations based on real-time feedback, providing instructions only when they align with driver intent and optimize fuel consumption, thereby reducing unnecessary driver burden while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on changing vehicle conditions and driver actions. When the driver operates the accelerator pedal or moves the shift lever, the system dynamically adjusts its instruction provision, delaying or canceling recommendations as needed. This dynamic adaptation ensures fuel optimization is achieved without imposing continuous or conflicting instructions on the driver.
2Productivity
If the gear shift indicator provides frequent gear shift instructions, then optimal gear shift stages can be achieved, but driver discomfort increases due to conflicting instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting driver intentions (accelerator pedal operation, shift lever movement) before providing gear shift instructions. When driver actions indicate an intent to shift or accelerate, the system preemptively delays or cancels its recommendations, preventing conflicting instructions before they occur. This approach maintains gear shift optimization while avoiding driver discomfort from contradictory signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring vehicle conditions and driver inputs continuously, preparing recommendation decisions in advance. Before issuing a gear shift instruction, the system evaluates whether the instruction would conflict with upcoming driver actions, and if so, delays the recommendation. This preliminary evaluation prevents conflicting instructions while maintaining optimal gear shift timing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gear shift indicator allows manual gear shift operations, then driver control is maintained, but fuel consumption deteriorates due to non-optimal gear selection
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator serves as an intermediary between the driver and the transmission system. It provides real-time recommendations based on optimal gear shift stages calculated from vehicle conditions, while the driver maintains final control through the shift lever. This intermediary role guides drivers toward fuel-efficient gear selection without removing driver autonomy, achieving a balance between adaptability and energy efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If the gear shift indicator provides real-time gear shift recommendations, then fuel efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift indicator system is integrated with existing vehicle control units and utilizes existing sensors (accelerator pedal position sensor, shift lever position sensor). By leveraging existing vehicle infrastructure for multiple functions (displaying gear shift recommendations, monitoring driver intent, coordinating with transmission control), the system achieves real-time fuel efficiency optimization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a gear shift indicator which can reduce bothersome feelings of the driver. The EFI-ECU acquires information about the travelling state of a vehicle (Step S11), and calculates a target gear shift stage for improving fuel consumption (Step S12). The EFI-ECU 13 acquires information about a current gear shift stage (Step S 13). The EFI-ECU 13 determines that a gear shift request is generated when the current gear shift stage is different from the target gear shift stage (YES in Step S14). When the EFI-ECU 13 determines that an AI control is under execution (YES in Step S15) and that the target gear shift stage calculated in the Step 12 is a restricted gear shift stage prohibited in the AI control (YES in Step S17), the EFI-ECU 13 does not present a gear shift indication.