Vehicle Gear Shifting Control via Dynamic Engine Load Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems for determining optimal gear shifting face limitations such as feedback delay, shifting frequency, and human error, which negatively impact drivability, fuel economy, and trip time, especially in manual transmissions where operator judgment is relied upon.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control system is implemented in vehicles to estimate engine load parameters dynamically, set engine load thresholds, and control shifting events based on these evaluations, optimizing gear shifts by limiting engine speed and influencing operator behavior in manual transmissions or commanding shifts in automatic transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operator judgment is relied upon for gear selection in manual transmissions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the operator to manually select gears while the electronic control system monitors engine load parameters and provides automated assistance when suboptimal selections are detected. The operator serves themselves by making decisions, but the system self-corrects errors through automated intervention, combining human ease of operation with machine reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control system continuously monitors engine load parameters and provides feedback to the operator when a selected gear is suboptimal. This feedback loop allows the operator to adjust their judgment based on real-time system analysis, improving reliability while maintaining operator control and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If traditional feedback-based gear shifting control is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to feedback delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of engine load parameters using dynamically determined vehicle operating parameters before actual gear shifting events occur. By predicting future engine load conditions and pre-determining optimal gear selections, the system eliminates feedback delays while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts gear shifting control based on real-time vehicle operating parameters including road grade, aerodynamic losses, and traffic conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize gear selection in advance for changing conditions, reducing time loss without requiring complex fixed-rule control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent gear shifting occurs to adapt to changing conditions, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased shifting frequency impacting trip time
Solution Approach 1:
The system predicts future engine load parameters and determines optimal gear selections in advance before shifting events occur. By anticipating upcoming conditions such as road grade changes or traffic variations, the system can execute smoother, more efficient gear transitions that adapt to changing conditions without excessive shifting frequency that would impact trip time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates vehicle operating parameters to determine the optimal timing and timing of gear shifts. Rather than shifting frequently in response to every minor condition change, the system adaptively adjusts gear selection based on predicted future conditions, achieving adaptability while minimizing unnecessary shifts that would reduce productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising vehicle gear shifting controls are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising operating a vehicle system comprising an engine structured to output torque, a transmission structured to receive torque from the engine and output torque to one or more ground contacting wheels, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the engine and the transmission. The electronic control system is structured to estimate an engine load parameter using one or more dynamically determined vehicle operating parameters, set an engine load threshold using the engine load parameter, evaluate a current engine load relative to the engine load threshold, and selectably perform an operation to control or influence a shifting event in response to the evaluation.