Gearbox Control Unit Kickdown Engine Speed Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gearbox control systems experience an increase in unwanted gear changes when the kickdown function is activated, leading to reduced ride comfort, increased fuel consumption, and compromised acceleration due to improper engine speed management.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a control unit capable of selecting a gear change that allows the engine to reach a desired maximum power speed in the shortest time, potentially avoiding gear changes by calculating the time required to reach this speed with and without downshifts, and choosing the optimal gear from available options to minimize unnecessary shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the kickdown function is activated in conventional gearbox control systems, then the engine speed can be increased quickly, but the number of unwanted gear changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates the time required to reach the desired engine speed for each possible gear combination before actually executing the gear change. This preliminary calculation allows the system to predict which gear change will achieve the desired speed most efficiently, preventing unwanted gear changes by selecting the optimal path in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates multiple gear combinations and their corresponding acceleration times based on current driving conditions. Instead of following fixed shift schedules, the control unit adapts the gear selection in real-time by calculating which combination will reach the desired engine speed fastest, thereby optimizing performance while minimizing unnecessary gear changes.
2Speed
If multiple gear changes are executed during kickdown, then the engine speed can be increased, but ride comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary calculations to determine the optimal gear combination that reaches the desired engine speed with the fewest gear changes. By predicting the best path before execution, the system minimizes the number of gear transitions, thereby maintaining ride comfort while still achieving the required engine speed increase.
3Speed
If conventional kickdown control is used, then the engine speed can be increased, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates the time and efficiency metrics for each possible gear combination before executing a gear change. This preliminary evaluation allows the system to select the most fuel-efficient path to reach the desired engine speed, avoiding unnecessary gear changes that would waste energy and increase fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically optimizes gear selection based on real-time calculations of acceleration efficiency and fuel consumption implications. By adapting the gear change strategy to the specific driving conditions and calculating the most efficient path, the system minimizes energy waste and reduces fuel consumption while still achieving the required engine speed increase.
4Measurement precision
If the control system calculates acceleration times for all possible gear combinations, then the optimal gear can be selected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit segments the calculation process by evaluating each possible gear combination independently, calculating its specific acceleration time to reach the desired engine speed. This segmented approach allows for precise comparison of individual options without requiring complex simultaneous calculations, thereby achieving high measurement precision while managing computational complexity through systematic breakdown of the decision process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for control of a gearbox, comprising at least one control unit adapted to controlling said gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to, in order to drive, said gearbox, which system is adapted to responding to receiving an indication by choosing for said gearbox a gear which is among various possible gears for said gearbox and which causes said engine to reach a desired speed ? KD in a shorter time than with any other gear from among the various possible gears. The invention relates also to a method, a motor vehicle, a computer programme and a computer programme product thereof.