Hill Ascent Recovery via Automated Reverse Gear Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inexperienced drivers face challenges in managing failed hill ascents due to loss of traction, leading to potential loss of control and unsafe descent methods, as they may not know how to properly respond to engine stalls or lack of servo assistance with wheel brakes.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a multi-speed constant mesh gearbox with clutches to pre-select and engage opposing gear ratios, automatically applying brakes and shifting to reverse gear to maintain control during hill ascent failures, allowing for controlled engine-braked descent and reducing driver input requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver manually manages a failed hill ascent by braking and shifting to reverse gear, then the vehicle can be controlled to descend safely, but the driver may panic or make incorrect responses leading to loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliability during failed ascentVSAvoiddriver operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects failed hill ascents and executes the recovery procedure without driver intervention. The control system monitors vehicle state, identifies ascent failure conditions, and autonomously performs braking and gear shifting to reverse, eliminating the need for driver panic responses and manual操作的 complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors vehicle parameters (wheel speed, engine state, brake status) to detect when a hill ascent has failed. This feedback mechanism triggers the automated response sequence, ensuring the system reacts appropriately to the actual vehicle state rather than relying on driver perception

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the driver continues to press the accelerator during a failed ascent due to loss of traction, then the driver attempts to regain forward progress, but the vehicle may lose control or suffer further traction loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveascent recovery speedVSAvoidvehicle control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system preemptively applies brakes and shifts to reverse gear when ascent failure is detected, counteracting the natural driver tendency to press the accelerator harder. This preliminary anti-action prevents further traction loss and maintains vehicle control while transitioning to the descent phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the vehicle uses a manual gearbox for hill ascent failure recovery, then the driver has direct control over gear selection, but the recovery process requires multiple manual steps increasing complexity and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear selection controlVSAvoidrecovery procedure duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-conditions the transmission and brake systems for automated engagement. When ascent failure is detected, the control system has already prepared the reverse gear selection and brake application parameters, allowing immediate execution of the recovery sequence without sequential manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple recovery actions (brake application, gear shifting, engine management) into a single automated control sequence. These previously separate manual operations are merged into one coordinated automated response, reducing both the number of steps and the total time required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3155299B1Hill ascent method
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
  • EP3155299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3155299B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3155299B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method of using a transmission with multiple clutches in order to provide improved methods of traction control on a hill ascent. Embodiments provide for the use of power-shift, automatic or dual clutch gearboxes.