Hill Start Assist Axial Gradient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hill start assist systems fail to activate in situations with local upward gradients, leading to potential vehicle roll-back and collision risks, especially when the vehicle is positioned such that inclination sensors register no or slight upward inclination.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses sensors to detect local upward gradients independently of the vehicle's overall inclination, automatically activating the hill start assist by evaluating sensor data from inclination, ultrasound, radar, or lidar sensors, and comparing it with predetermined threshold values to ensure the system engages when necessary, even in situations where the vehicle is not on a significant upward incline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inclination sensors are used to detect upward gradients, then the system operates reliably on significant inclines, but the system fails to detect local upward gradients when the vehicle is positioned with front wheels on a rising edge and rear wheels on a flat surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into two independent detection zones: one for the front axle and one for the rear axle. Each zone has its own sensor and control logic. The front axle sensor detects local upward gradients at the front wheels, while the rear axle sensor detects gradients at the rear wheels. This segmentation allows the system to detect local gradients that affect only one axle, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability in depression scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements axle-specific detection and control, where each axle has its own hill start assist control unit that independently evaluates sensor data for its local region. The front axle control unit can activate hill start assist based on front wheel conditions even when the rear wheels are on a flat surface, providing localized response to local upward gradients and improving both detection precision and activation reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching of hill start assist is implemented, then the driver can activate the system when needed, but the driver must pay additional attention and may not notice local upward gradients or estimate axle positions accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic detection and activation of hill start assist through sensors mounted on each axle that continuously monitor local surface gradients. The control units automatically evaluate sensor data and activate the assist system when local upward gradients are detected, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention. This self-service approach maintains adaptability while significantly improving ease of operation by removing the attention burden from the driver.
3Device complexity
If hill start assist activates only on significant upward inclines, then the system remains simple to control, but the system does not activate in situations with local upward gradients where the vehicle overall inclination is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into axle-independent control units, each evaluating local gradient conditions at its respective axle. This segmentation enables the system to detect and respond to local upward gradients without requiring complex vehicle-wide inclination analysis, maintaining relative simplicity while significantly improving activation accuracy in local gradient scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary detection of local upward gradients at each axle before the vehicle begins moving. The sensors continuously monitor the driving surface in advance, and the control units are pre-configured to automatically activate hill start assist when local gradients exceed threshold values, ensuring timely activation without complex real-time decision-making.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents vehicle roll-back in various terrain conditions by automatically activating the hill start assist without driver intervention, reducing the risk of collisions by accurately identifying local upward gradients and engaging the assist mechanism when required.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of an upward gradient is normally established with an inclination sensor
Implementation Method 2
evaluating sensor data from inclination, ultrasound, radar, or lidar sensors
Implementation Method 3
evaluating sensor data from inclination, ultrasound, radar, or lidar sensors
Implementation Method 4
evaluating sensor data from inclination, ultrasound, radar, or lidar sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A hill start assist system for a motor vehicle including a control system using sensor data from at least one sensor to provide the hill start assist with improved response behavior. The control system activating the hill start assist automatically and independently of whether the motor vehicle is on an upward incline depending on sensor data from the sensor indicating a local upward gradient in a driving surface in a region of a vehicle axle.