Kick-down Activation Logic for Transmission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic and hybrid vehicle transmission systems activate the kick-down function unnecessarily, leading to increased fuel consumption and emissions, particularly in non-dangerous situations, and lack effective control to ensure driver intent is respected while maintaining safety and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that conditionally activates the kick-down function based on specific vehicle states, such as gear engagement, speed, distance traveled, and roadway gradient, ensuring it is only engaged in dangerous situations or when the driver intentionally requests it by actuating the accelerator pedal to a high percentage of full load, using sensors and a control unit to assess and enforce these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the kick-down function is activated by pressing the accelerator pedal to full load position, then vehicle acceleration performance is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter of the kick-down function from a simple accelerator pedal position threshold to a time-integrated parameter (accelerator pedal full load position duration). The control unit monitors how long the accelerator pedal remains in the full load position, and only activates the kick-down function after a predetermined time period has elapsed. This transforms the activation criterion from an instantaneous state to a temporal parameter, allowing the system to distinguish between momentary presses (likely unintentional) and sustained presses (likely intentional performance requests).
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary monitoring and evaluation before activating the kick-down function. It continuously tracks the accelerator pedal position and measures the duration of full load position engagement. This preliminary action of time-based monitoring allows the system to predict driver intent and prepare for kick-down activation only when the predetermined time condition is met, preventing premature or accidental activation that would waste fuel.
2Reliability
If the kick-down function is always available when accelerator pedal is pressed, then driving safety is improved, but fuel-saving measures are deactivated unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic temporal characteristics to the kick-down function activation. Instead of a static threshold-based activation system, the control unit implements a time-dependent activation criterion where the system evaluates the duration of accelerator pedal full load position engagement. This dynamic approach allows the activation threshold to adapt based on how long the driver maintains full load position, creating a temporal filter that distinguishes between brief accidental presses and sustained intentional performance requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the accelerator pedal position and provides feedback regarding the duration of full load engagement. This feedback mechanism allows the system to evaluate whether the driver's action meets the predetermined time criterion before activating the kick-down function. The feedback loop ensures that fuel-saving measures remain active during normal driving while automatically deactivating them only when the time-based criterion confirms intentional driver demand for high performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the kick-down function activates on any accelerator pedal press, then driver intent is always responded to, but economy shift programs are deactivated in non-dangerous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary time-based evaluation before responding to driver intent. By monitoring the duration of accelerator pedal full load position engagement, the system preliminarily assesses whether the driver's action represents genuine intent for high performance or merely an accidental press. This preliminary time-based filtering action ensures that economy shift programs are only deactivated when the driver's intent is confirmed through sustained pedal engagement, maintaining fuel efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the response parameter from instantaneous accelerator pedal position to time-integrated pedal engagement duration. This parameter transformation allows the system to differentiate between various driving scenarios: brief presses (economy mode maintained), sustained presses (kick-down activated). The time parameter serves as a discriminator that preserves fuel efficiency while ensuring appropriate response to genuine driver performance requests.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for setting shift points in an automated shift transmission or an automatic transmission of a motor-driven vehicle, it being possible for the shift points to be displaced in the direction of higher engine rotational speeds by the activation of a kick-down function. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the kick-down function is activated by the driver by the actuation of a switch if one or more of the following conditions is met: - a gear higher than a predetermined gear is presently (being) engaged; - the vehicle has reached a predetermined speed after starting from a standstill or during operation; - the vehicle has covered a predetermined distance after starting from a standstill; - a predetermined time has elapsed since the starting of the vehicle from a standstill; - the present roadway inclination is greater than a predefined roadway inclination; - the present vehicle acceleration is higher than a predetermined acceleration value of the vehicle; - the present torque of the drive wheels is less than a predetermined drive torque of the drive wheels; whereas the kick-down function is not activated, despite the actuation of the switch and/or despite the actuation of the accelerator pedal, regardless of the position of the latter, unless at least one of the stated conditions is met.