Anticipatory Gear Selection Using Laser Road Gradient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic transmissions in heavy trucks and vehicles often fail to recognize inclines early enough, leading to late downshifts and switching errors, resulting in insufficient engine power and increased fuel consumption, prompting drivers to switch to manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A method using a laser distance measuring device to detect changes in road gradient ahead, allowing for anticipatory gear selection by measuring the distance to the roadway surface at a predetermined angle, combined with an inclination sensor to determine the gradient, enabling the transmission controller to activate a suitable gear before steep inclines or declines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the transmission control uses only load-dependent control to recognize inclines, then the control system remains simple, but the gear switching occurs too late leading to insufficient engine power
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor measures the distance to the road surface ahead of the vehicle at a predetermined angle, detecting gradient changes before the vehicle reaches them. This preliminary detection allows the transmission control to activate suitable gears in advance, ensuring optimal engine power is available when needed without waiting for load-dependent signals.
2Loss of energy
If the transmission control waits for load-dependent signals to detect inclines, then the control logic remains simple, but fuel consumption increases due to late gear switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of road gradients using a distance sensor that measures the distance to the road surface at a fixed angle. This allows anticipatory gear selection before the vehicle encounters the incline, enabling the engine to operate in optimal power ranges and reducing fuel consumption without requiring complex control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
A distance sensor serves as an intermediary device that indirectly detects road gradient changes by measuring the distance to the road surface ahead. This intermediary measurement provides early warning of upcoming inclines or declines, allowing the transmission control to prepare appropriate gear changes without directly sensing the gradient or requiring complex load analysis.
3Loss of information
If image acquisition units are used to detect route information and gradient changes, then comprehensive route information can be obtained, but the technology required becomes relatively large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential information needed for gradient detection - the distance to the road surface at a predetermined angle - rather than using comprehensive image acquisition systems. This extracted measurement is sufficient to detect gradient changes and trigger anticipatory gear selection, significantly reducing technological complexity while maintaining effective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive, complex image acquisition units with a simple, inexpensive distance sensor that performs the specific function of measuring distance to the road surface at a fixed angle. This simpler device provides the necessary gradient detection capability without the overhead of sophisticated imaging systems, making the solution more practical and cost-effective.
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
Enables smooth and fuel-saving driving by predicting gear changes, ensuring optimal engine power and reducing the need for manual operation, even in varying road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The distance measurement can be carried out using a simple laser distance measuring device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves measuring distance between a motor vehicle (11) and a road surface (10), which is extended in a predetermined measuring angle before the vehicle in a travel direction, by a measuring device i.e. laser distance measuring device, where the predetermined measuring angle is a fixed angle relative to the vehicle. A slope value is determined from the measured distance for determining a drive position of an automatic transmission of the vehicle. The drive position suitable for a slope or a gradient is activated before the vehicle reaches the slope or the gradient. An independent claim is also included for a device for foresighted determination of a suitable drive position of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle.