Automatic Transmission Manual Shift Using Shared Vehicle Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for automatic vehicle transmissions that offer manual shift modes are costly, heavy, and require significant installation space due to the need for separate gear selection levers and manual change mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that enables manual shift mode activation using a single gear selection operating element and a setting operating element, where the setting operating element is used for manual gear changes only when the primary function is deactivated, allowing efficient use of existing components to reduce costs and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gear selection lever with multiple lanes for manual and automatic modes is provided, then manual shift capability is enabled, but costs, weight, and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear selection operating element is designed to serve dual purposes: it selects gear stages in automatic mode and activates manual shift mode through a specific actuation pattern (holding in second direction for minimum duration). The setting operating element similarly serves both its primary function (controlling vehicle function parameter) and secondary function (manual gear changing when function is deactivated). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated manual shift controls, reducing device complexity while maintaining manual shift capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reassigns the function of the setting operating element based on the activation state of the primary vehicle function. When the primary function is deactivated, the setting operating element's actuations are redirected to control manual gear changes. This dynamic functional switching allows the same hardware to adapt to different operational modes without requiring additional components, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated operating elements for manual gear changes are provided, then manual shift mode is enabled, but costs, weight, and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The setting operating element, originally dedicated to controlling a vehicle function parameter, is repurposed to also control manual gear changes when that function is deactivated. This universal usage of existing components eliminates the need for separate dedicated manual shift controls, thereby reducing the overall weight of the vehicle without sacrificing manual gear changing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate manual shift controls are added to the gear selection lever, then manual shift mode is enabled, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear selection operating element and setting operating element are designed to perform multiple functions. The gear selection element handles both automatic gear stage selection and manual shift mode activation, while the setting element handles both primary function control and manual gear changing. This consolidation of functions into existing controls eliminates the need for additional physical components in the center console, maintaining manual shift capability while minimizing installation space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit is provided for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. The vehicle has a gear selection operating element which allows a user of the vehicle to set different gear stages of the transmission by actuating the gear selection operating element, and the vehicle has at least one setting operating element which allows the user to change the value of a parameter of a function of the vehicle by actuating the setting operating element when the function of the vehicle is activated. The control unit is designed to detect an actuation of the gear selection operating element for a period of time which is equal to or longer than a minimum duration and to determine that the function of the vehicle is deactivated. In response thereto, the control unit is additionally designed to allow a manual change of the transmission gear by actuating the at least one setting operating element.