Music-Based Transmission Range Selection for Driver Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic transmission systems in vehicles lack effective driver awareness of transmission states and changes, leading to potential errors in gear shifting and increased risk of improper shifts, such as inadvertently leaving the vehicle in an improper park state.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a music-based electronic transmission range selection system that uses audio functions based on musical principles to provide enhanced audible indications, with consonant sounds for successful shifts and dissonant sounds for unsuccessful or improper shifts, utilizing a computer processor and vehicle bus to communicate signals and control audio outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic transmission systems are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but driver awareness of transmission states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides audible feedback through the audio system to inform the driver of transmission state changes. Different audio indications are provided for successful shifts versus unsuccessful or improper shifts, creating a feedback loop that restores driver awareness lost in electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system acts as an intermediary between the transmission control system and the driver. Instead of direct mechanical feedback, the intermediary audio signals convey transmission state information to the driver, bridging the information gap created by electronic controls.
2Ease of operation
If electronic transmission systems are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous perception of transmission states
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate audible feedback to confirm whether a transmission state change was successful or not. This feedback mechanism prevents erroneous perception by clearly indicating the actual transmission state, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides preliminary indication of successful or unsuccessful shifts before the driver can make erroneous decisions. By alerting the driver to improper shifts (such as inadvertent park state disengagement), the system prevents harmful actions before they occur.
3Device complexity
If button press is used instead of lever shift, then device complexity is reduced, but driver awareness deteriorates due to subjective loss of mechanical feel
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical feedback (lever movement, button press sensation) with acoustic feedback. The audio system substitutes the lost mechanical sensory information with audible signals that convey the same information about transmission state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The audible feedback system compensates for the loss of mechanical feel by providing sensory information through a different channel (hearing instead of touch). This maintains driver awareness despite the simplification of the mechanical shifting mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Music-based electronic transmission range selection for a vehicle is provided. A first signal from a first electronic control unit (ECU) is received that is indicative of an initiation of an electronic park function. The first ECU generates a signal when an operator presses an electronic park button on an electronic shift device. A corresponding first audio function is determined from the first signal and is implemented. It is determined whether a second signal from a second ECU is received, which second signal indicates successful engagement of the park function. If it is not received, a second audio function is implemented and, if it has been received, a third audio function is implemented. The second audio function produces sound that is dissonant with respect to the sound produced by the first audio function, and the third audio function produces sound that is consonant with respect to the first audio function.