Vehicle Neutral Towing Control for Battery-Sustained Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle towing systems face challenges in sustaining neutral operation, particularly with shift-by-wire transmission control systems, where power requirements deplete vehicle batteries and operators may not be aware of transmission modes or settings, leading to potential vehicle damage during towing, and conventional alert systems fail to notify drivers of errors in a timely manner, especially in noise-sensitive areas.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines a vehicle's towing mode and operational characteristics, generating alerts and performing actions to prevent damage, including starting the vehicle's engine to recharge batteries and ensuring compliance with local ordinances by using a computing environment with a Telematics Control Unit, automotive computer, and mobile device to monitor and manage sustained neutral operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle is placed in Neutral mode for towing, then the vehicle can be towed over long distances, but the battery power is depleted due to system controls maintaining Neutral shift position
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic engine startup procedures to recharge the battery when Neutral operation is expected to exceed durability limits. The controller monitors towing duration and battery power levels, then periodically activates the engine to restore battery charge, enabling sustained Neutral operation without depleting battery power.
2Reliability
If conventional alert systems are used to notify drivers of towing errors, then drivers can be warned of potential damage, but drivers may not notice alerts in noise-sensitive areas or until it is too late to take corrective action
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from traditional audible/visual alerts to a multi-dimensional notification approach including wireless communications to mobile devices, text messages, and emails. This sends alerts to a different dimension (remote communication channels) where the driver can receive and respond to warnings regardless of local noise conditions or immediate awareness.
3Reliability
If the vehicle operator is not aware of transmission modes or settings for towing, then improper towing operations may occur, but providing comprehensive information increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines whether the vehicle is in proper Neutral mode for towing and monitors operational parameters without requiring the driver to understand transmission modes or settings. The controller self-manages the monitoring and alerting functions, providing error detection and correction guidance without demanding operator expertise in transmission operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes determining a vehicle configuration indicative of a towing mode setting for the vehicle, which can include a neutral transmission gear setting, a battery conservation mode, or another towing mode setting. The method can include determining at least one vehicle operation characteristic that changes with time while the vehicle is in the towing mode setting, and performing, via a vehicle control module and based at least in part on the towing mode setting and the vehicle operation characteristic, one or more vehicle actions that include generating an alert signal indicative that vehicle damage may occur.