Steering Wheel Paddle Control for Dynamic Shift and Speed Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems complicate driver operations when road surface conditions change, requiring manual adjustments between shift change control and preceding vehicle following control.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus featuring a paddle switch, a traveling mode selection unit, and an electronic control unit that dynamically changes the paddle switch's operation mode based on selected traveling modes, simplifying operations by automating adjustments based on road conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the paddle switch is used for both shift change control and preceding vehicle following control, then the operation member can serve multiple functions, but the driver operation becomes complicated when road surface conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle switch operation mode is made dynamic by automatically switching between shift change control and traveling speed control based on detected road surface conditions. The electronic control unit changes the operation mode in real-time, allowing the same operation member to adapt its function to current driving conditions without requiring manual intervention from the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting road surface conditions and autonomously switching the paddle switch function without driver input. The electronic control unit monitors conditions and independently determines when to switch between control modes, reducing the cognitive load on the driver while maintaining multi-functionality.
2Extent of automation
If manual switching between control modes is required, then the driver has full control, but the operational complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit is designed to handle multiple control functions through a single unified interface. It can perform both shift change control and traveling speed control based on the same paddle switch input, managing different control modes within one device to avoid increasing overall system complexity while enabling automatic switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the paddle switch operation mode is fixed, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different road conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring road surface conditions and using this information to automatically adjust the paddle switch operation mode. The electronic control unit receives feedback from condition detection and autonomously determines the appropriate control mode, enabling adaptation without requiring complex manual configuration systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus includes a paddle switch, a traveling mode selection unit, and an electronic control unit. The paddle switch is provided on each side of a steering wheel in a vehicle width direction of a vehicle. The paddle switch is configured to allow for a shift change operation or a traveling speed increasing and decreasing operation. The traveling mode selection unit is configured to allow a driver who drives the vehicle to select a desired traveling mode from traveling modes. The electronic control unit is configured to change an operation mode of the paddle switch to the shift change operation or the traveling speed increasing and decreasing operation based on information supplied from the traveling mode selection unit, and is configured to control corresponding one of a shift change and a traveling speed based on an operation performed on the paddle switch.