Vehicle Park Lock Activation Based on Fault-Time Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking lock systems in vehicles often activate the locking mechanism at high speeds during error situations, which can put excessive strain on mechanical components and prevent proper engagement, leading to potential damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that automatically detect error situations, such as communication failures or power outages, and activate the parking lock only when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined limit, using sensors and control devices to determine the vehicle's speed and trigger the locking effect safely, thereby avoiding significant blocking effects at high speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the parking lock is activated immediately upon detecting an error situation, then the locking mechanism responds quickly to secure the vehicle, but excessive mechanical stress is applied to the deflection function at high speeds preventing proper engagement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism engagementVSAvoidmechanical stress on deflection function
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the locking activation based on real-time speed conditions. The control unit monitors vehicle speed and only activates the parking lock when speed is below the threshold, making the locking behavior adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing quick response at safe speeds while preventing stress at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (locking activation) based on the speed parameter. When speed exceeds the threshold, the locking parameter is changed to inactive state, preventing mechanical stress. When speed is below threshold, locking can be activated normally. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between quick locking response and mechanical stress prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the parking lock activation is delayed to check vehicle speed, then mechanical stress is avoided, but the response time to secure the vehicle is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress on deflection functionVSAvoidresponse time for locking
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of vehicle speed continuously before error situations occur. When an error is detected, the speed check is already in progress or completed, enabling immediate activation decision without delay. This preliminary monitoring eliminates the time loss while still preventing mechanical stress through speed-based activation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously receives feedback from speed sensors and error detection systems. This real-time feedback loop allows the system to make immediate locking decisions based on current speed conditions, resolving the contradiction by providing both quick response (through continuous monitoring) and stress prevention (through speed-based activation criteria).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4127524B1Method for operating a park lock device in a vehicle, and park lock device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4127524B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4127524B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for operating a park lock device (10) in a vehicle (F), comprising detecting (S1) an existent fault situation in a controller of the vehicle (F); determining (S2) the speed of the vehicle (F) in the detected fault situation; comparing (S3) the speed of the vehicle (F) with a predefined speed limit value (G); and activating (S4) a locking effect of a park lock (10a) of the park lock device (10) at at least one drive wheel of the vehicle (F) if the speed of the vehicle (F) is less than or equal to the predefined speed limit value (G).