Vehicle Parking Lock Control for Slope Release Load Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
When shifting from a parking position to another on a sloped road, the increased load on the parking lock mechanism's actuator and potential torsion shocks are not effectively managed by existing technologies, leading to increased electric power consumption and potential durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that uses an electric motor to output torque opposite to the drive wheels' rotation direction on a sloped road, reducing the load on the actuator by increasing torque until the motor rotates, thereby releasing the parking lock mechanism without increasing the actuator's operation count, thus reducing power consumption and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is driven to release the parking lock mechanism on a sloped road, then the parking lock can be released, but the load on the actuator increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor performs preliminary action by rotating the parking gear in the opposite direction before the actuator operates. This preliminary rotation reduces the engagement force between the lock tooth and parking gear, making the subsequent actuator operation easier and reducing the load on the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor acts as an intermediary between the road gradient condition and the actuator operation. It detects the sloped road condition and mediates by pre-rotating the parking gear, thereby preparing the system for easier actuator operation and reducing the direct load on the actuator.
2Reliability
If the actuator is driven multiple times to ensure parking lock release, then the parking lock can be reliably released, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor performs preliminary action by rotating the parking gear before the actuator operates. This preliminary rotation ensures that the parking lock mechanism is prepared for release, allowing the actuator to operate successfully on the first attempt without needing multiple retries, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor replaces part of the mechanical function previously performed solely by the actuator. By using the electric motor to pre-rotate the parking gear, the system substitutes mechanical brute force with a more efficient electromechanical approach, reducing the energy needed for actuator operation.
3Reliability
If the actuator operates the parking lock mechanism under high load, then the parking lock can be released, but the number of actuator operations increases and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor performs preliminary action by rotating the parking gear in the opposite direction before the actuator operates. This preliminary rotation reduces the engagement force between the lock tooth and parking gear, allowing the actuator to operate with lower load and fewer repetitions, thereby extending its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor provides a counteracting torque that opposes the gravitational force acting on the vehicle on sloped roads. By generating this counter-torque, the electric motor reduces the net load on the actuator during parking lock release operations, enabling smoother and less stressful actuator operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the load on the actuator, minimizes electric power consumption, and suppresses torsion-related shocks, enhancing the durability of the actuator and improving the reliability of the parking lock mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the control apparatus is configured, when the shift operation position is switched from the parking position to another position in a state in which the vehicle is stopped, to cause the electric motor to output a torque acting in an opposite rotational direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the drive wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes an electric motor and a parking lock mechanism for stopping rotation in a power transmission path between the electric motor and drive wheels. The parking lock mechanism includes: a parking gear, a lock tooth that is to mesh with the parking gear and an actuator for moving the lock tooth. When a shift operation position is switched to a parking position, the lock tooth is moved by the actuator to mesh with the parking gear. When the shift operation position is switched from the parking position to another position in a state in which the vehicle is stopped, the electric motor outputs a torque acting in a rotational direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the drive wheels due to a gradient of a road surface, and the outputted torque is increased until rotation of the electric motor is detected.