Vehicle Platooning Gear Shift Control for Precise Gap Keeping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle control systems, particularly in semi-autonomous convoys, face challenges in precision due to limitations in existing drive-by-wire technologies, which struggle to maintain accurate control of speed, acceleration, and direction, especially at high speeds and in complex environments.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a platooning ECU that communicates data between lead and rear vehicles, using engine, brake, and transmission ECUs to maintain a target gap and time offset, allowing for precise control of torque and gear shifting, enabling more accurate and efficient vehicle following.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If drive-by-wire systems are used to control vehicle speed and direction, then remote vehicle control is achieved, but precision control at high speeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote vehicle controlVSAvoidprecision control

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vehicle control system into multiple independent electronic control units (ECUs), each responsible for specific functions such as engine control, transmission control, brake control, and steering control. This segmentation allows each ECU to independently process control signals with high precision, overcoming the limitations of centralized drive-by-wire systems while maintaining remote controllability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If simple throttle and brake control are used in drive-by-wire systems, then system complexity is reduced, but precision acceleration and braking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidprecision acceleration and braking

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control functions (engine torque control, transmission gear selection, brake application, and steering adjustment) into an integrated electronic control system where ECUs communicate and coordinate their actions. This merging allows for precise control of acceleration and braking by simultaneously adjusting multiple parameters rather than relying on simple single-parameter control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If mechanical linkages are used in steering systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but steering precision at high speeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering system simplicityVSAvoidsteering precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages in the steering system with an electronic control unit that receives steering commands and actuates the steering mechanism through electronic actuators. This substitution eliminates the limitations of mechanical linkages while maintaining system simplicity through electronic control, achieving high-precision steering control at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11334092B2Devices, systems, and methods for transmitting vehicle data

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 PELOTON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, gear ratios on vehicles. A front vehicle can shift a gear which, via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, can cause a rear vehicle to shift gears. To maintain a gap, vehicles may shift gears at various relative positions based on a grade of a road.