Powertrain Fault Management via Occupancy-Based Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle powertrains often malfunction due to overheating, leading to potential damage and reduced operability, with existing systems failing to balance continued vehicle functionality with occupant comfort during critical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled system that determines occupancy status and adjusts powertrain parameters such as engine speed, cylinder deactivation, transmission-shifting speed, and shift schedule to prolong powertrain life while minimizing noise, vibration, and harshness, by increasing engine speed and cylinder deactivation for unoccupied vehicles and reducing transmission-shift time and adjusting shift schedules to increase lugging for unoccupied vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the powertrain operates at full capacity during critical conditions, then the vehicle can maintain normal performance and speed, but the powertrain may suffer further damage and overheating worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts powertrain parameters (engine speed, transmission-shifting speed, cylinder deactivation) based on real-time temperature sensor data. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the system transitions from normal operation to protective mode, continuously adapting parameters to balance cooling needs with vehicle performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the powertrain components based on temperature conditions. It modifies engine speed limits, transmission shift schedules, and cylinder activation patterns to reduce thermal load on the powertrain while maintaining adequate vehicle functionality during critical temperature conditions.
2Reliability
If the system limits powertrain operation to protect against damage, then the powertrain reliability improves, but the vehicle performance and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial limiting of powertrain operation rather than complete shutdown. It selectively deactivates certain cylinders, limits engine speed to specific ranges, and modifies transmission shift patterns - enough to reduce thermal stress and protect durability, while maintaining sufficient power and performance for safe vehicle operation and reaching the destination.
3Temperature
If the system adjusts powertrain parameters aggressively to cool the powertrain, then the temperature reduces faster, but the noise, vibration, and harshness increase for occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively applies different operational adjustments to different parts of the powertrain based on which components are overheating. Rather than uniformly limiting all parameters, it targets specific cylinders for deactivation, adjusts transmission shifting only when needed, and modulates engine speed independently - reducing overall thermal load while minimizing the generation of noise and vibration that would affect occupant comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer is programmed to determine an occupancy status of a vehicle based on received sensor data; and adjust a parameter of a powertrain of the vehicle in response to data indicating a critical condition of the powertrain based on the occupancy status. The parameter may be one of engine speed, cylinder deactivation, transmission-shift time, and shift schedule.