Automatic Transmission Shift Control Using Occupant Sensory Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shifting control systems for stepped automatic transmissions fail to accurately reflect the intentions of vehicle occupants regarding fuel efficiency, acceleration performance, and noise/vibration performance, leading to inappropriate adjustments in shifting characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A shifting control apparatus that includes a sensory evaluation input portion, an evaluation tendency determining portion, and a shifting characteristic changing portion, which accepts occupant feedback, determines emphasis tendencies, and adjusts shifting characteristics such as rotating speed and torque direction to improve sensory evaluations based on historical data and current conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed shifting pattern is used for stepped automatic transmission control, then the system is simple and reliable, but it cannot maximize individual performance aspects (fuel efficiency, acceleration, NV) to the greatest extent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic shifting patterns that can be adjusted in real-time based on driver feedback and vehicle conditions. The control system transitions from fixed predetermined patterns to dynamically adaptable patterns that respond to sensory evaluation data, allowing the shifting characteristics to change according to driver preferences and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where driver sensory evaluations of shifting timing are collected and used to adjust future shifting patterns. The system processes driver feedback about perceived shifting timing and uses this information to modify subsequent shifting control, creating a closed-loop adaptive system that learns from driver responses
2Measurement precision
If shifting timing is changed based on driver evaluation, then driver preference is reflected, but the change may become too large or too small contrary to driver intention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by making incremental adjustments to shifting timing based on driver feedback rather than extreme changes. The system processes sensory evaluation data and applies moderate corrections to shifting patterns, avoiding over-correction while still responding to driver preferences. This allows for gradual refinement of shifting characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including shifting timing, acceleration timing, and deceleration timing based on processed driver feedback. The system adjusts these parameters within optimized ranges to achieve the desired balance between responsiveness to driver input and maintenance of smooth, comfortable vehicle operation
3Productivity
If multiple performance aspects (fuel efficiency, acceleration, NV) are balanced in a fixed pattern, then overall acceptability is achieved, but no single performance can be maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall performance optimization into distinct aspects (fuel efficiency, acceleration performance, noise/vibration) that can be independently adjusted. The control system can prioritize different performance aspects based on driver feedback and driving conditions, allowing optimization of specific performance areas rather than requiring balance across all aspects simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional control system that can optimize for different performance aspects depending on driver preferences and conditions. The same control apparatus can maximize fuel efficiency during economical driving, optimize acceleration performance during spirited driving, or prioritize NV performance during comfortable cruising, making the system universally adaptable to different driving scenarios and priorities
Data Source
AI summary
A shifting control apparatus for a vehicle includes a stepped automatic transmission configured to switch shifting positions based on a shifting pattern stored in advance, characterized by comprising: a sensory evaluation input portion configured to accept at least one sensory evaluation made by a vehicle occupant in the vehicle with regard to traveling of the vehicle; an evaluation tendency determining portion configured to determine an emphasis tendency in the sensory evaluation with regard to a phenomenon of an evaluation target with which the vehicle occupant feels dissatisfied based on the sensory evaluation accepted by the sensory evaluation input portion; and a shifting characteristic changing portion configured to change a shifting characteristic of the stepped automatic transmission based on the emphasis tendency in the sensory evaluation with regard to the phenomenon of the evaluation target determined by the evaluation tendency determining portion so as to improve the sensory evaluation.