Shift Range Controller Dynamic Speed Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift range controllers for automatic transmissions often underutilize motor torque due to impediment-causing conditions like extreme temperatures and increased friction, leading to suboptimal responsiveness in shifting ranges.

Innovation Solution

A shift range controller that includes a target speed setter and an instruction calculator, which adjusts the target rotation speed of the motor based on angle deviation and feedback control, optimizing motor operation to account for external factors and improve responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motor rotation speed is set to a value that operates the motor with minimum torque generation capacity, then the system can handle impediment causing conditions, but the motor torque is underutilized in normal operating states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle impediment causing conditionsVSAvoidmotor torque utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the target rotation speed variable rather than fixed. The target speed setter dynamically adjusts the motor's target rotation speed based on real-time feedback from the instruction calculator, which monitors actual motor performance and impediment conditions. This allows the system to operate at higher torque utilization during normal conditions while automatically adapting to maintain reliability when impediments are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through the instruction calculator that receives feedback values about actual motor operation and compares them with target values. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect when impediment causing conditions occur and adjust the target rotation speed accordingly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and optimizing torque utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the target rotation speed is fixed based on minimum torque requirements, then the motor can reliably overcome friction and external factors, but the responsiveness of shift range switching is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to overcome friction and external factorsVSAvoidresponsiveness of shift range switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the target rotation speed dynamic. During normal operation without impediments, the system allows higher rotation speeds that improve responsiveness. When impediment causing conditions are detected through feedback, the target speed is automatically adjusted to maintain reliable operation. This dynamic adjustment enables both fast responsiveness and reliable operation under adverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of target rotation speed based on operating conditions. By modifying this key parameter in response to feedback about actual motor performance and detected impediments, the system achieves both high responsiveness during normal operation and reliable torque generation when friction and external factors increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the motor operates at higher torque capacity, then the responsiveness improves, but the motor may overshoot or undershoot the target position under adverse conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness of shift range switchingVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback control to prevent overshooting and undershooting. The instruction calculator continuously monitors actual motor rotation and compares it with the target rotation speed. When impediment causing conditions are detected or when the motor approaches the target position, the feedback mechanism adjusts the target rotation speed to ensure precise positioning, preventing both overshoot and undershoot while maintaining high responsiveness during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic adjustment of target rotation speed based on real-time feedback allows the system to operate at higher speeds for improved responsiveness while automatically reducing speed near the target position or under adverse conditions to maintain positioning accuracy. This resolves the contradiction between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10539233B2Shift range controller

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A shift range controller includes a target speed setter that sets a target motor speed for a motor based on an angle deviation between a current rotation position of the motor and a target rotation position based on a requested shift range. A requested duty calculator calculates a requested duty as a drive control amount for driving the motor based on the target motor speed. The target speed setter receives a feedback of the requested duty, and changes the target motor speed at a deceleration time based on the feedback of the requested duty. By changing the target motor speed based on the requested duty, the target motor speed is optimized for responding to impediment-causing factors such as temperature and friction. In such manner, the shift range switching responsiveness is improved.