Steering-Wheel Freewheeling Control for Driver-Selectable Coasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems do not allow drivers to activate or deactivate the freewheeling mode at their discretion, limiting energy efficiency and driver control over fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a manipulator, such as a paddle shifter, integrated into the steering wheel, enabling drivers to switch the vehicle to a freewheeling mode through intuitive operations, including the use of UP and DOWN paddles to select deceleration gear stages and transition between automatic and fixed shift modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the running mode setting unit automatically determines and activates the coasting mode, then the fuel efficiency is improved, but the driver cannot activate or deactivate the coasting mode at his/her discretion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic mode selection (for fuel efficiency) and manual mode selection (for driver control) based on driver input. The操纵器 (manipulator) on the steering wheel allows the driver to dynamically override the automatic system when desired, while the system returns to automatic operation when the manipulator is not activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The操纵器 (manipulator) serves as an intermediary device between the driver and the coasting mode control system. It translates driver intent into mode activation/deactivation signals, enabling the driver to control the coasting mode without directly modifying the automatic control logic.
2Ease of operation
If the manipulator is provided on the steering wheel, then the driver can easily switch to freewheeling mode during driving, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The操纵器 (manipulator) is integrated into the existing steering wheel structure, allowing the steering wheel to serve multiple functions: primary steering control and coasting mode activation/deactivation. This avoids adding a separate control device and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coasting mode control function is merged with the steering wheel operation. The操纵器 (manipulator) combines the steering wheel's structural elements with the mode selection functionality, integrating two systems into one unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a control apparatus for vehicle that enables a driver to activate and deactivate a freewheeling mode at his/her discretion. A control apparatus 1 for vehicle switches the vehicle to a freewheeling mode in which power generated by an engine 2 of the vehicle is not transmitted to drive shafts 7 of the vehicle. The control apparatus 1 for vehicle includes: a decelerator having a plurality of deceleration gear stages for changing deceleration of the vehicle; and a manipulator 10 provided on steering 11 of the vehicle and configured to allow selection of the freewheeling mode in accordance with an operation performed by a driver. The vehicle transitions to the freewheeling mode upon the freewheeling mode being selected through an operation of the manipulator 10.