Transmission Stage Changeover Control for Mobile Machines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Transmission stage changes in hydrostatic and mechanical manual transmission arrangements can lead to undesirable interruptions in tractive force, particularly when driving uphill or downhill, causing safety concerns and machine instability.

Innovation Solution

A method that estimates the vehicle's velocity at the end of a transmission stage changeover based on a requested time interval and compares it with reference values to determine if the changeover should be enabled or disabled, ensuring the changeover does not result in reduced or interrupted tractive force, thereby preventing critical situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If transmission stage changeover is enabled during travel, then automation and continuous operation are improved, but tractive force interruption and machine stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic transmission stage changeoverVSAvoidmachine stability during changeover
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary evaluation before enabling changeover by estimating the time required for stage transition and predicting whether tractive force will remain within acceptable ranges throughout the changeover period. This preliminary assessment prevents changeovers that would compromise machine stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual velocity and compares it against predicted velocity profiles during changeover. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to detect deviations and abort changeovers that would result in tractive force interruption, thereby maintaining machine stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If transmission stage changeover is performed, then adaptability to varying speed requirements is improved, but tractive force reduction and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed range adjustmentVSAvoidtractive force interruption affecting safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before executing a transmission stage changeover, the control unit estimates the changeover duration and evaluates whether the machine can maintain adequate tractive force throughout the transition. This preliminary check prevents changeovers that would create safety hazards due to insufficient tractive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors actual velocity and tractive force parameters during changeover execution. If measurements indicate that tractive force is approaching critical levels, the control unit aborts the changeover to prevent safety incidents, thus eliminating harmful effects while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If transmission stage changeover is enabled, then operational flexibility is improved, but hydrostatic braking performance and driver safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidreduced hydrostatic braking during changeover
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit evaluates the machine's current operating state, including velocity and load conditions, before permitting transmission stage changeover. This preliminary assessment ensures that changeovers are only enabled when hydrostatic braking performance will not be compromised below safe thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

During changeover execution, the system continuously monitors velocity and braking performance. If hydrostatic braking effectiveness drops below acceptable levels, the control unit aborts the changeover to maintain driver safety, thus preventing harmful effects while preserving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4425011A1Method for changing over transmission stages of a transmission arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4425011A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4425011A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4425011A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates a method for changing over transmission stages (46, 48) of a transmission arrangement (3) of a mobile working machine, the transmission arrangement (3) comprising: a first hydraulic machine (8) coupled to a drive machine (2), a second hydraulic machine (14) having an adjustable expulsion volume (VH), wherein the second hydraulic machine (14) is fluidically connected to the first hydraulic machine (8) via a first working line (10) of the transmission arrangement (3) and a second working line (12) of the transmission arrangement (3), wherein the second hydraulic machine (14) is coupled to a manual transmission (6) of the transmission arrangement (3) so that a torque can be transmitted, the manual transmission (6) having at least two transmission stages (46, 48), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) requesting a changeover of an engaged transmission stage (46, 48) from a first transmission stage (46, 48) to a second transmission stage (46, 48); b) identify a first time interval, wherein said first time interval is the time requested for shifting from said first transmission stage (46, 48) to said second transmission stage (46, 48); c) estimating the velocity reached by said mobile working machine at the end of said shifting based on said first time interval identified during said step b); d) enabling or disabling said changeover based on said estimated velocity.