Transmission Control Module Adaptive Gear Ratio Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional transmission control systems are overly complex and time-consuming to calibrate, as they determine shift decisions based on vehicle speed and throttle, requiring consideration of various factors like engine sub-systems and driving conditions, making them inefficient for optimizing performance, drivability, and fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A transmission control system that uses a driver input device to generate signals for a control module to determine operating modes, such as maximum performance, power, coast, and fuel economy modes, allowing for adaptive gear ratio selection based on driver input, vehicle acceleration, engine speed, and torque requests, thereby simplifying shift strategies and improving responsiveness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional transmission control systems determine shift decisions based on vehicle speed and throttle, then shift strategy can account for engine sub-systems and driving conditions, but the system complexity and calibration time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous control problem into discrete operating modes (performance mode, fuel economy mode, power mode) based on driver input signal thresholds. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by dividing the complex decision-making process into distinct, manageable modes, each with specific gear ratio selection strategies, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous variables (vehicle speed and throttle position) to discrete operating modes determined by driver input signal thresholds. This parameter transformation simplifies the control system by converting a continuous control problem into a discrete state machine, reducing calibration complexity while preserving the ability to adapt to different driving conditions.
2Productivity
If traditional transmission control systems use multiple parameters for shift decisions, then performance and fuel economy can be optimized, but the calibration process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of driving conditions into distinct operating modes before executing specific gear ratio selection strategies. By pre-defining mode thresholds and associated control strategies, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time calibration of multiple parameters, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mode switching based on driver input signals, allowing the system to adaptively change control strategies in real-time. This dynamic approach replaces static, pre-calibrated shift schedules with adaptive mode-based control, reducing calibration requirements while maintaining productivity optimization across varying driving conditions.
3Ease of operation
If transmission control system responds to driver input with multiple operating modes, then responsiveness and efficiency improve, but the control logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control module uses segmentation to divide driver input signal ranges into distinct operating modes with clear threshold boundaries. Each mode has simplified, mode-specific control logic for gear ratio selection, which reduces overall control complexity compared to a single unified control algorithm while maintaining high responsiveness to driver inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service through automatic mode determination based on driver input signal thresholds. The control module autonomously selects the appropriate operating mode and corresponding gear ratio strategy without requiring complex decision-making logic, thereby improving responsiveness while keeping the control module relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission control system for a vehicle includes a driver input device that generates a driver input signal and a control module that receives the driver input signal. The control module determines an operating mode of a transmission based on the driver input signal and selects a gear ratio of the transmission based on the operating mode. The operating mode includes one of a maximum performance mode, a power mode and a fuel economy mode.