Transmission Controller Override for Off-Road Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions face challenges in maintaining traction while climbing on loose or sandy terrain due to upshifting, leading to loss of tractive force and wheel spin, which can compromise the ability to navigate steep hills effectively in off-road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A controller-programmed step-ratio transmission system that overrides upshifting in off-road mode when specific conditions are met, such as wheel slip, pitch, and accelerator pedal position thresholds, to maintain the current gear and prevent unnecessary gear shifts, thereby enhancing traction and control on loose terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the transmission upshifts according to the shift schedule during off-road climbing, then fuel economy and noise are improved, but traction is lost and wheel spin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control system dynamically adjusts shifting behavior based on detected driving conditions. When off-road climbing conditions are detected (wheel slip, pitch angle, accelerator pedal position), the system overrides the standard shift schedule to maintain current gear, thereby preserving traction while still allowing normal shifting under conventional conditions for fuel economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wheel slip, vehicle pitch angle, and accelerator pedal position to detect off-road climbing conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to distinguish between normal driving and off-road climbing scenarios, adjusting transmission shifting accordingly to maintain traction when needed while preserving fuel economy during normal operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the transmission upshifts according to the shift schedule during off-road climbing, then operating cost is reduced, but vehicle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control system dynamically adjusts shifting behavior based on detected driving conditions. When off-road climbing conditions are detected (wheel slip, pitch angle, accelerator pedal position), the system overrides the standard shift schedule to maintain current gear, thereby preserving traction while still allowing normal shifting under conventional conditions for fuel economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wheel slip, vehicle pitch angle, and accelerator pedal position to detect off-road climbing conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to distinguish between normal driving and off-road climbing scenarios, adjusting transmission shifting accordingly to maintain traction when needed while preserving fuel economy during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the transmission maintains current gear during off-road climbing, then traction is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control system dynamically adjusts shifting behavior based on detected driving conditions. When off-road climbing conditions are detected (wheel slip, pitch angle, accelerator pedal position), the system overrides the standard shift schedule to maintain current gear, thereby preserving traction while still allowing normal shifting under conventional conditions for fuel economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wheel slip, vehicle pitch angle, and accelerator pedal position to detect off-road climbing conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to distinguish between normal driving and off-road climbing scenarios, adjusting transmission shifting accordingly to maintain traction when needed while preserving fuel economy during normal operation.
4Ease of operation
If the transmission overrides upshifting during off-road climbing, then vehicle control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing transmission controller is enhanced to perform multiple functions: standard shift scheduling for normal driving, off-road climbing detection through multiple sensor inputs, and conditional override of shifting when climbing conditions are detected. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding separate dedicated systems while achieving improved off-road control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wheel slip, vehicle pitch angle, and accelerator pedal position to detect off-road climbing conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to distinguish between normal driving and off-road climbing scenarios, adjusting transmission shifting accordingly to maintain traction when needed while preserving fuel economy during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a powerplant, at least one drive wheel, a transmission, and a controller. The powerplant is configured to generate power to propel the vehicle. The transmission is configured to deliver power from the powerplant to the at least one drive wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a scheduled upshift of the transmission and detection of a set of conditions that are indicative of the vehicle climbing while on loose terrain, override upshifting the transmission and maintain a current gear of the transmission. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the scheduled upshift of the transmission and non-detection of at least one condition of the set of conditions that are indicative of the vehicle climbing while on loose terrain, upshift the transmission.