Transmission Control for Forward Vehicle Deceleration Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic transmissions in vehicles cannot recognize the velocity of a forward vehicle, leading to increased frequency of acceleration and braking to maintain following, which reduces driver convenience and increases fuel consumption due to frequent deceleration and re-acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A transmission control apparatus and method that determines whether to perform forward vehicle-based deceleration tracking control based on the vehicle's velocity, deceleration, and the forward vehicle's velocity and acceleration, calculating a target velocity and distance to decide the final gear for smooth deceleration, thereby reducing unnecessary deceleration and re-acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the automatic transmission uses only a gear decision map based on vehicle velocity, then the transmission control system remains simple, but the frequency of acceleration and braking increases, reducing driver convenience and increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the TCU continuously monitor the velocity of the forward vehicle and compare it with the host vehicle's velocity. This feedback loop enables the system to detect velocity differences and initiate appropriate deceleration or acceleration actions, thereby reducing frequent manual acceleration and braking operations while improving fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively decelerating the host vehicle when detecting that the forward vehicle's velocity is lower than the host vehicle's velocity. This preliminary deceleration prevents the need for frequent subsequent braking operations, thereby improving driver convenience and reducing fuel consumption associated with repeated acceleration-braking cycles.
2Device complexity
If the transmission control unit does not recognize the velocity of the forward vehicle, then the system complexity remains low, but the frequency of deceleration and re-acceleration increases, leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the existing TCU to perform multiple functions: not only managing gear shifts based on vehicle velocity but also detecting and responding to the forward vehicle's velocity. This multi-functionality allows the system to reduce fuel consumption through intelligent velocity matching without requiring a completely new dedicated control system, thus maintaining relatively low system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the driver operates the brake pedal frequently to maintain velocity difference with the forward vehicle, then the velocity following accuracy improves, but the driver convenience deteriorates and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the transmission control system to automatically adjust the host vehicle's velocity to match the forward vehicle's velocity. The TCU autonomously manages deceleration and acceleration operations based on detected velocity differences, eliminating the need for frequent manual brake pedal operations by the driver, thereby improving driver convenience while maintaining velocity following accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes: a determination device that decides whether to perform a forward vehicle-based deceleration tracking control, based on information of the vehicle and a forward vehicle, when the vehicle starts to coast; a calculation device that calculates a target velocity and a target distance based on a position and a velocity of the forward vehicle, when the forward vehicle-based deceleration tracking control is decided to be performed; a gear position decision device that constructs deceleration profiles for respective gears and decides a final gear based on the target velocity and the target distance calculated; and a controller that controls the transmission based on the final gear.