Automatic Transmission Interlocking Control for Fuel Economy and Shift Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic transmissions with hydraulically actuatable shifting elements face challenges in managing interlocking states, leading to potential delays in shifting dynamics and increased fuel consumption due to the need for hydraulic pressure management.
Innovation Solution
A method for selectively permitting or deactivating the interlocking of shifting elements based on driving conditions, such as coasting mode, braking, speed, transmission temperature, and driver activity, to balance fuel consumption and shifting dynamics, using a control device that evaluates these factors to optimize interlocking activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If interlocking is activated to reduce hydraulic pressure and improve fuel consumption, then fuel consumption is reduced, but shifting dynamics are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking control is made dynamic by continuously monitoring driving conditions (acceleration, deceleration, gear position, brake status) and adjusting the interlocking state in real-time. The control device switches between interlocked and non-interlocked states based on whether the vehicle is in coasting mode, ensuring optimal balance between fuel consumption and shifting performance at different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interlocking parameter (on/off state) based on changing operating conditions. By detecting parameters such as vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration, and brake status, the control device adjusts the interlocking state to match the current driving situation, thereby optimizing both fuel consumption and shifting dynamics.
2Loss of energy
If interlocking is continuously activated to minimize hydraulic pressure usage, then energy consumption is reduced, but shifting response time increases due to interlocking release delay
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous interlocking activation, the system applies periodic or conditional interlocking based on driving phases. The interlocking is activated during coasting periods when energy savings are prioritized, and deactivated when rapid shifting is needed, creating a rhythmic on-off pattern that balances energy loss and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device predicts upcoming shifting needs based on current driving conditions and prepares by deactivating interlocking in advance when a shift is anticipated. This preliminary action ensures that the interlocking is already released when the shift command is given, minimizing shifting response time while still maintaining energy savings during non-critical periods.
3Speed
If interlocking is deactivated during coasting mode to improve shifting dynamics, then shifting response is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to continuous hydraulic pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses feedback from sensors monitoring vehicle operating conditions (speed, acceleration, deceleration, brake status, gear position) to determine when to activate or deactivate interlocking. This closed-loop control ensures that interlocking is deactivated only when necessary for shifting performance while remaining activated during coasting modes to maximize fuel savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking control is applied locally to specific shifting elements based on their individual operating conditions. Each shifting element's interlocking state is independently controlled according to the current driving phase, allowing optimal energy management for each element without compromising overall shifting performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, whereas the automatic transmission features several interlockable shifting elements, involves determining, from the data made available from the driving operation of the motor vehicle, a change to consumption of the motor vehicle expected to be caused by an activated interlocking of the shifting elements and a change to the shifting dynamics of the motor vehicle expected to be caused by an activated interlocking of the shifting elements. The changes are evaluated such that, depending on the change to consumption and depending on the change to shifting dynamics, an interlocking of the shifting elements is permitted or not permitted.