Vehicle Transmission Adaptive Gear Shift Map Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle transmissions lack efficient gear shifting strategies that adapt to varying terrain and throttle conditions, leading to suboptimal performance and rider experience, especially when transitioning between different gear ratios.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle transmission system that combines an automatic main transmission with a manual sub-transmission, utilizing gear shift maps and sensing mechanisms to automatically switch between two gear shift maps based on throttle opening and vehicle speed, allowing the sub-transmission to switch between a drive position and a low position with a higher reduction ratio, thereby optimizing gear shifting according to terrain and throttle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an automatic main transmission is used with fixed gear shift maps, then gear shifting is automated and easy to operate, but the transmission cannot adapt to varying terrain and throttle conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gear shift map selectable and changeable based on operating conditions. The system transitions from a fixed gear shift map to a dynamic selection between multiple gear shift maps (first and second gear shift maps) based on throttle opening degree and vehicle speed, allowing the transmission to adapt to varying terrain and throttle conditions while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of gear shift timing by providing multiple gear shift maps with different shift timing characteristics. The ECU selects between a first gear shift map and a second gear shift map based on throttle opening degree and vehicle speed, thereby changing the gear shift parameters to match different driving conditions and terrain types
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sub-transmission is switched manually between drive position and low position, then adaptability to terrain is improved, but the gear shifting process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the sub-transmission shift position sensor to detect the current position (drive position or low position) and feeding this information back to the ECU. The ECU then uses this feedback to automatically select the appropriate gear shift map, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces the complexity of manual operation while maintaining terrain adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system (ECU and map switching means) that mediates between the manual sub-transmission selection and the automatic main transmission control. This intermediary automatically adjusts the gear shift maps based on sub-transmission position, reducing the burden on the operator while maintaining system adaptability
3Speed
If gear shift maps are switched immediately upon sub-transmission position change, then responsiveness is improved, but gear shifting jolts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a time delay mechanism that postpones the gear shift map switching for a predetermined period after sub-transmission position change. This cushioning period allows the mechanical system to stabilize before changing the gear shift parameters, preventing sudden jolts while maintaining eventual responsiveness to position changes
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle transmission includes a main transmission, a sub-transmission, a sub-transmission shift position sensor, and a map switching device. The main transmission is an automatic transmission configured to perform gear shifting according to a gear shift map selected between a first gear shift map and a second gear shift map in accordance with a throttle opening degree and a vehicle speed. The sub-transmission is configured to change rotational speed of rotational drive force output from the main transmission by manually selecting a sub-transmission gear position between a drive position and a low position having a reduction ratio larger than a reduction ratio of the drive position. The map switching device is configured to perform switching between the first gear shift map and the second gear shift map in accordance with sensing signals from the sub-transmission shift position sensor.