Automatic Transmission Neutral Control for Engine Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic speed change control systems for vehicles require user intervention to manage transmission shift conditions, leading to operational burden and potential issues with starting the engine if the transmission is not in a neutral condition.
Innovation Solution
An automatic speed change control system that uses a shift actuator to transition the transmission into a neutral condition before engine start, utilizing twin clutches to manage power transmission and automatically correct non-neutral conditions, ensuring the transmission is in a neutral state for smooth engine starting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transmission is not automatically returned to neutral condition before engine start, then the user must manually operate the shift lever, but this increases operational burden and may prevent engine starting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically returning the transmission to neutral condition before the engine start is attempted. The control unit detects non-neutral conditions and activates the shift actuator to move the shift fork, positioning the transmission in neutral before the engine starter operates, thus preventing starting failures and eliminating manual intervention needs
2Reliability
If the shift actuator is operated multiple times to ensure neutral condition, then the transmission reliably reaches neutral, but this increases system complexity and operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring the transmission's shift condition through detection means (such as neutral switch or sensor). The control unit receives feedback signals indicating whether the transmission is in neutral or not, and based on this feedback, it determines whether to continue operating the shift actuator or stop, enabling reliable neutral attainment without excessive operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit operates the shift actuator periodically with predetermined intervals when non-neutral conditions are detected. Instead of continuous operation, the actuator is activated in periodic cycles, allowing the transmission to respond and the feedback system to verify position changes, thus achieving neutral condition reliably while controlling operation time and system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatic speed change control system for a vehicle wherein a transmission is operated by use of an actuator, to contrive an alleviation of the burden in a shifting operation made by the user after a system starting operation. A shift actuator for controlling the speed change operation of the transmission is provided in a power transmission path. When the transmission is not in a neutral condition at the time when a predetermined system starting operation is conducted, the shift actuator is operated so as to put the transmission into the neutral condition.