Transmission Sailing Deactivation via Manual-to-Automatic Shift Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle transmission systems with automatic gear-shifting modes often activate the sailing functionality unnecessarily, leading to inefficient deceleration and energy consumption, as drivers must apply the brake pedal to disengage this mode for higher deceleration rates, and manually shifting gears at lower speeds is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A method and transmission system that allow users to deactivate the sailing functionality by manually changing the transmission mode to automatic, where the control unit detects a gear lower than the recommended gear, thereby avoiding sailing mode activation and enabling controlled deceleration without brake application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the sailing functionality is activated during deceleration, then fuel consumption is reduced and travel distance is extended, but the deceleration rate is reduced and engine braking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control unit performs preliminary detection of the operating gear in manual mode before the sailing functionality can be activated. When a gear lower than the recommended gear is detected, the system proactively deactivates the sailing functionality before it would engage, preventing the loss of engine braking while avoiding unnecessary brake application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operating gear selection and provides feedback to the sailing functionality control. The transmission control unit uses the detected operating gear information to dynamically control the sailing functionality, creating a closed-loop system that adjusts deceleration behavior based on driver intent reflected in gear selection.
2Speed
If the brake pedal is applied to disengage sailing functionality, then the deceleration rate is increased and engine braking is restored, but energy consumption in the brake system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system automatically manages the disengagement of sailing functionality based on gear detection, eliminating the need for driver intervention via brake application. The system serves itself by using the operating gear information to automatically deactivate sailing mode when appropriate, preventing unnecessary energy loss in the brake system.
3Speed
If the transmission shift lever is moved to manual gear-shift mode to avoid sailing functionality, then engine braking can be maintained, but constant driver inputs are required at lower speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decision-making logic for sailing functionality management from the driver and relocates it to the transmission control unit. The control unit independently determines when to deactivate sailing mode based on operating gear detection, removing the burden of constant manual intervention from the driver while maintaining appropriate deceleration control.
4Loss of energy
If the transmission is operated in manual mode to prevent sailing functionality activation, then engine braking is available, but gear shifting becomes cumbersome and requires constant driver input
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control unit acts as an intermediary between the driver's gear selection and the sailing functionality. It translates the operating gear information into appropriate sailing mode control decisions, eliminating the need for the driver to manually manage sailing functionality through complex gear-shifting patterns or mode changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission system avoids activation of a sailing functionality in a vehicle. The transmission system is configured for automatic gear-shifting in an automatic mode and manual gear-shifting by a user in a manual mode. The transmission system includes a user input device configured for manually changing the operational mode between the automatic and manual modes. The transmission system includes a transmission control unit for determining a recommended gear in the automatic and manual modes. In the manual mode, an operating gear of the transmission system is detected by the transmission control unit. A change of the operational mode from manual to automatic by means of the user input device is detected, and if the detected operating gear in the manual mode when changing to automatic mode is lower than the recommended gear, the sailing functionality in the automatic mode is deactivated.