Vehicle Transmission Shift Map Pre-Selection via Road Sign Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic vehicle transmission systems struggle to reliably and promptly adjust shift points based on road gradients, often leading to delayed adoption of suitable shift maps and driver-perceived variability, especially when gradient changes are gradual or unsigned.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a forward-facing camera to recognize road signs indicating gradient changes, allowing pre-selection of alternative transmission shift points, which are immediately implemented upon detection of the corresponding gradient, using a transmission controller and processor to manage shift maps and inputs from engine torque, speed, and braking signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gradient recognition uses comparison of engine torque and rate of change of speed, then gradient can be detected, but sufficient distance must be travelled for reliable determination and adoption of alternative shift map may not occur until gradient has been substantially entered
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-selects an alternative transmission shift point when a road sign indicating gradient change is recognized by the camera device, preparing the shift map in advance. Upon detection of the actual gradient change, the pre-selected shift point is immediately implemented without waiting for data accumulation, thus performing the useful action of shift map adoption in advance and eliminating delay
2Measurement precision
If gradient recognition waits for reliable data accumulation, then accurate gradient determination is achieved, but the most suitable shift map may not be adopted as early as is desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-selects the alternative shift map based on road sign recognition before the vehicle actually encounters the gradient. When the gradient is detected, the pre-selected map is immediately implemented. This preliminary selection eliminates the need to wait for data accumulation at the gradient, achieving both accuracy (through pre-selection based on signed gradient) and timeliness (through immediate implementation upon detection)
3Adaptability or versatility
If sequential shift maps are selected as gradient progressively changes, then adaptation to gradual gradient changes is achieved, but the vehicle exhibits variability in shift points that may be perceived as fault by driver
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sequentially selecting shift maps as the gradient progressively changes (which causes variability), the system pre-selects the appropriate shift map based on road sign recognition before entering the gradient. Upon gradient detection, this single pre-selected map is immediately implemented, providing consistent and predictable shift behavior that matches driver expectations while maintaining adaptability to the signed gradient
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the road sign information as a proxy or copy of the actual gradient conditions. By recognizing the gradient from the road sign before encountering it, the system can prepare the appropriate shift map in advance, eliminating the need for sequential adjustments and providing consistent shift behavior that matches what the driver would expect from accurate gradient prediction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A vehicle (10) has a camera recognition system to detect and interpret a road sign (14) indicative of a gradient. A gradient related shift map of an automatic vehicle transmission is pre-selected upon recognition of the road sign, and implemented upon detection that the gradient has commenced. The invention provides for rapid and consistent implementation of a suitable shift map on a gradient.