Automatic Transmission Shift Control Across Powertrain Variants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring and operating automatic transmissions require separate switching strategies for each drive train configuration, leading to high application effort due to the variety of possible combinations of drives and transmissions, resulting in inconsistent driving dynamics across different vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method that provides an operating program independent of the vehicle and drive train, using a relative characteristic value to determine the gear selection based on a reference design point, which minimizes the influence of different vehicle components and ensures similar driving dynamics across various configurations by using a single operating data set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate switching strategies are created for each drive train configuration, then the transmission can be optimized for specific vehicle configurations, but the application effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal switching strategy that can be applied across multiple drive train configurations. Instead of developing separate strategies for each configuration, a single strategy is designed that adapts to different vehicles through parameter adjustment, reducing application effort while maintaining optimized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to adapt the switching strategy to different drive train configurations. By modifying key parameters such as gear shift points, torque characteristics, and vehicle mass adjustments, the same base strategy can be optimized for various vehicle types without requiring complete redesign.
2Reliability
If separate switching strategies are created for each drive train configuration, then the transmission can be optimized for specific vehicle configurations, but the number of programs that must be created and validated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal switching strategy eliminates the need to create and validate separate programs for each drive train configuration. A single validated program can be applied across multiple configurations, significantly reducing validation time while maintaining optimized performance through parameter adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation on a universal switching strategy that is designed to accommodate various drive train configurations. By validating the base strategy once and then adapting it through parameter changes, the validation process is streamlined compared to validating separate strategies for each configuration.
3Reliability
If different vehicle configurations use different switching strategies, then each vehicle can be optimized, but the driving dynamics become inconsistent across the vehicle range
Solution Approach 1:
The universal switching strategy ensures consistent driving dynamics across different vehicle configurations by using a common control logic and switching points. This approach maintains brand identity and predictable vehicle behavior while still allowing for optimization through parameter adjustments specific to each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully manages parameter changes to maintain driving dynamics consistency. While parameters like gear shift points may be adjusted for different configurations, the overall switching strategy and control logic remain uniform, ensuring that vehicles across the range exhibit consistent and predictable driving characteristics.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for configuring and operating an automatic transmission is disclosed. An operating program (18) is provided, which is configured to operate the automatic transmission (16) depending on the determination of a relative characteristic value that relates a current longitudinal dynamic characteristic of the vehicle to a reference longitudinal dynamic characteristic of the vehicle. The operating program (18) is adapted to the specific vehicle and/or powertrain by defining a vehicle-specific and/or powertrain-specific reference design point, depending on which the reference longitudinal dynamic characteristic value is determined. Preferably, this eliminates the need to create and validate a separate operating program for each vehicle configuration.