Transmission Control Module Shift Schedule Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic transmissions face compatibility issues and data transmission problems when paired with incompatible engines, limiting their installation in various vehicles and requiring costly coordination between engine and transmission design teams.
Innovation Solution
A method that selects between economy and performance shift schedules based solely on transmission data, using output speed, throttle percentage, and transmission gear ratio, eliminating the need for engine data and allowing for broader compatibility and flexibility in vehicle setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the TCM receives engine data from the ECM to select shift schedules, then the transmission can operate with optimized shift scheduling, but the transmission is limited to compatibility only with specific engines and requires costly coordination between engine and transmission design teams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dependency on engine data (ECM communication) from the shift schedule selection process. The TCM now uses only transmission-internal data (output speed sensor, input speed sensor, throttle position sensor) to determine shift schedules, eliminating the need for ECM data and thereby removing the compatibility constraint between specific engine-transmission pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission control module is designed to universally determine shift schedules using only its own internal sensors and data, making it compatible with any engine type. This universal approach allows the same TCM and transmission to be installed across multiple vehicle platforms without requiring engine-specific calibration or coordination.
2Reliability
If the ECM communicates engine data to the TCM, then the TCM can select appropriate shift schedules based on engine conditions, but data transmission delays or failures prevent timely shift schedule changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external data communication channel between ECM and TCM for shift schedule determination. The TCM now directly uses its own sensors (output speed sensor, input speed sensor, throttle position sensor) to immediately detect driving conditions and select shift schedules without any data transmission delays or communication failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The TCM serves itself by using its own internal data sources rather than relying on external data from the ECM. The transmission control module independently monitors its own operating conditions through its sensors and autonomously selects shift schedules based on real-time transmission state, eliminating dependency on external communication.
3Productivity
If the transmission uses engine data from the ECM for shift schedule selection, then optimal fuel economy and performance can be achieved, but the system complexity and coordination requirements between engine and transmission teams increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shift schedule determination function from the engine control system (ECM) and relocates it entirely to the transmission control module using only transmission-internal data. This eliminates the need for complex inter-system coordination and data sharing protocols between engine and transmission teams while maintaining shift scheduling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control systems for the engine and transmission are segmented into independent functional units. The TCM handles shift schedule selection independently using its own sensors, while the ECM handles engine control separately. This segmentation removes the need for tight integration and coordination between the two systems, simplifying the overall vehicle development process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.