Transmission Mode Switching Maps for Road Gradient Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for automatic transmissions in vehicles fail to accurately match the driver's sensitivity for different driving conditions, such as uphill, flat, and downhill roads, leading to difficulties in canceling and returning to the automatic shift mode effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a controller and storage unit that switches transmission modes between automatic and temporary manual shift modes based on vehicle speed, accelerator operation, and road gradient, using multiple mode switching maps to set distinct cancellation, maintenance, and acceleration regions for different road gradients, allowing for automatic return to the automatic shift mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single cancellation region is set for returning to automatic shift mode, then the control system is simple, but it cannot accurately match driver sensitivity for different road gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single cancellation region into multiple cancellation regions, each corresponding to different road gradients (uphill, flat, downhill). This segmentation allows the system to accurately match driver sensitivity for each gradient type while maintaining clear control logic through dedicated regions for each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different cancellation region characteristics to different road gradient conditions. Each gradient type has its own optimized cancellation region parameters (vehicle speed ranges, accelerator operation amounts), allowing local optimization for each driving condition rather than using a uniform approach.
2Measurement precision
If multiple mode switching maps are used for different road gradients, then driver sensitivity is accurately matched, but the storage requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple mode switching maps that can be universally applied to different road gradient conditions. Each map is optimized for specific gradient types but follows a consistent structure and parameter set, allowing the system to handle various driving conditions with a standardized approach rather than requiring completely separate control systems.
3Ease of operation
If automatic return to automatic shift mode is implemented, then driver operation is simplified, but the control logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic return to automatic shift mode by having the system monitor driving conditions and automatically switch modes when cancellation regions are detected. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual driver intervention while using clear, gradient-specific rules to determine when mode switching should occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes a controller that switches a transmission mode of a transmission of a vehicle between an automatic shift mode and a temporary manual shift mode; and a storage unit storing maps each representing a relationship between a vehicle speed and an accelerator operation amount that are parameters for switching the transmission mode, and that are set for individual gradients of road on which the vehicle drives. The maps each include a cancellation region, a first maintenance region, and a second maintenance region, which are set to be different from each other according to the gradients. The controller includes a processor(s) and a memory(ies) coupled to the processor(s). The processor(s) executes a process including: selecting a map corresponding to a gradient of road on which the vehicle is driving; and switching the transmission mode based on the selected map, the vehicle speed and the accelerator operation amount.