Transmission Turbine Acceleration Control for Vehicle Torque Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing vehicle acceleration in motor vehicles with automatic transmissions are ineffective in integrating with engine parameters, leading to non-optimal acceleration that reduces fuel economy and increases wear on powertrain components.
Innovation Solution
A control module that receives turbine speed and vehicle speed to determine a desired transmission turbine acceleration limit, generating a transmission input torque limit to manage vehicle acceleration independently of engine systems, using a processor and circuitry to calculate torque limits based on vehicle mass and gear ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If engine parameters are used to control vehicle acceleration, then vehicle acceleration can be managed, but integration with automatic transmission control systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission control module as an intermediary that receives turbine speed signals from the transmission system and generates transmission input torque limit signals. This module acts as a mediator between the transmission system and the engine control system, enabling acceleration management without direct integration complexity. The control module processes transmission-specific parameters (turbine speed, transmission gear ratio) to generate control signals that can be applied to the engine torque, effectively decoupling the complexity of transmission control from engine control systems.
2Loss of energy
If transmission turbine acceleration is controlled to improve fuel economy, then fuel consumption decreases, but the system requires additional control modules and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The control module utilizes turbine speed signals that are already generated by the transmission system's own sensors for its normal operation. Rather than requiring entirely new sensing infrastructure, the system repurposes existing transmission sensors (turbine speed sensors) to provide input for acceleration management. The control module processes these existing signals along with transmission gear ratio information to generate torque limits, allowing the transmission system to serve its own control needs and reducing the burden of additional hardware requirements.
3Productivity
If a comprehensive integration of engine and transmission control is implemented, then vehicle acceleration management is optimized, but the system complexity and difficulty of retrofitting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acceleration control function into separate modular components: a transmission control module that handles transmission-specific parameters (turbine speed, gear ratio), a vehicle speed sensor for overall vehicle state monitoring, and an engine control module that receives torque limit commands. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed, tested, and installed. The transmission control module can be retrofitted as a standalone unit that interfaces with existing transmission sensors and communicates with the engine control system through standardized signals, significantly reducing retrofitting complexity compared to comprehensive integrated control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves fuel economy by optimizing transmission turbine acceleration, reducing wear on powertrain components, and can be implemented in new or retrofitted vehicles, offering a modular solution for factory installation or aftermarket applications.
Implementation Method 1
a torque conversion apparatus (20) couplable to a vehicle mover
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing acceleration of a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission (10) by controlling transmission turbine acceleration are provided. A desired transmission turbine acceleration (VAC) is determined based on vehicle speed (VS), turbine speed (TS), and other information obtained from the vehicle transmission (10). One or more torque limits are determined as a function of the turbine acceleration. The torque limits are applied to manage acceleration of the vehicle.