Vehicle Control Device Using Acceleration Index

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to accurately adapt the dynamic performance and driving characteristics to a driver's intention, particularly in varying environments and driving styles, leading to inconsistent driveability and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that determines an index based on the vehicle's running state, specifically using longitudinal and lateral acceleration, to adjust the required revolution speed or gear ratio of the drive power source and transmission, ensuring dynamic performance and driving characteristics align with the driver's intention, while also considering the driver's input through the accelerator pedal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual mode selection switch is used to select drive modes, then driving characteristics can be changed, but driving operation becomes complicated and responsiveness to driver's intention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving characteristics adaptationVSAvoiddriving operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically determines the drive mode by evaluating the index based on running state without requiring manual driver input. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting appropriate driving characteristics based on real-time sensor data and pre-stored mode definitions, eliminating the need for mode selection switches while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes driving characteristics by adjusting control parameters (engine output, transmission gear ratio, brake force) based on the determined drive mode. Instead of requiring manual mode selection, the system dynamically modifies these parameters according to the automatically determined index, achieving adaptability through parameter variation rather than discrete mode switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If neuro-computer learning system is used to reflect driver's preference, then driving characteristics can be adjusted, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's preference adaptationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential elements needed for driver preference adaptation: an index determination unit that evaluates running state and a drive mode determination unit that selects appropriate modes. Instead of implementing a complex neuro-computer learning system, the invention takes out only the necessary functional components to achieve adaptation, simplifying the system while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is segmented into distinct functional units: an index determination unit that calculates the running state index, a drive mode determination unit that selects the appropriate mode based on the index, and a control execution unit that applies the selected mode. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity compared to a monolithic neuro-computer approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If drive mode is determined based on running state index, then dynamic performance matches driver's intention, but control precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic performance adaptationVSAvoidrunning state measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines drive mode based on a synthesized index that combines multiple running state parameters (vehicle speed, acceleration, steering angle, brake pedal position) rather than requiring precise measurement of each individual parameter. By using partial information combined into an overall index, the system achieves adaptability without demanding extremely high measurement precision for every sensor input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The running state index acts as an intermediary between raw sensor measurements and drive mode selection. Instead of directly using complex multi-parameter measurements to determine drive mode, the system first processes these measurements into a simplified index value that serves as a mediator, making the control process more robust to measurement variations and reducing the impact of individual sensor precision limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2467288B1Control device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2467288B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2467288B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2467288B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In a control device for a vehicle that controls a revolution speed of a drive power source or a gear ratio of a transmission coupled to an output side of the drive power source in the vehicle equipped with the drive power source and the transmission, the control device is configured to determine an index that is based on a running state of the vehicle, and to control a required revolution speed of the drive power source or a required gear ratio for the transmission on the basis of the index.