Vehicle Control Device Adapting to Driver Inclination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with manual transmissions lack an enhanced sense of driver-vehicle integration, which affects the marketability and efficiency of fuel consumption, as they do not adapt to the driver's inclination, skill level, or fatigue during operation.

Innovation Solution

A control device that recognizes driver-associated conditions such as driving inclination, skill level, and fatigue through shift and clutch manipulation information, adjusting vehicle control parameters like throttle opening and VDIM intervention timing to match the driver's demands for responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual transmission vehicles maintain direct driver control through shift lever and clutch manipulation, then driver-vehicle integrity and fuel efficiency are improved, but the vehicle lacks adaptability to driver inclination and fatigue levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to driver inclinationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors manipulation information from the shift lever and clutch operations, feeds this information back to determine driver inclination and fatigue levels, and automatically adjusts vehicle control parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the vehicle to adapt to driver state without adding complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential mechanical adaptation systems with an electronic control system that uses sensors and processors to detect driver manipulation patterns and automatically adjust vehicle parameters. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control achieves adaptability while maintaining fuel efficiency and driver integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If the vehicle provides high responsiveness to driver manipulation, then driving skill recognition and driver satisfaction are improved, but fuel consumption efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness speedVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts vehicle responsiveness based on detected driver inclination and fatigue levels. When a skilled or alert driver is detected, the system provides higher responsiveness; when fatigue or less skilled operation is detected, responsiveness is reduced to conserve fuel. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between driver satisfaction and fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes control parameters such as throttle response, transmission shift timing, and engine power delivery based on driver state detection. By varying these parameters according to driver inclination and fatigue, the vehicle optimizes responsiveness to match driver needs while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the vehicle system monitors and analyzes driver manipulation information, then recognition of driver inclination and skill level is improved, but device complexity and information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver state recognition accuracyVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs multiple functions using a single integrated system: it monitors shift lever manipulation, clutch operation, determines driver inclination, assesses driver skill level, detects fatigue, and adjusts vehicle control parameters. This multi-functional approach achieves precise driver state recognition without requiring separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses the driver's own manipulation information as the basis for determining driver state. The system self-adjusts vehicle parameters based on patterns detected in the driver's natural operations, eliminating the need for separate driver input devices or complex external monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2557012B1Control device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2557012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2557012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2557012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle includes a clutch device 6 and a manual transmission MT. A driving inclination of a driver of the vehicle is recognized based on the rate of change per unit time in revolution of an input shaft of the manual transmission MT at the time of a shift manipulation, or based on a clutch torque during the shift manipulation. When the rate of change per unit time in revolution of the input shaft is high or when the clutch torque during the shift manipulation is high, vehicle control is carried out in accordance with a driving inclination of the driver. The vehicle control includes adjustments such as increasing the opening degree of a throttle relative to the opening degree of an accelerator, delaying the intervention timing of VDIM control, and increasing the damping force of an air suspension.