Vehicle Control Device Shift Position Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration of shift sensors and control circuits in vehicle control devices requires an excessively large number of signal lines, compromising mountability due to the need for each control circuit to receive all signals from the shift sensor, especially when a malfunction occurs and retracting traveling control is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with a shift sensor that sends multiple signals based on the shift position, utilizing a drive control unit with multiple control circuits that can determine the shift position using output signals from the shift sensor, and includes a retracting traveling control unit to manage driving force with a functioning control circuit when another circuit malfunctions, reducing the number of signal lines needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each control circuit receives all signals from the shift sensor to ensure reliable operation, then the reliability of shift position determination is improved, but the number of signal lines increases excessively, worsening mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control circuits into multiple independent units (first control circuit, second control circuit, etc.), where each circuit can independently determine shift position using a subset of sensor signals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while reducing the signal line burden on each individual circuit, as not all circuits need to receive all sensor signals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing control circuits that can perform multiple roles: normal shift position determination during healthy operation, and fallback/retracting traveling control when other circuits malfunction. Each control circuit is capable of independently determining shift position and controlling vehicle operation, eliminating the need for excessive signal lines while maintaining system reliability through functional redundancy.
2Reliability
If multiple control circuits are equipped to handle malfunctions and perform retracting traveling control, then the reliability of vehicle operation is improved, but the device complexity and signal line requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring multiple control circuits with the capability to handle malfunction scenarios before they occur. Each control circuit is designed in advance to detect malfunctions in other circuits and automatically switch to retracting traveling control mode. This prior preparation ensures reliable vehicle operation during malfunctions without requiring complex real-time decision-making or excessive signal lines, as the fallback logic is pre-established.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all control circuits receive complete shift sensor signals for full functionality, then the adaptability of the control system is improved, but the number of signal lines and mounting complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different signal reception capabilities to different control circuits based on their specific functional requirements. Not all control circuits need to receive all shift sensor signals simultaneously; each circuit receives the subset of signals necessary for its designated function (normal operation or retracting traveling control). This localized signal distribution maintains system adaptability while significantly reducing the total number of signal lines required.
Data Source
AI summary
When a malfunction occurs in an A-CPU among multiple CPUs, a retracting traveling control is performed to control a vehicle driving force with a CPU other than the A-CPU. During the retracting traveling control, a shift position is determined with a CPU other than the A-CPU according to an output signal of a shift sensor, and a reduction determination is performed to reduce a shift position, which is to be determined, to be less than a normal state. In this way, the shift position is determined and the retracting traveling is performed even during the retracting traveling control.