Vehicle Controller Driving Force Limiting for Unintended Gear Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle controllers that automatically switch transmission gear ranges without occupant operation may cause unintended vehicle direction changes, leading to safety risks due to uncontrolled driving force, speed, and acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller with an electronic control unit that determines and limits the driving force when an unintended gear range switch occurs, setting upper limits for driving force, speed, acceleration, and jerk to prevent sudden protrusions and ensure safe travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the shift control unit automatically switches the shift range regardless of occupant operation, then the productivity of parking support is improved, but the reliability of vehicle traveling safety deteriorates due to potential abnormalities causing unintended direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors shift range switching operations and compares them against expected operational patterns. When an automatic switch is detected that doesn't align with current traveling conditions or occupant intent, the system generates feedback to limit driving force, preventing unintended vehicle movement while maintaining automatic parking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit preemptively limits driving force before unintended vehicle movement can occur. By detecting abnormal shift range switching patterns in advance and pre-limiting the driving force, the system prevents potential safety incidents rather than reacting after they occur
2Reliability
If the driving force is limited when unintended shift range switching is detected, then the reliability of vehicle traveling safety is improved, but the productivity of vehicle movement is worsened due to reduced driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies partial limiting of driving force rather than complete shutdown. By implementing intermediate force levels that are reduced but not eliminated, the system maintains sufficient vehicle movement capability for safe operation while preventing excessive force that could cause unintended protrusion or accidents
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the degree of driving force limitation based on the specific abnormal condition detected. The limiting level is not fixed but varies according to the nature and severity of the shift range switching anomaly, optimizing the balance between safety and movement efficiency for each situation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controller configured to control a vehicle which includes a transmission gear includes at least one electronic control unit. The at least one electronic control unit is configured to: determine whether a shift range of the transmission gear is switched such that the vehicle travels in a changed traveling direction not based on a shift range switching operation by an occupant of the vehicle; and limit, when it is determined that the shift range is switched such that the vehicle travels in the changed traveling direction not based on the shift range switching operation, a driving force of the vehicle such that the driving force of the vehicle is smaller than when it is determined that the shift range is not switched such that the vehicle travels in the changed traveling direction not based on the shift range switching operation.