Vehicle Controller Thermal Management via Dynamic Gear Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle control systems primarily focus on automatic transmission, leading to high thermal loading of the internal combustion engine during mountainous driving, which can result in excessive coolant temperature and necessitate emergency measures like shutting down air-conditioning and reducing torque, compromising comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
A controller that determines a target minimum rotational speed for the internal combustion engine based on its temperature and the coolant temperature, and adjusts the gear setting to minimize thermal loading, thereby preventing emergency cascades and maintaining comfort and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transmission control unit prescribes the highest gear during mountainous driving, then the transmission operates efficiently, but the internal combustion engine has to deliver maximum torque causing high thermal loading of the cooling system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gear setting adaptable rather than fixed. The transmission control unit dynamically adjusts gear selection based on real-time engine temperature feedback. When the engine exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, the system automatically selects lower gears to increase engine RPM and reduce thermal loading, thereby resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and engine temperature management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the engine temperature is continuously monitored and fed back to the transmission control unit. This closed-loop control enables the system to detect when the engine is overheating and automatically respond by adjusting gear selection to reduce thermal load, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining transmission efficiency and preventing engine overheating
2Temperature
If emergency measures are taken to reduce thermal loading by reducing torque delivered by the internal combustion engine, then the cooling system is protected, but driving comfort and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively managing engine temperature through intelligent gear selection before emergency measures become necessary. The system continuously monitors engine temperature and preemptively adjusts gear settings to prevent overheating, thereby maintaining both engine temperature control and driving comfort without needing to resort to torque reduction emergency measures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the transmission system by adjusting gear selection based on engine temperature conditions. Instead of reducing torque delivery which compromises performance, the system changes the gear ratio parameter to optimize the balance between engine thermal load and drivability, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature management and driving comfort
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a motor vehicle (1) has an internal combustion engine (3), a transmission (4), and a cooling device (5) with a coolant (5b) for cooling the internal combustion engine (3), wherein the controller (2) is configured to determine a target minimum rotational speed for the internal combustion engine (3) on the basis of the temperature of the internal combustion engine (3) and/or the temperature of the coolant (5b) and to determine a target gear setting on the basis of the target minimum rotational speed.