Vehicle Gear Control for Displayed and Actual Gear Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, there is a mismatch between the gear displayed on the vehicle's interface and the actual gear selected by the gear selection module, which can confuse or distract the driver during transitions between autonomous and manual operation modes.
Innovation Solution
An electrical control unit modifies gear selection signals based on the target trajectory and sends power cycling signals to the gear selection module to synchronize the displayed and actual gear, generating dummy signals if necessary to maintain system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the gear selection module sends gear selection control signals autonomously, then the gear selection process is automated, but a mismatch occurs between the displayed gear and actual gear state
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring whether the GSM is currently switched on and comparing the displayed gear state with the actual gear state. When a mismatch is detected, the ECU sends a power cycling signal to reset the GSM, ensuring the displayed and actual gear states are synchronized. This closed-loop feedback resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while preserving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service through automatic power cycling of the GSM when gear state mismatches are detected. The ECU autonomously detects the mismatch condition, activates the power cycling signal, and resets the GSM without requiring manual intervention. This self-correcting mechanism maintains gear state synchronization while preserving the automated gear selection process.
2Reliability
If the power of the gear selection module is cycled to reset it, then gear synchronization is achieved, but the GSM stops sending control signals during the off period
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU performs preliminary actions by detecting when the GSM is switched off and proactively generating dummy gear selection control signals before the GSM can resume normal operation. This ensures continuous control signal availability during the power cycling period, preventing any disruption to systems that depend on these signals while still achieving gear synchronization through the power cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary by generating dummy gear selection control signals that substitute for the GSM's normal control signals during the power off period. These dummy signals bridge the gap in signal continuity, allowing other vehicle systems to maintain proper operation while the GSM is reset, thus resolving the contradiction between synchronization and signal continuity.
3Productivity
If dummy gear selection control signals are generated, then signal continuity is maintained during GSM reset, but additional processing is required by the ECU
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU generates dummy gear selection control signals by copying the format and structure of normal GSM control signals. Rather than creating complex new signal protocols, the ECU replicates the existing signal structure with appropriate gear state information, maintaining signal continuity with minimal processing complexity. This copying approach preserves productivity while avoiding excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of controlling gears in a vehicle. The method comprising: receiving, by an electrical control unit, ECU, associated with an autonomy stack of the vehicle, a gear selection control signal sent by a gear selection module, GSM, to the gears of the vehicle to select a gear from a plurality of gears; modifying, by the ECU, the gear selection control signal based on a target trajectory of the vehicle generated by the autonomy stack; sending, by the ECU, the modified gear selection control signal to the gears through a controller area network, CAN; then, sending, by the ECU, a power cycling signal to the GSM to turn a power of the GSM off then subsequently turn the power of the GSM back on, after a pre-determining power cycling time.