Vehicle Shift Control Using Downhill Speed Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in maintaining uniform vehicle speed on downhill roads, leading to increased fuel consumption, brake pad wear, and discomfort due to frequent accelerator and brake pedal manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A shift control apparatus and method that uses stored speed profiles for each downhill slope to automatically adjust gears based on target speed settings, eliminating the need for driver intervention by utilizing sensors and a controller to determine the appropriate gear for maintaining speed without accelerator or brake pedal manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to maintain vehicle speed on downhill roads, then the vehicle speed can be maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically maintain speed on downhill roads through self-service mechanisms. The controller monitors vehicle speed, detects downhill conditions using acceleration sensors and GPS data, and automatically selects appropriate gears from stored speed profiles without requiring driver intervention with the accelerator pedal
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores speed profiles corresponding to different gears for various downhill slopes in advance. When a downhill condition is detected, the controller retrieves and applies the pre-stored speed profile, enabling immediate automated speed maintenance without waiting for driver input or complex real-time calculations
2Speed
If the driver depresses the brake pedal to control vehicle speed on downhill roads, then the vehicle speed can be controlled, but brake pad wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated speed control on downhill roads through self-service mechanisms. The controller monitors vehicle speed, detects downhill conditions, and automatically selects appropriate gears from stored speed profiles, eliminating the need for driver intervention with the brake pedal
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical brake-based speed control method with an automated transmission-based speed control method. By using the transmission system to manage vehicle speed through gear selection, the harmful mechanical wear on brake pads is eliminated
3Speed
If the driver frequently manipulates accelerator and brake pedals to maintain uniform speed on downhill roads, then vehicle speed can be maintained, but driving comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically maintain speed on downhill roads through self-service mechanisms. The controller monitors vehicle speed, detects downhill conditions using acceleration sensors and GPS data, and automatically selects appropriate gears from stored speed profiles without requiring driver intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle speed and comparing it with target speeds from stored profiles. The controller receives feedback from acceleration sensors and GPS, adjusts gear selection based on speed deviations, and maintains uniform vehicle speed through closed-loop control
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for shift control in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes storage configured to store speed profiles corresponding to respective gears of the vehicle for each of a plurality of downhill slopes, and a controller configured to perform the shift control in the vehicle based on the speed profiles, when the vehicle coasts on a downhill road.