Vehicle Shift Control with Manual Feedback and Interference Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle shifting systems in manual mode lack driver feedback due to motor-derived resistance, diminishing the driving experience, and automatic shifting can interfere with manual shifting operations, causing operational burdens and conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a manual shifting power transmission mechanism that transmits driver-applied operation force as shifting power, combined with an automatic shifting power transmission mechanism controlled by a controller that prevents simultaneous manual and automatic shifting processes, allowing for driver feedback and easy shifting operations by prohibiting interference between shifting powers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a shift control motor is used to actuate the transmission in manual shifting mode, then automatic shifting function is achieved, but the driver receives no reaction force and cannot experience mechanical shifting feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic shifting functionVSAvoidmechanical shifting feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting system is divided into two independent power transmission paths: a manual shifting power transmission mechanism that transmits driver-applied forces to the transmission, and an automatic shifting power transmission mechanism that transmits motor-driven forces. This segmentation allows both manual and automatic shifting functions to coexist without interfering with each other, enabling the driver to experience mechanical feedback when manually shifting while maintaining automatic shifting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If the shifting operation member is mechanically connected to both the transmission and the shift control motor, then automatic shifting is enabled, but mechanical resistance from the motor imposes an operational burden on the driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic shifting capabilityVSAvoidshifting operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting operation member is divided into two separate mechanical connection paths: one path connects to the transmission through the manual shifting power transmission mechanism, and another path connects to the transmission through the automatic shifting power transmission mechanism. This segmentation eliminates the mechanical resistance from the motor during manual operation, allowing the driver to operate the shifting member easily while the motor provides assistance only during automatic shifting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual and automatic shifting processes occur simultaneously, then both shifting functions are available, but the shifting powers interfere with each other causing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual shifting function availabilityVSAvoidshifting operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller monitors the operating state of the shifting system and determines whether the vehicle is in manual shifting mode or automatic shifting mode based on this feedback. When manual shifting is detected, the controller prohibits the automatic shifting process from occurring simultaneously, and vice versa. This feedback-based control prevents interference between the two shifting powers, ensuring reliable shifting operation while maintaining the versatility of having both shifting functions available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3611405B1Transmission-equipped vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3611405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller (36) includes: an automatic shifting control section (51) that carries out automatic shifting control in which a shifting actuator (22) is driven in response to a predetermined automatic shifting command; and an interference prevention control section (53) that controls the automatic shifting control section (51) so as to prohibit simultaneous occurrence of a manual shifting process induced by operation of a shifting operation member and an automatic shifting process induced by the shifting actuator (22).