Vehicle Transmission Controller Conflict Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with multiple transmission direction controllers, conflicts can arise between the instructed transmission directions, leading to operator frustration and reduced productivity due to the need to deselect one controller before switching to another, which existing technologies do not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A method and controller that detect changes in the selector conditions of multiple transmission parameter selectors and set a new vehicle transmission condition based on the previous and new selector conditions, ensuring safe and responsive operation by considering error conditions and operator intentions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle is configured to require deselection of all direction controller devices except one, then transmission direction conflicts are avoided, but operator convenience and productivity deteriorate due to the need to deselect before switching controllers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission direction conflict avoidanceVSAvoidcontroller switching convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of multiple transmission parameter selectors, allowing them to be simultaneously active rather than requiring static deselection. The controller monitors selector conditions and dynamically determines vehicle transmission conditions based on the most recent valid command, enabling seamless switching between controllers without manual deselection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that receives commands from multiple transmission parameter selectors and resolves potential conflicts by prioritizing the most recent valid selector condition. This intermediary function allows multiple controllers to remain active simultaneously while ensuring only one transmission direction is executed, eliminating the need for manual deselection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple transmission parameter selectors are allowed to operate simultaneously, then operator convenience and productivity improve, but transmission direction conflicts may arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller switching convenienceVSAvoidtransmission direction conflict avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors selector conditions from all transmission parameter selectors and uses feedback loops to detect changes. When a selector condition changes, the controller evaluates it against previous conditions and determines the appropriate vehicle transmission condition, ensuring conflict-free operation while allowing simultaneous controller usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the transmission parameter selectors from a mutually exclusive state (only one active) to a concurrent state (multiple active). By modifying the parameter of selector activation status and using temporal prioritization based on most recent changes, the system allows simultaneous operation without conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3006779B1Controlling a vehicle transmission condition
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP3006779B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3006779B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3006779B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Vehicles, for example machines such as backhoe loaders, may have one or more transmission parameter selectors 130, 140, each of which may be used by an operator to set a vehicle transmission condition 115 for the vehicle (for example, Forward, Neutral or Reverse). An operator may at any time wish to use any of the multiple transmission parameter selectors 130, 140 to set a transmission direction for the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. In the present disclosure, when a selector condition change is detected in a transmission parameter selector 130, 140 of a vehicle from a previous selector condition to a new selector condition, a new vehicle transmission condition is set on the basis of at least the previous selector condition and the new selector condition.