Utility Vehicle Transmission Control Using Forward Elevation Grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles face challenges in efficiently controlling their transmission to navigate changing elevation profiles, leading to potential incorrect shift operations and reduced reliability in terrain detection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor to detect the elevation profile in front of the vehicle, initializing a two-dimensional grid of cells, and assigning elevation data to these cells to proactively control the vehicle's rotational speed by shifting gears or preventing gear changes, thereby improving transmission shift strategy and enhancing terrain detection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transmission control methods are used, then the vehicle can operate with simple control logic, but incorrect shift operations occur when navigating changing elevation profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the elevation profile using a sensor before the vehicle reaches the terrain feature. The control unit processes this elevation data in advance and pre-plans the transmission shift strategy, determining optimal shift points and gear changes before the vehicle encounters the actual terrain challenge. This proactive approach prevents incorrect shift operations by preparing the transmission control in advance based on predicted terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation profile detection range is divided into multiple evaluation zones along the vehicle's travel path. The control unit analyzes elevation data for each zone separately and develops a segmented shift strategy tailored to each terrain segment. This allows the system to optimize transmission control for specific elevation changes while maintaining overall system manageability through modular zone-based processing.
2Productivity
If proactive elevation profile detection is implemented, then transmission shift strategy improves, but the system requires more complex sensor integration and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation detection sensor is integrated with the existing transmission control system, allowing it to serve multiple functions: terrain detection for shift control, vehicle performance optimization, and potential integration with other vehicle control functions. The control unit processes elevation data universally across different driving conditions and terrain types, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and minimizing overall complexity while maintaining high transmission control efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a utility vehicle includes detecting, via a sensor, an elevation profile of a region located in front of the utility vehicle in the direction of travel. The method also includes initializing a grid comprising a plurality of grid cells. The grid extends at least in a longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction of the region. The method further includes assigning the detected elevation profile to associated grid cells by writing elevation profile data into grid cells and controlling the vehicle based on the elevation profile data.