DE102014115036B4 - Procedure for range selection in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle comprising:
individually selecting corresponding cruising areas from a plurality of cruising areas using a plurality of cruising area selection buttons (220-1...220-N);
generating (404) detection signals based on positions of respective ones of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N);
selecting a parking area using a parking area selection button;
generating (408) parking detection signals by a parking detection circuit based on a position of the parking slot selection button;
generating status signals corresponding to the plurality of driving range selection buttons (220-1...220-N) based on the detection signals;
selecting (412) a transmission range based on the park detection signals and the status signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N);
selectively identifying (504) a park button fault based on the detection signals from the park detection circuit; and
setting (520) the transmission range to a park range if the park button fault occurs and none of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N) are activated.

Description

AREA

The present disclosure relates to a method for driving range selection.

BACKGROUND

Referring now to 1 an electronic transmission range selection system is illustrated. Transmission range selection includes selecting a transmission gear range in a vehicle 100, such as park, reverse, neutral, drive, low, or overdrive. The vehicle 100 typically includes a shift assembly 112 that is actuated by the driver to select a gear range.

The shift assembly 112 may include one or more sensors to determine a position of a driver input device, which may include, for example, a lever or paddle shifter. Readings from one or more sensors may be transmitted to a shift interpretation module (SIM) 110 . The SIM 110 interprets the sensor readings and determines the driving range selected by the driver. Based on the selected range, the SIM 110 may transmit a range request to an engine control module (ECM) 104 and a transmission control module (TCM) 106 .

The ECM 104 receives input from one or more sensors and controls one or more operating parameters of the engine 102. The TCM 106 may receive the range request in a variety of ways. For example, the TCM 106 may receive the range request through a direct connection or via a vehicle's communications network. The TCM 106 uses the range request to control a transmission 108 .

From the DE 10 2011 115 491 A1 a rocking shift-by-wire system is known.

the DE 10 2004 054 617 B3 describes an actuator with buttons.

the DE 10 2009 023 566 A1 discloses an electronic transmission shift architecture with maximized availability.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved method for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle.

SUMMARY

A method for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle includes individually selecting corresponding ranges from a plurality of ranges using a plurality of range selection buttons; generating detection signals based on positions of corresponding ones of the plurality of driving range selection buttons; selecting a parking area using a parking area selection button; generating parking detection signals by a parking detection circuit based on a position of the parking slot selection button; generating status signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons based on the detection signals; selecting a transmission range based on the park detection signals and the status signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons; selectively identifying a park button fault based on the detection signals from the park detection circuit; and setting the transmission range to a park range when the park button error occurs and no button of the plurality of range selection buttons is activated.

Additional areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.

character list

• 1 ein Funktionsblockdiagramm eines beispielhaften elektronischen Getriebefahrbereichsauswahlsystems gemäß dem Stand der Technik ist;
• 2A ein Funktionsblockdiagramm eines Beispiels eines elektronischen Getriebefahrbereichsauswahlsystems gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung ist;
• 2B - 2D elektrische Schemata von Knopferkennungsschaltungen gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung sind;
• 3 ein Funktionsblockdiagramm eines Beispiels eines Knopfinterpretationsmoduls gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung ist;
• 4 ein Funktionsblockdiagramm eines weiteren Beispiels eines elektronischen Getriebefahrbereichsauswahlsystems gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung ist;
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm ist, das ein Beispiel eines Verfahrens zum Generieren einer Fahrbereichsanforderung gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung darstellt; und
• 6 ein Flussdiagramm ist, das ein Beispiel eines Verfahrens zum Generieren einer Fahrbereichsauswahl bei Empfang von widersprüchlichen Fahrbereichsauswahleingaben gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung darstellt.

The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 Figure 12 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary prior art electronic transmission range selection system;
• 2A Figure 12 is a functional block diagram of an example of an electronic transmission range selection system according to the present disclosure;
• 2 B - 2D are electrical schematics of button detection circuits according to the present disclosure;
• 3 Figure 12 is a functional block diagram of an example of a button interpretation module according to the present disclosure;
• 4 Figure 12 is a functional block diagram of another example of an electronic transmission range selection system according to the present disclosure;
• 5 Figure 12 is a flow chart depicting an example of a method for generating a range request according to the present disclosure; and
• 6 12 is a flow chart depicting an example of a method for generating a range selection upon receipt of conflicting range selection inputs, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic transmission range selection system is used in a vehicle to enable an operator of the vehicle to select a transmission gear range, such as park, neutral, reverse, low, drive, or manual modes. According to the present disclosure, the driver of the vehicle may select the transmission gear range using individual buttons that individually select park, neutral, reverse, drive, or manual range modes. A detection circuit is used to detect actuation of the park button. Other detection circuitry and a button state module are used to detect states of buttons other than the park button. The output of the button state module and the detection circuitry associated with the park button are used to generate a range request for the transmission.

For example, the output of the button state module and the output of the detection circuits associated with the park button may be translated into a range request by a control module, such as an engine control module (ECM) or a transmission control module (TCM). Alternatively, another vehicle control module may be used to translate the output of the button state module and the output of the detection circuitry associated with the park button into a range request.

The ECM controls the engine and may adjust one or more engine operating parameters based on the range request. The TCM may control a transmission based on the range request. However, if a fault is diagnosed in the button associated with park, the transmission can be held in park by default. This feature can make it difficult for the driver to take the vehicle to the dealer for service.

According to the present disclosure, the driver selects one of park, neutral, reverse, drive, or manual modes using the appropriate buttons. Outputs from the detection circuits associated with the park button are connected directly to the control module (such as the ECM, TCM, or other module) that makes the transmission range decision. The detection circuits corresponding to the remaining buttons provide an input to the button state module. An output of the button state module is then connected to the control module (such as the ECM, TCM, or other module) that makes the transmission range decision.

More specifically, the range request may be set to park by default if there is a fault in the park button or the detection circuitry associated with the park button. Even if a fault is diagnosed in this way, the range request can still be reliably generated based on the detection circuits associated with the remaining buttons and on the button state module. This approach allows a driver to operate the vehicle in reverse, neutral, manual, or drive despite the presence of a fault in the park button or in the detection circuitry associated with the park button.

Referring now to 2A A functional block diagram of an exemplary electronic transmission range selection system is presented. A range detection module 202 is coupled to a control module, such as an engine control module (ECM) 204 (as described in 2A shown), a transmission control module (TCM) 205, or any other suitable control module associated with the vehicle. The ECM 204 controls and adjusts operating parameters of an engine 210 and the TCM 205 controls and adjusts operating parameters of a transmission 212 . It is understood that the ECM 204 and the TCM 205 can be combined.

In some embodiments, the driving zone detection module 202 may be directly connected to the ECM 204, TCM 205, or other control module in two or more ways using any suitable connections, such as vehicle networks, direct wired connections, or wireless connections. For example only, the network connections may be formed by a network, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN).

The driving range recognition module 202 has a plurality of driving range selection buttons 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, ... and 220-N (collectively referred to as range select buttons 220), where N is an integer greater than one; For example, the range selection buttons 220 may include individual buttons corresponding to reverse, neutral, drive, or manual range modes, although other range selections may be provided. Park select button 224 is used to select park.

The range select buttons 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, ... and 220-N are connected to a button status module 226 through detection circuits 232-1, 232-2, 232-3, ... and 232-N. The detection circuits 232-1, 232-2, 232-3, ... and 232-N (collectively referred to as detection circuits 232) generate one or more signals based on a state of a corresponding button. In some examples, the detection circuitry 232 performs redundant detection of button positions and generates redundant signals.

The button status module 226 receives outputs of the detection circuits 232-1, 232-2, 232-3, ... and 232-N and determines whether any of the range selection buttons 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, ... and 220 -N is pressed. In other words, the button state module 226 interprets one or more signals it receives from each of the detection circuits 232 and outputs state signals to the control module that makes the range selection decision (and which in this example is a range selection module 208 in the ECM 204). The status signals may identify at least one of the actuated, unactuated, or faulted states for each of the range selector buttons 220 . The button state module 226 may be connected through a bus to the ECM 204, the TCM 205, or another control module.

The park select button 224 is coupled to a detection circuit 234 that generates one or more signals based on a position of the park button. The outputs of the detection circuit 234 are provided to the control module that makes the range selection decision (which in this example is the ECM 204).

After making the range selection decision, the ECM 204 may output a range selection signal to the TCM 205 . The ECM 204, TCM 205, or other controller may issue indicator signals to identify a selected driving range for an indicator display. Indicator 250 may include a single panel or lamps 260-1, 260-2, ... and 260-T corresponding to park, reverse, neutral, drive, or manual range modes, where T is an integer greater than one.

The detection circuits 232 and 234 can be of any suitable design. while in 2 B - 2D examples are shown, other suitable types of detection circuitry may be used. In the example in 2 B first and second resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series. One end of the resistor R1 is connected to a supply reference Ref1 and one end of the resistor R2 is connected to a second reference Ref2. The corresponding range button selectively actuates a switch S1, one terminal of which is connected between resistors R1 and R2. The output Out1 is taken between the resistor R2 and the second reference Ref2.

In 2C and 2D Additional redundancy can be added by adding additional switches such as S2 or S2 and S3 and additional resistors such as R3 and R4 or R3, R4, R5 and R6. In some examples, all detection circuits are from the in 3 shown configuration. It is understood that additional switches and sub-detection circuits can be used.

3 12 comprises a functional block diagram of an example embodiment of the button state module 226. FIG. Referring now to 2A and 3 The button state module 226 may include an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) module 304 that samples signals from the detection circuitry 232 at a predetermined sample rate and that converts the samples into digital values 308 . The button state module 226 determines a state of the switches in each of the detection circuits 232 based on the digital values. The button state module 226 may also include a state selection module that selects states and an encoding module that encodes a state output signal (both shown at 312). A transceiver 316 outputs the status output signal to the ECM 204 .

The state selection and encoding module 312 selects states for the switches in each of the detection circuits 232, performs optional encoding, and generates a state output signal 320. The ECM 204, TCM 205, or other control module receives the state output signal 320 and identifies one of the buttons as pressed, none of the buttons as pressed, or an error condition. It goes without saying that when the detection circuits 232 have multiple sub-circuits as in 2D the state selection and encoding module 312 may determine that a button is pressed if all of the detection circuits 232 do not have the same output. In other words, if the sub-detection circuits have three switches, 2 out of 3 criteria can be used to determine that the switch is actuated or not actuated. An error condition can be declared when more than one sub-detection circuit detects a button being pressed or when inconsistent results are identified (e.g. when 2 detection circuits are used and 1 detection circuit indicates that the button is pressed and another detection circuit indicates that the button not actuated). Additionally, the state selection and encoding module 312 optionally encodes and/or formats the state output signal 320.

The transceiver module 316 transmits the status output signal 320 to the ECM 204, for example using a CAN data protocol, a LIN data protocol, or other suitable serial data communication protocol. If an encoding has been performed, the ECM 204 decodes the first range select signal 320.

The range determination module 208 associated with the ECM 204, TCM 205 or other control module receives the output 320 and other signals directly from the detection circuit 234 associated with the park button 224.

Referring now to 4 the button state module 226 can be omitted and outputs from detection circuits 235-1, 235-2, ... and 235-5 of the range detection module 233 can be input directly to a range determination module 209 of the ECM 204 (or other control module that handles the range determination). .

Referring now to 5 a flowchart is presented that illustrates an exemplary method for generating a driving range request. Control begins with 404 where the range detection module 202 generates the status output signal and outputs the status output signal to the ECM 204, the TCM 205, or another control module. At 408, the detection circuitry associated with the park button generates signals related to a position of the park button. At 412, the ECM 204, TCM 205, or other control module determines a range request based on the status output signal and the signals associated with the park button. At 416, the ECM 204, TCM 205, and/or other control module controls the transmission and display indicators based on the selected range.

Referring now to 6 An example of a method for generating a range selection upon receipt of conflicting range selection inputs is shown. The method may be implemented by the range selection module 208 or another module. In 504, control determines whether there is a park button fault. A park button error can occur when the sense signals generated by the park sense circuitry are invalid or inconsistent. For example only, where three sub-detection circuits are used to detect the parking sensor, a parking error may occur when one or two of the detection signals from the sub-detection circuits do not match the other two or the other of the detection signals, or when all (or one or several) of the detection signals are invalid values.

If 504 is true, control proceeds to 510 and determines whether or not another range select button is actuated. If 510 is true, in 514, control selects the alternate range corresponding to the alternate range selector button and control controls the transmission and indicators based on the alternate range selector button. If 510 is false, then park may be selected by default at 520 in the absence of selection of another range select button.

Claims (6)

A method for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle, comprising: individually selecting corresponding ranges from a plurality of ranges using a plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N); generating (404) detection signals based on positions of respective ones of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N); selecting a parking area using a parking area selection button; generating (408) parking detection signals by a parking detection circuit based on a position of the parking slot selection button; generating status signals corresponding to the plurality of driving range selection buttons (220-1...220-N) based on the detection signals; selecting (412) a transmission range based on the park detection signals and the status signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N); selectively identifying (504) a park button fault based on the detection signals from the park detection circuit; and setting (520) the transmission range to a park range if the park button error occurs and none of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N) are activated. procedure after claim 1 , wherein selecting the transmission range is performed in an engine control module (204) for an engine of the vehicle. procedure after claim 1 , wherein the selection of the transmission range is performed in a transmission control module (205) for a transmission of the vehicle. procedure after claim 1 , further comprising detecting a plurality of times the position of the corresponding one of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1..220-N) and generating a plurality of detection signals for each button of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1..220-N ). procedure after claim 1 wherein the plurality of drive range selector buttons (220-1...220-N) includes a drive range selector button, a neutral range selector button, and a manual range selector button. procedure after claim 1 and further comprising: setting (514) the transmission range to a selected one of the plurality of ranges when the park button error occurs and the selected one of the plurality of range selection buttons (220-1...220-N) is activated.

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